BRILLIANT BATTING DISPLAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20954, 6 November 1939, Page 4

BRILLIANT BATTING DISPLAYS

HAMILTON CRICKETERS IN FORM OLD BOYS SECURES FOUR-POINT VICTORY EASTS NARROW WIN FROM CLAUDELANDS Seddon Park was the scene of great batting displays on Saturday, when the Hamilton senior A cricket competition was continued in sunny weather. The wickets were in perfect order and conditions for the batsmen were further improved by the lack of wind and the clear visibility. Easily the most impressive display of the day was that of O. Harding, for Old Boys, who played one of the brightest innings seen at the park for several seasons, and reached 70 in really great style. His team-mate, G. Fraser, was another big scorer, his 50 being a highlight of the afternoon. J. Everest again revealed form for Hamilton, contributing 46 in solid fashion. T. Lyon (56) and Cassells (47) were the only Claudelands batsmen to impress and are likely to gain further laurels as the season progresses. Old Boys took its game with Hamilton to a successful conclusion, gaining an outright win with seven wickets in hand. Indications are that Old Boys will provide Hamilton East with stem opposition when the teams meet in the third series of matches. Hamilton has 'shown little improvement on its form last season but possesses several young players likely to do well later on. An exciting tussle took place between Claudelands and East on No. 2 wicket, the latter staving off defeat on the first innings by a narrow margin. East promises to be a difficult team to dispose of, its material comparing favourably with what it put in the field last season to win the championship. The points at the end of the first series of games are:— Old Boys 4; Hamilton East 3; Claudelands 1; Hamilton 0.

HARDING HITS OUT

Easy Task For Old Boys The light was failing badly when Old Boys commenced its second innings and as a consequence three wickets fell before the necessary nine runs had been secured. Two of the batsmen, however, threw away their wickets recklessly and what appeared an easy task was accomplished at a dear price. Details:—• HAMILTON—First Innings 97 Second Innings A. Lissette, c Fraser, b Hansen.. 3 J. Everest, b Aitken 46 R. Finlay, c Senior, b Hansen .. 0 V. Bary, b Hansen 0 E. Everest, c. Clark, b Clough .. 25 K. L. Sandford, b Clough 16 R. Pedrotti, b Clough .v 13 J. Dempsey, c W. Higginson, b West 7 H. Doyle, b Clough 2 R. Sunley, not out 4 R. Everest, absent 0 Extras 5 Total 121 Bowling: Hansen took three wickets for 38 runs; R. Clough, four for 29; L. Higginson, none for 16; Aitken one for 8; Hope none for 18; West one for 7. OLD BOYS—First Innings S. E. Senior, lbw, b Lissette 34 J. G. West, c R. Everest, b E. Everest 1 A. J. Aitken, c Sandford, b Lissette 17 W. Higginson, b Sandford 0 O. Harding, c. Pedrotti, b Lissette 70 A. Hope, c. E. Everest, b Lissette 3 G. Fraser, c Bary, b Lissette .. 50 R. Clough, not out 10 Extras 25 Total for 7 wickets (dec.).. 210 Bowling: E. Everest took one wicket for 31 runs; Finlay, none for 26; Sandford, one for 19; Lissette, five for 70; J. Everest, none for 20; Pedrotti, none for 20. Second Innings L. Higginson, lbw, b Bary 3 C. Clark, hit wicket, b Doyle .. 3 W. Higginson, b Doyle 0 O. Harding, not out 1 A. Hope, not out 4 Extras 0 Total for three wickets .. 11 Bowling: Bary took one wicket for four runs; Doyle, two for seven. Messrs L. F. Casey and C. G. Hunt were the umpires.

GOOD WIN BY OLD BOYS HAMILTON BATSMEN FAIL With seven wickets down for 210 runs, Old Boys declared its first innings closed and sent Hamilton in again with 113 to get to avert an innings’ defeat. On a perfect wicket the task was not beyond the team, but three wickets fell for 16 runs and Hamilton’s chances of bettering its total of 97 on the first day did not appear bright. However, J. Everest came to the rescue with a bright 46 and, assisted by his brother, E. Everest, contributed handsomely to the' side’s total of 121. Nine runs were required by Old Boys to obtain an outright victory, but in the process of getting them three wickets fell. Harding, who was unconquered at the end of the first day, continued his innings for Old Boys and in a dashing display compiled 70 before his wicket fell. He passed 60 with a glorious six off Lissettee, the ball landing well over the leg boundary. Two overs later he failed to cover completely a shorter ball from the same bowler and was caught. Fraser proved a valuable partner for Harding and was instrumental in scoring 50 before he, too, lost h’S wicket to Lissette. It was easily the best display given by Fraser in the senior grade and more brights knocks are expected of him. Everest Brothers Again Although slow at first and rather uncertain against the erratic Hansen, J. Everest soon mastered the attack and batted resolutely to repeat his fine performance of last week. He was inclined to play back too much in the early part of his innings, but he remedied that weakness in the later stages, which were marked by crisp forward shots through the covers and to the long-on boundary. E. Everest made the most of the excellent batting conditions, and, although somewhat unorthodox, his contribution to the total was welcomed at a critical stage. Both -Sandford and Pedrotti took time over their scores and neither appeared very confident. Pedrotti, at times, found the gaps but his batting lacked force. Sandford was the more enterprising of the two but a low ball took his wicket when he showed signs of opening out.