Speight's Shield Match—1928.

Unfortunately, our match with Auckland was ruined by rain, with our team 24 runs behind, with 3 wickets in hand, on the first innings.

Right from the start the ball got up awkwardly on occasions, and it looked as though Auckland would make a poor showing, when after 45 minutes' batting their first wicket fell with only 9 runs on the board. But with the appearance of Schnauer, the scoring livened up and helped by our page 53 fielding, which was truly disgraceful for the first time during the season, Auckland had 121 up for 4 men out when stumps were drawn at 5.30. Schnauer, missed twice, batted pluckily, being hit on the chest not infrequently by "tricking" balls. Williams and A. C. Tripe both bowled well, but Greig, though making the ball rear dangerously, was unable to get a wicket.

Saturday saw a full day's bright cricket. Schnauer proceeded to deal with all our bowlers in very convincing style. Many chances of a run out were thrown away by wild returns, the Auckland batsmen making the most of our poor fielding. A change came over the game, however, when Tripe came on again about an hour before the adjournment. Keeping a splendid length and turning back considerably at times, the left hander was in fine form with the ball, ending with 5 wickets for 50 in 17.5 overs. J. McDougall and Bush made their runs in good style—the latter using the long handle to advantage, but the honours of the day went to Schnauer, who completed his century in 21/2 hours. He put together his last 50 in double quick time, mainly by superb driving, and he was most unlucky to be run out.

Bailey and MacKenzie opened for us, the former, however, had his leg pin flattened by a fast one from Bush with the score at 2. Tripe followed and batting freely, ran up 29 in 15 minutes before skying one. Hollings helped MacKenzie to add 62 for the next wicket before falling to Bush, the ball failing to rise an inch. MacKenzie, who had been batting in fine style, was next out for a stubborn 68, the score-sheet then showing 145 for 4 wickets. Leys and Osborn took heavy toll of the bowling, but soon after the fall of the seventh wicket a particularly heavy squall sent the players helter-skelter for the pavilion. From then till the following Tuesday, the rain kept up a determined downpour, the match having to be abandoned.

Details:—

A.U.C.

S. Godley, b. Tripe	5
R. Stewart, c. Vietmeyer, b. Hollings	7
L. Schnauer, run out	101
S. Hay, c. Leys, b. Williams	17
S. Wilson, b. Tripe	15
J. McDougall, b. Tripe	69
R. Bush, l.b.w., b. Leys	38
K. Wilson, run out	0
D. Lunn, b. Tripe	30
R. Hudson, b. Tripe	0
A. McDougall, not out	0
Extras	19
	——
Total	301
	——

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V.U.C.

H. G Bailey, b. Bush	2
R. H. C MacKenzie, c. Wilson, b. Bush	68
A. C. Tripe, c. Godley, b. Rush	29
A. M. Hollings, b. Rush	31
E. T. Leys, b. S. Wilson	77
C. H. Arndj b. J. McDougall	2
W. T. Vietmeyer, run out	17
H. W. Osborn, not out	37
W. J. Hall, not out	3
Extras	11
	——
	Total for 7 wickets 277
	——

J. C. Greig and H. Williams did not bat.

Opening Partnerships.

We hear that T. Nelson, of our Senior Eleven, has not been idle during the off season. Best wishes and luck from the Cricket Club, and may you bothenjoy a long" and happy innings!