WEST IN SCORING MOOD

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20741, 27 February 1939, Page 11

WEST IN SCORING MOOD

OLD BOYS’ FORMIDABLE TOTAL CLAUD ELANDS FACE BIG TASK Mainly through a useful start by West, who scored ST, Old Boys were able to compile a formidable total of 264 for nine wickets and declared in their first innings against Claudelands. When the light was failing Claudelands commenced their initial knock and had seven on the board without loss. The match saw R. Clough in better

form than usual, his innings of 38 for Old Boys proving a useful contribution. Aitken was somewhat slow in making his 30 when he opened with West, while Fraser (29) also batted well. West’s innings was the best he has played for some time, but was not altogether chanceless. At times he was lucky, numerous runs coming off the edge of his bat, but nevertheless he did well to score on a wicket which in the early stages of the game was by no means easy. His score included one six and 11 fours. M. Lyon was the most successful Claudelands bowler. taking five wickets for 8i runs off 16 overs. After a delay of almost half an hour Aitken and West faced ihe opening attack from the Lyon brothers. The bowling was accurate rather than dangerous and runs came in spasmodic, bursts. West used the edge of his

I bat a good deal and his batting was I devoid of crispness. Aitken was slow | and found difficulty in playing T. I Lyon’s fast deliveries, with the result | that it was some little time before I double figures were reached. Batsmen Fighting Both batsmen were struggling for I runs, in the course of which T. Lyon • lodged a confident appeal for lbw J against West, but it was disallowed. I Hemi came on when the total was | approaching 40, while Roberts took up I the attack from the other end. Aitken tried to force the pace against the slow bowler, but he was beaten badly. | However, it was Hemi who eventually j had him. Aitken feeling for a rising J hall on the off and snicking it right, j into Roberts’s hands at first slip, j The fieldsman took a brilliant catch to j make the scoreboard read 50—i —30. West was more enterprising when joined by Higginson and secured two fours off Roberts to take the total past 70. With the seore at 84 Higginson lost his wicket, T. Lyon making a suocessf»l lbw appeal.

Clough was rather uncertain facing 'T. Lyon, and the first ball he was lucky enough to place just over square leg's head. He settled down after that and played quite confidently. West was still batting resolutely. ' although some of his shots were inclined to be airy. However, they all landed well clear of fieldsmen and* earned the neeessafv runs to take the side within easy reach of the century. West passed his half-century with a well-directed boundary hit. Clough opened out to Lyon and a series of lofty shots into the long-on outfield brought the side well on the road to 150. It was not long afterwards that Clough was dismissed, McKinnon taking a good catch. 144 3 —38. Just before tea Old Roys passed 150, Fraser (7) and West (65) being together. West Subdued West was more subdued after the interval, when the fast attack was I again employed. Later Roberts was i

brought on and West could not do any better against the slow bowler. He sent an awkward catch to Hampton, but the ’keeper let it bounce out of his gloves. West stayed at 83 for a considerable time, but a four to square leg took the side past 190, while West went to 87. Fraser was chasing the score along faster than his partner and collected a six off Roberts which put the side one short of the double century. The next over, from M. Lyon, spelt disaster for West. When 13 short of his century he felt for one on the off and snicked an easy catch to Hampton behind the stumps. 201— 4—87. Lyon had Fraser in his next over, i completely beating the batsman with a ball which turned sharply from the i off and collected the middle and off j stumps. 210—5—29. Restlessness lost Gann his wicket. j

Hr .jumped nut to a shorter one from M. Lyon and failed to get. back before Hampton whipped the bails oIT. 219 —f,—in. Hansen and Itopp currierl the total along merrily and the 250 was passed when they wore still l.ogolher. Hope lost his wicket to M. Ly..n, and this , made the position 200—7—15. j In the next over Hansen was out ; leg-before to Herni after a useful j knock. 2608 —25. j With the total at. 264 for nine Old Boys declared and sent. Claudelands jin to bat in a failing light. At stumps i they had seven on the board for none. OLD BOYS—First Innings A. J. Aitken. c Roberts, b Hemi . . 30 J. G. West, c Hampton, b M. Lvon 87 W. Higginson. lbw. b T. Lynn *. . 6 H. Clough, cMe Kin imn. b T Lvon 38 G. Fraser, b M. Lymi 29 R. Gann, std Hampton. 1) M. Lvon JO A. Hope, b M. I.vun id L. Hansen, lbw. b Hemi 25 K. Graham. .• Kdm mds. bM. Lvon 0 i MeDell, not out . 4 5. E. Senior, not out 0 Extras 20 Total for nine wickets 'dec. 264 Bowling—T. Lyon took two wickets for 67 runs, M. Lyon five for 81, Hemi two for 81, Roberts none for 36, Gas- ; sells none for 15. CLAUDELANDS—First Innings M. Lyon, not out f ; T. Lyon, not out 4 ; Extras 2 Total for no wickets 7