CRICKET

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 30 January 1952, Page 3

CRICKET

TAUPO V. P.W.D. Spectators and Taupo players who had batted earlier nearly bit their fingernails down to the bone in an exciting finish when Taupo played Rotorua Works Department tearn, on December 20 last and won in a tense finish by two wickets. The Rotorua tearn opened confidenitly with a partnership of 40 between Herbert and W. McMillan. The latter, helped by Higgins appeared to be taking complete charge of the Taupo bowling when with the total 20 a rash eall by Higgins and a smart throw by McKean resulted in McMillan's dismissal, the third wicket falling at 63. A collapse followed when McKean entered the attack and accounted for three quick wickets at the cost of 13 runs. The luncheon interval was taken with the total at 104 for 8 wickets. After lunch McKeen proved more expensive and F. McMillan, Bellingham and Macky took the total to 151 before the side was dismiissed. McKean finished with 4 wickets for 35 run*. Bellingham, a left arm medium pace bowler, and Thomas, slightly faster and making the ball rise and shoot a good deal had the first five Taupo players out for 32. (Strange and Beale then revived the visitors fortunes by adding 81 for the next wicket. '-Strange played with confidence and judgment and Beale though he had his share of luck was fundamentally sound and both batsmen took every opportunity to score runs. Immediately after Beale was out an unfortunate misunderstanding resulted in Woodward being run out. But while Strange remained there always appeared to be a chance of one of the boys remaining with him. Taupo's hope fell when Bellingham beat Strange with a splendid ball and there were still 26 runs needed to pass the Rotorua score. Stone and iSutherland did not hesitate to make every post a winning post. While Stone carved out his runs with unorthodox sweens to leg — and through the slips be it noted, Sutherland played good cricket and was not frightened to use his feet. In five overs their work was done and the last two wickets fell with the total at 153. The match was a triumph for the middle of Taupo's batting order and the tail and proved a perfect example of the old saying that a match is never lost until it is won. Ministry of Works, Rotorua. lst. innings: — G. Herbert, l.b.w., b. Collett, 10; D. McMillan, run out, 32; N. Eathorne, l.b.w., b Strange, 0; Higgins, b. McKean, 27; Thomas, c. Loughlin, b. McKean 0; Peters, b. Collett, 0; Pringle, b. McKean, 13; Morgan, c. -Strange, b. Forster, 1; F. McMillan, c. and b. Forster, 34; R. Bellingham, not out, 13; Macky, b. McKean, 13; Extras, 8; Total: 151. Bowling: — Loughlin, 0 for 12; Strange, 1 for 28; Collett, 2 for 28; McKean, 4 for 35; Forster, 2 for 39. Taupo. lst. innings: — A. Forster, c. Peters, b. Bellingham, 9; J. Loughlin, b. Thomas, 6; G. A. Acres, b. Bellingham, 1; H. Collett, c. and b. Thomas, 1; I. Strange, b. Bellingham, 64; S. McKean, c. Eathorne, b. Thomas, 1; R. Beale, c^ Higgins, b. Morgan, 31; D. Woodward, run out, 0; R. Stone, not out, 24; C. Sutherland, c. F. McMillan, b. Morgan, 7; R. Clark, b. Morgan, 0; Extras, 9; Total: 153. Bowling: — Morgan, 3 for \ 27; Eathorne, 0 for 14.; Thomas, 3 for 20; Bellingham, 3 for 44; Higgins, 0 for 20; Peters, 0 for 10; Mack, 0 for 9.