CRICKET IN WAIRARAPA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1939, Page 3

CRICKET IN WAIRARAPA

OLD BOYS’ SENSATIONAL WIN Unexpected Victory by Popular Team RED STAR SHADE LANSDOWNE SPLENDID BOWLING BY PATRICK AND HIBBS (By “BLUE & GOLD.”) Last Saturday’s senior championship games provided a sensational win for Old Boys against Wairarapa College, in which Hibbs and Jones in the batting and Patrick and Hibbs in the bowling played particularly prominent parts The result of the match demonstrated that the old saying, “A game of cricket is never lost until it is won,’ is as true today as when the old Australian team led by Murdoch, scored it's first and most sensational win against England in the 80s, bringing into existence what is now known as 1 The Ashes. Lansdowne put up a stubborn fight against Red Star but the latter, strong in bowling, eventually prevailed to the extent of a ten wickets victory. Team ability this season would lead to the belief that some very interesting matches should be witnessed in the senior competition.

The Unexpected Happens. The unexpected that sometimes happens in cricket was demonstrated very clearly in the game between Old Boys and Wairarapa College. At the conclusion of play on the first day the position was that the game appeared all over “bar the shouting,” for College seemed to be sitting pretty for an outright win. Though they only headed Old Boys by 40 runs on the first innings the latter’s score at the close of play, 6 for 74, seemed to indicate that College would have no difficulty in winning. However, grim determination on the part of Old Boys, who have always shown on the field of play that they never give up the fight till the last ball is bowled, had its reward, and they emerged triumphantly from what appeared to be a hopeless fight. One must warmly congratulate Old Boys on their excellent win in circumstances which would have caused most teams to throw up the sponge. The whole match showed the glorious uncertainty of cricket. An Incident Recalled.

The game recalls to my mind a senior championship contest played on the Park Oval many years ago. One of the teams required about 130 runs to win, and the last two batsmen, though in their youth capable rungetters—one was an ex-New Zealand representative for some years, who has long since gone to that place where runs, keeping wickets and hard throw-ins trouble him no more—were then in the “sere and yellow,” and I left the ground firm in the opinion that a couple of overs would see the end of the game. Strolling down to the Park about half an hour later I was astounded to see the pair still together and what was more they were going for the bowling in a manner similar to what one of them used to do in his prime on Lancaster Park. These veterans, each in the vicinity of 60 years of age, made the bowlers look cheap, and finally they got the necessary runs, each carrying his bat for somewhere about 60 apiece.

Good Strike by Hibbs. Hibbs deserves a special word of praise for an exceedingly good strike for 55 (not out). This College cricketer of last year plays a quiet bat and takes no chances. He is at times rather inclined to make a ball better than, it is, but this cautiousness is a good trait in many circumstances. On Saturday he contributed a welcome 55 by strokes which would have done credit to a much older and more experienced player. He hit five 4’s, the other strokes being mainly singles. Jones Does Well. N. Jones, a youthful bat, who conti’ibuted many good scores to the College totals last season, put together 29 in a very capable manner. He plays a careful, straight bat, and leaves the “suspicious stuff” severely alone, getting down on to a loose ball in a man- > ner that makes the bowler feel sorry for himself. He found' the boundary twice. Outstanding Bowling. Both Patrick and Hibbs bowled sensationally for Old Boys, disposing of College for one of the smallest scores ever ' recorded in Wairarapa senior cricket, the lowest total being registered when Featherston —who then possessed two of the best bowlers in New Zealand in Loo Keys and Billy Frith, the ex-New Zealand representative —disposed of Greytown for seven or eight runs. Patrick followed up his 5 for 28 in the first innings, with a great tally of 6 for 9 in the second innings, while Hibbs bettered his 4 for 38 by taking 3 for 8. Patrick bowled 4.7 overs, his last four wickets being taken at a cost of a single run. Hibbs sent down 4 overs.

Should be Hard to Beat. Once the Old Boys find their feet and have their full team in the field they will be hard to dispose of. They have always played a sporting game and many times have had the worst of the luck. Tt is a long lane that has no turning and cricketers generally will wish these good sports the fortune of the game they thoroughly deserve.

A Great Knock by Groves. Groves was the only' Lansdowne player in the first innings to stand up to the remarkably good bowling of Frank Hoar, who has probably never bowled better or with more cunning. One of the old brigade, taught in a capable school and having long years of experience behind him, Frank Hoar bowls with strategy and the batsman has continually to keep searching for the ball, not knowing when the “wrong ’un” is coming along. The 64 hit up by Groves was, therefore, full of merit. He showed good batting all round the wicket and there was really only a very difficult chance early in his innings to mar a particularly fine effort in circumstances which called for determination, none of the other batsmen staying very long to assist. Groves registered ten boundaries and four 2’s. It was certainly one of the best of the many fine displays of batting Groves has given in senior cricket. A Good All Rounder. O’Callaghan, who is considered bjf many keen judges to be one of the best all round players in the senior competition, hit up an attractive 14 (including two boundaries) and 29 in the second innings by vigorous strokes which included a sixer and four 4’s. Jack Renner got him with one of his cunning “donkey drops” which caused O’Callaghan to spreadeagle his wickets.

Consistent Bowling, Frank Hoar sent down 10 overs, for 6 wickets and 42 runs, his last four runs being taken at a cost of 5 runs. He bowled consistently well, and in the second innings recorded 3 for 37 in eleven overs. Newman Hoar did not find the wicket suitable and consequently was not as deadly as usual. Jack Renner did his part by getting Groves in the first innings with a cunningly concealed “wrong ’un.” The fact should not be overlooked that Stars have two other very useful change bowlers in lan Colemqn (who, by the way, is going to make one of the best players in the competition if he is given encouragement), and O’Kane. Useful Knocks. Reg Clarke gave a glimpse of his old form in knocking together 19 in the second innings for Lansdowne (which included three 4’s), while Greer appeared to be nicely set when Newman Hoar disposed of him at 16 which was mostly made up of 4’s. Both were very useful knocks. Loss to Wairarapa Cricket. Arthur Whiteman did not bat in either innings for Lansdowne, which was a distinct loss to the suburban team. Cricketers generally will learn with deep regret that this good allrounder is not enjoying the best of health and that he may not be seen out very often this season. It is to be hoped that he will experience a speedy recovery as Wairarapa cricket cannot afford to lose a player of the class of Arthur Whiteman. Sid Jenkins did not bat in the second innings for Lansdowne. It is understood that he has retired from the game, and if this is correct then Wairarapa suffers another loss by his defection. Sid is very popular with players and public alike and could always be depended upon for a useful score and to take his quota of wickets.