Versus Midland.

This, the first game of the season, was marked by good bowling and low scoring, due chiefly to the heavy state of the wicket at Kelburn Park. Victoria batting first, made only 77 (Miles 19, Cousins 13, Broad 12, Barker 11). Midland responded with 41, Watson being the only batsman to reach double figures. The bowling was divided between Cousins (4 for 21), Young (3 for 11) and Lusk (2 for 4). In the second innings Varsity did a little better, compiling 119, due largely to a forceful display by Miles, who was unfortunately obliged to retire after scoring 31. The only other batsmen to reach double figures were Hall (24) and Cousins (18). In Midland's second venture our bowlers came to light and the whole team was disposed of for 23 runs. Lusk took 4 wickets for 4 runs, and Cousins 3 for 13. Victoria thus won by 132 runs.

Versus Thorndon.

This game was also played on Kelburn Park, and the pitch again favoured the bowlers. Thanks to a good stand by Stainton and Harwocd, the opening batsmen, Victoria's first innings realised 160. (Stainton 39, Harwood 26, Lewis 19, Cousins 18, Bellhouse 15 not out, Broad 11). Thorndon replied with 143. Lusk took 5 wickets for 42, Cousins 3 for 43, and Harwood 2 for 15. In the second innings however, disaster fell upon Varsity. With the exception of Lusk none of our batsmen could get going, and the innings closed for 75 (Lusk 25, Broad 10, Cousins 10). For 5 of the wickets Martin, Thorndon's leg break bowler, was responsible. When Thorndon went to the wickets it was a question whether they could get the necessary runs in time. Owing to a forceful innings by Eton, they just managed to do it. This is one of the games in which our team did not show up well. During the last halfhour our fielding became completely demolished. The only successful bowler was Harwood, who secured 4 wickets for 26 runs.

Versus Y.M.C.A.

In this match at Anderson Park we more than made up for our defeat by Thorndon. Y.M.C.A. were disposed of for 115, of which Lynam made 43. The contempt with which this player treated every ball, good and bad alike, seemed to fascinate our players, who dropped him four times, no doubt that they might see a further exhibition of his hitting. Our most successful bowlers were Lewis (3 for 14) and Mackay (3 for 19). It was when Varsity went to the wickets that things began to happen. The best batting display of the season was given by Harwood and Broad, who put on nearly 200 runs between them. At first they were content with two or three boundaries per over, but when they warmed up to their work the hitting was a sight to behold. Both batsmen seemed to take a fiendish delight in hitting the ball over the fence and into the road where the weary fieldsmen had .to chase it. At the end of the first day's play, when the score was 231 for 3 wickets, Varsity declared. (Harwood 108 not out, Broad 69, Joplin 21, and Mackay 11). In their second innings Y.M.C.A. made 86. (Lusk 4 for 26, Harwood 3 for 16, and Cousins 2 for 19). Victoria won by an innings and 30 runs.

Versus Wellington College, at College.

College opened and compiled 184. Nelson (34) and James (37), each played a fine innings, and Berry played a very safe and solid game for 37. It was in this game that our captain came to light as a bowler. His tempting slows were too much for the Collegians, who could not resist having a good whang at what appeared to be a simple ball. He finished up with 5 wickets for 35. The other wickets were taken by Cousins (3 for 43) and Joplin (2 for 6). Victoria replied with 199 for wickets. At the fall of the seventh wicket things were not looking very bright, page 78 but a partnership between Stainton and Barker saved the situation. The chief scorers were Harwood (47), Stainton (46) not out, Smith (24), Mackay (17), Barker (15), and Lewis (14). In the second innings Nelson (31), and James (41), again scored well for College, and assisted by Mackenzie (34) raised the total to 160. Stainton took 4 wickets for 44, Joplin 2 for 3, Harwood 2 for 45, and Lewis 1 for 16 Our second venture opened very badly indeed. The two College bowlers, Renner" and Wilson, each found a spot, and to make matters worse, kept on it. Not that they were left respectfully alone. Barker, for example, had bought a new bat, and broke it by gently hitting two beautiful sixes. The second time the ball lodged securely in a cabbage tree, and the game was temporarily suspended while it was being recovered. Batting a man short, Varsity were all out for 74 (Barker 1 5, Murray 12, Stainton 10) fifteen minutes before time, thus losing by 61 runs.

Versus Wellington, at Duppa Street.

Another disaster. Who of us will forget the gentle breeze that blew that day! Our bowlers, by aiming about ten yards away from the wicket, sometimes bowled a straight ball. The batsmen had to commenco their strokes before the bowler started to run, owing to the resistance of the wind. Indeed Murray made one hit at the ball which missed, but so strong was the wind that his bat split. In the first innings, batting two men short. Varsity scored 145. Bellhouse, coming from windy Auckland, was naturally in his element, and scored 31 in about 2 overs. The other batsmen who succeeded in hitting the ball were Broad (26), Lusk (22), Joplin (18 not out) and Stainton (15). Wellington replied with the staggering total of 292, for which Anderson (113) and Wilson (74) were chiefly to blame. Bowling for Victoria, Cousins took 6 wickets, Mackay 1 and Lewis 1. In the second innings Victoria did a little better, reaching 220. The star batsmen on this occasion were Broad (67) and Murray, who scored 41 with vigorous cricket. Other scorers were Joplin (33) and Cousins (28).

Although less than half an hour was left for play, Wellington made a desperate effort to secure enough runs to give them a three pointer, but though they secured 67 for 1 wicket, they were 8 runs short at the close of play.

Versus Railways, at Duppa Street.

This was another decided win for Varsity. Railways, batting first, made 49, Lusk (4 for 16), and Joplin (3 for 12), doing all the damage. Not content with this, Joplin then went in to bat, and made 74 not out. When six wickets had fallen for 141, Stainton declared. The other scorers were Stainton (25), Lusk (17), and Broad (11). Railways, returning to the wickets, bad put on 83 for 5 wickets at the close of the first day's play, and did not continue on the following Saturday. Stainton's slow breaks were responsible for 4 wickets at the cost of 36 runs, Lusk securing the fifth.

Versus Poneke, at Newtown Park.

This, if we omit the Thorndon match, was the most exciting game of the season. Victoria College in the first innings made 154. With the exception of Broad, who is always expected to make a score, none of the opening batsmen got going, and eight wickets fell for 96 runs. Fortunately Barker and Lewis then made a decided stand and brought the tally up to 154. The chief scorers were Broad (43), Barker (35), Lewis (24 not out), and Cousins (15).

Poneke then commenced their innings, and at the close of the first day's play had lost eight wickets for 148. When play was resumed the following Saturday, the ninth wicket fell after four runs had been added. The last man was nearly caught in the slips first ball, but the score was raised to 179 before the last wicket fell. The wickets were taken by Cousins (4 for 49), Stainton (3 for 37), Lusk (2 for 48). and Joplin (1 for 19).In the second innings Varsity's batting improved considerably. Harwood in particular, was in good form, and again reached the coveted century. At the fall of the eighth wicket for 261 runs Stainton declared. (Harwood 112, Barker 28 not out. Cousins 28, Lewis 21, Lusk 17 not out, Smith 13, Joplin 10, Broad 10). Poneke started fairly well, but at the fall of the fourth wicket began to get rattled, and were all disposed of for 119. Lusk (3 for 10). Harwood (2 for 24), Stainton (2 for 25), Cousins (1 for 50). Varsity thus won by 11 7 runs.

Versus Petone, at Petone.

This game was played on the Petone Oval, on a batsman's wicket. Varsity's first inuings realised 205 (Barker 38, Harwood 33, Lewis 26, Stainton 23, Lusk 21, Joplin 18, Broad 15, and Bellhouse 14). Petone replied with a very patient innings for 87. (Cousins 3 for 30, Lusk 2 for 15, Stainton 2 for 25. and Harwood 1 for 12). Their second attempt, which was even more patient, realised 150. (Harwood 5 for 19, Joplin 3 for 30, Bellhouse 1 for 14). The runs necessary for a three pointer were secured at the cost of two wickets (Murray 14, Cousins 12, Bellhouse 10 not out.)

Versus Kilbirnie, at Kelburn Park.

This was another of our off days. Varsity's first innings closed for 08. (Broad 21, Barker 19, Anderson 14 not out, Murray 13). Kilbirnie batting steadily, replied with 216. Harwood took 4 wickets for 73, Lusk 3 for 58, Station 1 for 34, Cousins 1 for 34. In the second innings Broad evidently decided to have a shot at the century. At about ten to six he reached the nineties, but owing to his anxiety to complete the hundred before 6 o'clock, was bowled when 95 had been reached. The innings remained unfinished with six wickets down for 180.

Versus Old Boys, at Kelburn Park.

This, the last game of the season, was another triumph for our bowlers. Old Boys were dismissed in the first innings for 88. (Lusk 3 for 22, Harwood 3 for 25, and Joplin 3 for 27), and in the second innings for 35. (Lusk 5 for 11, and Harwood 2 for 18). Varsity's first innings of 180 was sufficient to secure a three pointer. The rungetters were Joplin, who played a sound game for 62, Lusk 41, Harwood 27, Broad 15, and Lewis 14.