PROMISING START

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20956, 8 November 1939, Page 4

PROMISING START

HAMILTON CRICKET HAWKE CUP PROSPECTS STRONGER BATTING SIDE (By “ Spectator.”) HONOURS BOARD Batting: N. Dutton (Frankton United B) 83, O. Harding (Old Boys) 70, J. Taylor (Hamilton B) 66, T. Lyon (Claudelands) 56, G. Fraser (Old Boys) 50, W. A. Cassells (Claudelands) 47, J. Everest (Hamilton) 46, T. Elrick (Hamilton B) 41.

Bowling: J. Scobie (High School) five for 31, A. Lissette (Hamilton), five for 70, W. J. Cassidy (Hamilton East) four for 28, R. Clough (Old Boys) four for 29. H. Going (Hamilton East) four for 40.

The first games in the Hamilton cricket competitions were concluded on Saturday and the promising start on opening day was more than maintained. True weather conditions were even more ideal and the wickets were practically perfect but the displays given were very encouraging. Waikato players will, probably, have the opportunity of completing two more club games before their first Hawke Cup fixture, so it is too early to forecast the probable

team as candidates not yet being considered may produce an effort right on selection time that would place them right in line. The representatives of last year, with the exception of one or two of the older hands, will probably be the best bet for the first game. Although the very bright batting was the feature of last Saturday afternoon’s cricket the splendid recovery of the Claudelands team was another highlight and the side deserved a better fate than to fail by seven runs.

Excellent Opening Hamilton East declared with 130 up for seven wickets and Claudelands were not given much chance with their depleted team, by many of the spectators. However, with the wickets in splendid order T. Lyon and Cassells opened very steadily and later played very bright cricket to bring up 92 before Cassells was caught in the slips. He had batted very soundly, and although not quite so sure of his shots or as aggressive as his partner, his display was an excellent one. East had two down for 92 and Claudelands two for 121 when Lyon was caught on the off when he failed to get properly on tc a slow spinner from Bright. Lyon hit two sixes in his score but only three other boundaries. He was always right behind his bat and picked the right balls to hit. T. Ewan was solid and gave nothing away in helping the .score, with H. Lyon along to 157 After these dismissals it was only a matter of time as Claudelands had no one to follow capable of making many runs, but the tail-enders, mostly senior B players, did well to get within six runs of East’s total. After Lyon’s great captain’s innings it was bad luck the team could not score the additional few runs.

Value of Fielding Where the game was lost for Claudelands was on the first day in the field. Claudelands gave away numerous runs by mis-fielding, but when it was their turn to bat they found the runs very hard to get. Claudelands’ total was also better than East’s when it is taken into account the standard and variety of East’s attack compared with Claudelands. Bill Cassidy, the East skipper handled his team well in the field and but for two good bowling changes at critical moments Claudelands might have got there*. They certainly looked like it but Cassidy took the risk of relying on a slow attack when only a few runs were needed. He bowled exceptionally well himself and used his attack to its best advantage. In the remaining time East had a second bat and Pat Bright and C. Innes added to an attractive afternoon’s cricket by displaying some pretty shots.

First Four-Pointer The first team to score a fourpoint victory was Old Boys, and much of the credit for this feat is due to the first partnership of the afternoon between O. Harding and G. Fraser. Harding, who had 30-odd up first day, continued on well and by his batting when in the sixties looked certain to reach the century. However, he did not get right over to a ball on the off and it caught the edge of the bat for Pedrotti to take a low catch in the slips. Harding used his feet well, and found the gaps with wellplaced shots. Fraser hit a number of his shots off the “ edge ” in the first few overs, but continued in his free manner and eventually scored his runs in a bright and pleasing manner. He could not seem to get going last season but with his easy graceful action and the way he goes for his hits, he should collect runs this year if he uses his feet to more advantage. R. Clough had his first bat of the season and after a shaky start looked as if he would make runs when the declaration was made. Failed Again Although it was expected that Hamilton would have some difficulty in staving off defeat few expected the side to fail again on such a splen-

did wicket. The first wicket fell at one, Finlay being unlucky in catching a short high ball from Hansen on his gloves for Senior to take a good catch. With A. Lissette and V. Bary also out for 16 it seemed only a matter of time but Jim and Ted Everest stopped the rot and bowler Ted was not dismissed until 53 was up This was his second handy innings. Left-hander Jim Everest took his time but then scored with some nice shots, reaching the boundary on five occasions, as well as hitting a six. His batting showed promise of him reaching his great form of two season’s ago. K. L. Sandford batted better thah for some time and was in for a long time for his 16. Hamilton’s Best Bowler There is little doubt but that the best bowler in Hamilton is Reg. Clough. He followed his four for 22 of the first innings with four for 29 off 13 overs in Hamilton’s second innings. If he is not over-bowled in club cricket he should again be a tower of strength to the Hawke Cup team. L. Hansen again had good figures but again collected two wickets from full tosses.