CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5241, 10 January 1878, Page 3

CRICKET.

CHRISTCHURCH V. WELLINGTON. At 10.45 a.m. the captains of the teams tossed for innings, which was won by Mr. Salmon, .and he elected to put his opponents in, the light being bad. The first two to go in were Godby and Neilson to the bowling of J. A. Salmon and his brother. Godby soon opened the ball with a fine square-leg hit off Jas. Salmon, and placing another for 2, he was then bowled by Jas. Salmon with a bailer. This was rather a pity, as he is a fine bat 1 for 9. Wood was next. Fordham was supposed to have missed Neilson by a very easy chance, but it was not a catch. Wood was soon given out Ibw to Jas. Salmon—2 for 21. Ashby now came in, and hit James Salmon high to long-field, a chance though difficult, to Blacklock, which was not taken. Armitage then fielded a hot one at cover-point, saving 3. Jas. Salmon was now bowling very well, but his brother gave place to Armitage. Neilson soon hit him to square-leg. Ashby and Neilson now showed excellent cricket, being well set. Ashby then made a fine square-leg hit for sup to the tents—so now up. Lockett was now put on in Jas. Salmon’s place. Neilson soon hit him for 2 along the ground; the light now was very bad and rain threatened. Neilsou hit Armitage clean out of the ground for 4'. He was then cleverly caught aud bowled by Lockett for a well-played and ' bard-hit 28, showing great defeuce and good wrist-hitting. Wilson now joined Ashby, and made it very merry, hitting all over the ground, but he showed •no style compared to some of the others—7o up. Ike Salmon again went on, and Lockett vice Armitage. Ashby made a food 3, though a run out ought to have come off had Inman, the wicket-keeper, been at all up to the mark. Horwood ought to havecaught Ashby at short-leg, an easy chance, but fielding is not a strong point in the North Island. Wilson still went on scoring fast, when 4.3hby was well caught low down by Armitage, off Jas. Salmon, for a very well hit 44. The luncheon bell now rang, and all sat down to an excellent cold spread supplied by Mr. Brown, Mr. Moorhouse presiding, who proposed, the health of the vi-itors in an appropriate speech of welcome, which was heartily drunk, and responded to by Mr. Neilson, their captain. Fowler was now in, the score being 5 for 136. Armitage soon bowled Wilson’s off stump for a raerrily-got 30. Frith followed, and was well caught at loug-leg by Bobinson, his first ball. Milton came next, when Fowler was taken at point by Lockett, after a freelyhit and well-earned 21. Mr. Harris, who was playing as a substitute, now came in. He was

soon caught at point by Lockett 8 for 153. The tenth man, Perry, was disposed of by Salmon in his first ball. All out for 159. The weather was now all that could be wished for, and the Wellington men were soon at the wicknta, sending in Pordham and Blacklock to the bowling of Ashby and young Frith, Ashby very fast, and Frith medium pace left hand. The former soon bowled Blacklock, and X. J. Salmon followed, making a splendid cut for three. He was, however, soon bowled by Frith in trying to take liberties with a wellpitched straight one—2 for 7. Horwood came next, but he soon gave a chance to short-slip. Kennedy now came, one of their greatest hopes ; he soon showed good form, getting a cut and drive for 2 each. Ashby’s pace now beoan 'to tell on him, and he was not often straight, and it was wonderful to see Godby, the long-stop, save the byes, assisted by Fowler, the wicket-keeper, who is very good indeed. Fordham, who had played a very steady innings, was bowled by Ashby—--4 for 23. Lockett was next. Ashby and Frith now changed ends, but the fast bowler was not on the spot often. A yorker from Frith disposed of Lockett. Armitage took his place, but he was immediately taken in the slips by an easy chance. Robinson now came to join Kennedy, who was playiao very well. The la' ter got one of Ashby’s cannon balls on bis knee, which made him rub it a great deal —a wonder it did not smash it Robinson was soon caught in the slips off Frith. Kember, who appeared to know very little about the time it takes to run between the wickets, ran himself calmly out ; and the last man was also run out in trying to run a second bye. The total being only 32, Wellington had to follow on, which they did by sending in the Salraouidte, when the elder put one up to long-on, and was caught. Lockett now came, but was not at all at home with such bowling. Ashby clean bowled him past his bat, which he did not move. Kennedy came, and resumed the good style of his former innings. He shows good form both in playing a ball and in hitting. Jas. Salmon was caught by Ashby off Frith. The captain now, to amuse the crowd, went on with slow underhanda, which Kennedy punished a good deal. Blacklock was bowled by Frith,, when time was called, as the steamer left at 5 o’clock. It was a pleasure to see such good cricket in the colony, as the form of five of them was quite up to that of good English county, and Godby, Neilson, and Ashby are good enougli for the University elevens. Appended is the score : cunisTCHUßcn. Godby, b J, A. Salmon 0 Wood, Ibw. bJ. A. Salmon .. .. 1 Neilson. c and b Lockett .. .. 2S Ashby, c Armltage, b Salmon .. .. 44 Wilson, b Armltage .. .. .. ‘ • • 30 W. Frith, oilobinson, b Salmon .. . . 0 Fowler, c Lockett, b Salmon .. •'* 21 Milton, not out 2 Harris, o Lockett, .. .. .. .. 0 Perry, bJ. A. Salmon .. .. •• O . Extras .. • • • • • • 21 153 WELLINOTOST. Fordham, b Ashby .. 9 .Blacklock, b Ashby 1 J, A. Salmon, b Frith 3 Horwood, c Ashby 2 Kennedy, b Ashby „ Lockett, b Frith 0 Armltage, o Ashby 9 Itoblmon, c Ashby o Kember, run out .. 0 .las. Salmon .. ... 1 Inman, ran out 0 Extras •• 0 Total „ ~ .. •• ..82