CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 172, 7 December 1912, Page 7

CRICKET.

TO-DAY'S MATCH!A To-day's matches are: Law \. I'nited Service, on the Recreation (I round, and New Plymouth v. Inglewood on (he High School ground. The Law team will comprise:—Bewlev, Greatbatch. Elliott. King, H. B. llcid, Anderson, Qiiilli:mi. R. B. Reid, Shepherd. Johnson and Laidi.

After last Saturday's match one is almost justified in holding, that the odds in. cricket are almost as hazardous as those of horse-racing. When New Plymouth and Law first met, New Plymmth, with a scratch team, proved triumphant by 14S to 104 runs. Last SatuH»..' : however, notwithstanding that they had the best team on paper they had sent to the wickets this season, they were hopelessly outclassed by an innings and 51 runs. The tail could not have put up a worse exhibition than they did in the first innings. The wicket was in very good order, being very fast. Lash, with six wickets for 19. was the chief destructive agent. Law have now registered two consecutive wins, and their stock has risen considerably since the opening of the season. From the number of chances < missed last week on the boundary, and the laggard manner in which the ball was frequently returned to the wickets, one is inclined to think that New Ply-1 mouth do not put their surest and best fielders in the out-field. Harding was the | arch offender in this connection. i

The Inglewood v .Service match did not eventuate, the country men failing to put in an appearance. After having had all the first round matches on their own ground, thus not having to travel, it seems hardly fair that Inglewood should fail to come up to scratch on the opening day of th second round. Incidentally, it is also to be noted that the Inglewood Thursday B team also failed to fulfil their engagement aga'ust the town eleven. They sent word that they could not raise a team, and it is understood, unofficially, that the New Plymouth Club will not claim a win by default.

Urenui made merry with the High School boys. The match was unfinished, but in view of the fact that there are so many matches in the first round of the Thursday competition similarly situated, it would greatly assist matters if the school graciously conceded Urenui a win oh the figures as they at present stand. When', stumps were drawn, Urenui were all out for 228 runs, and High School five wickets down for 30 runs, and the mainstay of the team disposed of.

A number of matches in the first round of the Thursday competition are either unfinished or unplayed, and the fixtures committee will meet next week to sift them and set them down for decision, the first lot to be played on Thursdays. The matches referred to arc: Inglewood A v. Urenui, at Inglewood; Jnglewood B v. Waitara, at Waitara; New Plymouth v. Inglewood A at Inglewood; Waitara v. High |3chool at Waitara;.High School v. Urenui at New Plymouth; and Inglewood B v. New Plymduth, at Inglewood; A .regrettable feature of this season is the lack of interest in school cricket. At ■present it looks as if Mr. E. Whittle's Shield will not be competed for. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of foe! firing cricket among the schools and bringing the material on, and it is to be hoped that those who are responsible will bestir themselves with a view,;to ; commencing the competition immediately after the New Year. ,'iThe. bowling analysis of the Waitara•lnglewood match was> as follows: Ingle-i wood. Gudgeon 3 for-43, Pull en .2 for 23, Harltness 1 for 10, and Billing 2 wickets for 0 runs. The latter bowled three overs. Waitara: P. Skelton.4 for 14, Hawkins ;3 for 12, James 2 for 8, Purdie 1 for. 8, Sommerville 0 for 3 and Sriia'ill 0 for 21.

Waitara thoroughly deserved their win against Inglewood on Thursday at the River city. Waitara batted first and put up 88, which was a moderate total for' Inglewood to amass. The latter, however, were, found wanting. Possibly, Waitara, wen; more at home on a, grass wicket, as beyond Clegg 23. B. Marsh 20 and T, Nicliofe 8, none of the others could make, a stand against the bowling which was, very good. Purdie particularly sent down some goodstulT. and tied the batsmen up. bowling 0 overs off which only 8 run« were.scored for one wicket. James was. very useful, he bowled 7 overs for 8 runs and two wickets, and also scored 18 runs; The score stood at 3 wickets for 44, when P. .Skelton and Hawkins were put on, and so. deadly did they prove that the last seven wickets only realised 2.6 runs. Clegg played .good...sound cricket for his runs until he was eaught out from a late cut oft" a rising ball.