When Sir Joseph Ward Was a Cricket “Fan”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 577, 1 February 1929, Page 7

When Sir Joseph Ward Was a Cricket “Fan”

Plunket Shield Memories—Some Great Contests Between Auckland and Wellington—BrookSmith and Snedden to the Rescue in 1910—“Clarrie” Grimmett was Pre-War Wellington Star -Light l.b.w. Decisions in Match at W^llintftnn

In comparing- the Plunket Shield match at Eden Park a month or two ago with some historic contests between Wellington and Auckland, one recalls the words of Mr. Fred Karl in the course of an inspiring presidential address at the last annual meeting of the Auckland Cricket Association: “The match against Wellington ought to be a thriller,” said the veteran head of the A.C.A. It was a prophecy fulfilled to the letter. It is certain that many old Auckland cricketers will join with Mr. Karl in recalling some magnificent battles between the two provinces. Rivalry has always been keen, and when the heat of battle cools, it leaves each with a wholesome respect and appreciation of the great fighting qualities of the other. Not to go too far back into contemporary history, the famous match at Auckland in December, 1910, may be first recalled. Auckland was well down. fighting a losing buttle all through. Wellington made 188 and 179. Auckland 154 in the first innings, and the home side was left with the j formidable task of getting 214 in the fourth innings of the match. Anthony went for a "duck” and two wickets were down for four runs, when the late E. V. (“Ned”) Sale and K. Cx. (“Chummy”) Hemus started on a herculean task to pull the game out of the fire. Both men 1 turned in a valuable 38, and then Brooke-Smith and N. C. Snedden put up a wonderful partnership for the sixth wicket, the pair adding 105 runs to the score. When Snedden, then a colt of 18 summers, left after a capital 30. victory was practically assured, and a little later, BrookeSmith was carried shoulder high off the field, after a magnificent display for 72 not out. Auckland won by four wickets, and Mr. Earl presented Brooke-Smith with a bat in recognition of his great performance, Mr. S. Hesketh making a similar presentation to Snedden. It is interesting to note that a keen spectator at the* match was Sir Joseph Ward, who was then, as now. Prime Minister of New Zealand. That same seaison Auckland lost the shield to Canterbury, regained it at Christchurch the next season, and

w on a sensational match at Wellington i on tour by one wicket. When Alan I AN allace and Dick Mason went in to bat. Auckland needed 37 to win. The last wicket rose to it in brilliant style, and Mason and Wallace were unbeatable at this end with 28 and 16 respectively. Clarrie Griinmett. Australian Dieven bowler, played against Auckland in that match. It. was a great climax to a most successful Southern tour, and Messrs. Carlton, Hay and Jack Watts, joint managers, came home with the shield again in Auckland's keeping. One incident which is remembered in that game was - a tremendous sixer. hit by Somervell (Auckland), which went clean out of the Basin Reserve and landed at the end of the gardens in Kent Terrace. Hem us and Snedden were two of the outstanding successes of the tour. The return match at Auckland the following year was a walk-over for Auckland by a margin of nine wickets, chiefly due to the wonderful bowling of Oliff, who besides the “hat trick.” took 13 wickets for 104 in the match. But at Wellington in 1914 Auckland had another of its time-honoured close finishes *with the Empirp City. Auckland winning by ’8 runs, despite a fight by C. V. Grimmett. who scored 33 not out when Wellington was fighting for runs toward the finish. A century by Ilo.rspool in Auckland’s second'innings was the main factor in the visitors’ success. A year or two after the war there was a remarkable match at Wellington in which Auckland was beaten by “105 runs in the tremendous grand total of 1,613. The match was chiefly noted (or notprious) for eight Ibw decisions during the game, six of which were given against Auckland. Auckland's defeat was due to a first innings collapse for 168 runs, the first three Auckland batsmen being given out leg before for a paltry 17 runs between them. Although facing the hopeless task of getting 441 runs to win in I the fourth innings of the match. Auckland put up a wonderful fight—Horspool (90), Smith (62) and Snedden

leading the way in a memorable battle against odds. Auckland made 336, the biggest innings score of the match. Again in this innings there were three lbw decis i o n s against Auckland. After the game, the Wellington papers paid a tribute to Auckland for the splendid sporting spirit in which they accepted their defeat, and refrained from any reflections on the umpires. A match at Eden Park in 1925 between the old rivals was chiefly remarkable for the sensational second innings collapse of Wellington fo.r 75, after the men from the windy city had worried Auckland with a score of 443 for their first innings. They were chiefly indebted to Dave Collins for that, the Wairarapa farmer scoring 172. Hiddleston got 91. In the second innings Allcott got Collins caught in his first over for a "duck,” and the side went to pieces. Hiddleston got 39 out of a total of 75. Auckland had made 346 in its first innings, thanks to a magnificent first wicket partnership ! of 201 by An- j thony and Horspool. "Tony” got 100 and Horspool 89. Thanks later on to the fine bowling* of. Allcott, Smith and Snedden. Auckland was left to get 173 to win, which was successfully accomplished for the loss of three wickets. THE 1927 GAME This article is intended in no sense as a complete record of matches between the two provinces, but only to recall some particular mutch or other that comes back to mind as possessing features similar to the recent game at Eden Park. It will therefore conclude with a reference to the match at Eden Park in January, 1927. when Auckland was in its old position of fighting out a last innings to win the match. Auckland lost the toss—as usual! But the home side had a comfortable lead on the first innings. So far, so

good. Then came a dramatic change. liiddleston and Worker were snapped up by Howntree for thr.ee runs between them, and Auckland looked a “moral.” But Kortlang (110) and Lowry (58) completely changed the aspect of the game by taking the score from 3 to 149 for three wickets. Badeoek (77) came to light toward the finish, and Auckland was set to get 197 to win. The wicket was showing the effects of wear and tear, and the closing stages of the match were tense and eventful, wicket after wicket falling under the steady Wellington attack, all save Bowley, who held the fort like a champion. \V ith seven wickets down and only Matlieson and Rowntrec left to bat, Bowley won the match with a magnificent square cut to the fence, being himself unbeaten with a brilliant 95 not out.

SOME OVER! , ¥N the Grafton-Shore cricket match at Devonport on Saturday, Alan Player was allowed a somewhat liberal issue in one over, the old warhorse hurling down thirteen balls on end before the umpire gave him a well-earned spell. Thirteen to the over is not. however, a record for Auckland. By a coincidence the same bowler. Player, was having an over in the Auckland-Wellington match at Eden Park two years ago when a generous, or absent-minded umpire allowed him fourteen to the over! Hollings of Wellington was unlucky that time, as he was outed with the thirteenth ball, and once again Wellington had grounds for grousing about our well-meaning local umpires.