IN THE GALE

NZ Truth, Issue 1151, 22 December 1927, Page 12

IN THE GALE

Cricket? Yes, but Only Just (From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) Although last Saturday morning broke fine, there was winter In the ' atmosphere and the heavy rain of the previous days left the various playing areas m sodden conditions. The competition was advanced another stage m a howling gale, the bowlers-having little difficulty m dismissing the batsmen. THE cricketers had the afternoon to ;*• themselves, as those who generally follow the games were satisfied to remain home. The best battingr performanoea of the afternoon were given by H. M. Lambert (Old Boys) 121, W. J. R. Chrlstopherson (Kilbirnie) 99, J. R. Lamason (V.M.C.A.) 83, J. Copeland (V.M.C.A.) 73, H. R. White (V.M.C.A.) 61. K. H. Tucker. (Old Boys) took 6 Wickets for, 54, A. Finlayson (Petone) 6 for 44 and 5 for 25, H. Prince (Institute) 5 for 47,, D. Patrick (Midland) 6 for 76. Old Boys and Institute are nock and reck m the lead for the senior grade championships with 14 points apiece. Wellington were no match for Varsity out on the Hutt ground and the students eventually gained an outright victory -with 9 wickets tp spare. Good batting by Leys, ,Bailey, Mackenzie and 71. E. Tripe m the first innings made the obstacle too ' severe for Wellington. Ordinary Wellington's showing m both- innings was ordinary, Cousins and Burton Veins the only batsmen to do anything. Midland gained a three-point win over Kilbirnie. The previous Saturday, Midland had compiled the tidy total of 557 for the loss of 9 wickets. They wisely declared the innings closed and Kilbirnre set off to do what to them was the impossible. In the first effort they could not reach tfie century, the whole team being out for 86. On Saturday, however, a much brighter exhibition was m evidence. W. Christopherson, who m the first innings made a "duck," got to within one of his century on 'Saturday after a very bright allround display. At the close of the day Kilbirnie had lost 9 .wickets for 237. Old Boys made certain of their victory when facing Hutt, for, m winning outright, they notched 4 points. This wag mainly due to the determined and faultless batting of H. Lambert m Old Boys' first innings m which he made 121 and had the distinction of being the only batsman to gain a century throughout the grade games. Lambert hit seventeen fours and two sixes. K. Tucker (36) played a useful in,nings m partnership with Lambert, ,and was the thorn m the side of the Huttites with the ball, for, at a cost of 64 runs, he gained 6 wickets. Institute who, with Old Boys, have yet to taste defeat, Bucceecfed m registering a three-point victory over V.M.C.A. Y.M. were going fairly^ well m their second innings, being 197 for the loss of 5 wickets when stumps were drawn. J. Lamason, m free style, did his best to save the position for V.M.C.A. (83) against good bowling and keen fielding. J. Smith 37, R.Westbrook 35, and L. Browne (not. out) 33 were the otherbatsmen who assisted m the total. Prince played havoc with the ball m the first innings, scattering the Y.M. men with 5 wickets for 47 runs. Thorndon were crushed by Petone, Finlayson and Bricau obtaining the wickets, the former- 5 for 44 m the first innings and 5 for 25 m the second. ' Brice took four for 38 m the first and 4 for 25 m the second. Roberta (46) was the only batsman to make a stand Jn the first innings for Thorndon. . In the second, Jn which the grand total was only 115, Roberts made 38. So far this season, cricket has not been favored with the best of weather. Hopes are entertained that the holiday season will see better conditions and that, in the big games ahead the Wellington men will be m a position to show something of their true form. H. Foley and H. M. Lambert have notified the selectors that they will be unable to play m the match Country ] V. Town next Friday and Saturday. Selector Tucker has chosen W. J. R. Chrlstopherson and W. Turvey to fill the vacancies. J.. R; Lamason is . twelfth man. , '• . What an attraction W. H. Ponsford ,- is going to be when he visits New Zealand with the Australian team! The question is: If Ponsford can make 437 against Queensland, what will be his total against New Zealand? The brilliant Victorian is at the top of his form. Our bowlers, fieldsmen, and spectators are m for a treat.