CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2368, 8 December 1908, Page 3

CRICKET.

AMONG THE CLUBS

(Notes by “Short-Slip.”) Ideal weather conditions prevailed when the competition matches were resumed last Saturday aiternoou. At- Victoria Domain, Wanderers caused somewhat of -a surprise by defeating Te liau in hollow fashion by no less a margin than an innings and four runs. AY lien play was. resumed Wanderers had 72 runs up for the loss of seven wickets, in response to To Rail’s opening set of 97. It was anticipated that a close finish would be witnessed, but the Wanderer-s’ men rose to the -occasion in splendid style, and the batsmen pursued the even tenor of their run-getting way until 138 runs were scored before t-lie last wicket was knocked down. It speaks volumes for tlio batting strength of the Wanderers’ eleven tiiat the last four men on the score-sheet all scored double figures, and just doubled the score lor the whole side.

Lec-Archer was top scorer, with 29, and he played good cricket at a critical stage of the -gHime. He employed the book-stroke to -advantage, and proved that be has better defensive powers than he lias yet been credited with. Harry Maude is a greatly improved player this season, anci is new -a recognised creditable performer with both bat and ball. Considering it is this player’s third season at the game, it proves what enthusiasm and,,perseverance to succeed will accomplish for anyone who makes up liis mind that if a game is worth playing it is worth playing well. Harry's 14 on Saturday was a good effort, and of inestimable value to liis side. Jim O’Donnell’s display was a judicious mixture of sound defence and good hitting power when occasion demanded the application of wood. He stamped himself ias a most useful batsman by the manner in which ho handled liis bat in putting together his contribution of twentytwo. The last man to step to the wicket was the colt, Allan Hogg, who was making -a first appearance in senior cricket here. He had proved that he was a very smart jand agile fieldsman during Te Rau’s innings, and his batting display was also of -a high standard. He soon ran into double figures, tand bad the honor of remaining not-out, with 11 to his credit-. The Te Rau bowlers trundled steadily, but did not employ any beadwork in their endeavor to beat the batsmen. It was not until Bob Cary put himself on again with liis slows that the wickets commenced to fall. Ho had Lee-Archer caught off his first ball, and also captured O’Donnell’s wicket. Bob’s inherent modesty prevented him from going on earlier, but if he bad done so it -is more than likely that the Wanderers’ total would not have been so large. Cary’s record of six wickets for 32 was a good performance, and shows how valuable the possession of a slow bowler is to a side. I consider that the Te Rau captain did not -make' as much use of Scholium and Dudfield at the bowling crease as he-should ha,ve done. Scholium had only 5 runs scored off him, while Dudfield, had only 4, and both these bowlers were well enough to have been given a longer trial at-the crease. Let us draw a thick, impenetrable veil over Te- Ran’s seconcf venture. The energetic fashion in which the Wanderers’ tail had wagged apparently paralysed the Te Ran men. It was a, sorry procession, and Harry Wack’s modest 16 sHa-nds out in glorious isolation on tlie score sheet—a lonely and pathetic figure. Man after jjian for - a brief space- emerged from the pavilion, took centre carefully, had a look round the field, and Alien a glance at Adamson. One would imagine that the young left-hander had borrowed Medpsa’s head for the after-

noon, as immediately a ba.tsman faced him ho was turned to stone, and the bowler did as he liked with him. Olsen was absent, and the innings speedily came to a termination with the ignoble total of 37. Tho batsmen showed a lamentable lack of defence, and, though Adamson’s bowling was distinctly good,, many of them made crude strokes in losing their wickets. Adamson secured the fine bowling figures of seven for 20, and kept a fine length throughout- I prophesied a few days ago that this young trumile r would -be among the first-flighters when !ho had learned to use his head, but I had not expected to see him “-ar-rivo” in so sensational a manner as that of -Saturday. The picturesque ground- at Tarulieru saw the conclusion of tho Uni-ted-Taruheru match on ‘Saturday. In reply to United’s first innings score of 122, Taruheru had lost nine wickets for 104 on the first day. -On resuming, with the addition of two runs, T. Sharp was caught -at point, by Lang, off Manning, wind the innings closed 16 short of United’s total.

The United batsmen got going in the second innings, and quickly ran up 124 for throe wickets, when the innings was declared closed. The principal -run-getters were W. Gibson (46, not out), Hallainore (31, not out), J. Lang (22), and Bowman (14). Though such -a good score was put up for the loss of so few wickets, the Taruheru bowling was good. Fine work in this department was done by Hannigan and Sharpies, who had a long turn at the crease in the Qieat of the afternoon, -and both sent down some exceptionally fine overs; while their length was capital. Hannigan is a mrily good fast medium bowler, who gets a- distinct swerve to the off. This peculiarity caused many of the batsmen in playing forward on -Saturday to turn till© ball into the slips. Hannigan should havo had a couple more wickets had the chances in the slips been taken, but the fieldsmen in that position were badly placed and tile batsmen’s luck was in.

United -succeeded in disposing of Taruheru jiist on the call of time for 85 runs, and thus won by 55 runs, securing -a three-point win. Grenfell performed best with tho ball for United, and ‘his 'left-hand deliveries took careful watching. He enptured three wickets for 25-runs, and made a good impression on his first appearance as -a bowler. Manning (two for 23) and Hallamore (two for 27) did nob keep so good a length -as usual, though they sent down some good overs. It appeared as if United would not get their opponents out before time was called, as only six wickets were down with only twelve minutes to go. The United captain at this stage put V’. Gibson on, and ho met with immediate success, and captured three wickets in the only over ho bowled. Manning secured the last wicket, and the innings terminated within three minutes of the call of time. Saturday’s matches concluded tlio first round in the Saturday competition, and the following table -shows the position of the clubs:

I have just received a letter from W. Reed, the popular captain of the Motu Club, in which is tho pleiising intelligence that Ernie Derecourt, L. Anderson, and Percy Clark are available for the trip to Napier at Christmas time. Derecourt is in n-fC form with both bat and ball this season, while Anderson is n -high-class batsman, who should also strengthen the team. Clark is a left-hand bowler, and fair bat. From present indications, a strong team should get aw tty to Napier. A good number of prominent players have already signified their ability to make tho trip, and it appears that the selectors will have to pick a team from the numbers offering. The i-c-an w'ill ho much stronger than any which lias yet visited the pleasant little city by the sea, -and Gisborne players are looking forward with pleasurable anticipations to meeting old friends on tlio pleasant wickets .and good outfields in Napier and Hastings.

Word has been received that the Motu Club will be unable to send a team to Gisborne before Christmas, owing to shearing operations preventing the full strength of the district making the trip. The Motu -players intend postponing the visit -until February, when their strongest team will be available, and they should .then, give a good account of themselves, .as the country club hms a strong eleven this year, and tlieir players are in good form.

'Matches Played Won L’st Dr wn Pts United ... 3 3 — — 7 Wanderers ... 3 2 1 — <j Te Jiau ... 3 1 2—3 Taruheru ... 3 0 3—U