GRAFTON WINS EASILY ON FIRST INNINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 579, 4 February 1929, Page 10

GRAFTON WINS EASILY ON FIRST INNINGS

SHORE’S LATE RECOVERY

Shore’s unaccountable collapse for 86 the first day, and Grafton’s reply of 179 for six wickets, placed the Big Bridge club in a commanding position when play resumed on Saturday. Grafton did not waste time pottering about on continuing, and was all out in half an hour for another 39. Shore had no hope of avoiding a three-point loss, but made a fine recovery and had 22 on for the loss of five wickets when rain caused an early finish. WEBB WINDS UP WELL

Don Webb, the Grammar midget, was responsible for the abrupt ending of Grafton’s innings, taking the last four wickets in as many overs at a cost of 20 runs. Goodwin had been very hard on the colt the previous Saturday, when he collected 39 off two overs, but Webb had his revenge on resuming, Goodwin aiming the second ball for the bowling green against a strong head-wind, and Naismith judged a skier just inside the line. Sale, who had batted brilliantly the first day, only added two when Webb spun a curly one round his legs and skittled him. Wylie went first ball to a fine running catch by Gerrard on the leg boundary, but Rowntree spoilt a possible hat-trick with a clout for four. The veteran stumper and Bannister wagged a lively tail for ten minutes, adding 29 before another good catch on the boundary by Bush ended the innings. SHORE STARTS AGGRESSIVELY With a deficit of 132 on the first innings it was expected that Shore would dig in with an attempt to stave off a four-point loss. But Frater decided wisely that attack was the best line of defence, and the display of the Shore batsmen was in marked contrast to the first innings’ collapse. Frater (33) hit hard from the start and found the line six times, before a full-up swerver from Langridge hit him on the foot and found the wicket. Gerrard carried on the good work freely, but the Sussex man beat Archer with another swinger, and then Gerrard chopped one hard on to his wicket. After tea Saunders soon went in lashing at Horspool, and with four down for 74 Grafton had great expectations of notching a full win. A LEFT-HANDED But Bush and Player started a prolonged partnership which saved the situation, and the two tall left-hand-ers made the Grafton bowling look easy, Allcott’s assistance being sadly missed. Player jumped into the bowling in his freest style, while Bush batted gracefully and hit hard at anything loose. Player reached his half-century in as many minutes with the help of an overthrow to the boundary: He found the line ten times and put 70 to his credit in just over the hour before falling to Bannister. The partnership with Bush had yielded 107 in good time. Bush then opened out freely and carried his score to 66. when failing light and a light rain lead to an early finish by mutual consent. Goodwin failed to repeat his fine bowling of the first innings, but Langridge had to be watched carefully throughout. Details: GRAFTON First Innings HORSPOOL, lbw. b Coates 14 LANGRIDGE. c Saunders, b Plaver 11 WALTERS, lbw, b Player " .. 0 SALE, b D. Webb 64 , HOCKIN. c Archer, b Player . . 25 SLOMAN. b Saunders 13 ■ CLIFFE, c Player, b Saunders .... 0 GOODWIN, c Naismith, b D. Webb 45 ' BANNISTER, not out 24 > WYLIE, c Gerrard. b D. Webb . . 0 : ROWNTREE. c Bush b D. Webb . . 11 t Extras 11

Total 21S Fall of wickets: 1/24. 2/34, 3/34, 4/62. 5 90, 6 100, 7/179, 8/IS9, 9089, 10/21S. Bowling: Saunders; 2-16, D. Webb. 4-64: Player. 3-51; Coates. 1-74. SHORE First Innings S 6 Second Innings FRATER, b Langridge 33 GERRARD, b Langridge 24 ARCHER, b Langridge 7 PLAYER, b Bannister 70 SAUNDERS, c Wylie, b Horspool .. 1 BUSH, J.. not out 66 NAISMITH, not out 10 Extras 10 Five wickets for 221 Fall of Wickets—l/40, 2/62, 3/67, 4/74, 5/181. Bowling—Langridge, 3-39; Horspool, 1-38; Bannister. 1-44; Goodwin. 0-26; Wylie, 0-16; Hockin, 0-15.