CRICKET

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1299, 18 March 1915, Page 20

CRICKET

(By

"Mid-On.”)

The outcome of the fixtures, or, to be more exact, the result of the match between Eden A and Ponsonby decides the championship for the season. With these two teams fighting for supremacy in the competition under the auspices of the Auckland Cricket Association, it is little wonder that the other fixtures were almost sunk into oblivion, and all interest centred in the meeting of the representatives of the two districts that figured in a similar picture last season. The two elevens have figured in nine matches apiece, Ponsonby winning seven and losing two. Their successes consisted of victories over Parnell, Waitemata, Eden A, Eden B, University, Grafton, and North Shore which brought them sixteen points, but losses against North Shore and Grafton reduced the score to twelve. Eden A scored the same number of victories as their rivals, the following teams being their victims: Grafton, Eden B, Parnell, University, Waitemata, North Shore and Grafton; while Ponsonby and North Shore caused a reduction, and prior to the commencement of this match their point crop was eleven. Although the second day’s play of the match between North Shore and Eden A provided sensation and caused much enthusiasm in the closing stages, the proceedings, though somewhat dull at times, were watched with much eagerness, even if the spectators did not rise to that high pitch of enthusiasm which punctuated every incident in that exhilarating encounter a fortnight before, when Eden gained such a memorable victory. Nevertheless, despite the fact that play seldom provided much excitement and the hillside critics seemed rather somnolent, the keenness was there, and it was not difficult to indicate that the match was of more than ordinary nature.

It was a glorious day for such a contest, and just a day that a batsman longs to get set and feel like making a century. Probably some of the Ponsonby batsmen did possess that feeling, but it failed to material ise, and the West Enders all told could only register 159, a total that seems out of all proportion for such a contest, and under such favourable conditions. So far Eden have lost one wicket for 22.

On the adjoining wicket the happy conditions were not availed of either. Parnell could only notch 156, while Eden B have lost five wickets for 50. At Devonport, Grafton (306 for six wickets) once more demonstrated their abilities with the bat, and provided North Shore with an afternoon's leather hunting. Waitemata defaulted to University on account of being unable to raise a team.

Once more it is necessary to record a century to the famous Grafton batsman, McCormick, who scored 117 not out. W. Horspool (Grafton), 75, and Anthony (Parnell), 60, were the only other batsmen to reach the half-cen-tury. . Burton (Eden B) triumphed with the ball to the extent of six wickets for 39. Eden A v. Ponsonby.

Eden Park was the scene of the closing match between Ponsonby and Eden A on Saturday last, the first day’s play attracting a fair muster of spectators. Weather conditions were ideal and No. 1 wicket was in an excellent state, though the outfield, as is usual at Eden Park, was bumpy, owing to its unevenness, thus making clean ground fielding uncertain.

There was considerable interest attending this fixture, seeing that the fate of the senior championship will be decided on the result, a draw being sufficient to bring the coveted honour to Ponsonby, runners-up to Eden A last season. As a result of the first day’s play the position is decidedly open, everything depending on Pon sonby’s attack on Saturday next, when an exciting afternoon’s play should be witnessed. Further interest was added to the fixture, as cricket enthusiasts saw the popular Ponsonby skipper’s last appearance before leaving for Trentham. F. R. Wilson’s batting is such that appeals to the hillside critics, and he has made a con-

sistent showing throughout the season, while his failure to be included in Auckland’s first twenty, however, when the selectors were choosing the rep. teams, was the source of much comment. Wilson was due to leave for Wellington by Sunday’s express, so his services will be missed by Ponsonby on the second day of play. Luck appeared to be with Ponsonby when Wilson won the toss and natur-

ally decided to take first stroke, but subsequent events seemed to indicate that here the westerners’ luck began and ended, for throughout the afternoon no chances went Ponsonby’s way, N. Snedden just tipping one to Rountree, F. R. Wilson being beaten by a simple slow break-back from Hemus, and Mason run out through a misunderstanding. Early disaster had the effect of quieting play quite appreciably, batsmen taking no risks, batting throughout being marked by painful caution, so that cricket, from the spectators point of v.ew, was decidedly slow, about two hours being taken to bring up the first and only century. Indeed, until the stand made by Osborne and Brinsden it was doubtful whether Ponsonby would attain to a century and a half.

Skipper Hemus created the feature of the match to date by his frequent and varied changes in the bowling department. Bowler replaced bowler, and bowlers changed ends in quick succession, Eden’s half-dozen trundlers being tried time and again in a very effective manner, and Ponsonby’s 159 was the outcome, when at least 250 should have resulted.

With N. Snedden’s departure, as Honeycombe’s first and only victim, Wilson and C. Snedden adopted strictly defensive tactics, the former’s excellent foot work being again in evidence, all one over from Cummings being driven to Sale at mid-off. The bowling was good, Cummings in particular keeping a splendid length and -being most difficult to get away, batsmen playing his deliveries, in the main, gently to the off. Slowly, notwithstanding slow tempting ones from Hemus ,the score mounted to 53 .when Wilson, with his total at 18, played round a simple one and was Hemus’ first victim. The retiring batsman had held himself in admirably, and was obliged to depart just when his aggressive work would have been effective.

Worker joined C. Snedden, opening confidently and aggressively with a late glance to the on boundary, an uppish hard shot to Blair at mid-on bringing about his downfall and form ing Hemus’ second victim—3 for 63. C. Snedden now opened out, gettingin some good shots all round the wicket, and with Mason carried the total to 97, when Blair, at deep long on, brought off a fine catch off Taylor’s bowling. Snedden junior’s effort was the result of steady play, and his 44 were well earned. F. S. Taylor failed to become convincing, five being down for 109.

Mason had been playing quietly, taking no chances, withstanding the Eden skipper’s simple looking lobs and bringing off some 1 hard square cuts very effectively, his play inclicat-

ing that he would be hard to dispose of. However, good fortune came Eden’s way, a misunderstanding re a short single finding Osborne undecided, and Mason, who appeared to make little effort to get back, was given out. The retiring batsman had compiled 27, and the register read 6 for 111. Ponsonby’s chances of amassing even a respectable score appeared very doubtful, but Osborne (19) and Brinsden (25) batted patiently and to some purpose, and were mainly instrumental in raising the final total, the wickets falling as follows: 7 for 114, 8 for 151. Brinsden dealt . effectively with Hemus’ deliveries, the left-hander getting them away late to the on, “lost ball” on one occasion resulting. Kavanagh, McMath and Robinson failed to make a stand, and at 5.30 p.m. Ponsonby’s first innings closed. Victims were well distributed among Eden’s trundlers, all of whom bowled steadily on their several appearances, and the averages read as follows: Gilmore 2 for 14, Cummings 2 for 19, Mills 1 for 17, Honeycombe 1 for 19, Hemus 2 for 41, and Taylor 1 for 42. With less than half an hour left, Eden opened with Hemus and Mills. After being dropped by Brinsden, Eden’s skipper was bowled by McMath, the total at 6 p.m. being 22. Grafton v. North Shore.

Those old rivals, Shore and Grafton, met for the second time this season, the match taking place on the Devonport Domain. The weather conditions were ideal, and the wicket was in splendid condition; conse-

quently, McCormick and co. made the most of it. McCormick again came to light with a century, raising his aggregate to 809 for the season and his average to 101. His display was somewhat quieter than usual, but he defied the Shore attack right throughout the afternoon and remained unbeaten. The Grafton player is to be congratulated on his excellent achievement.

Grafton’s skipper won the toss, and with McCormick opened to Dacre and Howden. The opening play was on the slow side, but the batsmen soon settled down to quiet run-getting. The first wicket fell with the total at 49, Horspool being then bowled off his pads by Howden. The batsman put plenty of power into his strokes, square cutting and driving in good style. He registered four boundaries. W. Horspool joined McCormick and a great stand was made, the pair putting on 141 before a separation was effected. The tall Graftonite has met with very little success this season, so his forceful contribution came as a welcome finishing score. Howden puzzled the batsman very considerably at times, but found that the wicket did not help him much. Tattersail was tried at the northern end, but Horspool showed his appreciation of the change by scoring 16 off one over.

Howie, bowling from the southern end, kept a good length, but had no luck. The batsman was twice dropped off him in quick succession by Tattersail and White. Horspool’s end

came at 190, Howden getting him with a ball which came back very smartly from the leg side. The aggressive nature of Horspool’s innings can be understood when it is recorded that he hit no less than twelve boundaries. Sloman was the next player, but he fell a victim to Rankin l.b.w. after he had collected a dozen. His play is much below last year’s standard, his strokes generally speaking suffering from faulty timing. Meanwhile McCormick pegged away slowly, adding a boundary occasionally. The incomer was Beveridge, an ex-Sydney player. The Sydneyite did not remain long enough to give one a line as to his play, but he is certainly looked upon as a good bat.

Rankin found Beveridge's wicket with a ball which appeared to swerve and then nip from the pitch. Baker went out on a hitting expedition, but his career was cut short by Prime taking an easy catch from a mis-hit near the wicket. Stemson filled the vacancy, but in the opening stages was extremely uncertain, giving three chances in quck succession. On settling down, however, he hit with much freedom, and had hard luck in not registering a six. Stemson scored five boundaries in his total of 35 and lost his wicket in the last over of the day. McCormick finished the day with 117 not out, and he well deserved them. Beyond a difficult chance to Prime at the wickets, and a hard chance to Stewart at square leg, both off Howden, the batsman played sound cricket. His total of 117 not

out was a result principally .of 13 boundaries. McCormick has developed ,a fine driving shot past cover, this being really his best shot, while he also puts more vim into his leg play.

From the southern end Howden proved particularly troublesome, especially towards the close of the day, when the wicket segan to wear slightly. The Shore wicket has been a happy hunting ground for McCormick, and he has put up some fine performances there. With over 300 on the slate there is little likelihood of the Grafton captain continuing the innings, so that Shore will have about the same time to bit up the total. Parnell v. Eden B.

The match between Parnell and Eden B. was a happy-go-lucky affair, and realising that Waitemata are safe custodians of the “wooden spoon,” neither side took the game very seriously. Parnell batted first, and thanks to Anthony (62), Dow (27), Fairburn (22) and Breeze (19), a mediocre total was reached. Again the Parnell tail failed lamentably, Burton, of Eden, reaping a harvest of wickets with the ball, eventually winding up with the respectable average of six wickets for 31. It is thought -that the A team would have requisitioned his services for the all important fixture.

Eden gave even a worse exhibition than their opponents, and when play ceased had only 50 on the slate for the loss of five wickets, Burton (18 not out) and Shepherd 110) being the only batsmen to reach double figures.