The Spike or Victoria College Review, June 1908
Canterbury Match
Canterbury Match.
Within a short time the fame of the new Club had reached Canterbury College. The result was a challenge. Preliminary negotiations were somewhat protracted owing to the "leave" difficulty. The question of a suitable date also caused some anxiety—so much so that at one time it seemed probable that the project would fall through. Eventually however Canterbury arrived in Wellington, on Sunday, December 8th, in the year of grace 1907 on a bright, sunny morning. On Monday afternoon this memorable match was begun. We won the toss and went in. Our innings was remarkable fo rteh collapse of our first six batsmen and for the stand by Castle and Broad for seventh wicket. The total amounted to eighty runs. There is a difference of opinion as to whether Reid got nine wickets for thirtyone, or only nine wickets for thirty-two.
Canterbury on going in did much better. McLeod batted solidly for his thirty six as also did Jennings and Atkinson—total 102. Niven's average of seven for thirty-two was well deserved. In the second innings de la Mare, who did not seem so palpably nervous as in his first effort, began promisingly with G. V. Bogle. Our captain and Castle each gave an attraction looked better when the last man departed with the score at 160.
Canterbury's second innings was most eventful. Cook left early, but Mulgan stayed on. McLeod was got rid of cheaply, also Atkinson, Hope, and Jennings. When the last man came in, Canterbury had thirty runs to get and with Mulgan scoring steadily it looked as if they might do it. McFarlane with twenty-five to go, put up an easy catch which was easily dropped. Runs came gradually—another catch from McFarlane and another miss. At last Mulgan stepped out to Pope—missed—and the match was over, V. C. winning by eight runs.
This is the first inter-varsity cricket match in the annals of the Dominion and rumour says that the occasion has been deemed sufficiently important to justify a reference in this year's Calendar. Next season we visit Canterbury.
Our warmest thanks are due to those ladies, who so graciously ministered to our thirsts, and to those who so kindly entertained our visitors during their stay.
The Victoria College Cricket Club feels pleased with itself.
Following are the results and some of the averages. (Note:—We cannot give all the averages in this issue. Professor Picken is investigating the second averages with the aid of a telescope and a special logarithmic system, and we hope to print the result of his researches in our next issue.)
First XI.
Matches played—11 Won, 5. Lost, 5. (4 on the first innings) Points for 18, against 12.
Batting averages:—Niven 17.07; Perry 16; O'Leary 15.88; de la Mare 13.25.
Bowling averages:—Miller 40 at 9.22; Niven 48 at 9.65; MacDougall 64 at 13.09.
Second XI.
Batting averages:—Bogle 17.7, Mackay 14.4, King 12.5, Caddick 8.5.
Bowling averages:—Bogle 13 at 10.2; Mackay 17 at 10.8; F. P. Kelly 10 at 13.5; Willis 14 at 13.9.