HOLIDAY CEICKET

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 107, 28 December 1931, Page 5

HOLIDAY CEICKET

("Post" Special Commissioner.)

BAY OF PLENTY WIN SOUTH AUCKLAND B. TEAM DEFEATED ON FIRST INNINGS UNSATISFACTORY UMPIRING

AUCKLAND, Saturday. Bay of Plenty put up a much better showing in their cricket match against the South Auckland B eleven to-day than they did against the Auckland junior representatives on Christmas Day. South Auckland went to the wickets first and by good batting eompiled 200 runs. Once again the Bay attack sadly missed a slow bowler. Bright, Wilkinson and Oram all hatted attractively and showed confidence against the Bay's medium-paced bowling. Reed could have been used to greater advantage, but after bowling four overs, during which he kept the batsmen subdued, he was taken off and not given another turn at the crease. Burke and Dixon gave the Bay a good start and took the score past 60 before they were separated. Burke knocked up 80 by stylish cricket before he was bowled by Andrews. South Auckland's score was passed with three wickets in hand, and then the remaining batsmen sacrificed their wickets in going for a hit. South Auckland went in to bat again with half an hour to go and had made 39 for four wickets at the drawing of stumps. Bay of Plenty won by 45 runs on J;he first innings. Although the two games played by the Bay during the tournament were greatly enjoyed by the players, much comment was heard from players and spectators alike on the poor umpiring during these matehes. It may not he sporting to comment on the umpire's decisions, -but the four Ibw decisions given against the team were gained by bowlers who bowled round the wicket and in one case at least the batsman hit the ball with his bat, the contact being heard quite clearly by the spectators on the banks. In the first match one batsman. was caught behind the wickets off a ball which he did not attempt to play, but which came off his pads, and in yet another instance a batsman was caught over the boundary. To cap all, during South Auckland's second innings, Edwards who was tossing up slow leg stuff, bowled Camp with a ball which just nipped the bails. When the batsman started to walk back to the pavilion the umpire at square leg called him back and alleged that wieket-keeper had knocked the bails off with his gloves. These little incidents tend to spoil the game, especially when matehes are being played in holiday spirit. No reflection is meant against the Bay's opponent's who themselves passed many comments on the poor umpiring. This criticism is levelled solely against the umpires themselves. Following are the detailed scores: — BAY OF PLENTY. — First Innings Dixon,. c and b Oram 34 Burke, b Andrews 80 Lyon, b Andrews .... 17 York, b Argan 10 Reed, Ibw, b Andrews 8 MacRae, c Chapman, b Andrews 23 Bridger, b Andrews 0 Benjamin, c Beavei*, b Camp .... 31 Edwards, Ibw, b Camp 8 Gresham, lbw, b Andrews 0 Brown, not out 4 Extras 30 Total 245 SOUTH AUCKLAND B. (First Innings) Bright b. York .... 45 Whelan, run out 15 Wilkinson l.b.w. b. Benjamin .... 38 Tarr, b Burke 1 Oram c. Benjamin b. Dixon 34 Camp, run out 9 Carroll b. MacRae 4 Beaver, c. Sub b. MacRae 6 Andrews b. Burke 27 Chapman b. Macrae 0 Argan not out 6 Extras 15 Total 200 (Second Innings) Tarr b. Gresham 3 Camp b. Edwards 7 Beaver l.b.w. b Brown 18 Whelan not out 2 Oram c. Lyon b. Brown 0 Extras 9 Total for four wickets 39