CRICKET NOTES.

Shannon News, 4 March 1924, Page 3

CRICKET NOTES.

Weraroa's win. over YJVLC.A. last Saturday must, on the whole be counted as lucky. With the exception of O'Connor, who- was in good form, the batsmen were hopelessly off form, and even O'Connor was missed three times in tihe field. Y.M.CA. again were without the services of Mackenzie and tire Rev. Harris, both of wlhom can usually be relied on for useful scores.

Weraroa will meet Moutoa on Saturday at Moutoa, and if they succeed in winning, will meet the winners of the Southern end for the championship of the district. On Moutoa's late showing Weraroa should not have any trouble to carry the game, but it must be remembered that Moutoa earlier in the season and on their own ground defeated both Weraroa and Y.M.CA. In tihe game in which they beat Weraroa, Morgan scored a century, whilst Mason missed the same figure 'by one in the game against Y.M.CA. Should there be a return of this form, Weraroa will have to wake up on Saturday, as a defeat ■will probably put Y.M.CA. into the final.

Pringle got a nasty knock on the thumb last" Saturday", -but it did not prevent Mm doing some useful bowling in the latter stages of the game. This player has been Very consistent this season botih at bowling and with the bat.

O'Connor's innings on Saturday was well timed, as his side had gone to pieces. A point that his innings made evident is that the boundaries are top big. Although it may be argued that as these are the same for both teams this makes no difference, it is really very discouraging to the batsmen, and an added strain on a (man wfho is making a forlorn hope stand for his side. Fiold made a mistake in tactics In not .shifting-'Edwards closer in. Edwiirds lins been playing good cricket tliis season,.tout his luck was obvious-

iy oujt on Saturday, and it is the place of a captain to watch these points. <

Field bowled well at times, getting the bail'across in good style. Six lor forty reads well. Y.M.C.A, batted rather solidly taking a lot of shifting. Sloan was bowling well on the wicket and discovered better results.

Auckram, Moodie, Edwards (15), and Field (18), batted well. Marslin's catch which disposed of Auckram, was an excellent one, the ball coming very last from Sloan. Sloan also cci&gjrn Jidwarns well in slips.from a last balU .Weraroa were excellent in the field, but Weal will need to brighten up u little.

Uiavis for Weraroa was good behind the stumps, and gave tne Y.M.C.A. outsmen some anxious moments. It is a pity the bowlers doi not assist the wicket-Keeper more as, a wicket stumped nas the same value as u wicket howled.

Y.M.C.A. played a new man in Gutnrie, who was brilliant in the field. Great things were expected ui hun when lie cam© to bat out . he proved disappointing. ,The return whicn.-r.an Wiudas out was a very smart one. Bull, who returned the ball, can be relied on 'v. do the right things in wie neid, being one oi; the best fielders in tne competition.

It must have been very gratifying to the teams to see fhe attendance Oi the public at flue game on Saturday, and is satisfactory irom x eyeiy point of view, as once tne public snow an interest in the game, in© players win come forward. Regarding Snannou& withdrawal from tine competition it has been decided that each forfeiture i»y jsnannon snail count as a wm il. me team wluich otherwise would nave met that CluJ>. Y.M.CA.'s win against Moutoa- on the Saturday before last, came as a general surprise, not so much from uie fact as. irom the ease with wnich it was accomplished, in the first innings by dismissing Mason, wao was caught out early, if.M.CA. got rid 01 their only, serious problem. Mausen just niissed double figures and should make a useftid player, 'but tfie remainder of -the team .were disposed of with the greatest ease. Moutoa carries too miucn "tail,''" the members whereoi did not relish the bowling of Auckram, who was in excellent form and was well assisted by Field at the other end.

Y.M.C.A. did not show up much better than their onnoiierits in the first innings, ali the top men going out for light scores. Still 15 points does not take a great deal of hfeating and Y..M.CA.'s 44 left them a little in hand.

Hudson, in compiling 14, was on the lucky side, but he made a stand which was of considerable assistance to his side. The score may encourage him to. the practice which he needs.

The fielding on both sides was good, Y.M.CA. being of first-class order and rather better than that of their opponents. , In Moutoia's second innings Mason ba.tted nicely for 11, (being well caught by McKenzie off a good drive. Hangi, who made 15, is only a boy, which is encouraging, as .young players are badly needed in the district and should be brought oiujt as much as possible; The remainder of the team were again a failure; Auckra.m smashing them up in great style. For Moutoa, Newtih and Madsen bowled well.