OTAGO v. CANTERBURY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8258, 26 December 1911, Page 3

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY.

On Saturday afternoon Canterbury for the first time, defended its title to the Plunket Shield after having gained it by right of might, Otago's being the first challenge to be taken up. The match was the tenth challenge for the Plunket Shield since it was presented for competition in 1906-07, and it was the first shield match played at Lancaster Park. The following are the teams:— Otago-—A. Downes (captain), J7 W. i Condliffe, J. Ramsden, W. E. Baanerman, A. Eckhold, A. Eckhoff, C. O. Hopkins, J. Kenny, G. G. Austin, T. Macfarlane and L. Watson. Canterbury—D. Reese (captain), A. Sime, W. Patrick, K. M. Ollivisr, J. H. Bennett, W. Oarlton, H. B. 1 ask, C. Boxshall, D. Sandman, A. Norman and E. R. Caygill. Messrs R. Spencer and A. D. Hart were the umpires. After the long spell of wet weather it was not expected that a good .vioket would be available at Lancaster Park, but the ground had dried remarkably when play was commenced, and the wicket was much better than it was thought possible. It was easy and decidedly in favour of the batsmen, being too dead to be dangerous. With such a wicket it was inevitable that the Otago captain when'he won the -toss should elect to bat. When \ lay ceased the score was 212, with Hopkins unbeaten for 122 and McFarlane 4. ' ■ To-day the game will be resumed, but it is x'robable that the wicket will not be dry enough until after two o'clock. The following are the scores:— Otago. First Innings. C. C. Hopkins, not out ... 122 J> Kenny, Ibw, b Reese ... 11 G. G. Austin, run out ... •........:. 64 ■M. McFarlane, not out ... ... ... 4 Byes ... ... „L ... ... .. 11. Total for two wickets ... „. £12