CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 14

CRICKET

NEWS AND NOTES

[By Substitute.]

The third round of matches laut a turd ay did not provide anytiaug particularly sensational, but there were some good performances in practically every game. As far as can bo gathered from the first day’s play, it does not look as if the supremacy of either Old Boys or Grange is likely to be challenged. CARISBROOK’S UNENTERRISING DISPLAY. _ Carisbrook has been a disappointing side this season. Its success against Albion in tho first match ol the season gave promise of good performances to follow, but in the two successive games the south-onders have shaped far from convincingly. Tho team is a young one, generally speaking, and while some of the colts may bo lacking a little in confidence it must be said for the team that it has not iiad tho best of luck in competition matches, and Blunt’s comparative laiiure with the bat has had its elfect upon the other members of tho team. Grange has already loomed up us likely to bo high up „hen the senior premiership is finally decided, but while Grange has a very solid batting side and one or two useful bowlers it was not thought that the attack was sufficiently strong to bring about (Jafisbrook’s dismissal tor so small a total as 107, especially when tiie wicket was not favouring the bowlers. The outfield, of course, was on the slow side, and this may have accounted in measure for the smallness of the score. It did not, however, account for Carisbrook's sadly unenterprising batting, and many of tho batsmen got themselves out by the ineffective way they went for the bowling. Carisbrook, on recent showings, lias a numoer of players who are not of senior standard, and it might be well for the club selectors to cast their eyes around the junior grades with a view to pro- , meting one nr two juniors to the senior team. Douglas is usually to be depended on for a score, but on Saturday his i batting was not up to its usual stun- j dard, and he did not appear 100 com- | ' fortabi© facing Elmes. Ho had ouly 9 to his credit when ho lifted the left- , hander into Lemiu’s hands at mid- , off. Cameron, however, played steady i cricket, his IS being top score for the j side. It was Elmes,-too, who brought about his dismissal, Cameron being stumped by Chadwick in attempting to drive Elmes to the off. Cameron , made one or two good drives and occasionally exploited a sweet cut through 1 the slips. Ho was a long time in get- , ting his runs, but under the circumstances his was a valuable contribution to liis side’s total. Blunt’s run of bad luck continued, and his downfall after making only 1 | was unfortunate for his team, which ; then went to pieces, the majority of j .the remaining batsmen being overcautious in their attempts to keep their wickets intact. Blunt himself | did not look like getting runs. Ho j was. only at the wickets a couple of overs when a bumping ball from Gal- I land was mishit, Elmes bringing off a ' great catch at first slip. It is rather an arresting fact that of tho four innings that Blunt has played this season he has been dismissed by catches | three times and only clean bowled | once—and that by Dickinson. Blunt j is due for runs any time, and it may j be that he has been feeling tho need j of a spell, for he has played a lot of j cricket during tho last two or three years. His return to form will be welcomed by all keen cricket followers, and it is to be hoped it will bo sig- \ nalised by one of his typically brilliant ' displays when he faces the Wellington i bowling towards the end of the pro- j sent month. Prieet has not had much luck this season, and after making 5 he was out 1 as tho-result of a god return to tho i wicket by Morris, the ox-Riccarton player, Chadwick lifting the bails, | Priest has the ability, however, and ; ■with a little more luck runs will como his way. He is quite a stylish bats- ! man when in form, with a fair variety 1 of strokes. Gourley is another with i possibilities as a batsman, and be was one of the few members of his team j that endeavoured to adopt forceful ! tactics. He might have made runs, but after he had made a hard drive Cameron and he attempted a run, tho 1 latter sending him back. Boyd made a ) brilliant return to the wickets, and Gourley was out by yards when Chad- i wick whipped off the bails. Spackman I only got 4 before he was caught in I the slips by Knight off Lemin. His ; only scoring _ shot _ was a chance through the slips which Galland failed , to accept, and which went to the ] boundary. He might make runs if he ■ put a little more wood behind his | strokes, but on Saturday the ex- j Hawke’s Bay man did not inspire one ' with confidence. M'Leod was going well when he was caught by Chadwick off Galland. Ho j scored 10 before he failed to get on to one from the Grange skipper, i M'Leod made a couple of nice shots 1 on the leg side, but his best was a sweet cut beyond third man. M'Leod shaped better in the field than in recent matches, and once a real improve- I ment is noticeable in this respect he will be worth a place in any team. Nimmo is a young player who should ; make runs before the season ends. His i play generally, however, is a little J cramped, but he is one of the type . that should develop into a free bats- I man with a little coaching. Lynch | and Aitken made a fair stand, the j former notching 17, while Aitken car--ried his bat for 13. Lynch’s best scor- i ing strokes were a square cut and off drive, and he looked like making runs when he was caught behind the wickets by Chadwick off Knight. Aitken played correct cricket in making Ids and might with advantage to his- side bo placed a little higher up on the batting list. A junior filling j the gap caused by Proctor’s bscnco was Esqnilant, who gave a couple of chances oefore he was out Ibw to Lemin 1 after scoring 7. Galland handled the attack judi- I ciously, Elmes and Lemin bearing the brunt of the bowling. Elmes did not fet much assistance from the wicket, ut while he maintained a good length in the earlier stages, during which he was flighting the ball well, he seemed to tire towards the close of tho in- i Bings, and sent down a good deal of , loose stuff, his average finally being two wickets for 42 runs,_ His twentysix overs, however, included ten maidens. Lemin was sending down a medium pace ball, but occasionally he delivered a really fast one which often had the batsmen guessing. He got two_ wickets for 30 runs, and was the victim of really bad luck, as two of three chances were dropped off him. Galland and Knight both proved useful changes, the former getting two for 9 and the latter two for 12. Galland occasioned the batsmen a good deal of trouble, for he was bumping a lot, and it was a bumpy ball that brought i ■bout Blunt’s dismissal. I Grange’s fielding was very good in places, and then again it was patchy. Elmes at first slip fielded well and took three catches, while both Boyd and Morris were responsible for good returns to the wickets. Morris and M'Mullan began Grange’s innings, briskly, and they were still together when stumps were drawn, 91 runs being on the slate. _ Grange are almost assured of a two-point win, with the possibility of collecting three points; Morris had 50 to his credit when stumps were drawn, and while 1 he gave a couple of chances he batted brightly and gave a display of ’tting that greatly pleased tho spectators.

Twice he lifted Blunt out of the ground for 6, but his favourite shot was a pat down tho gully. Time and I again he placed the ball nicely beyond I third man, and ho also made some hard drives, though a little inclined to put them up. For his 35 not out Jack M'Mullan played chanceless cricket, and it is indeed a pity that he is unable to make the trip with the Otago team. His wristy square cuts and glides to square leg were a treat to watch. le laid tho wood on hard before stumps were drawn, making some hard drives to the on. What a fine batsman M'Mullan is to watch when he gets going, and outside of his batting ability he is very active in the field. Proctor was missed From the Carisbrook team, and live bowlers were given a turn. Tuough he had 25 runs hit off him, Aitken bowled well, and two or three times he was dropped in the field. Nimmo was bowling faster than usual, and while he was not always particularly accurate he sent, dmvn some stuff that troubled tho I f men. His delivery is easier than it u,«, and he is one young player of _whom good things may be expected with the ball in tho very near future. Neither Blunt nor Douglas met with much success, but Blunt for a while was turning the ball a bit, and had Mprris puzzled. The latter then elected to play Blunt in his own way, and wjent out to meet him, the bowler’s average suffering in consequence. DUNEDIN’S USEFUL TALLY. When Strang won the toss for .Dunedin against Albion there was no question about his having done tho .right thing in electing to bat. The .wicket was soft, but fairly easy, and the chief disadvantage suffered by tho batsmen was the -slowness of the outfield. Earlier in tho afternoon, at least, the wood had to be laid on pretty vehemently to produce a boundary. It may have been this factor that accounted in some measure tor the length of time it took the earlier batsmen to knock up a few runs. It was disappointing to see Cavanagh go so cheaply, because if anyone is capable of giving a bright display it is he. With youth, strength, and enthusiasm on his side he should go far in cricket. Maybe a little initial patience when wedding the bat will eventually help him along a bit. Speaking of patience, Strang’s filings of 60 was a model. The captain was well set from the first over, and although Jus stay at the stumps was hardly spectacular it is safe to say that his undoubted success this time gave rise to the expression of general satisfaction. Periodically he revealed some vigorous strokes from his armoury, and any loose balls to leg whizzed merrily towards the boundary. Neat wrist work was exploited in his square hitting, and his driving, complete with sting, was low and safe. There were balls that he might have hit harder.

Cherry, who enjoyed a lengthy partnership with Strang, played his usual sound game with now and then a carpet drive out of the box. Shepherd, who was sending down an occasional bumping ball, troubled him at tho start of his knock, but later on the Albion man seemed to loso his sting. At one stage, however, ho had bowled six overs for one run, and at the end of seven overs ho had bowled five maidens.

Slow bowler Duncan, always full of cunning, was turning both ways, and all tho batsmen, particularly tho hardhitting Monk, of all people, watched him warily. As a destructive force Duncan stood alone, uutfi Allen started making pace off tho pitch. It was Duncan who led Strang into temptation, for tho Dunedin skipper had a really good clout at an ominously slow delivery, and was snapped up by M'Callum.

For a young fast bowler Silver kept a really good length, but nevertheless the exuberant Monk treated him with little respect, and repeatedly drove him to tho boundary. It looked as if tho ex-Aueklanclor was iu for another long tally, when, besieged by Duncan, ho started flying distress signals, and to the surprise of everybody stepped well back to practically every ball from the slow bowler. Eventually ho heard the death • rattle behind him. Silver worked assiduously on the off theory, and Simmers sent down some useful leg breaks. The latter cleaned bowled Sinclair with a ball pitched well up. An exhilarating display was given by Dick Torrance. _ Claridge was a mixture of enterprise and caution, and it was quite on the cards that he would make a useful addition to tho side’s score when he mistimed Duncan, and was caught by the bowler. M'Gregor shaped well until he lashed out too soon at Allen. Kenny and Ritchie made a useful stand, the former playing safely, and the latter showing signs of a return to form. White was not responsible for the termination of the innings. As far as averages go Allen was the most successful bowler. Indeed, the Albion man had a day out, for in addition to his trundling he made no mistake with the big catch sent out into the country by Cherry. M'Callum, behind tho stumps, did his duty well. In response to Dunedin’s 186, Albion has lost one wicket for two runs. OLD BOYS’ GOOD POSITION. Making 234 runs for eight wickets, Old Boys have set the Colts a task to avoid defeat. It is on Eastman, the professional coach, that the Colts will have to depend largely tor victory, for Dickinson and Alloo are a fairly formidable pair for a young team to face. However, with the right proportion of careful batting and confidence, there is no telling but that the' Colts may register a useful score. At ono stage of Saturday’s game tho position looked bright for the Colts, but the determined stand of Leader and liar raway dashed their hopes, and Old Boys finished up with a big total on hand. Five wickets were down for 67 when Harraway joined Leader, and when the partnership was broken, about two and a-half hours later, there were 209 runs up, Harraway contributing 94 and Leader 47. Harraway’s innings was his first in senior cricket for four years. At that time he played for Albion, and this makes his knock all the more creditable. Prior to his two seasons with Albion he played for Carisbrook, and was at one time captain of the Otago Boys’ High School first eleven. Although his innings on Saturday was not of a dashing variety, ho showed that he is still a' very sound batsman, who should be a great acquisition to the Old Boys’ team. Included in his tally were twelve boundary hits, mostly drives, while he scored at all angles round the wicket. It was not until he had passed the 90 mark that he gave his first chance, when lie showed obvious signs of tiredness. He was unlucky in just missing his century, being skittled’with a fairly easy ball from Eastman, T n making 47 Leader showed good defence and came to light when his side most needed him. Although he was a lomt time scoring his runs, he played

i oho right game in the circumstances, end in time should develop into a fine batsman. uickinson and Gale, the opening batsmen, gave the side a good start, 50 runs being registered before the former was clean bowled fay Henderson after playing a lively innings tor 29. i Gale was inclined to be scratchy never 'at any time being comfortable. Brins- | ley had hard luck in being run out with ! only a single to his credit. Arthur ! Alloo failed to settle down, and was i dismissed through playing a weak shot jto leg. Eastman cut Giles’s life short |by bowling him with only 3 on. A | young player who shows plenty, of conI lidence is Smith, who snicked one into the slips, where Hanning took a line one-handed catch. M'Rae (9 not out) was shaping well when rain stopped tho play. Of the seven bowlers tried by the ; coach, Henderson was the only one to meet with success. He bowled all afternoon, and finished up with tho fine average of four for 38. Templeton, who was responsible for Alloo’s wicket, bowled well, but, like the coach, he was rather unfortunate. Eastman bowled most of the afternoon, sending down thirty-five overs for 59 runs, but lie managed to bag only two wickets, both his victims being bowled. The fielding of the Colts was not altogether impressive, and dropped catches were partly responsible for Eastman’s failure with the ball. A member of the Colts’_ team, Ileenan, the wicket keeper, is being more than favourably commented upon on all sides tor his safe and at times brilliant wicket keeping. Formerly he played junior cricket with North-east Valley, and in addition to being a good wicket keeper he is a sound bat. THE OTAGO TEAM. It is most unfortunate that M'Mullan, Shepherd, and Dickinson are not available to play for Otago in its first Plunket Shield engagement of the season, against Wellington, on December 24, but with the exception of these players, tho team the selectors have chosen to do battle tor tho province is about as strong a side as could be got together, and with two exceptions tho players are identical with those mentioned as probable selections by tho writer last week. One player from North Otago has been included, bub Zimmerman is not new to representative cricket, and should certainly strengthen the team.

The side is quite a sound combination, comprised mainly of players who should be capable of making a lot of runs. It will bo captained by A. V/. Alloo, who has had the experience previously of leading an Otago team, and is ono of the best all-rounders in the province. Alloo is capable of making a lot of runs, and is one of the stock howlers of the side, being able to maintain a good length all day if needs be. Galland’s selection was a foregone conclusion, for he has been batting exceptionally well this season, and was generally looked upon as a certainty for the wicket keeper’s position, though there are one or two promising keepers coming on. Had Galland been passed over as wicket keeper for the purpose of trying out some of tho younger players, ho would have been equally good in the field.

Blunt’s highest total in club cricket this season has been 30, but no Otago team would be Complete without him, and ho is certain to make runs before tho representative season ends, while he is also a good bowler. Knight is another who has not done a great deal in club cricket, hut the same remarks applied to him when the Otago team was first picked last season and ho came off later on. There is no reason to doubt that he will do the same this season, and in form he is a very sound and stylish batsman. The professional coach, L. C. Eastman, is bound to be one or the mainstays of tho team, both in batting and bowling, and while he has not yet had much opportunity here’ with the hat, he has done well iu bowling. Last season, tho Essex professional did well with the Otago team, and there is reason to hope that he will repeat his performances this season. Douglas is a good solid batsman, who may take some shifting, and tho inclusion of a slow left-hand break bowler should add variety to the attack. It is quite on the cards that in Wellington Douglas may meet with some success with the bail. Zimmerman is a good bat and more than a useful change bowler. He is a mediumpace bowler, and can usually he depended on for a wicket or two. Monk, the ex-Aucklander, has earned his place in the team by good, consistent batting, and he is also a very sound field. Ho will be making his first appearance in representative cricket. H, C. Alloo has previously represented Otago, and besides being a very fair bat ho is useful as a bowler and a good field, Cavanagh and Leader are two Colts who have been included in the team, and although the former has not done a great deal with the bat this season, he has the ability to make runs and may do well against Wellington, He is a fair change bowler as well. Leader is a left-hander, and while he is a rather slow bat to watch, he is a good defensive batsman and one of whom improvement may bo expected with experience, though as yet he lias not a great variety of strokes. While Elmes is a fair bat, it will be for his bowling that he will be mainly relied on, and much will depend on tho success that attends the young Grange left-hander. Elmes, Eastman, A. W. Alloo, B. 0. Blunt, Douglas, H, 0. Alloo, and Zimmerman are all capable of taking wickets, though the mainstays will probably be Elmes, Eastman, and A. W, Alloo, with any of the others likely to bo brought on as changes. If the necessity arose, practically every member of the side could take a turn with the ball, as all of them have been taking wickets for their respective clubs in grade matches. Little fault can be found with the selectors’ choice, and while Wellington is usually able to field a very strong eleven, there is no reason why Otago should not make a very good showing against the northerners in the forthcoming match, though Wellington will probably be favourites. Tho Otago side is sound all round without being particularly brilliant, and it is quite on tho cards that they may effect something in the nature of a surprise when they go north. The twelfth man has yet to be chosen, but indications point to Leader occupying that position, or failing him, Cavanagh. Still, considering tho respective merits of the two players, I think Cavanagh should be included in the team with Leader' as twelfth man, for if he gets going the Dunedin player is more likely to make runs than Leader, though the latter may bo harder to shift. HOBBS’S TEST RECORD. The only English batsman who has scored over 2,000 runs in test cricket against Australia is J. B. Hobbs, who may ho termed the “ Grand Old Man ” of the present tourists, though there is nothing in his physical make-up suggestive or the “ old man ” (said the °Referee ’ before the first test). This famous Englishman has built up an -astounding record against Australia.

Season after season he has gone on making runs in very big doses, until to-day his aggregate stands at 2,884 runs, at an average of 58.85, He has retained his real greatness as a batsman longer oven than W. G. Grace, a man of stupendous physical strength and stamina. Hobbs has made eleven centuries against Australia in these matches, uo other Englishman having made more than five, that number standing to the credit of A. C. MacLaren, F. S. Jackson, and H, Sutcliffe. Four of the Hobbs centuries were scored on the Melbourne Ground (126, 178, 122, and 154), three on the Adelaide Oval (187, 123, and 119), two at Lord’s (107 and 119). and one each on the Sydney Ground (115) and Kennington Oval (100). AN AUCKLAND COMPLAINT. Three senior championship games have been completed in the Auckland Cricket Association’s competition, and tho fourth was entered upon on Saturday last. A glance through the records shows that to date no fewer than thirty-seven players have been given out leg before wicket. This is a very largo number indeed, but tho percentage on the North Shore ground is really astonishing (says the Auckland ‘ Herald ’). Of the number of leg before decisions, eighteen have been given at Eden Park, whore seven matches have been completed, and three are unfinished. Three and a-half games have been, played at Devonport, where seventeen players have retired leg before. This gives a rather alarming average of almost five per match! The remaining two Ibw decisions were obtained in the two matches at King’s College. One hesitates to criticise umpires who give their services gratis week after week, but it appears on tho face of the figures that players are more or less justified in their complaints. For instance, small excuse can bo found for an umpire giving a player out leg before when lie first nits or touches tho ball with his bat. The reason for so many leg before decisions is not far to seek. Some bowlers appeal every time the ball hits a player, high or low, and the umpire is eventually bluffed or bustled into saying “ out,” irrespective of whether the ball would have hit the wicket or not. One senior team in particular is making itself notorious tor appealing. There is only one remedy, and that is for tho umpires to report players to the Cricket Association for incessant appealings, which is disgraceful and dishonest. THE SOUTHLAND MATCH. What is practically an Otago second eleven will engage a Southland team at Dunedin on December 25 and 26, and quite an interesting match should result. The Southland side contains a number of young and promising players, and several others who are well known to Otago cricketers. These include Cherry, former Otago player in Plunket Shield cricket; Lynch, one of the most stylish batsmen iu Southland, who made 48 against Mayne’s Victorian team, and who was highly spoken of by tho Victorian skipper—he is a member of a well-known cricketing and footballing family; Poole and Groves (who have been playing cricket in Southland for years); Keast (formerly well-known Otago player). Among the younger blood may be mentioned Lee (a very promising player), Diack (better known as a Rugby footballer), Johnston (a likely liowlcr), and one or two others.

This team should bo capable of giving the Otago second eleven a good go, for the Otago team, too, is largely composed of colts. The team will be led by Dick Torrance, who has signified his intention of withdrawing from big cricket, and his experience should stand the younger players in good stead. White is an able wicketkeeper, and with M'Gregor, Torrance, Proctor, and Silver available the attack should be fairly strong, though if Southland gets dug in the captain may have a job in unearthing suitable changes. Allan, M'Leod, Cameron, Caskie, and Boyd are all capable of making runs, and Claridge is a promising player, the same applying to Silver, who has batted well on occasions for the Colts. Altogether, it may be said that the Southland-Otago B game may provide more interesting cricket than many people are inclined to think. THE SECOND TEST. Tho second test between England and Australia was due to commence in Sydney to-day, and while England’s chances are again favoured, it is fairly certain that the Australians will make a much better showing than was the case in the first test, and, that being so, some interesting cricket may be looked for. It would be rash at this stage to prophesy a win for Australia, but the writer for one certainly expects the Australians to give a far more spirited display than was tho case in the first test, and that being so the Englishmen will have to fight harder than was the case at Brisbane. If Blackio were to come off at Sydney, it might alter the whole complexion of the present series, for it can hardly be denied that at tho present time England appears to have a good deal more variety in her attack- than the Australians, who may find the absence of a fast bowler affecting them to some extent. Tho third test will commence on December 29. NOTES. Little time will be wasted after the holidays before club matches are resumed, January 5 being set down as the date for tho resumption of games. Some teams may experience difficulty in obtaining their full quota so soon after tho holidays, but all the same keen cricketers will appreciate the fact that they are not to bo left with too many idle Saturdays on their hands. According to a report submitted by tho Coaching Committee of tho_ Otago Cricket Association, the coaching to date has been proceeding very satisfactorily hut if the best results are to be achieved the writer believes that the Otago Cricket Association as a whole will have to give serious consideration to the desirability of limiting the number of players to he coached by the professional coach —outside of school teams, at least. Far better for the coach to bo able to put a lot of time into, say, twenty promising players than three times that number of players, some of whom might never even reach senior standard. If out of that number half _a dozen players of representative calibre' were produced, then the limiting of the number of players receiving coaching would be well repaid. Junior players will ha.vo something to look forward to in the event of a junior representative match with Southland taking place towards the end of the present season, a suggestion to this effect having been made by the Southland Cricket Association. It would probably provide a closer match were the Otago team chosen from the second grade B section rather than tho second A, for it is hardly likely that the Southland junior team wifi be up to tho standard; os a whole,

of second grade A cricket. Experiences in the past have shown that junior cricket is a little bit ahead of that in tho south. Tho Auckland team to play Otago will arrive hero on December 29, the match commencing on the Monday, two days later. On paper, tho side looks to be a strong one, both in batting and bowling, and in view of the fine form he has been showing in Auckland lately, and the fact that he will shortly be returning to Dunedin to take up, an appointment, Dunning’s bowling will be watched with interest. Allcott is captain of the side, and he is ono of the best all rounders in it, while Bowley, the coach, is also an all rounder. The announced retirement of Rowntree is evidently a bit premature, for he has been included i in the side, which also includes Whitelaw, tho Auckland Grammar School captain, who is said to bo a fine bat. The Auckland team’s showing against Canterbury will be watchod with a good deal of interest. “ I was fielding on top of a mountain,” said a member of the Otago Cricket Association at a meeting during the week at which he made complaint regarding the state of some of tho wickets on the Oval on which junior games are sometimes played. The committee decided to draw tho attention of tho superintendent of city reserves to the matter. When the South African cricketers visit England next season interest in test cricket will be maintained through the winter here. The South Africans in the five tests with England last season finished equal, with two wins each and a drawn game. England, however, did not have her full strength, with Hobbs, Tate, Larwood, Jardme, and Hendren not there. Besides, matting wickets are not the sort to suit the average cricketer accustomed to English conditions. It is, therefore, hardly likely that South Africa will succeed in the tests; that is to such an extent as to defeat England. The South African Cricket Association has adopted the principle of paying its players on the lines of Australian teams. Ihe S 4. Board of Control has decided that a’definite allowance of £225 be made to each player. On tho last tour each player received an allowance of 10s per day, and it was found that this was not enough (says an Australian writer). Needing 184 runs to get against Riccarfcon’s good bowling and fielding, West Christchurch last Saturday just managed to do the trick, securing a two-point win by 1 run. The professional coach, Newman, made 43, and Jefcoate (formerly an Otago ’Varsity footballer) compiled 32. Sydenham managed to effect a draw with St. Albans, who completed their innings, the score being carried to 260, of w'hich G. 6. Crawford made 152 not out. Crawford batted right through the innings. For Sydenham Cunningham took five wickets for 95 runs. At stumps Sydenham had lost nine wickets for 258 runs, W. R. Patrick having 89 to his credit, his runs being made by sound defensive cricket in the earlier part of his innings, though later on he made a number of beautiful scoring strokes that were reminiscent of his best days. Old Boys scored on easy two-point win against East Christchurch, though the latter made a much better showing in the second innings, losing' four wickets for 198 runs, of which Weston contributed 65. Old Collegians scored a two-point win against Linwood, who narrowly averted an innings defeat, St. Albans now leads by one point from Old Boys and Riccarton, Sydenham and West being another two points back, Linwood, Old Collegians, and East following in that order.