CRICKET.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 224, 16 February 1928, Page 8

CRICKET.

PUTARURU v. ARAPUNI. By defeating Arapuni, the local club placed itself at the top of the competition, and if -Wapuni defeat Waotu next week a play-off will be necessary. There was no doubting which was the superior side in this game, the home club, but for one lapse in the field, having it all their own way. Brown and Cunningham gave Putaruru a good start, the former knocking up the highest score of his career in fine style. All his runs were obtained in a free manner by means of forceful hits, there being nine boundaries. A feature of Brown’s display was the power behind his strokes, the best of which was a shot between point and cover, and the manner in v which he kept the ball low and placed his shots. He never looked, like getting out, until, when 12 short, of his century, he cocked a ball tamely into Grainger’s hands at point, 5 Paterson jjlso gave a nice display, going in fifth wicket and carrying his bat for 58. Carefully picking the balls to hit he lifted the tired bowling mostly to the leg and also scored nine boundaries. No doubt somewhat tired from their long "spell in the field, none of the recognised batsmen came off for Arapuni. The Putaruru fielding was not by any means equal to that of the visitors, but everything came off against the “ stars.” McDonald, after a misfield, was run out with a shot that hit the wickets direct; Grainger was caught in two minds and stepped back with one foot to a trimmer; Crowley was snapped in the slips; while McKemon was brilliantly caught and bowled by Paterson, who accepted a full low offdrive. After, that the fielding deteriorated and missed catches and overthrows were frequent, with the result that the tail wagged to some extent. \ The bowling honours go to McDonald, who throughout a record innings for Putaruru, never lost his length, and was always dangerous, seldom throwing up any loose ones. The scores were:— : . PUTARURU. Brown, c Grainger, b McDonald 88 Cunningham, c Bethel, b McDonald 33 Griffiths, 1.b.w., b McDonald .... 0 Renner, c Bethel, b McDonald . . 9 Gray, 1.b.w., b Crowley 4 Macown, st. Bethel, b Crowley .. 3 Patterson, not out 58 J. Phillips, c and b Watson ... 5 Thorpe, b McDonald 0 Rossiter, c Grainger, b Watson 7 Dewse, c McKernon, b McNeill 10 Extras 10 Total 227 ARAPUNI. Crowley, c Phillip :, b Cunningham 13 McDonald, run out 5 Grainger, b Paterson . 15 Belcher, c Macown, bJ. Phillips 4 McNeil, b J. Phillips 7 McKernon, c and b Paterson .. 18 Bethel, 1.b.w., b J. Phillips ..... 28 Wallace, c Brown, b Paterson . . 0 Leo, c Macown, b Thorpe 35 Ross, b Thorpe 2 Towns, not out 0 Extras i... . 3 Total 130 Bowling analysis (Putaruru innings).—McDonald, 20 overs, 3 maidens, 43 runs, 5 wickets; McKernon, 5 overs, 0 maidens, 27 runs, 0 wickets; Bethel, 4 overs, 0 maidens, 15 runs, 0 wickets; McNeill, 5 overs, 1 maiden, 12 runs, 1 wicket; Grainger, 2 overs, 0 maidens, 16 runs, 0 wickets; Crowley, 9 overs, 0 maidens, 52 runs, 2 wickets; Watson, 4 overs, 0 maidens, 36 runs, 2 wickets; Bethel, 1 over, 0 maidens, 16 runs, 0 wickets Arapuni innings.—J. Phillips, 15 overs, 2 maidens, 50 runs, 3 wickets; Renner, 4 overs, 1 maiden, 8 runs, 0 wickets; Cunningham, 3 overs, 2 maidens, 6 runs, 1 wicket; Paterson, 6 overs, 1 maiden, 28 runs, 3 wickets; Thorpe, 5 overs, 0 maidens, 25 runs, 2 wickets. s PUTARURU ASSOCIATION. The final positions of the various teams in the above competition are ns follows: P. ,W. L. Pts. Putaruru .... 6 4 2 8 * Arapuni .... 5 3 2 6 ’’‘Waotu .... 5 1 4 2 *As Waotu have forfeited their match with Arapuni, due to take place next week, this completes the third and final round of the series. As the forfeit gives Arapuni a further two points, a deciding game "with Putaruru will be necessary.