Adieu, 1924/25

100 Years Ago: 27 March to 2 April 1925

Christchurch: New Zealand v Victoria (Second Match)

Day 1

Wallace Strikes for Victoria

NEW ZEALAND 237 (R V D Worker 55, C S Dempster 49, J S Hiddleston 33, A W Alloo 33; P H Wallace 5/65, H I Ebeling 2/34). VICTORIA 16/1 (J L Ellis 10*, P H Wallace 1*).

New Zealand again batted first, but did not make a confident start, with Roger Blunt struggling for half an hour to score 4 runs before he played on to Percy Wallace. However, Rupert Worker and Stewie Dempster then developed a fine partnership for the second wicket and the runs began to flow as they added 104 together, with Worker playing the best innings overall. But then wickets fell steadily against Wallace and Hans Ebeling, and the final total of 237 was rather disappointing. Wallace bowled well, but was a little erratic, and Ebeling was more accurate. Victoria batted briefly before bad light stopped play, but Edgar Mayne’s poor form continued as he was bowled fifth ball by George Dickinson without a run on the board.

Day 2

Rainy Day

NEW ZEALAND 237. VICTORIA 88/2 (J L Ellis 39*, W M Woodfull 19*). Overnight score was: Victoria (1) 16/1 (Ellis 10*, Wallace 1*).

Play began under a threatening sky. Victoria lost the wicket of the night-watchman Percy Wallace for 7, but that only brought in the prolific Woodfull. Only 80 minutes’ play was possible before rain came on and drove the players from the field. It was joined by a southeasterly gale and turned to heavy rain, so no further play today was possible. With only three days allocated to this match, a result may be difficult to obtain even with good weather on Monday.

Day 3

Woodfull Again but Time Runs Out on Victoria

NEW ZEALAND 237 and 74/5 (R C Blunt 17, C S Dempster 32*; H M Austin 2/30). VICTORIA 349/4 dec (J L Ellis 50, W M Woodfull 150*, V S Ransford 100*). Overnight score was: Victoria (1) 16/1 (Ellis 10*, Wallace 1*).

After rain so badly disrupted Saturday’s play, an outright result was always unlikely, although Victoria tried to overcome the odds. However, they would have had a better chance had Bill Woodfull and Vernon Ransford been more aggressive in their approach. They put on 235 in over 3½ hours in an unbroken stand for the fifth wicket, taking no risks in the interests of speeding the scoring, but the declaration only came when Ransford reached his century and Woodfull, sound but slow, his 150 at four o’clock, with a lead of 112. Although New Zealand lost five wickets before the close, batting rather poorly except for Stewie Dempster, Victoria had to be content with a draw.

This ends the first-class cricket for the 1924/25 season. The 1925 first-class season in England starts on Saturday 2 May. From Sunday 12 April there will be posted previews of the counties and universities for the 1925 season — but not of the weather, which could hardly be worse than that of 1924. There may be other occasional news items worthy of publication.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Like Essex, Northamptonshire with their deficit of £6010 9s 4d, are also facing possible doom. The chairman of the committee, Mr T G Beale, said that the club had no funds and the bank was no longer prepared to advance them any more money, and unless something could be done to change the situation they would have to close down as a first-class county. They were trying to raise money through a shilling fund, and it was decided to issue debentures of not more than £6000 to carry interest at 4 per cent, with the trustees for the holders of these debenture included in the committee of the club. They have already received promises of £3000 from guarantors if the rest of the county can raise a further £3000; £1000 has already been collected or promised. So all is not lost yet.

OBITUARY

Walter Hearne, the older brother of the former prolific Middlesex slow bowler Jack (J T) Hearne, has died at the age of 61. He was a fine medium-paced bowler for Kent between 1887 and 1896, noted for his accuracy and plenty of spin, but in 1895 he suffered a serious knee injury that was to end his career. Forced to retire, he then became Kent scorer for the rest of his life.

Further details can be found here.

The next bulletin will be posted on 11 April.

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