CRICKET NOTES

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 98, 4 December 1953, Page 11

CRICKET NOTES

Taupo v.

Minginui

In the absence; of Sam McKean, Rex Beale captained the Taupo team in the match 'against Minginui. Losing the toss Taupo were invited to bat first, and thanks to | a judicious and hard-hit innings of 49 by the captain and 19 each by Ward and Woodward a respectable total of 129 was achieved. About ten minutes play was left before lunch and in that time the visitors lost two good wickets for 11 runs. Diprose drew away from his stumps to be bowled by a ball from Woodward that turned and kept low, whilst Alder received a nasty blow on the knee and left l.b.w to Forster. After lunch Woodward obtained another quick wicket, but Edwards took advantage of some loose balls to crack three fours before he, in turn succumbed to the last ball of the over. Forster and Errol Smith | caused the collapse to continue, the former turning the ball appreciably and bowling the visiting captain when he made no attempt to play a stroke. Following on their innings 87 runs behind the visitors showed greatly improved form. Diprose collected an energetic 65, Harrison and Alder reached the twenties and Lancaster also ob-

tained double figures. Forster again bowled well to obtain a couple of wickets and Frank McKean was responsible for the collapse of the tail with 4 wickets for 88 runs. Left with 82 runs to get to win at the rate of a run a minute, Taupo should have found the task fairly easy. Minginui fought backhard Diprose showi^ig considerable pace whilst Harrison kept a steady length and secured a good deal of spin from the wicket. With five batsmen, Woodward, McKean, B£ale, Acres and Ward scoring double figures without any of them reaching the twenties it was left to the last batsman J. Smith to make the winning hit in another thrilling finish. Scores: — Taupo, first innings 129 :-R. Beale 49, G. A. Acres 11, G. Ward 19, D. Woodward 19, Diprose 3 for 23, Newland 3 for 3, Alder -2 for 43, I Nicholls 1 for 23. Second innings 86: — Woodward I 10, F. McKean 19, Beale 11, Acres 13, Ward 14, Diprose 3 for 31, Newland 3 for 33, Harrison 3 for 9, Edwards 1 for 4. Minginui, first innings 42: — Edwards 17, Woodward 3 for 25, Forster 4 for 10, E. Smith 3 for 3. Second innings 168: — Diprose 65, Harrison 28, Alder 24, Lancaster 11, F. McKean 4 for 8, Forster 2 for 41, Kennedy 1 for 26, Woodward 1 for 15, Stebbing 1 for 7, Ward 0 for 13, E. Smith 0 for 19, J. Smith 0 for 24.