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The Spike: or, Victoria College Review, June 1909

Cricket

page 50

Cricket

"We would rather be slanged by a warrior brave
Than praised by a wretched poltroon."

Bab Ballads.

TThe features of season 1908-1909 were the performances of the first, XI. and the match with Canterbury College. The First Eleven emerged as runner-up for the junior Championship, with but one reverse. The failure of this team in the decisive match for the Championship was a most lamentable affair. We shall not discuss it. The other teams cannot be said to have met with degree of success which their enthusiasm deserved. Be it recorded, however, that the first century in our history fell to the B .team : A.H. Bogle scored 136 against Y.M.C.A., B. We wish in this connection to discredit a suggestion that residence in the stronghold of his opponents had familiarised this young batsman with their bowling strength. This story is an impudent canard. We note that Professor Hunter (without practice) heads the B. team's batting average; we have carefully checked the figures, but the above information seems to be quite correct. To the Professor our sincerest congratulations!

On January 21st our team arrived in Christchurch after an uneasy passage. Canterbury won the toss and by careful batting reached a total of 224. Our first inning realized only 106 with the loss of two wickets. The principal scorers were—Chrystall 96, Arnold 31, Blank 27 (for Canterbury), and Broad 35 and 18, Niven 35, de la Mare 22 (for Victoria College. The rest of the time at our disposal was devoted to an exhibition of Canterbury batting and V.C. bowling. The exhibition was an interesting one. Two more perfect playing days could not have been desired, and it was a pleasure to play on such a magnificent outfield. The warmest thanks of the club are due to our Canterbury friend who combined to make our brief visit so entirely enjoyable. The return trip was devoid of incident.

The Auckland University Club has expressed a keen desire to meet V.C. on the cricket field, and we trust that next season this wish may be gratified. A University Cricket Tournament is the ideal.

page 51

Following are the leading averages for last seasons: —

"A." XI.

Batting. — D. R. Niven, 21.19; E.H. Ward , 21; A.H. Bogle 19.67; de la mare 18.79.

Bowling — D. R. Niven, 8.44; Miller, 9.54; Eilliott, 9.82.

"B." XI.

Batting. — Porfessor Hunter, 21.5; E.Mackay 18.4

Bowling. — Gray, 16.3; E.Mackay, 21.

Third XI.

Batting.— V. B. Willis, 19.8; Inder 21; R.W. Tate, 19

Bowling. — V.B. Wills 9.2; H.D. Skinner, 10.3; H. Williams, 11.