Awaiting" Merritt

NZ Truth, Issue 1145, 10 November 1927, Page 14

Awaiting" Merritt

Old Boys will be the happiest team m the world when Bill M,erritt resumes play for them. Just ait present their bowling fails to ipipress. The Sumner boy should make a big difference, both with the ball and the bat. West Christchurch put on 2SG against St. Albans, and J. Newman', who once move drew a goodly crowd, played very correct and stylish cricket to score 57 as an opening- effort. He scored slowly, even sedately at times, and was just stepping out to force the. pace when a break beat him. Ray Blank, who was associated with him for some time, made a very creditable first appearance this season, and put a great deal of weight behind some of his shots, to score 60. From a fulltosser he scored a beautiful six, and the partnership was responsible for over 100 runs. Chattel Hayes once more batted very brightly for C 3. Bad light caused the drawing of stumps before 6.30 p.m., and St. Albans then had 45 for none. St. Albans lost a rattling good wicket-keeper when L. R. Brunton decided at the end of last season to give up the game, but it has found another good one m Neil Dor'reen, -who is wellknown to Rugby enthusiasts wherever the Canterbury team has toured m the last three seasons. Dorreen sent three of West's men back to the pavilion on Saturday, and so far his displays behind the sticks this season have been very sound and consistent. Old Collegians are not likely to worry Sydenham to any great -extent, for the former team had scored 268 for the loss of only four wickets when stumps were drawn. Two men went cheaply, but thereafter the batsmen had things, all their own way. Just to show that his century last Saturday was no fluke, Jack Young scored a solid 39. Though he starts slowly he looks like piling up a decent average this season. ; . . ; Young Bill Oliver scored a very pretty 62. A stylish,, breezy bat is this colt, and he treated the bowling with marked disrespect, going out finally .to -a catch. After that J. Fitzmaurice and W. R. Patrick did -just about as they liked with the very tired trundlers. At thb end of the day Fitzmaurice had 71 and Patrick 68. So far Old Collegians have not made the grade, and if they are out for laurels they, would do much better m Senior B. However, the side seems content to potter along, taking beatings cheerfully. . Linwood put up a very poor showing against East Christchurch and only notched 140, to which East have replied so far with 98 for two wickets. M. Boon was the only batsman on the Linwood side worthy of the name, although Reg. Read, whose IS included two sixes, was unlucky to be run out when he was m aggressive mood. Boon scored a stolid 44, playing one on to his wicket when he was well set. Once again G. R. Gregory came to light with an aggressive and progressive display of batting and . the handful of spectators who had dozed through Linwood's performance found their patience, rewarded. Gregory went for the bowling vindictively and when stumps were drawn was unconquered, with 54 on. Next Saturday, according to a decisioii arrived at by the- Association, play will continue until 7.30 p.m. , Although 7.30 Sidey-time is only 6.30 standard time, it is doubtful if the Association will find the extra hour a success, , •