PONSONBY’S TAIL WAGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 189, 31 October 1927, Page 10

PONSONBY’S TAIL WAGS

STAND AGAINST UNITED SUBURBS But for the fine last-wicket stand made by Warneford and Roy, Ponsonby would have been “all out” for little over half a century in its first innings against United Suburbs on Saturday. These two tail-enders became associated when the Ponsonby total stood at 55, and immediately set about in a hearty manner to make up the leeway, raising the score to 152 before being separated. Warneford was particularly aggressive, and his tally of 59 included two sixes, and seven fours, while Roy knocked up 37 in a hardly less spectacular manner. Both men gave several chances, but Suburbs’ fielding, which left little to be desired in the early stages, slackened up under the severe raking and forceful batting of the Colts. McLeod and Taylor opened for Ponsonby, but found it difficult to get the ball past the keen fielders. McLeod never properly settled down, and had scored five in half an hour when Bushell held a high one from him, off Williams. Taylor was more aggressive, but he, too, went early, caught and bowled Williams. A GLIMPSE OF FORM Snedden settled down immediately and pasted Williams and Martin ail over the field with sharp, crisp carpet drives. The veteran quickly ran up 20 in this manner, revealing the variety of strokes and giving a glimpse of the form which stamped him in his day as one of the greatest artists among New Zealand’s batsmen. He slowed up unaccountably after this, and was caught by McLaren off Williams, before he had added to his score. S. G. Smith was in and out again. He poked uneasily at one or two. and was then clean-bowled by Williams. But if the ex-English county man failed with the bat, he showed that he has not yet lost his skill and cunning as a spin bowler. He left the suburban men standing time and again, and had the pitch not been kicking badly he would no doubt have collected a harvest of wickets. LANGRIDGE IMPRESSES Great interest centred round the first appearance of Auckland’s new coach, J. Langridge. He went out to bat. to a round of applause, but stopped a full toss from Martin on the “funny bone” before he got going. This handicapped him, and he was caught off Martin at 13. His clean, sure fielding impressed players and spectators alike, and sending down a left-hand slow delivery he secured two wickets. For United Suburbs, Williams ended up with the fine bowling average of eight for 46. All tlieir other bowlers were erratic at times, but he bowled consistently throughout, although suffering with the rest against Warneford and Roy. Davies and Bushell opened the innings for Suburbs, and Newdick bowled the former in the first over. Bushell hit Snedden for four, but the next ball took away his middle stump, and thereafter, Ponsonby’s captain bowled with rare judgment. Suburbs have six wickets down for 70, and as yet the match is anybody’s game. The team, which until this year played under the Suburban Association, lias made a good start, and should acquit itself well against the other teams. Details: PONSONBY First Innings McLEOD, c Bushell, b Williams .... 5 TAYLOR, c and b Williams 3 SNEDDEN, c McLaren, b Williams .. -0 SMITH, b Williams 1 LANGRIDGE, e Heildy, b Martin .. 13 COMMONS, c Somers, b Williams .. 0 SMALLWOOD, o Mills, b Williams .. S WHEELER, c YVetherill, b Williams 0 NEWDICK, c Ilendy, b Williams .. 3 WARNEFORD, c Kerr, b McLaren .. 59 ROY. not out 37 Extras ° Total 152 Fall of wickets: 6, 27, 29, 38, 3S, 42, 12, 53. 55, 152. Bowling: Williams, 8-46: Martin, 1-15; McLeod, 1-13; Leikis. 0-36; Kerr, 0-18; Davies, 0-15; Somers, 0-6. UNITED SUBURBS First Innings DAVIES, b Newdick ® BUSHELL. b Snedden •• WETHERILL, c Langridge, b Smith 9 KERR, b Snedden 6 HENDY, lbw, b Langridge K MARTIN, c Snedden, b Langridge .. li LEIKIS, not out •* McLaren, not out <- Extras Total for six wickets .. • • *0