SERVICES SUMMER TOURNAMENT

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28237, 27 March 1957, Page 17

SERVICES SUMMER TOURNAMENT

Close Finish In Cricket Match

If the first of three cricket matches set down in the programme for the inter-services sports sets the standard for the other two, there will be some excitement at Hagley Oval in the next four days. Yesterday the Air Force beat the Army, by one wicket—with 24 minutes of the extra half-hour’s play gone. Air Force was in a commanding position at the start of the day, with a first innings score of 141 for the loss’ of two wickets in reply to Army’s 156. A former Christchurch senior player. R. Dudley, who made 74, and R. W. Young, with 65, were chiefly responsible for the Air Force establishing a lead of 96 runs. R. 1. Launder, a former Taranaki fast bowler, took four wickets cheaply to have an analysis of five for 62. Army’s second innings consisted largely of R. G. Aitken, who batted right through the innings and made 71 not out. The others were all in trouble facing the spin bowling of C. B. Raddock. Army’s total of 174 left Air Force a possible 100 minutes to score 79 runs, but this apparently simple task became * a difficult one when R. Wilkinson began taking wickets quickly. Wilkinson, a mediumpaced right-hander, found a spot from which the ball whipped through low, and he applied him* self to using it diligently and successfully. After an hour had gone, Air Force faced defeat, for eight wickets had gone and 30 runs were still needed. When 16 of them had been made, the ninth wicket fell, but Valentine and Barson saw their side through to victory with some lusty batting. Army’s was a fine effort, and it might have been even more successful had three or four chances of only moderate difficulty been accepted. Air Force had to bat in a difficult light, and Wilkinson mastered nearly all of the batsmen.

Scores:—Army 156 and 174 (Aitken 71 not out. C. G. Rowe 16, N. Smythe 19, P. Bennett 10, R. Wilkinson 23; C. B. Raddock eight for 30, Valentine one for 19, Parker one for 65). Air Force 252 (J. R. Boddy 12, D. C. Trimble 39, R. W. Young 65, R. Dudley 74, O. Miles 24 not out, R. I. Joinder five for 62, Rowe two for 24, Wilkinson one for 54, P. Marshall one for 63) and 81 for nine wickets (Dudley 12, Raddock 23, Launder one for 22, Rowe one for 24, Wilkinson seven for 25).

Air Force’s win gave it eight points. Today and tomorrow the Army will play Navy, and Air Force will meet Navy in the final match on Friday and Saturday. The swimming events will begin this morning and continue this evening, and there will be athletics at Rugby Park tomorrow morning and afternoon.