Senior Team.

The Senior team this year suffered a rather lean season in contrast with the previous one, when the Club occupied the position of runners-up. This was mainly due to the fact that the batsmen of the team could not properly get going, with the result that, although the opponents were almost always out for low tallies, the team could not reach the modest totals set by our opponents, and thus were beaten in the majority of our games. The team's bowling was very good. Harrison and Aim were both extremely successful with the ball, both taking over 30 wickets. It is seasons since two bowlers have achieved such success for the Club, and Harrison had the added distinction of performing the "hat trick" against Wellington in the second game against that Club, another feat which has not been performed for years for the team, if ever. Macallan was the only other bowler who took over 10 wickets, getting 16 at an average of 19.81. McLeod, who bowled only 50 overs, took eight wickets, whilst Greig headed the averages of the regular bowlers with five wickets for 90. Leys and Nelson did not have much success with the ball, although they were not with the team for the whole season.

In batting it was a different tale, the averages being the worst for years. Leys headed them with an average of 44.33, his highest score being 149, a splendid knock, played against Institute in his last match for the Club. It was a good way to say farewell. Greig, who was transferred to Palmerston North before the season ended, played five innings, being never out under 20, his highest score being 60 not out, whilst L. M. Pacey, a newcomer from Manawatu, was third in the averages, scoring a stylish century in the second game against Wellington, in which the team scored a really fine win. Theo. Nelson scored 266 runs during the season, shaping well on several occasions, and Eddie McLeod, the skipper, for a long time seemed to have hard luck in getting out in the twenties, when apparently well set. His 45 not out against Wellington was a dashing knock.

On'y three games were won by the team—against Wellington twice and Institute. All these victories were clear cut. On several occasions the team were just beaten, examples being the games against Hutt and Petone in the second round.

Only one of our players gained representative honours, that one being Eddie McLeod, our skipper.

Results of Games:—

v. Petone. V.U.C. 148 (Bailey 229, McLeod 28) and 49 for 5 wickets. Petone 223 for 9 declared (Aim 4 for 228, Macallan 4 for 46). Lost by 75 runs on 1st innings.

v. Old Boys. Old Boys 332 (Harrison 6 for 105) and 38 for 4 wickets. V.U.C. 258 (Nelson 68, Leys 49, Paetz 30, McLeod 25, Robinson 25). Lost by 74 runs on 1st innings.

v. Hutt. Hutt 234 (Aim 4 for 73, Leys 3 for 33). V.U.C. 125 (Paetz 43, Caldwell 25) and 114 for 3 wickets (Nelson 50 not out, Harrison 27). Lost by 109 runs on 1st innings.

v. Midland. Midland 220 (Macallan 4 for 47, Harrison 3 for 53). V.U.C. 109 (McLeod 24, Harrison 24) and 85 for 2 wickets (Leys 22, Paetz 20 not out, McLeod 20 not out). Lost by 111 runs on 1st innings.

v. Institute. Institute 170 (Greig 3 for 12, McLeod 2 for 3) and 83 for 2 wickets. V.U.C. 292 for 9 declared (Leys 149 not out, Paetz 39, Greig 30). Won by 122 runs on 1st innings.

v. Kilbirnie. Kilbirnie 171 (Harrison 5 for 61, Aim 4 for 66) and 117 for 4 wickets declared (Harrison 3 for 50). V.U.C. 120 (Macallan 30, Pacey 23, Greig 20) and 128 for 7 wickets (Wilson 42, Pacey 24 not out, Greig 22). Lost by 51 runs on 1st innings.

v. Wellington. V.U.C. 227 (Nelson 56, Wilson 47, Bailey 24, Greig 23, Aim 22 not out) and 101 for 3 wickets (Arndt 60 not out). Wellington 166 (Aim 5 for 56). Won by 61 runs on the 1st innings.

v. Hutt. V.U.C. 182 (Aim 89, Macallan 52) and 162 for 4 wickets (Paetz 71, Arndt 62 not out). Hutt 208 (Harrison 6 for 68, Aim 3 for 82). Lost by 26 runs on 1st innings.

v. Petone. Petone 147 (Aim 5 for 67, Harrison 4 for 41) and 151 for 6 wickets declared (Macallan 2 for 9). V.U.C. 116 (Caldwell 29) and 99 for 5 wickets (Nelson 42 not out, Aim 26). Lost by 31 runs on the first innings.

v. Wellingtcn. Wellington 208 for 7 wickets declared (Harrison 4 for 63). V.U.C. 374 for 9 wickets (Pacey 146, Arndt 47, McLeod 45 not out, Harrison 21 not out, Nelson 20, Blandford 20). Won by 166 runs on the 1st innings.

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Averages.

Junior B.

As far as results are concerned, this team had a very poor season, winning only two games, and finishing at or near the bottom (the exact situation is immaterial) of the competition, with 21 points. One of the chief factors in this lack of success was the promotion of several players to the Junior A eleven, including both of the regular wicket-keepers. The main fault, however, lay in the batting, which was most inconsistent, probably because very few members of the team attended regularly at the nets. Moore and Rae were the mainstays of the batting, the former concluding the season with a century, and the latter having the highest aggregate. Other century-makers were R. Osborn (promoted to Junior A) and J. Buddle, who played in two games only. The best bowlers were Francis and Mortimer, but unfortunately, they were absent from several games. The fielding was, on the whole, quite good, Wild and Duncan being especially prominent.

Junior C.

This team at the beginning of the season gave promise of developing into a strong combination, but the drain on it by higher teams proved too much and the early promise faded away

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considerably as the season progressed. The main personnel was as follows, although numerous others played odd games:—Nicole (Captain), Bishop, Eton, Grant, Fraser, R. D. V., Frost, Hardy, Kirkwood, Stace, Warren, Wicks.

Of those who played five knocks or more, nine obtained double-figure averages, Wicks ultimately coming out on top, a position which he ably earned by very consistent displays. Of the bowlers, Nicole secured the best bag of wickets, and was ably backed up by Frost and Hardy, although on averages Mr. H. J. Bishop was easily first, having skittled two Old Boys' wickets with his proverbial in-swinger for trifling cost. After this performance he retired, on strong recommendation from the bowling arena, so as not to spoil the competition.

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Third.

The Thirds spent a more enjoyable than successful season, our final position, three-quarters down the ladder, speaking for itself. However, while not excusing our members, it must be admitted that we experienced bad luck in losing so many players during the season through promotion and other reasons. With Kirkwood, Lysnar, Forde batting, and Hardy, Andrews and others bowling, we had a good position for some time. However, after the New Year, when Kirkwood and Lysnar were promoted, and others left the team, we were able to secure only a very limited number of wins, and although our position in the championship suffered, we became very efficient as a free discussions club and social service society.