CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1240, 22 January 1914, Page 24

CRICKET.

(By

“MID-ON.”)

Wickets and weather were splendid for the continuation of the championship matches last Saturday. At the conclusion of the first day’s play the matches were sufficiently advanced to indicate the winners, and in no case did anything sensational happen to upset the calculations of the prophets, although University made a big effort to play out time. North Shore (133 and 190 for four wickets) defeated" Ponsonby (112 and 154 for six wickets) at Devonport by 21 runs on the first innings. At Eden Park Grafton (281) accounted for Parnell (148 and 156 for seven wickets) by a majority of 133 runs on the first innings. Eden A (342 for seven wickets) defeated University (276) b*y 66 runs and collected twoi points. Waitemata (214 and 172 for six wickets) proved their superiority over Eden B (166) by 48 runs.

No centuries were recorded in senior cricket, although MacCormick (Grafton) with 90 not out was not far away when he lost all support from the remainder of the team. Other good scorers were Dunning (Waitemata) 76 not out, Player (University) 71, Sutherland (University) 70, Burns (Parnell) 58, Howden (NnNh Shore) 53 (not out), Arblaster (Waitemata) 51, Worker (Ponsonby) 42 not out. Moller (Waitemata) secured the best bowling average, winding up with, five wickets for 37. Cummings (Eden) captured five for 66. The finishing stages of Eden B’s innings was no more interesting than the former part; in fact, the match right through was a tame sort of affair, with the exception of a little sensation by Riddell at the end of Waitemata’s first innings and Arblaster and Dunning in the second venture, when nothing depended on the result of the vigorous partnership. Eden B continued their innings from five for 64 to 166 before the last wicket fell. The best partnership existed bfetween Alexander and McLaughlin. The Eden wicket-keeper carried his total to l 49 before falling a victim to Young. Needless to say, there were some solid strokes during his occupation of the crease. Alexander would make more runs if he picked the right ball to hit instead of hitting indiscriminately. Mills (27) was Eden’s hope, and they anticipated that he would be able to hold Waitemata’s attack, but a goor ball from Moller broke through his defence. Mc T augbl’n (24) did not seem to get going properly. Beale (14) was the onlv other double, -figure scorer on the day. and he was caught behind the wickets. Moller (5 for 37) bowled reallv well, having a swing from the off and making pace from the pitch. Arblaster (2 for 50) and Young (3 for 52) were the other wicket-takers for Waitemata. Waitemlata opened rather badly in their selcond venture, but Arblaster and Dunning cemented a partnership which put a different complexion on things, and the score rapidly mounted by forceful cricket on the part of both batsmen until Arblaster came to grief after compiling 51. Dunning kept going until stumps were drawn, and finished up with 76 not out, while the total had reached 172 for the loss of six wickets.

No one was sufficiently sanguine enough to expect McMath and Robinson to get Ponsonby out of the fix they were in when play ceased on the first day. Of course, the pair went in to do or die, but their anxiety was soon over, as the enthusiast and the veteran only succeeded in adding a solitary run.

North Shore, with all the afternoon in front of them,, attempted to improve their position, and by brisk batting ran up 190 for four wickets before Sale applied the closure. Howden (53 not out) is a good man to have in a team when runs are required quickly, and so it proved on Saturday. He laid the wood on freely and gave the best display of the side. Prime (35 not out) made some excellent strokes, but did not seem quite at home. Howie (38) was going strongly when Shepherd got one past him. Sale (35) was uncomfortable at the start, and gave a chance to Robinson btehind the wickets and a flukey one through the slips almost (reached Wilson. IJe shaped much better when he got the measure o* the pitch. The Ponsonby bowlers came in for some rough treatment,

and their figures were not very flattering. With 211 runs between then and victory, Ponsonby had little to lose in pushing the pace, even though the time was short, but the usual opening pair were sent to the wickets, and runs came quickly. Collins (28) compiled his runs by steady cricket. Woods (23) was going well when he got in front to Howden. With Kavanagh and Worker associated, runs came quickly. The score was brought to within 60 runs of victory before the hell rang. Worker (42 not out) batted splendidly and scored all round the wicket. His maiden appearance in senior cricket was most convincing, and there should be a big future in front of him. Kavanagh (31) rattled up his runs in quick time, and got out in trying to make a full-tosser o r a ball from Howden. The Shore trundling, with the exception of Howden, was nothing to einthuse over. The leg theorist wound up with three wickets for 28. If Eden A were favoured with a perfect wicket and ideal weather conditions on the opening day of the match, so were University similarly treated on Saturday last, when play was resumed at Eden Park. Eden A being in search of a three-pointer, and having to their credit 342 for the loss of seven wickets, captain BrookeSmith decided to close, University opening their first innings with Caradus and Jacobsen to the bowling of Sauverin and Cummings. Before the afternoon had far advanced, however, it became apparent that a two-pointer was all that Eden A could expect, while as the afternoon drew to a close there was every prospect of a draw being made of the match, ’Varsity having one wicket to fall less than ten minutes to go, and just under 70 runs separating the total scores. However, the last partnership was dissolved eight minutes before time, and a two-point win was registered to Eden A, after University had put up a stubborn fight for a draw, though more aggressive tactics by seve-"' the opening batsmen would have given ’Varsity a very fair chance of a two-point victory. Caradus and Jacobsen found Sauverin to their liking and scored rather freely off him, the former being particularly good on the leg strokes, while {|he latter scored chiefly off ’vigorous, well-timed strokes to the off, Honeycombe relieved Sauverin, and the rate of scoring quietened considerably, Cummings being treated with respect, while it w/as evident that (that bowler was hept on getting Jacobsen 1.b.w., several confident appeals being made. Some excitement was caused when the batsmen ran a single, a run-out being closely avoided. Jacobsen, after batting confidently and in good style, was beaten by a fast, good-length ball from Honey-cc-mbe. The batsman s total of 25 included three fours.

The first-wicket partnership had produced 51, b>ut Airey, following Jacobsen, was well caught by wicketkeeper Rountree, and 2 wickets were down for 54. Graham joined Caradus and the captain opened rather uncertainly, and soon lost Caradus, stumped by Rountree off Cummings. This batsman played carefully for 21, some of his leg glances being very effective. Three wickets were now down for 61. Player lost Graham, the latter being beaten by one of Burton’s breaks, and the board read 4 for 83. Taylor partnered Player and then ensued one of the bright spots of the afternoon’s play. Graham and Player as partners had played very quietly, while Cummings at this stage had bowled 10 overs, 5 for which were maidens. With Taylor’s advent, however, Player livened up very considerably, scoring freely off Honeycombe. Though appearing uncomfortable in commencing, Player soon played with confidence, and Cummings appeared to be the only bowler who troubled him.

•Gordon relieved Cummings, who had been bowling very steadily, Heighway likewise displacing Honeycombe. Player, nevertheless, continued to score freely,, most of the bowling coming his way. Another change in the bowling saw Brooke-Smith take the Wall, and he accounted for Taylor, held behind the wickets by Rountree, five wickets being then down for 143. Sutherland joined Player, runs coming freely from both batsmen, the latter scoring from unexpected leg strokes, while the former put in some powerful work on the off. BrookeSmith was hit by Player for two sixes in succession, but had his re-

venge when Player failed to get on to one, Cummings holding it at mid-off. Player’s innings of 71 was. a meritorious one, and one of the best efforts made by this batsman. His score included two sixes and seven fours, and with his departure the board registered 6 for 192.

Gray failed to stay long, Cummings, who had come on again, beating him badly, seven being down for 212. The Rev. Colville partnered Sutherland, and matters were lively, both batsmen being powerful hitters and eager for runs. Boundary followed boundary in quick succession, and ’Varsity’s chances at this stage appeared bright for a draw. With Colville beaten by Cummings after scoring 21 and Goulding disposed of by Gordon, things were not so hopeful, 24 9 for 9 wickets being the record when Fenwick took strike and some twenty-seven minutes yet to go. Sutherland continued to add to his total, while Fenwick ably kept his end up, but with eight minutes of playing time in hand, Cummings saved the situation by clean bowling Sutherland with a beautiful ball. Sutherland gave of his best, and played a fine innings for his 70 which included ten four’s.

Undoubtedly Eden A owe their success to Cummings’ consistent and effective bowling. To send down 35 overs and secure five wickets for 60 on a day such as Saturday last was a performance of greiat merit. None of Eden’s other bowlers approached the above figures, and without Cummings it is easy to decide as to what the result would have been. Eden A’s fielding was, on the whole, during the long and trying afternoon, of a high standard, very few chances going The Parnell-Grafton contest was concluded on No. 1 ground at Eden Park in ideal weather, the Graftonites securing another two-point victory. x McCormick and Patterson, the two not outs, resumed batting to the bowling of Anthony and Doble. Runs came steadily, both batsmen being content to play the good ones. Doble’s length was somewhat erratic, and as a result the rate of scoring improved considerably. McCormick was playing his usual careful game, never making a mistake or giving a chance. His best scoring stroke was a hard off drive, which frequently found the boundary. Patterson, the “keeper of sticks” for Grafton, came out in a new role, and assisted his more experienced club mate to record the partnership of the day—ll 6 runs being scored before a separation was effected. Although his style is not purely orthodox he watches the ball closely and puts the wood on to anything loose. Like McCormick, Patterson generally requires to be “dug out.”

The Parnell skipper and Doble could make no impression on the Grafton batsmen, so Bevins and Stephens were entrusted with the attack, the latter putting up some gocd stuff from the southern end. In attempting to hit Stephens, the Grafton wicket-keeper skied the ball, and was easily caught at forward cover by Bob Lusk, the total at the dissolution being 239 —outgoing batsman 46. The remaining batsmen, with the exception of Harvey, could not negotiate Stephens, and the innings terminated at 3.55 p.m. with the total 281. Harvey’s stay at the wickets was short-lived, but he opened out in good style, and hit successive balls from Stephens for six—a beautiful hit —and a four. McCormick remained unbeaten with 90 to his credit, his average now standing at about 140. Had anyone stayed with him the genial “Mac” would almost of a certainty have recorded another century. His total included nine fours.

Requiring 133 to save an innings defeat the maroon captain sent in Crawford and Moore to face the bowling of Harvey and Stemson. With the total at nine Moore was completely beaten by a beauty from the veteran Stemson, the ball making wonderful pace from the pitch. Crawford was content to keep his wicket up and score off the loose stuff, of which )in the opening overs there was very little. Breese filled the vacancy, and opened in a promising manner, but when he appeared to be well set he seemed to touch a rising ball with his hand. H. McCormick making a fine catch. Anthony was the next batsman, but his stay at the wickets was brief. In endeavouring to hit one from Hill to the lee boundary his bat flew out of his hand, while the ball skied to F. Horspool standing at square leg. Hard luck for Anthony.

The Parnell Macartney (Burns) took up the running, and soon got the measure of the bowling, running quickly into double figures by a succession of leg hits off the slow bowlers. Burns was rather risky at times,, but yet his exhibition was a highly meritorious one. The Crawford-Burns partnership saved Parnell from an innings defeat, and both lads are to be congratulated on their plucky fight. The only chance to be debited against Crawford was one to Sloinan off Harvey before he had reached double figures. His play otherwise was crisp and clean, one or two forward drivesbeing beautifully executed. Crawford eventually succumbed to a fine catch by Hill off Haresnape. Burns remained long enough to make an innings defeat impossible, and then, in jumping out to one from H. McCormick,, was both caught and stumped—theverdict being stumped. Doble and Bevins had short lives, and it wasleft to Slater and Stephens to play out time.

While keeping wickets for Grafton Patterson had the misfortune to open up an old wound and had to give place to Horspool. Although the Parnellites have not so far recorded a win, they have kept pegging away steadily, and it is to be hoped their efforts will meet with success ere the season closes.