CLOSE CALL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 12

CLOSE CALL

EAST’S NARROW WIN CLAUDELANDS JUST FAILS J. EVEREST AND P. BRIGHT (By “Spectator”) HONOURS BOARD BATTING.—F. Forster (Hamilton B) 96, C. Boyce (Cambridge) 80, P. de la Mare (Hamilton B) 61, A. Finlay (Cambridge) 61, J. D. Bright (Hamilton East) 58, T. Ross (Old Boys) 55, J. Everest (Hamilton) 53, A. J. Aitken (Old Boys) 49 not out, A. McDell (Old Boys B) 47, J. Mackie (Frankton United) 36, A. Nodder (Frankton United) 33. BOWLING.—A. Taylor (Hamilton B), eight for 31; J. Everest (Hamilton), six for 34; O. Harding (Old Boys), five for 26; C. G. Hunt (Claudelands), four for 20. The contention made earlier in these notes that the Hamilton senior A cricket competitions would prove even more interesting than in the past, as the teams were so evenly matched, is working out, as with one match completed in the second round two teams are level at the top of the competition with the third further down than it deserves to be. Old Eoys and Hamilton East are now in the lead, but for a matter of eight runs it would have been Old Boys and Claudelands. When Claudelands met East in the first game of the first round, Claudelands failed by only, five runs to catch East and, in. the second round matches completed on Saturday, Claudelands failed by an even smaller margin of three runs. Had these eight runs been scored, Claudelands would have had eleven points and East only seven. Hamilton, also, has narrowly missed on occasions and the resumption of the competition games after the holidays will be eagerly awaited. Standard Maintained

Although excitement at Seddon Park was really only manifest on two occasions the improved standard of play was maintained and the Waikato team should do well over the holidays, despite the defections from the side. The East-Claudelands match was very exciting at the close of Claudelands’ first innings. Only four runs were required with three more wickets in hand but then Badeley clean-bowled Hemi. Buckland, after scoring a single, was brilliantly caught in the slips by Going off Badeley, and Mackley,. the last man, was also splendidly caught low down in the slips by Jordan, also from Badeley. Although East deserves credit for grand bowling and fielding at a critical time, it seems that Hemi and Buckland, who are capable of big hits when they chase the runs, should have hit out as one good knock would have meant victory, and

neither can really play steady cricket. Claudelands did very well to get the stubborn East batsmen out for 111 the second time, but there was not quite sufficient time to attempt a victory by big hitting. The excellent bowling by Hunt was the feature of the Claudelands attack.

Great Batting The highlight of the batting displays was the exhibitions by J. D. Bright, for East, and Jim Everest for Hamilton. Bright opened for hir. team and was early in form, his crisp strokes earning him the applause of the crowd. Highlights of his innings were a smashing drive past midoff, several square cuts and shots through the gully. Later in his innings he was reckless and his timing was not as sure, and several times he luckily placed balls out of the reach of eager fieldsmen. Badeley. who scored 14, was the only other double-figure scorer for East. The return to form of J. Everest, in Hamilton’s match with Old Boys, was pleasing in view of the representative games ahead. Everest has had ft poor spin with the bat of late, but he struck his besf form on Saturday, making all his shots with certainty and confidence. His leg shots were particularly well executed and on his display this innings should be the forerunner of many other good knocks. Consistent Scoring Old Boys’ captain, A. J. Aitken. continued hig consistent scoring and went right throughout the first innings without being defeated. Of the seven runs scored at the end of the first innings on Saturday _ Aitken scored six. In the second innings, with Higginson out for one, Aitken again went in and-once more he carried on undismayed to reach 28 not out when the match was won. He was always at ease and proved again the value of his temperament in cricket. West, who has not been sighting them well this season, showed a return to the form that gained him representative honours last year. R. Clough has also showed better form with the bat of late and he and Aitken made sure of the four points for Old Boys.

Cricket Over Holidays Cricket enthusiasts in Hamilton will have plenty of cricket to occupy their attention during the Christmas and New Year holidays. On Saturday there will be no senior A games as the wickets will have to be prepared for the following week, but the provincial tournament has drawn some prominent players and will be played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Hawke Cup match between Poverty Bay and Waikato was scheduled for the following Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, but Poverty Bay insist on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Waikato has given way. This means there will be no play at all on the Saturday—a big loss for Waikato—while the players will be forced to seek an extra day’s leave for the Wednesday. This will mean a weaker team, as players are not keen to ask for further leave when holiday dates are available.