Cricket 1913

330 CR ICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME Jun e 21, 1913. Cricket in Scotland. (B y H am ish .) Batsmen are at last revelling in warmth and sunshine, and scoring has gone up with a bang. Double hundred totals have been common, and the century-makers are at work in plenty. Although our cricketers against Oxford and Surrey did not cover themselves with glory, we in the North were quite satisfied with the way in which they performed, and the experience gained should be of great value for the future. The batting of the side, with the exception of R. G. Tait, may not have been altogether exhilarating; but there is always hope for the man who can stay in. M. R. Dickson, R. G. Tait, R. W. Sievwright, J. W. Sorrie, and perhaps J. Kerr, may consider themselves cer­ tain members of all Scottish elevens that will be chosen within the next year or so. The most noteworthy event of the past week has been the reappearance at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, of L. M. Balfour-Melville. He soon made it evident that he is by no means a spent force, for, in partnership with Captain Noble (86), he put up 115 runs in three-quarters of an hour for the Grange against Edinburgh Nomads, his own share being 43. Against Greenock on Saturday he was not so successful, being out for a single, and curiously enough his partner of Wednesday secured—one less ! In the Greenock match six Grange wickets were down for 81 at the lunch interval, but the total eventually reached 273, thanks to A. S. Nicholson (86*), R. C. Hudson (47), H. S. Mackay (48), and Keene (30). Nicholson and Mackay put on 100 for the eighth wicket, and Nicholson and Keene 59 for the last. Greenock managed to draw, making 182 for 9 wickets. R. G. Moir (122) and T. A. Bowie (73) scored 202 without the loss of a wicket for Clackmannan County against Fettes. The former scored heavily when at Fettes, but for the County he had till last week done practically nothing. The Grange made a very creditable draw with Perthshire on the North Inch after appearing a beaten side. Yet again the big count)'* found itself with more batsmen than were required, and applied the closure with a total of 256 for 7 wickets. In no match this season has the whole side been called upon to bat, but Forfarshire will no doubt do their best to break the sequence this week-end. J. A. I'erguson (117) played a superb innings for two hours and ten minutes, and offered only one chance. The (jrange had lost six wickets for 49 when the Hon. R. B. Watson (72) and R. Fraser (34) came together, and the partnership realised 90 in 35 minutes. Then S. H. Osborne (14) and R. H. I.. \\ hitelaw (44) played out time, and stumps were drawn with the total at 204 for eight wickets. Aberdeenshire entered on their county programme and suffered defeat from Forfarshire— 296 for 9 wickets to 145. A. Lindsay was the most prominent personality. ’ He scored 113 in two hours and a quarter, and then captured four of Aberdeenshire’s wickets for 12. A. Broadbent (65) batted well for the Aberdonians. Bawling performances of note were chiefly confined to the West. \\ . R. Drinnan, Ayr, had the rather uncommon distinction of dismissing four batsmen, all bowled, with four successive balls. This was against Poloc, who were beaten in a Western Union Championship match by 117 to 65. Next to Sievwright I think Drinnan is the best bowler of his type—slow, left-hand— we possess. Morfee is still keeping among the “ sticks.” For Dun­ fermline against Burntisland—not a particularly strong club, certainly-—he had seven wickets for 6. He is without doubt a fine bowler, but------. Pure funk ! I should say. -------- ----------- Liverpool Jottings. B y G. A. B r o o k i n g . SEFTON v. BIRKENHEAD PARK. It was like old times being at Birkenhead on Saturday. As far back as the season of 1886 I have watched these keen rivals contest their games, but previous to this visit, I had not witnessed them for ten years at least. Cecil Holden, the hero of many a match, was then (1886) talked about as a promising young player, now he has retired from active participation, but was watching very keenly from the pavilion. F. H. Pickworth, J. A. Black, A. Jardine, H. M. Grayson and Smith were names to conjure with at that time in the Park eleven, and Sefton were equally well represented in the brothers C. L. and F. J. Jones, E. Roper, Edgar Ratcliffe, T. Evans, and the cousins, S. M. and J. J. Crosfield, among others. What a thrilling contest that was in 1886 at Birkenhead, made memorable by Smith, the Park professional, taking the last two overs (successive overs by the same bowler were at that time allowed) in endeavouring to clinch the victory; but Shore (the Notts born Sefton pro.) was quite reliable, and straight drove, him to the screen for four, to win a great game for Sefton by 1 wicket? In 1890 the Park triumphed by 18 runs ; scores 118 to 100, chiefly owing to the bowling of Holden, who took 6 wickets, and the hitting of J. A. Black. Then in 1891 at Birken­ head, Sefton were again successful mainly owing to the splendid batting of E. Roper and T. W. Stubbs, who hit up 81 and 55 respectively. However, to the present game, which should never fade from the memory of those fortunate enough to witness it. Sefton enjoyed first turn at the wicket, and principally owing to a magnificent 106 from the bat of Blease, a dashing 53 by Curtis, and a .semi- vigorous 34 by J. S. Stubbs, they scored 252 for 8 and declared. In passing, one cannot praise too highly the sportsmanship of the Seftonians. From the captain, Blease, downwards they sacrificed their wickets loyally in attempting to get runs quickly. Boswell had the misfortune to get a shooter almost as soon as he arrived, and Raven’s case was especially hard lines, for he went out to drive a wide off ball, and edged it into the wicket-keeper’s hands. Stubbs also was out to a good catch owing to the same laudable desire, and ultimately Birkenhead were left with 253 to win, with exactly 2\ hours for play: plenty of time to lose and not too much for victory. Parrington and Hunt started very sedately, neither batsman making any effort to force the game, though it must be admitted that Curtis at least was well on the mark. The professional very soon beat and bowled Hunt with a real beauty, and a little later served Parrington the same way. Wickets now began to fall quickly, and at 6.30 the scoring board read 75-4-4 ; a few minutes later it was 86-5-2 and the Park seemed almost “ in the cart.” Lancaster and Smith were then associated, and the former hit with great resolution. They completely altered the aspect of the game. They were great on stealing runs ; but this proved the dissolution of their partnership, for at 159 and the time 7.3, Lancaster ran himself out. Smith suffered a similar fate a few minutes later, and Sefton looked to have the game in hand ; but the association of Blackbume and Marshall decided the issue otherwise. Both | hit in determined fashion, and at 7.45 Marshall made the winning ; stroke, and the Park had won a glorious victory. Their sup- 1porters were almost frantic with joy. It was a game worth going miles to see. The Seftonians were disappointed ; but they had no need to despond. They played the game for the game’s sake, the members sinking individuality for the sake of the club, and while such unselfishness and sports­ manship is shown the Sefton C.C. will always flourish. Liverpool were beaten by Formby at Aigburth, chiefly owing to the batting of Leese and Sykes with 53 and 41 respectively, though R. A. Lloyd and W. N. Tod, the last named especially, made a great effort to pull the game round. Scores : 185 to 164. Waterloo Park routed Southport and Birkdale by 146 runs, Wilson for the Park taking 7 for 25, whilst Blackmore and Gleig lift up 53 and 50 respectively.