SMALL WINNING MARGIN IN MATCH

Chronicle (Levin), 17 October 1949, Page 2

SMALL WINNING MARGIN IN MATCH

The jubilee cricket match arranged between Past and Present Players of the Otaki Cricket Club, which inaugurated the anniversary celebradons, was held on' the Otaki Domain on Saturday. The elements did not favour good cricket but the display generally was most pleasing for so early in the season, besides proving most enjoyabie and highly entertaining. Present Players won by 16 runs. They were closely pressed, however, and had Past Players fielded he same number of 'players, the issue could have been much closer. Lack of practice saw numerous "dropped catches" by Past Players. Mr. W. T. Dodds who first played In 1880, bowled the opening ball of the season amidst applause, and other highlights were the sudden endings to both innings, a safe and instructive display by E. P. Simcox, who stayed at the' crease for 40 minutes, and the vigorous tactics of Kehu Hakaraia, another true old-timer, B. Tahiwi and F. De Clifford. • Having scored 93, Present Players were confident of "hitting the century," when their captain, H. F. Rice, went out to bat -as last man. After a careful one, he was prettily caught by the opposing captain, De Clifford, to the lauter's apparent delight. With four down for six, prospects looked anything but bright when Simcox went out to bat for Past Players. While not producing a great number of runs, his spell at the wickets earned commendafcion all round. He survived 12 overs, almost the whole Present side being produced in a fruitless endeavour to bowl him, but he treated them all with disdain. There was genuine regret when he was declared "stumped" after * 40 minutes. His side had reachea 44 before his dismissal, and his display was instructive to many, younger players. Kehu Hakaraia faced H. Rice with extreme confidence and when his first hit produced a four his pleasure was easily discerned. B. Tahiwi was another who handled his bat with confidence and it was bad luck when he misjudged a creeper which just reached his wicket. De Clifford's stay was short but very sweet for his side, and a greater opportunist has seldom been seen. He slammed everything that came nis way and after 15 minutes stay he had hit five fours, three twos, and seven singles. Details of the match are as follows: — Present Players: K. Templey, b Flutey, 0; M. Ralph, b Morton, 8; D. Harper, b Atmore, 16; M. Kirk, b Morton, 0; G. McHaffie, b J. Bartosh, 5; B. Wallis, b Tahiwi, 2.; W. Bradley, c Anketell, b E. Bartosh, 11; M. Julius, retired, 17; H. O'Brien, b Case, 0; T. Cook, b E. Bartosh, 2; H. Gower, retired, 19; J. Ahern, b De Clifford, 0; B. Bartosh, c P. Simcox, 13; H. Rice, c De Clifford, 1; B. Heatherwick, not out, 1; total, 95. Past Players: C. F. Atmore, c Rice, b- McHaffie, 5; E. Bartosh, b Templey, 0; H. Anketell, b O'Brien, 1; A. Flutey, b McHaffiie, 0; I. Morton, b Julius, 5; E. P. Simcox, st. Wallis, 10; H. Cole, c Gower, b Harper, '0; K. Hakaraia, b Rice, 5; J. Bartosh, c O'Brien, b Bradley, 1; A. Cook, b T. Cook, 5; B. Tahiwi, b Ahern, 3; F. De Clifford, c Harper, b Bradley, 33; R. Case, not out, 5; extras, 6; total, 79. The displays given by K. Hakaraia and B. Wallis as wicketkeepers left nothing to be desired.