Beale’s XI. Plays Canterbury Colts

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 556, 8 January 1929, Page 11

Beale’s XI. Plays Canterbury Colts

SLOW-SCORING GAME (Special to THE SUE) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Heavy rain this morning delayed until this afternoon the opening of the cricket match between E. C. Beale’s team of Auckland colts and a Canterbury colts’ team. The Aucklanders have been unfortunate in regard to weather on the tour, rain having interfered with several matches, and some members of the side have had only a couple of innings before they reached Christchurch. Their consolation is that the scenery, particularly on the West Coast, has made the trip a memorable one. Mr. Beale is trying to get them an extra match in Wellington on the way back. The Canterbury colts* team differed considerably from that chosen originally, several being unable to obtain leave from work. W. R. Patrick, the former Canterbury captain, and C. Rix, another veteran, filled two vacancies at a late hour. Patrick captained the team and won the toss. He put Auckland in, but clouds obscured the sun later, and the wicket did not dry as fast as he anticipated. There was no great variety in the Canterbury attack, but the batting was quiet in the early part of the afternoon, the first 25 overs including 14 maidens. UNLUCKY DISMISSALS Langridge batted 95 minutes for 26 runs, but some of his shots would have been worth more if the outfield had not been so dead. He was unlucky in being given out leg before to a ball which, he hit. Monteith got 20 runs in good style, but then a ball shot from his pads to the inside of the bat on to the wickets. After the tea adjournment, R. G. Bush brightened up the batting. He went in when four wickets had fallen

for 76 runs, and batted for 38 minutes for 34 runs, included in which were a six and two fours. A PROMISING BOWLER He was clean bowled by a lefthander, H. R. Escott, of the C h ristchur ch Boys’ High School. Escott bowled

Vivian with his next ball. This was Escott’s second visit to the bowling crease, and the two wickets fell in the first over after he had been put on. He now had three for 12, his previous victim having been Monteith. Escott is still at school, but is one of the most promising left-hand bowlers in Christchurch. Stumps were drawn a little early, because of the failing light. AUCKLAND First Innings LANGRIDGE, lbw, b Rix 26 PEARSON, c Simmonds, b Rix .... 6 MONTEITH, b Escott 20 J- T. BUSH, st Allen, b Yates .... S BUTLER, st Allen, b Rix T 19 R. G. BUSH, b Escott 34 McCOY, not out 15 VIVIAN, b Escott 0 GEE. not out 3 Extras 10 j Seven wickets for 141 j Bowling.—Escott, 3-12; Rix, 3,36; Yates,

year were split up among: 43 boxers and the following list shows the number of times each man fought:—J. Leekie 14, T. Griffiths 9, H. Casey S. T. Mclnnes 6, F. Taylor 6, J. Broadfoot 5, A. Hay 5, W. Melton 5. C. Pocock 4, It. Loveridge 4, X. Radford 4. T. Barber 3, J. Carroll 3, T. Green 3, M. Hatton 3, A. Hughes 3, LAMacdonald 3, C. Purdy 3, P. Smitheram 3. P. Coombes 2. T. Fairhall 2. X. Gillespie 2, S. Hughes 2, K. Harley 2. X. McKnigrht 2, T. Monson

2, W. McAlister 2. D. Palmer 2, R. Trowern 2, M. Carroll 1, T. Donovan I, J. Cotterill 1. R. Fitzsimmons 1. J. Green 1, W. Harms 1, G. Johnson 1, H. Leekie 1, H. Larsen 1. D. Maddox 1. J. Pettifer 1, E. Parker 1. K. Smith 1. R. Vercoe 1. Of course, a number of the boxers were only a month or two in Xew Zealand, but a fair idea of the fighting ability and popularity of the others cam be obtained from the figures. Leckie's First Defeat Johnny Leekie continued on his allconquering way, but his 192 S record shows his first and only defeat, Barber being given the decision when the Xew Zealand champion was a winner on points. This reverse should not deter Leekie as he will probably have more on his record before he finishes with the fighting game. It is not every man who can win all his fights, and in many cases a defeat is better than a victory.

Tom Keeney's return to New Zealand after his unsuccessful attempt to wrest the heavy-weight crown of the world from Gene Tunney was the most outstanding event of the year, other than the happenings in the actual ring, the Xew Zealand heavy-weight receiving a royal welcome all over the country. Such has been the year 192 S in Xew Zealand boxing annals and it is sincerely hoped that 1929 will be just as successful and that even more enjoyable bouts will be seen. —G.H.M.