Suburban Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 505, 7 November 1928, Page 13

Suburban Notes

Officials of the Auckland Suburban Cricket Association hold out high hopes for the success of tlie season which had such a good beginning on Saturday afternoon. With some rattling good teams in the senior A competition and with such a fine and handy ground as the Domain available, there is no reason for anything but sheer optimism.

Of course, there is always some talk of rivalry and bad feeling between the A.C.A. and the A.S.C.A. Rivalry, certainly, but the wise judge would hesitate before taking hints-of bad feeling seriously. After all, the two or-

j ganisations should be able to retain I individuality without bickering. * * * Reached the Top With little heralding, the Victoria Club has thrust its best eleven into senior A ranks. Almost unobtrusive, Victoria's rise. And yet the club’s rise to prominence is deserving full recognition. Its best team has played through three stilt' seasons—two, third grade, and last year, second — without defeat. It has had a steady climb against all sorts of odds and has won a place among the best teams. Perhaps it was unfortunate that Victoria, in making its debut, should have been -'pitted against Harbour Board, last year’s champion team. Then again, the stern test may prove beneficial. But even a confirmed optimist must have felt a little disappointed at Victoria’s rather puny first innings’ tally of 90. The start at the hands of Ashby and Viscoe was full of promise, but there wasn’t a scrap of life in a long tail. * * * Not that Harbour Board can claim to have done so well with the bat.%Most enthusiasts expected a larger opening score than 153 from the champions. The Board certainly seems to have victory in its grasp with a 63 lead. It f seems that Victoria will have to suffer defeat for the first time in four years. * * * Brilliant Bowling Bowling of the best order came from the Board stars, Matthews and Dunning, the former accounting for six of Victoria’s wickets for 20 runs, and Dunning four for 18. Wickets were skittled with monotonous regularity. The two bowlers are bound to do well during the season. Matthews has a tricky delivery, and Dunning keeps an exotdlent length. Turner (two wickets for 12 runs), Mar by (2-13). .and McFarlane (1-0) returned first-class averages for Victoria. The first two may develop their styles during the season to something