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The Spike or Victoria College Review June 1930

[introduction]

The Senior Eleven experienced a very successful season, the team occupying a higher position on the Championship Ladder than ever before—being runners-up, equal with Old Boys.

This success was well deserved, and the team suffered but three defeats during the season, one of them being by the margin of one run.

The team did not differ very much from the previous season, but what made it a stronger match-winning combination this year was the fact that the quick-scoring members of the team were in the best form, and so the plodders were materially backed up.

"Tiny" Leys, who had been right off form the previous season, came back into his best run-getting mood, and Eddie McLeod, too, staged a great return to form, his all-round ability being invaluable to the side.

The team proved to be probably the strongest run-getters in the competition, every man down to the last wicket being able to get runs. Mackenzie again was the backbone of the batting side, totalling 457 runs for ten completed innings. His worth to the side can be judged from the fact that he took part in four partnerships of over a century for the first wicket.. His usefulness to the side did not end there, as he kept wickets admirably, giving very little away. Bailey also was in fine form, scoring the second greatest tally for the side. He played a fine innings of 132 against Kilbirnie, scoring very quickly after he had passed the century mark, and page 66 his aggregate for the season was past the third century. Also, he was a model of consistency, and was Mackenzie's partner in three out of the four century partnerships.

As stated above, Eddie McLeod came back into his best batting form this season. Chosen to captain the team this year, he led the side with admirable judgment and tact, as well as performing well with the ball, and coming out top of the averages of the regular bowlers. His fielding, too, was excellent, being a shining example for all in this respect. His form gained him a place in the New Zealand team in the Second Test.

Leys showed fine form with the bat and ball. He took the most wickets for the season—17 at a cost of 24.82 a wicket—and scored an invaluable century against Institute, being not out at the end of the day with 108. Aim, too, on being placed in the side for his bowling, had an early triumph against Hutt, and thereafter, though not proving so successful again with the ball, nevertheless made two fine innings of over fifty, as well as several other very useful scores. He took thirteen wickets during the season, being the fastest bowler in the side.

Nelson and Macallan, also, were two members of the side who performed very well all round. Theo averaged a bit over 28 with the bat, including a great innings against Wellington, and bagged fifteen victims at the bowling crease; whilst Macallan saved the side at least on two occasions with the bat, and won the Kilbirnie game with the ball, taking the final wicket in the last over of the day. A. C. Tripe, who left us early in the season, played three good innings for the side and came out with a remarkable average, while Osborn and Robinson both played at least one very useful knock for the team.

Peter Caldwell's fighting innings against Hutt deserved a better result than a loss by one run on the innings, but he could not seem to get going again during the season.

Bagge did not have as much success with the ball as in the previous season, though he took nine wickets at a total cost of 279 runs.

Blanford and Peter Wilson could neither of them seem to strike batting form, and Dormer also was not seen at his best with the bat. Blandford kept wickets quite successfully, however, in the several matches he played in, taking five victims behind the sticks.

Harrison, who was placed on the side for the last match of the season, although not used much in that game, showed that he should be a more than useful bowler in the future, keeping a fine length.