CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 16

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD.

WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND. BRICE'S GREAT EFFORT. (rRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) ' AUCKLAND, January 21. Brilliant weather prevailed for the final Plunket Shield cricket match betwee. Wellington and Auckland, the wicket being in excellent order and apparently all in favour of the batsmen. When, therefore, Wellington with its great team of batsmen was dismissed for IS2, the feat was invested with a touch of the sensational.

At one stage Wellington had lost six wickets for 04, and it remained for Brice, the Wellington captain, who came in at the fall of the eighth wickot, to make the stand of the innings. He made top r.ccre (61), and his partnerships with James and Henderson were instrumental in lifting the score to 182. Bowley (four for 27), Mathcson (three for 73), and Player (two for 24) were the principal Auckland bowlers. When stumps were drawn for the day Auckland had lost four wickets for 146, Mills being tap scorer with 63. Daero (13) and Allcott (4) arc the not out men.

Sensational Opening. When Hiddleston and Worker commenced, playing cautiously to the bowling of Matheson and Allcott, no ono expected a sensational opening. Both bowlers struck a length early, and Matheson was getting a lot of life into his deliveries. However, Hiddleston scored off an occasional erratic ball from him, but Allcott kepi Workor strictly on the defensive The score was taken slowly to 25 before Worker took his first strike to Matheson, having faced three maiden overs from Allcott. A ball from Matheson, who was swinging them down well, kicked np a little, the batsman tipped it, and Rowntrco took a beautiful catch.

Brilliant Catch. Two of tho finest batsmen at present playing in Now Zealand were next associated, Kortlang and Hiddleston, and the crowd settled down in anticipation of patient cricket. Hiddleston was slow but sure. He demonstrated a fine shot through tho slips, and occasionally forced one round to leg in good style. However, it was this shot, combined with the astute generalship of Dacre, which resulted in the loss ot his wicket. Tho Auckland captain made a sudden change in his bowling, replacing Allcott with Player. Player appeared to be pitching the ball somewhat short, but he was swinging a little. Hiddleston tried to force ono round to leg, but tho stroke was a little uppish and a roar from tho crowd signified that Anthony at short leg had snapped up a brilliant catch.

Lowry Out. Lowry- joined Kortlang, and welcomed the'next change in the bowling. .He-went out to the jeg.breaks of Sneddon, who relieved Matheson, and with clean shots to the leg boundary hit 11 off one over. But his career was aIBO a short one. Player had been sending them down swinging, from the legji little, -but he swung in one that came from the off. Lowry ployed all < over it, and three of Wellington's best batsmen were.out for 63. Risks Declined. A period of slow cricket followed, when James joined Kortlang. The batsmen, intent on improving their sides poor position, declined to take any risks and Dacre decided on a double change, reverting to Matheson, and giving Bowley his first change with the ball against a Wellington side. Once again his tactics met with success. Bowley threw up a full-toss, spinning a lot to Kortlang, and the batsman forgot his stonewalling and hit out at it. He mis-hit the spinning ball, which went right up in the air, for Snedden to take the catch. .Four of the team's best batsmen were out for 78.

A Procession. The nest pair, James and McGirr, have a considerable reputation in Wellington for smart running between the wickets, but. an attempt to sneak a single saw James nearly run out. McGirr was not comfortable to Bowley, and James, although he was on the whole sound, was making far too many mis-hits to score well. The crowd, as well as the players, was keyed up with excitement, and a shout went up as McGirr joined what was degenerating into almost a procession. A ball from Matheson made pace from the wicket and went away a little. The batsman put it up into the slips, and Anthony, who, with Bowley. had been fielding excellently, took his second catch.

Six for 94. Just before the luncheon adjournment further disaster, befell Wellington. Badcock was inclined to go forward and feel for Bowley's breaks. He did this once too often, for one spun sharply from leg, the batsman tipped it, and Rowntree lived up to his reputation. Six wickets had fallen for 94, Badcock having scored 6.

Procession Continues, After lunch, the procession continued. Lambert went in with James, and made a single before driving one from Bowley hard to Allcott at midoft. The fifcldsman took a perfect catch. James seemed the only one who could play with restraint, for Hollings lost his wicket almost imediately through being too impetuous. He dashed out to Bowley, but the coach had flighted the breaking ball beautifully. The batsman missed, and Rowntree whipped off the bails. .

Brice to the Rescue. Eight wickets had fallen, and the score was still four short of the first hundred. Bowley had been bowling with excellent judgment, mixing his deliveries well, and flighting thein beautifully. However, the Wellington captain, Brice, used .his long reach to go out to the coach and hit him hard. He played some crisp off-drives, but it was his forcing pull shot that met with most results. However, he could not hit Bowley cleanly, and some of his shots might easily have been catches before Dacre took the coach off.

James was playing with rock-like defence, but occasionally he flashed out with a pretty cover drive. Brice was manifestly uneasy to one over from Matheson, the young University player, making the ball nip disconcertingly, and he sent up a catch to Snedden. It was not an easy one, and the Ponsonby player missed it after getting his two hands to the ball. Another change was tried to break the most productive partnership of the match, Player relieving Matheson. .

A separation was effected by Allcott, who terminated James's hour and a half stay by getting him leg before wicket. Wellington's tail continued to wag with the advent of Henderson. He

was content to leave most of the bowling to Brice, and the veteran took any opportunity of scoring that presented itself. He readied 50 with a neat shot through the slips. The final partnership was an excellent one with Brice standing up to the bowling' and putting all his power behind his shots. The pair showed good judgment in running between the wickets. Anything on the short side was treated with scant respect, but with the total at ISI a bright and forceful innings was brought to a close when Brice „hved Mathcson on to his wicket. He had made 01 in a stylo singularly refreshing.

Auckland Opens Well. It did not take long for Auckland's opening pair, Bowley and Mills, to settle down. The former opened brMitlv using his beautiful forcing leg shot to get Badcock's second ball to the le" boundary. He continued in the same stvle, scoring easily off Badcock mid McGirr, and putting plenty of force behind his back shots. He was not as strong on the off as is usual with him- . , i Henderson was soon brought on in nh.ee of Badcock, but he could not reduce the rate of scoring. Both batsmen were infusing plenty of freedom into iheir plav, and Mills, although he was unking is runs chiefly behind tho wS was better on the off than his partner Once he showed a powerful snot in'swinging Henderson to the leg boundary. A double change was tried in So bowling, Hiddleston and Badcock coming on. The former put a tempo ay check to the-rate of scoring but n,„s continued to come in even time. Badcock was not difficult, and Brice replaced him for an over before the tea adjournment, but was not successful.

Scoring Slackens. The scoring slackened down somewhat o„ the resumption of play. Throughout Bow ey had experienced some difficulty in getting on to off balls cleanly, and Mills's best shots could not find gaps in the well-placed fieW. The score reached 69 before a separation was effected. Bowlcy did not look ike going out, but he played forward to an overpitched one from Badcock, straight-driving it, and the bowler took a beautiful catch low down.

The Tirst Century. The nest man, Snedden, opened cautiously, while Mills was very steady, keep ug » keeu look -° ut £ ° r o U °i C . Ca " sSaJ ball that kept low. Snedden soon commenced to brighten up and bioiK'ht the fust century on the board with a nice glance to the leg boundary off Badcock. He was batting well, his cuttine being a feature, but with his .core at 281* did not put enough power behind a full toss from Lambeit, and was caught bv McGirr at deep square leg _ . Mills was ioined by Cooper, ana brought his half century up by swingiiic Lambert to leg. but then lost his club-mate. Cooper drove Holhngs hard to mid-on, and Brice took a great onehanded catch, turning round to get the ball before it reached the around. Three wickets had fallen for Ho. when Dacre came in. He was nnusuallv cautious at first, but when Henderson came on he attempted to force the pace. He miss-hit one to mid-on, but Lowry was standing a little too deep. Both'he and Hollings rushed for the ball, but collided, and the catch went begging. In the same over, Dacre gave Badcock a chance in the slips, hut the .fieldsman failed to hold a hard catch.

Henderson Bowling Well. Henderson was now bowling well, if a trifle erratically, and in his next over he puzzled Mills with several balls that appeared to-be swinging from the batsman's offrside. .One of these Mills missed, and it went off his pads on to his-wicket. With four wickets •down for 138', the promise of a big first innings score did not'look like being realised. Allcott, the next man; was not comfortable. The light was not exceptionally good, but the score was taken to 146 without further loss before stumps were drawn for the day. Following nre the scores:—

WELLINGTON. First Innings.

Hiddleston, c Anthony, b Player ... 27 R. de R. Worker, c Rowntree, b Mathe-

A match for the Hawke Cup took place here to-day in glorious weather. Taranaki were successful in stalling off a challenge by Wairorapa, and won with the loss of only one wicket in their second Innings. Wairarapa won the toss, and, batting first, made a disastrous start. Six wickets were down for seven runs when Logan and Whitburn made a stand, adding 22 and 18 respectively. Tliese were the only players to reach double figures. The innings closed for a total of 59. Cole and Clarke were the most successful bowlers, tho former securing five wickets for 13 runs, and the latter four for 25.

Taranaki compiled 116 in their first innings, after a bad start. Lay (31), Cole (not out 22), and Kingston (18) batted well. Beech did best with the ball. •Wairarapa's second strike produced 70, Renner (26) being the only double-figure scorer. Bottrill and Clarke divided the bowling honours. Tarnnaki needed 14 to win, which they secured- for the loss of one wicket Scores: —

1927 SHORTHAND AND ' TYPEWRITING CLASSES* Of BANKS* COMMERCIAL COLLEGL RESUME ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25th. IN tho Inst Government Examinations. Banks College Students achieved 100 per cent, passes, both Senior and Junior, for Short hand-Writers and Typistes. First and second places gained by seniors for centre and first place for centre gained by the junior grade. Tho Principal, Miss Irene Archer, will nttend Banks Commercial College, Whitcombe and Tombs Buildings, Colombo street, for tho purpose of meeting prospective students on SATURDAY, JANUARY 22nd, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or on MONDAY', 24th, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. BANKS COMMERCIAL COLLEGE, Office: Cor. Hereford and Liverpool streets, Christchurch. Telephone 5241 A. P. HARLE, F.P.A. (N.Z.), F.I.A. (N.Z.), P.0.A.A., Director.

TEMPLETON CLUB. ' The following will represent the Tcmpleton Club to-day:— Juniors v. Shirley, at Richmond Park (bus leaves at 1.30 p.m.).—A. Black, S. Bush, G. Drayton, D. Falconer, A. R. Mackie, J. Mortland, 0. Price, H. Spicer. R. Voice. T. Dravton; emergency, H. Drayton. Third Grade v. Zealandia, at Tcmpleton— S. Borland. R. Oollings, W. Hampton, H. Kempthorne, P. Kent, C. Knight, D. Mortland, C. Voice (capt.), L. Ward, R. Watson, F. Wright; emergencies, N. Vasey and F. White.

CLARKE'S CLUB. The following will represent Clarke's Cricket Club to-day:— • Junior A Team v. Shirley, at Richmond Domain.—Cade, Swallow, Burnett, Harris, Meachen, Dohbs, Flanagan, Coe, Hammett, Dodd, Dow, Grange. Junior B v. D.1.C., nt Sydenham Park, ninth wicket. —Clarke, Swallow, Danks, Morrison, Lawson, Burgoyne, Corbett, Lawson, Gillard,-Harrison, Price. Third Grade, at Sydenham Park, No. 1 wicket.—Wilson, Spiers, Brookes, P. Bower., McKendry, R. La&e, Hulme, Boyle, Noble, Webb, Taylor.

SUNNYSIDE CLUB. ■, The following will represent the Snnnyside Club to-day:—Watson, tanpriord, Riddington; Teague, Dixon, Hughes, Cocks, Thompson, Tolohard, Hartley, Mackie. Hebbord, emergency.

son .. .. a Kortlans. c Snedden, b Bowley . 19 Liowry, b Player . ,13 James, lbw, b Allcott . 25 McGirr, c Anthony, b Matheson 4 Badcock, c Rowntree, b Bowley . 6 Lambert, c Allcott, b Bowley 1 Hollings, Bt Rowntree, b. Bowley 0 Brice, b Matheson .. .. . . 61 Henderson, not out . 13 Extras ..' •* 5 Total . 182 . Bowling Analysis. Overs. Wickets. Runs. Bowley .. .. 6 4 27 Matheson ..19 3 73 Player ..9 2 24 Allcott .. 12 1 33 Snedden .. 3 -""0 20 AUCKLAND. First Innings. . . Bowley, c and b Badcock . 33 Mills, b Henderson ... . 63 Snedden, c McGirr, b Lambert . 28 Cooper, c Bribe, b Lambert .. 0 Dacre, not out .. . ."• . 13 Allcott, not out . 4 Extras .. .. • . 5 Total for 4 wickets .. .146 THE HAWKE CUP. WAIRARAPA EASILY BEATEN. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAH.) HAWERA, January 21.

WAIRARAPA. First Innings. Gee, c Lash, b Clarke ... 3 Burt, b Clarko .. 1 Hoar, c Kingston, b Cole ... 0 Judd, c L'ggleton, b Colo ' .. .. 0 Fox, low, b Ccle .. .. 0 F. Hoar, c Bottrill, b Cole .. .. 2 Logan, lbw, b Colo . • .. 22 Whitburn, c. Grayson, b Clarke .. 13 Renner, hit wicket, b Clarke 0 Beech, b Penny • • • • ■ 8 Falloon, not out 4 Extras 6 Total .. 59 Bowling Analysis.—Cole took 5 wickets for 13 runs; Clarke, 4 for 25; Penny, 1 for 15. Second Innings. A Hoar, c Grayson, b Bottrill Gee, c Eggleton, b Bottrill .. 9 1 Whitburn, b Clarke •• • • 4 Judd, c Grayson, b Bottrill .. 7 Logan, run out ... 5 Burt, b Clarke •• •• . • ■ 0 F. Hoar, run out 7 Fox, not out • • ■ • Falloon, c Kingston, b C atKe 5 .. 26 0 Renner. c Eggleton, b .Clarke Beech, b Clarke 6 Kxtras .. 70 Bowltae*Aiialrii» toojc for 26 runs; Bottrill, 3 for 3d, 5 wickets Bggleton, none for 5.

TARANAKI. First Innings. Smith, b P. Hoar 1 Grayson, b Beech 0 Lash, b Beech Kingston, b Renncr .. 18 Penny, c Renner, b Beech .. 11 Lay, c Burt, b F. Hoar .. 31 Bottrill, c Whitburn, b Beech .. 15 Cheevers, o A. Hoar, b Beecli 1 Clarice, c Falloon, b Beech 4 Colo, not out 2 \j Eggleton, c Logan, b F. Hoai ... Q Extras .. 6 Total , .. 116 Bowling Analysis.—Beech took 6 wickets for 35'runs; F. Hoar, 3 for 28; Renner, 1 for 9; A. Hoar, none for 14; Falloon, none for 11; Gee, none for 13. ' Second Innings. Lay, c Judd, b Beech 0 Grayson, not out .. 12 Lash, not out .'. 7 Total for one wicket .. IS