BIDWILL CUP CRICKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1940, Page 9

BIDWILL CUP CRICKET

FINAL MATCH OF COMPETITION Some Interesting Batting Displays GOOD KNOCK BY R. BRICE

(By

"BLUE & GOLD.”)

There was some interesting batting on Saturday last when the final match for the Bidwill Cup was commenced between Red Star and Lansdowne, and indications point to an interesting finish. The wicket was decidedly in favour of the batsmen and the bowlers could get no assistance whatever from it. Consequently, the batsmen in many cases were able to put no quite good individual scores despite the keenness of the fielding.

Poor Start and Good Recovery. Lansdowne did not start off too well three wickets being down for 34, but W. Whiteman and R. Brice changed the face of things and carried the score to 105 before a separation was brought about. Whiteman Bats Well. W. Whiteman gave a most interesting display of batting for 45 and drove with vigour and made many pretty shots on the leg side. He hit a splendid 6, three 4’s and a 3, and was making things merry when off a change of bowling Renner accepted a chance. Coleman being the bowler. Whiteman played a resolute innings at a time when runs were badly required and the position looked anything but promising for his team. It is a noticeable fact that this player always faces the position with determination when the run of luck is against Lansdowne, and infuses life into the batting and confidence among his clubmates. Saturday’s play was evidence of this and but for the excellent showing made by Whiteman and Brice the Lansdowne score would probably have been half what it was. Brice In Good Form. It was pleasing indeed to see the excellent display of free batting given by Bob Brice, his runs being compiled at a most opportune time. Certainly he gave three very hot chances which it would have required exceptionally ! smart fieldsmen to hold. He hit a 6, eight 4’s and two 3’s. He drove with a cleanness which was a delight to witness, and his leg hits and glances were indeed a credit to him. He placed the ball nicely so that he and Whiteman were able to sneak quite a number of quick runs. It was certainly the prettiest display of effective batting which this Lansdowne player has given, and he thoroughly deserved the appreciative comments of the spectators.

A Nice Knock.

One of the nicest knocks of the game was that of McCalmont who, though he started somewhat indifferently, went

on to improve the longer he stayed at the wicket. He hit five 4’s in his 25. and these were with clean strokes, well placed out of the reach of the Red Star fieldsmen. The spectators were pleased to see this player make a substantial contribution to the Lansdowne score. McCalmont and Jones added 54 to the total. Jones Goes Well. Jones, who had not done as well as he should in senior cricket, on Saturday came out of the cloud of bad luck, with a well compiled 26 (not out). He made his runs by clean knocks, having a particular liking for drives and shots on the leg side. He hit five boundaries.

The Bowlers.

Of the seven Red Star bowlers tried Frank Hoar secured the most wickets. He bowled exceptionally well with no assistance whatever from the pitch. The ball with which he bowled Henry Preston was "one out of the bag." and was reminiscent of the Frank Hoar of the days when he played for the Carlton seniors and was one of the most deadly bowlers in the Wellington province, An Uphill Fight. Red Star have an uphill fight ahead of them, and though the opening stages of the game did not promise too well for them, W. Peterson and Roys have improved the position bringing the score up to 66 for 2 wickets, with both batsmen unbeaten. Roys has played carefully for 21. including two boundaries, while W. Peterson has three 4’s in his score of 17. Brice Trundles in Good Style. Stan Brice was the best of the Lansdowne trundlers, and considering his age—he played in first class cricket 40 years ago —his form with the ball is certainly remarkable.

Ground Fielding.

The ground fielding of both teams was good especially that of Miller of the Lansdowne eleven.