PETONE BOWLERS FAIL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 72, 27 March 1933, Page 12

PETONE BOWLERS FAIL

AYhcre their batsmen had performed so well the previous vweek, the Petone bowlers failed to drive the advantage home by disposing of their opponents within the allotted time, and missed their opportunity of gaining the championship title, a distinction which has not been theirs for a number of years. When the match was resumed on No. 1 wicket at the Basin Reserve Hutt were faced with a hurdle of 424 runs to surmount, but, particularly as there was half an hour less for play, they were scarcely expected to pass Petone's score. Interest centred almost wholly on Petone's efforts to take wickets.

For a while Petone appeared likely to succeed. A somewhat peculiar incident in which a bail was found to be off after the ball had passed the stumps resulted in Ross being dismissed before he had scored, on an appeal to the umpires. Biggar was back in the pavilion before the total reached 30, and, althouah better progress was made by Muir, Gwilliam, and Champness, two wickets in one over.by Mallard, the youthful slow bowler, meant that six were down for 135. Warncs failed to last long, and, with only three wickets to get in about an hour and a half, Petone were in a strong position. A representative stalwart of past seasons, MeLeod, then joined Lees, and proved the rock against which Petone's hopes were shattered. Reported to be indisposed, and for this reason sent in ninth on the list, MeLeod emulated a more famous lefthander, Paynter, by playing an innings 'which had none of the marks of a sick man's performance. Taking things easily for a start, he soon warmed to his job, and during the last half-hour scored off nearly every ball he received. His partnership with Lees, who batted just over an hour and hit eight fours, added 79 to the total. For the ninth wicket Dalglish joined MeLeod, and, although not classed as a batsman, he provided an effective stop;gap while MeLeod made the runs. In addition to hitting eight fours and a fine six off Allcott, MoLeod kept all parts of the field busy, and frequently rattled the pickets on the short boundary.

The Petone bowling failed mainly through lack of variety. Allcott, who opened with 28 overs in a row, bowled 37 overs altogether, and Mallard sent down 26 overs, twice as 'many as Riddolls, th« only other bowler to be used to any extent. The fielding was uniformly good.

PETONE. First innings (declared closed for seven wickets)

Fall of the wickets: One for 11, two for 2S, three for 64, four for 73, five for 135, six for 135, seven for 151, eight for 230. Bowling: Allcott took two wickets for 113 runs, Riddolls two for 29, Mallard four for 134, Smallwood none for 8, Roberts none for 5.

The low scoring that marked the first day's play of the Kilbirnie-Wellington match on No. 2 wicket at the Basin Reserve also characterised the second day's play. The match was at an interesting stage when stumps were drawn on the first day. Kilbirnie had batted first, and were dismissed for the smnll total of 183 runs. Wellington's wickets had commenced to fall early, but Monteath and Ell had made a stand, and at the end of the day's play the side had lost five wickets for 94 runs. Honours were about even, but Wellington just failed to reach Kilbirnie's total, making 170. Kilbirnie batted again, and the first few wickets fell cheaply. Although something of a stand was made tuwards the end of the innings, the side made only 169. Play then concluded with Kilbirnie the winners.

Monteath (22) and Ell (33) continued Wellington's innings. It was hoped by Wellington's supporters that the pair who had done so well on the first day would put on many runs, but neither really got going. Ell added nine to his score, and this made him the highest scorer of his Bide. Monteatk fell lbw to Crook's bowl-

ing. Airey batted well. He defied the Kilbirnie bowling for a considerable time, and made some pretty strokes. Cousins made a brief stand, but the other batsmen went cheaply. Included in Airey's score oil 35 was a six. There was considerable excitement towards the end of Wellington's innings as to whether Kilbirnie's score would be overtaken, but AVellington just failed. Crook bowled well for Kilbirnie. He took five wickets for 68 runs off 23 overs, three of which were maidens. Griffiths also bowled well, taking three wickets for 43 runs off 11 overs.

The first o£ the Kilbirnie batsmen failed miserably. Wellington tried hard to dispose of the side cheaply. Only the last few batsmen did at all well. Morris and Wrigley made a serviceable stand, and Symes, to break the partnership, did a little "leg theory" bowling, but soon tired of it. Griffiths went in with the intention of hitting out at everything, and after a few big "swipes" returned to the pavilion. AVrijiley continued to bat' carefully, and Crook, the last man In, ,pavo a dashing exhibition. He made 35 in quick time, hitting "a six, and mnkin" other big hits. Morgan bowled well for Wellington, taking four wickets for 67 runs.

Fall of Wickets.—One for 0, two for 23, three for 32, four for 32. five for 44, six for 106, seven for 11C, eight for 155, nine for 174, ten for 176.

Bowling Analysis.—Crook took five wickets for 08 runs; Morris, one for 23; Griffiths, three for 43; Ashenden, one for 9; Wilson, none for 14.

Fall of Wickets.—One for 6, two for 14, three for 35, four for 35, five for 66, six for 70, seven for 71, eight for 109, nine for 124, ten for 169.

Bowling Analysis.—Morgan took four wickets for 67 thus; Cousins, one for 18; Blundell; two for 18; Hollings, none for 3; Symes, two for 40.

HUTT. First Innings. Biggar, b.'Riddolls 14 Ross, b Riddolls - o Muir, st M. Nieholls, b Allcott .... 31 Gwilliam, e Martin, b Mallard ...... 15 Champness, e O'Leary, b Mallard .... 3G Aim, c Hudson, b Mallard 28 Lees,, st M. Nieholls, b Mallard .... 55 Warnes. lbvr, b Alleott 5 McLeod, not out 85 Dalglish, not out 20 Extras 20 Tota: for eight wickets 309

Details:— WELLINGTON. First Innings.' Foley. c Hepburn, b Crook 0 Hamilton, c Crook, b Griffiths . ." 7 Hollings, b Griffiths \' : 17 Whj-te, c Ashenden, b Crook ....'...". 8 Morgan, Ibw, b Crook 0 Monteath, Ibw, b Crook . og Ell, b Jlorris \'.\\ 49 Airey, c Christophersen, b Crook ... 35 Cousins, 'Ibw, b C4rifiilhs 1G Bhmdell, b Ashenden 3 Symes, not out 0 Extras 19 Total ., ]"G

KILBIRNIE. First Innings 183 Second Innings. Bilby, b Blundell .' 7 Kerskaw, c. and b Cousins .... 3 Wilson, run out ...; 16 Askenden, e Hollings, b Bkindell ...:. 9 Christophersen, e Airej-, b Morgan ... 11 Hepburn, b Morgan 4. Monkhouse, b Morgan ..[ g Morris, c Ell, b Symes 15 Wrigley, not out : 94 Griffiths, b Moi-gan 13 Crook, b Symes 35 Extras 14 Total 1G9