CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5487, 28 October 1878, Page 2

CRICKET.

The newly-formed club named the’ Wanderers played their first match on Saturday afternoon in Mrs. Leitch’s paddock, Polhill Gully, against the Telegraph Club. . The match was not completed; but the Telegraphists of course claim the victory, as they headed the scores in the first innings. Had the match, however, been played out, in all probability the order of things would have been reversed. Wickets were not pitched until shortly before 3 o’clock, owing to the non-appearance of several of the Wanderers, they not coming up to time. Possibly the less said about the ground the better. The pitch was anything but good, and the ground was hard and bumpy, and consequently the display of cricket was, to say the least of it, very indifferent. The game calls for very little comment, as the scores on both sides were remarkably low. It must, however, be borne in mind that the majority of the players handled the willow for the first time this season, and nearly all were awkward and stiff. As far as the new club is concerned there are better days in store for it, that is if they stick to practice. Their numbers are limited, fifteen being the club’s strength. Amongst their number are a few good bats and some promising colts. Their fielding on Saturday was passable—it cannot be called good; at the same time, however, it was slightly better than their opponents*. Several easy catches were missed on both sides, owing no doubt to want of practice. The Telegraphists this season have, wo understand, made their club an open one, and several new and promising bats have enrolled themselves. The batting on Saturday exhibited, on both sides was lamentably weak. The only one who reached double figures was Speed, with 13. The usual toss took place between the skippers, and was won by the operators, who decided to send the Wanderers in. first, who played With a man short. McDermott and Deckle were tho first to do battle, the former facing the bowling of Duncan. The first ball was rather a teazer, and the batsman half hesitated how he should play it. The third ball he got away for a single. Decide played a Couple from Mountier, and then succumbed without adding anything to the score. Mansford went in next, and was very soon disposed of for 0, McDermott’s time had now come, and be retired by a trimmer from Duncan, who was bowling well and dead on the spot. Deckle, the next man, added 3 to the score, when he, too, fell a victim to Duncan. Speed made a stand,but there was some luck aboutbis innings. He played several balls very well, and made the highest score, 9* and not out. Morrah, a promising player, got one of Mountier’s away for a single, when he played his next into slip’s hands. The remainder of the team went out for 0. Duncan and Smiley did battle first for the other side; tho former has a stubborn defence, and with practice will be an awkward man to get rid of. He put together 9 not at all badly. His partner was very soon disposed of by a " yorker” from McDermott. ‘ Northcroft went in next, and followed suit. Crowther obtained a couple, and retired. Kirker added 5 to the score, when he was bowled by a “ foot-pitcher” from Mac. Gaanaway got three, when he was prettily caught by Franco. Hampton slipped one, and trying a second gave McDermott a difficult catch, which was held. Sampson snicked one, and then. left. Edwards made things lively for a few overs, but was eventually caught by the bowler, leaving Henry to carry his bat out for 0. The second iunings of the Wanderers was a little brisker, and Speed and McDermott treated the field to a little leather hunting. The only other players that showed any defence at all were F.- France and B. Deckle. The remainder made a very sorry exhibition. At twenty minutes to six the Telegraphists wenfcin again, and when time was called six wickets were down for 23 runs. McDermott bowled remarkably well, and every over took a wicket. Annexed are the scores : WANDERERS. First Innings. Second Innings. McDermott, b Duncan .. 1 runout .. .. S R. Leckie, b Mountier .. 0 hit wicket., .. 4 Mansford, b Duncan .. 0 Duncan -- 1 A. W. Leckie, b Duncan 3 run out •• •• 0 Speed, not out .. ..0 b Mountier ..13 Morrab, c Mountier .. 1 runout .. • • 1 Taylor, b Mountier .. 0 b Duncan'.. .. 0 C. France, c Duncan .. 0 notout .. , •• y F. Franco, b Mountier .. 0 Ibw. li. Mountier 1 Luxf ord, c Duncan .. 0 c Henry .. *• - ' Extras .10 Extras.. *. U Total .. .. ..2* Totah-- •• 43 telegraph. First Innings. Second Innings. DuncancSpced .. .« 0 did not'bat.. .. 0 -Sunley b McDermott .. 0, c Luxford .. 0 Northcroft, b McDermott 0 run out ~ . • 3 Crowther, b McDermott 2 notout .. .. 6 Kirkcr. b McDermott .. 5 did not bat.. .. 0 Gannaway, c Franco .. 3 b McDermott .. 0 Hampton, c McDermott 1 b McDermott .. 0 Sampson, b McDermott.. 1 notout .. .. 5 Mountier, b McDermott 2 b McDermott .. 0 Edwards, c and b McDermott * 6 b McDermott .. -0 Henry, not out •• 2 did not bat _ ~ 0 Extras.. .. .. 2 Extras .. 3 Total .. ..31 Total .. .. 23