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Cricket Club

Five teams were again entered in the Wellington Cricket Association competitions, but whereas in the 1936-37 season, four of the teams finished in the top half and one in the bottom half, for the 1937-38 season, one finished in the top half and the remainder towards the bottom of their respective grades. This complete reversal is well in keeping with university sporting traditions—inconsistency—so the club may look forward to a fairly successful season for 1938-39.

The senior XI under the captaincy of N. McMillan had a very disappointing season and finished second to last in the Senior Competition. After the good position occupied by the team the previous season, its low position is rather hard to account for. In two games the team was behind on the first innings and only just missed outright wins because of time. On several other occasions the team was in an excellent position to obtain a win on the first innings but failed to drive the advantage home. The chief weakness was the fielding and an endeavour should be made during the coming season to improve this department of the game. The team was well served in the batting by Wiren, Trickle- bank, Wilson and Harpur, the latter two invariably giving the side a good start. In the bowling the wickets were evenly distributed between Stephenson, Ongley, Knowsley and Tricklebank. For the few games in which he played, Cameron, an Australian grade player, proved himself to be a useful slow bowler.

The performances of the second XI were inconsistent, good displays against the leading teams being off-set by disappointing failures against weaker sides. This may have been due to the fact that very rarely were the same eleven men available for two consecutive games. Another factor was the tendency towards bad lapses in the field on occasions. Cornish, opening batsman, was the most consistent run-getter, having several good scores, including a century to his credit. Johnston was the only other century-maker, but was not as consistent as in the previous season. Parkin was the all-rounder of the team, securing over 40 wickets and batting well in the upper half of the batting order. Fitzgerald and Drake were other all-rounders, while Sharrock and Sweeney batted well. Banks was a sound wicket-keeper and, on occasions, a big-hitting batsman. Whiting, opening batsman, and McPhail, slow bowler, were useful acquisitions for the last few games.

Led by MacRae, who proved a useful all rounder, the Junior B's had several promising players. Taylor-Cannon showed distinct promise as a medium-fast bowler. Walker batted soundly for some good scores, Bray improved considerably with both bat and ball, while Sweeney's consistency gained him promotion to the Seconds.

The Social Team (Junior C) again fielded a side comprised mainly of the old stalwarts who had the pleasure of welcoming back into the fold a couple of sheep in the persons of Edgely and Wilton who were previously looked on as lost. The team had an enjoyable season but, taking a lesson from the example set by the wrestling fraternity, has not disclosed its position in the championship table. Many games were keenly contested. Indeed, on two occasions the team had almost to fight its way to victory. While there were no outstanding performers, Wells, Wilton, Richards and Campbell generally supplied such backbone as there was in the batting, while Edgely, Roberts, Johnstone and the veteran Moore sometimes took easy wickets. Camp supplied the comic relief.

The destinies of this team were once again under the capable guidance of Ted Blacker.

Murphy again capably led the Thirds. Hall was the most effective bowler, while Rutherford, the wicket-keeper, scored well. Sandford made several large scores on his occasional appearances for this team and for the Junior B's,

In a low scoring match, Victoria defeated Auckland for the Speight Trophy by 83 runs. Victoria made 220 and 51, Auckland replying with 140 and 48. Parkin top-scored in our first innings with 62, while Tricklebank (4 for 18) and Dean (5 for 11) were the destroying agents when Auckland attempted to make 132 runs in 90 minutes to win.

A team was again sent to Wanganui at Christmas and had a most enjoyable game. An endeavour is to be made this year to revive the Christmas Tour with matches against several other of the Minor Associations.

At Easter a match was played against Auckland University for the Speight Trophy, and in a low scoring match Victoria secured an outright win.