CRICKET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 925, 1 December 1910, Page 3

CRICKET.

The second match in the local Association’s competition for the Austin Shield, between the representatives of the Foxton and Himatangi Clubs was played on the Himatangi pitch yesterday afternoon. These teams had met once previously this year, at Foxton the previous Wednesday, when the country team was victorious by a margin ol no less than 85 runs on the first innings. However, it was contended that ou that occasion our local ‘‘knightsof the willow” did not show their true form and it was confidently expected by followers of cricket locally that the Foxtonians, if not successful in vanguishing their opponents, yesterday would at least put up a much better fight. The game yesterday was a much more even one and although Himatangi again emerged victorious the margin was not so great, the difference in the scores being 31. Yesterday neither club was represented by its full strength, Himatangi being without the services of their skipper, Redgrave, and Foxton was minus a couple of their foremost players.

Bethune won the toss from Munro and elected to bat. They made a real good stand putting up 102 before the last man was disposed of. The fielding of the Foxton players is deserving of special mention, but the term “special mention” in this case is intended to convey exactly the opposite meaning to that usually understood. To sum up the display in this department the word “deadly” describes it to a nicety. It was about the worst display of fielding the local team has yet been guilty of and that is saying a good deal, for the Foxton team is noted for its weakness in this branch ot the game- A number —and a big one too —of catches were missed, and fieldsmen showiug a desire to —-in football phraseology —wait for the bouuce. The only two bright pieces of work in the field were catches by Eove and Ward. The bowling of the locals was not up to the standard expected and in this department Evans was sadly missed. Howe was the most successful trundler, securing four wickets for 16 runs. Of the Himatangi batsmen Rori showed the best form scoring a well-deserved 35. He played a good sound Innings and is the makings of a real good bat. The other double figure scorers were Raikes 22 and Bethune 14. At the conclusion of the innings the players were most hospitably entertained at afternoon tea by the ladies of Himatangi. Their hospitality was greatly appreciated and a vote of thanks proposed by Mr Stewart, the Foxton Club’s energetic secretary, was carried by acclamation.

Foxtou did not open their innings very promisingly, the first wicket falling with the score at eight, the second at 16, third at 2i and fourth at 22. From this on however, matters improved and the score board showed 51 when the sixth wicket fell. The next three men were disposed for an additional six runs and the last man went to the wickets with the score at 57. This player McKnight (?) has a reputation as a one-time Nelson, Westland and Canterbury “rep” and although palpably out of form he showed glimpses of old-time brilliance and brought the score up to 71 before a fast one from Wittou dislodged his bails. The Himatangi mens’ fielding was fair being a long way ahead of their opponents display. Witton was the most successful bowler capturing five Foxton wickets at the cost of 21 runs. Howe was Foxton’s chief scorer with a total of 15. This player is to be complimented on his performance yesterday as he was the most successful bowler and batsman for his side. He is only a boy, but as a cricketer he can give a lot of the men who follow the game locally a big start and then beat them. His bowling is not to be trifled with and he plays a good straight bat. He is also very “nippy” in the field. We look upon him to prove one of Foxtou’s best cricketers within the next year or so. The following are the full scores : HIMATANGI. Rori, c Robinson, b Howe 35 F. Witton, run out 4 Bethuue, c Love, b Whibley 14 Barber, run out 1 Raikes, b Whibley 22 Richardson, c Whibley, b Howe 6 Fuuuell, b Howe 0 Brady, c Ward, b Whibley 5 Robinson, run out 5 J. Witton, c McKuight, b Howe 5 Keusig, not out 0 Extras 5 Total 102 Bowling analysis : Howe 4 wickets for 16 runs, Whibley 3 for 20, Love o for 17, Ward o for 20 Cliugberg 0 for 24. FOXTON. Whibley, b Witton 6 Robinson, 1.b.w., b Wittou 5 Love, run out 4 Clingberg, run out 6 Brown, run out 1 Howe, b Bethuue 15 Munro, b Witton 7 Ward, run out 2 Bullard, not out 3 Evans, b Witton 0 McKuight (?) b Wittou 10 Extras 12

Total 71 Bowling analysis : —Witton 5 wickets for 21 runs, Bethune 1 for 38.