CRICKET.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5243, 24 February 1928, Page 2

CRICKET.

AUCKLAND DEFEATS PAEROA.

LANGRIDGE SCORES A CENTURY.

One of the tiniest exhibitions of

cricket ever seen in this'district was witnessed by a fair crowd of spectators at the PaerQa. Domain on Wednesday, when an Auckland representative senior eleven played an all-day match against a team representing Paeroa and district. Although the visitors won by 118 runs on the first innings, they did not have matters all their own way by a long chalk. Considering that the home side had never played together before, credit is due to the captain, G. Sale, for the tact and craftsmanship he dispayed in placing his men. Unfortunately, when Paeroa came to play its second innings it was without the (services of I. Peake, of Manawaru, who made t°P score (41) in the first innings. When he started in the morning he was unwell, and at the luncheon adjournment he became worse and had to retire from the game. The vacancy was filled by F. Knight (Paeroa), who fielded particularly well but was given out lbw. on receiving his first ball at the batting crease. The concrete wicket played very truly, although no doubt, it puzzled some of the Auckland batsmen. The outfield, considering the dry weather, was in fair order, and the ball travelled very fast on leaving the bat. All ■ eyes, were on the English professional, J. Langridge, and the public were given a wonderful exhibition of. all-round-the-wicket batting. In the opinion of one of the prominent Auckland cricketers Langridge played one of the finest and cleverest innings lie has so far played in the Dominion. His straight and powerful driving was a treat to watch, while anything off his stumps gave him an opportunity to display a variety of wonderful hitsHe batted for over two hours and compiled the fine score of, 104, when he was caught well back with a high ball by Flower. His hatting included three 6’s and fifteen 4’s. Needless to say, he was given a great reception on returning to the pavilion.

The popular R. Rountree, in addition to giving a sparkling exhibition of wicket-keeping, rattled up the fine score of 39 not out. He was responsible for stumping three batsmen in Paeroa’s first innings and four in. the second. - .

The local team’s fir&t innings closed at about 12.30, and then Snedden and Langridge opened for Auckland. Peake bowled to Langridge, who drove the ball for 4, the first over costinig 16

runs. Crawford-Watson bowled to Snedden from the other end, the ball being sent to the boundary for 4. After adding 13 more to his total Snedden stepped out to a ball from Crawford-Watson and was smartly stumped by Collins. 42 —I—l 7.—17. Hockin joined Langridge and Flower relieved the bowling and was sent away for a couple by Langridge. McDonald took tlie next over, and with the third ball clean bowled Hockin. 66 —2 —4. Cooper, who followed onf, snipped one to the slips which was well held by Macklow. ArblaSter filled the gap, and the next ball from McDonald was sent away by Lartgridge for six. In tlie next over Flower skittled Arblaster’s stumps. 101 —4—O'. Furley (captain) was warmly applauded on taking the field, and immediately opened his account with a couple of 4fs off Flower. Langridge was playing perfect cricket and landed several boundaries with well-finished strokes all round the wicket. Furley hit a good 4 off Thomson, and followed later with a .hard catch to Sale. 146 —5 —28. Coates followed and Snicked Thomson away for 4. In the same ever Langridge gave a chance to Thomson, but he failed to take a fairly easy catch. Continuing in a confident style Lanig-' ridge skied a beautiful 6 off Williams, and then brought his century up with

two 4’s off McDonald. Coates played Williams to Crawford-Watson, who made a good catch. 197—6—25. Rountree followed r and opened with- a single. Langridge played a rising ball off McDonald which Flo.wer successfully held. 201 —7—10'4. Langridge was at the wickets for two hours arid eigh z t minutes. Hintz struck a. good ball and sent a high one beyond the reach of Flower, and later returned! a fierce one to McDonald, who held it--220 —8 —3. Rountree played a couple of leg hits which he sent away to the boundary., Flower’s first ball .after the afternoon tea. adjournment found a weak spot in Fuller’s deferice and clean bowled him. 255—9 —5. McDougall then partnered Rountree and opened with a boundary off Flower. His next hit, however, was an easy catch for Dutton off Crawford-Watson, and the innings closed for 260 runs. Williams and Crawford-Watson openied Paeroa’s second innings. Tlie last-named fell to a good ball from Auckland’s fast bowler, 'W- J- Coates, but Williams, playing a. good straight bat, knocked up 18 before being smartly caught by Hintz. Macklow (Hauraki Plains) made 39, the top score for the home, side, his total including seven 4’s. Thomson (34) and Dutton (14) were the other chief contributors to Paeroa’s total of 147 for the innings, which closed at 6.40 p.m. Following are the details :—

Paei’oa, first innings 142 AUCKLAND. N. C. Snedden, st., b CrawfordWatson 17 J. Langridge,, c FlPwer, b McDonald 104 H. N. Hockin, b McDonald 4 F. Cooper, c Macklow, b Flower 12 S. C. Arblaster, b Flower 0 P. C. Furley, c Sale, b Thomson 28 W. J. Coates, c Crawford-Watson, b Williams 25 R. W. Rowntree, not out 39 O. S. Hintz, c and b McDonald. .. 3 E. Fuller, b Flower 6 I. McDougall, c Dutton, b Craw-ford-Watson 4 Extras 19 Total 260 Bowling Analysis.—Crawford-Wat-son took 2 wickets for 37 runs ; Flower, 3 for 55 ; McDonald, 3 for 75 ;

Thomson, 1 for 20 ; Williams, 1 for 36 ; Peake, 0 for 20.

PAEROA—Second Innings. C. Williamfe, c Hintz, b Snedden 18 L. Crawford-Watson, b Coates • • 0 G. Stack, st., b Snedden 4 W. Flower, b Coates 8 G. Sale, c Rowntree, b Coates ... 9 R. Macklow, st., b Langridge •• • • 39 R. Dutton, st., b Langridge 47 E. Thomson, c Hockin, b Lang- , ridge 34 W. McDonald, b Coates I 3 F. Knight, lbw., b Coates 0 F. Collins, not °ut 2 Extras 4 Total 1 47 Bowling Analysis.—Coates took 5 wickets for 48 runs ; .Snedden, 2 for 38 ; Furley, 0 for 13 ; Langridge, 3 for 34 ; Arblaster, 0 for 19.

VISITORS ENTERTAINED. Alter the match the visitors were the guests of. the Paeroa Cricket Club at dinner at the Criterion Hotel, Mr W. Marshall (patron) presiding. There were also present the members of the Paeroa and District team, and friends, who accompanied the Aucklanders. In proposing the toast of the Auckland eleven 'Mr Marshall said that it was a privilege and an honour to entertain such distinguished cricketers. The game had received a wonderful ill ip in the district, and it was the first occasion on which an Auckland senior representative team had played at Paeroa, and also the first time an English professional had o been seen in action at the local domain. The match had been a wonderful .education, and it had been a special delight to see so many young men in the teams. By their polished play the Aucklanders had greatly pleased the public. The wicket-keeping by R. W. Rountree was wonderful, even though it had cost the local players a “fearful price?’ The speaker paid a tribrute to J. Langridge; who played a perfect innings which had created great interest and admiration. Cricket in New Zealand had reached a high standard, and particularly in Auckland the game was played -for all it was worth. In coupling the toast with the name of Mr N. C. Snedden Mr Marshall’reminded the gathering that several of their guests had been selected to play against the Australians at Auckland next month, and he wished them all the very best of good luck. Eulogistic reference was made to the work and enthusiasm of Mr P. C. Furley, who after a lapse of, many years had organised a cricket team at Paeroa. At that time it was a difficult matter to get an eleven together, but mainly due to the splendid ground work done by Mr Furley Paeroa could now put three teams in the field. To Paeroa the visit of the ■Aucklanders had been something like the visit of the New to England. Apart from the educational value, the had proved themselves genuine sports, clever opponents of the game, and thorough gentlemen. (Applause.) Cricket was intensely British, and it was hoped that mor© young men would take, it up. On rising to respond Mr ShedJden was greeted .with prolonged applause. He said that histeam had enjoyed a splendid game and had had a wonderful time. The .hospitality of the. Paeroa people would ever be remembered with pleasure. A vfe.it of a city team to the country did good. It meant more than an education, because it created a better understanding between town and country, and new friends were made. The visitors were the richer for their association with Paeroa and district, and he could definitely say that the Auckland Cricket Association would do all it could to assist to foster the game in this district. He suggested that a Thames Valley association should be formed, and then affiliate with Auckland. It would be his endeavour to ■ arrange for a match at Paeroa to be made an annual fixture, and he was of the opinion that it might be possible to arrange a three-days tournament, matches to be played at Waihi, Thames, and Paeroa, on the lines of the annual games at Waikato, Whipu, and Poverty Bay.' In proposing the toast of the Piako Cricket Association Mr G. Sale explained how, so’ as to create a district interest in the match, players had been selected from Paeroa, Waihi, Thames, Hauraki Plains, arid Manawaru. The way the sister clubs had rallied round Paeroa showed a spirit of tme friendliness and a keen desire to promote the game. The toast was acknowledged by Mr F. C. Hansen, president of the Piako Association, who, after paying tribute to the good exhibition given by the visitors, said he (hoped that the match would be made an annual one. He eulogised the work done by Mr T. Turner, secretary of the association. In replying on behalf of the Waihi representatives the Mayor of Waihi (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) said that in his opinion cricket was the greatest of all games, and was held up as a standard to both sexes. It was often remarked that an action “was not cricket,” or “to play up and play the game.” The young men of the Doiminion had a great example' from the Home Country, and there were sacred traditions to uphold l . Congratulations were due to t!he Paeroa club for the way it (had organised the match, and he referred to the splendid work done by Mr Marshall. The toast of the Paeroa Cricket Club was in the able hands of Mr P. C. Furley, >viho created a laugh by stating that he was a cricket fanatic. He pointed out that there was only one race which could play cricket, and that was the British race. He warmly congratulated the young cricketers in the local team on the stand they had made that day. Grateful thanks were due to Mr Butler and the Paeroa Club for the splendid arrangements made for tlhe visitors’ comfort and pleasure. They lhad all had a memorably happy time, and the team would most certainly play at Paeroa again next year. . The president of the Paeroa Club (Mr H. E. Butler) said that his club had been proud to (have a visit from the Aucklanders, and the match had undoubtedly done much' good from every standpoint. Credit and thanks were due to Mr Furley, ’Who had organised the visit of the city players.

Other toasts honoured were those of the Chairman, the Captains, Umpires,. Mine Host, and the Press. The gathering concluded with cheers and t!he singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem. The visiting team left by car for Auckland yesterday morning. INTER CLUB MATCH AT WAIHI, LOCAL TEAM SELECTED. Arrangements have been made for' tlie Paeroa Cricket Club to play an inter-club match with Waihi at Waihi to-morrow afternoon. The following S have been selected to represent the local club :— G. Sale, F. Dare, J. Rackham, G. Stack, P. C. Furley, W. Taylor’ F. Knight, P. S. Meachem, C. Rciton’ W. L. Lawrence. L. Martin. Cars will leave from the post office at 1 p.m. sharp.