THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1048, 16 November 1903, Page 2

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

VICTORIANS GET A LIVELY TIME. ENGLISHMEN PUT UP 376 FOR FIVE WICKETS. By Telegraph—Progs Association- Copyright Received 9.31 a.m., Nov. 15 Melbourne, Nov. 15. There was a fair attendance. The weather was Sub and warm. When the game was resumed Warner was taken by Armstrong in tho slips in the second over. With the loss of two good bats for the small total the players became careful, and the score rose slowly, Tyldesley doing most of the work. When tho latter’s score had reached 30, Laver put himself on. Tyldesley treated him respectfully for a time, but with 46 against him he stepped out of tho crease. Montries, however, failed to hold the bail, which came low. The century was reached just short of two hours’ play. Then Foster became aggressive, and the local skippor handed the ball to Trott, but tho slow bowler and Saunders gave the batsmen no trouble, and they forced the scoring. Foster gained his half-century when Tyldesley was 57. Three runs later the amateur gave Armstrong a chance, but ho could not hold it. Tyldesley was exceptionally busy piling on runs. Foster had a couple of lives off Saunders’ bowling. When 193 had beeu recorded Laver again went on, taking Saunders’ end, and in the following over Laver effected a brilliant catch from Tyldesley, low down, thus closing a brilliant innings, which included nine fours. Knight only just filled the vacancy in time to see Foster sent back by a wonderful catch low down by Collius. Hirst followed, and after scoring half-a-dozen, gave Armstrong an easy chance, which was not accepted. Knight and he then began in earnest, and made the game merry for tho spectators, Knight especially punishing Trott’s slows unmercifully. Slight showers now began to fall, and tho aftornoon tea adjournment was taken. On resuming both batsmen were very effective off Armstrong’s leg breaks, and only good fielding at this juncture kept the score from rising rapidly. Knight's lively innings was terminated by Trott bringing off a good catch. Bosanquet was next, and at once began lively hitting, but tho game was twice interfered with by rain before time was called. The additional scores are : ENGLAND—Ist Innings. Warner, c Armstong, b Saunders ... 22 Tyldesley, c Laver, b Armstong ... 90 Foster, c Gollius, b Laver 71 Knight, c Trott, b Ellis 47 Hirst, not out 81 Bosanquet, not out 36 Sundries 26 Total for five wickets 376

THE LOCAL CLUBS. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Poverty Bay Cricket Association was held at the Masonic Hotel on Saturday evening, when there were present .'—Messrs E. F. Ivescm, lion, secretary (in the chair), McGru(Jier (Waorenga-a-hika), Bert. Stcggall and J. Charles .(Matawhero), P g Sheridan and. 11. Ferris (Union), and 11. E. Dodd, lion, treasurer (united J The Waerenga-a-hika and Mataiwhero Clubs were affiliated to the Association, both Clubs being able bo play only on Saturdays. Re Thursday fixtures, it was arranged that Common, Shelton, and Co. and the Union Clubs meet on the Recreation Ground on Thursday next, United playing Union on the Thursday following, which will complete the first round. The Matawhero and Waerenga-a-hika Clubs will have the assistance not only of some of our well-known “reps.,” but will be greatly streng-' thened by several new arrivals of reputation in the district, who have .shown in practice really good form, ■and with their inclusion in the teams Will give the town Clubs a good (afternoon's leather-hunting, unless more practice is. indulged in. Tile Matawhero players have not as yet struck form, but expect to be ready to start inter-club matches in ■two or three weeks’ time, when they anticipate receiving a visit from one of the town elevens. A good practice was indulged in on Saturday last, great enthusiasm being shown by the members, and the Club is quite confident of giving a good account of itsell as the season advances. -

The Waerenga-a-hika Club will have the services of several members of the defunct County Club, and are practising very regularly. It is a pity Te Karaka is so far from Gishorne, as regular fixtures cannot be arranged. However, when 'the railway is opened through from town.no doubt regular matches will be played. The Club has already p.roved that it possesses some players a little above the average; in fact, judging from the style of one or two, both with bat and hall, when playing against the Union Club, they will be very hard to beat on their own ground. The, members of the Union Club may be seen playing on Victoria Domain, and have been getting the pitch in order. The management of ehis Club deserve great‘credit for the enthusiastic efforts displayed in practising, in trying to improve the ground, and in repairing the shed and leckers. Some malicious individual has shown his spite by cutting a hole in the cocoanut-matting recently purchased by the Club at no small expense, and it is to be hoped that the culprit will be brought to hook before many days are past. The United Club has not shown much activity so far this season, Their match against Common, Shelton, and Co.’s team was rather a boil over. . As the latter team had been practising regularly on the Recreation Ground, the United Club could not expect to win when clean out of form.

It is very pleasing to see the Recreation Ground once more being used as a cricket field. The turf being good ajid water close at hand, there should be no difficulty in getting good wickets to play on. ’True •to his promise, Air W. L. Rees has had some work done on the wicket. It did not look too promising when the writer last saw it, as the blacksoil which had been rolled' into the ~ ' sfloweci a tendency to crack with the heat of the sun. But no doubt Mr Rees knows how to make a wicket, better than most people, and watering and rolling may caus" the preparation to hind well. Common, Shelton, and Co. and the Urn ted Club are sharing the expense of putting this ground in order. We notice, though, that the United players are leaving the other Club members to do all the work. It is only that the members of the United Club should do their share of tne work in preparing the ground Several members of the United h t, T; ithin a short; distance of tne Kec. ’ An hour or two working on the ground in rolling and cutting the grass in the mornings would not omy promote a healthy tone in their own bodies, but would help to resuscitate.that active feeling which nas been, to a certain exeent, apparently dormant in most of the members of the Club this season