CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3021, 19 October 1908, Page 6

CRICKET.

MATCHES IN AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, October 18. The cricket season opened here yesterday in beautiful weather, when the various districts competitions under the auspices of the 'Auckland Cricket Association were commenced. In the first grade matches, playing against Eden Colts, City made 86 in their first innings. Eden Colts had five wickets down for 89 runs, when time was called. Parnell's first innings against University realised 86, University having at the call o± time three wickets down for 130 (Wallace 37, Jacobsen not out 61). Against Eden A, Ponsonby in their first innings made 100 (Gavin 49), Eden A having two wickets down for 137 runs (Brook-Smith 32, Cumming 57, Elliott not out 42). Against North Shore, Grafton in their first innings made 160 (Mason 59, E. Harspool 32). North Shore have hit six wickets for 83 runs (Hollingrake 42). There is greater interest being taken here in cricket this season than ever before in the history of the game. It is estimated that fully one thousand cricketers took part in competition games under the control of the various bodies yesterday. The Auckland Cricket Association has an increase of entries in all grades. The Auckland Association' League has 24 teams under its control, the Sunday Schools Associatoin has 15, while the secondary and public schools competitions also show increased entries.

CHRISTCHURCH SENIOR CONTESTS. CHRISTCHURCH, October 18. The weather was beautifully fine to-day for the continuation of senior grade matches. The following were the results:—Sydenham 314 beat West Christchurch 196 and 108 for five wickets (D. Reese 50 not out) on the first innings. Riccarton 260 (H. B. Whitta 65) beat East Christchurch 142 and 82 for nine wickets. Linwood 386 (R. Ridley 146 not out, F. Wilding 50) and 34 for six wickets beat St. Albans 219 (B. B. wood so). tm^:MmmssL&^. A match was played on the School Recreation Ground on Saturday between St. Matthew's team and the Masterton School, the former winning by seven wickets and four runs. Scores:—School (first innings), 17 (Ibbetson 6).. Bowling: Wilkie 4 wickets for 6 runs, Berry 4 for 8, Phillips 1 for 0. bchool (second innings), 49 (R. Miller 17, G. Miller 14). Bowling: Wilkie 4 for 14, Berry 2 for 9, Russell 1 for 6. St. Matthew's (first innings), 50 (E. Simonson 14, F. Phillips 17 not out). Bowling: Sutton 7 for 13, Ibbetson 1 for 18, Miller 2 for 15. St. Matthew's (second innings) 21 for threa wickets. Bowling: Miller 1 for 8, Sutton 1 for 4, ,Ibbetson 1 for 1. The Park Oval was a busy arena on Saturday when a large muster of Saturday cricketers occupied themselves at net practice. Judging by the attendances registered at pactices by the various clubs, cricket will be stronger this season in Masterton than ever previously. One club—a new one—had 21 players on the Oval on Saturday, and the work done by all the clubs was of a useful character. The championship fixtures, which opnn next Thursday and Saturday should see some good all-round play from the outset.