CRICKET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 434, 27 January 1912, Page 3

CRICKET.

The visit of the Te Kuiti players to Taumarunui, though highly enjoyable, resulted in a decided defeat being registered against them. The poor batting form shown by the Te Kuiti players is partly accounted for by the state of the wicket which at times bumped very badly and made it impossible to bat with any degree of confidence. Disaster commenced with the dismissal of Wallace, who was bowled by the first ball of the match. It as a good ball and just broke sufficiently tu beat the bat. In the following over Martin was beaten by a freak bail which broke fully a foot from the off and never left the ground. Owen returned one softly to the bowler before he had got going, and Lusk was unfortunately run out in the same over. Simmons made a useful stand and played good cricket while at the wickets. He also had to withstand a fusilade of bumping balls and finally had the luck to get out leg before. Of the others Clapham showed excellent form in compiling 22. During his association with Steel at the wickets the best stand of the innings was made, and the hopes of the side rose considerably. However, the last two wickets went cheaply, Burgess having the misfortune to be run nut when runs were coming from his bat.

At the beginning of the Taumarunui innings three wickets went cheaply, Lusk and Wallace showing excellent form with the ball. When R. Winger and Ross became associated a different complexion was put

on the game, the beat stand of the day being made, and the necessary runs were knocked up in quick time. The Te Kuiti players have not nud suflicient practice this season to produce anything like their best form The material is there, and with constant practice on a good wicket: a team could be produced that would do credit to the district. It is pleasing to note that the younger players are coining on nicely, and the prospects for the future of the game are extremely bright.