Frustrating

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 15

Frustrating

Riccarton had a rather frustrating season, finishing fifth after being second with one round to go. ' W. Muneaster, J. Kiddey, D. O’Malley, and L. Newman all batted with some success, but there it ended; R. H. Scott’s average was halved, W. Bell's also dropped sharply, and the batting generally was very thin after the first three or four players. Kiddey again bowled most persistently for long spells, but Bell, bowling fewer, overs, took only 31 wickets, compared with 55 in 1956-57. R. C. Motz was only moderately successful and Scott bowled very occasionally. The side badly needed another bowler of quality. West Christchurch-University was in a more or less experimental season, and might with a little luck have done better than sixth. P. J. Low, at last playing senior cricket, bowled very impressively very often, and he must also be considered when representative teams are selected next summer Forty wickets in a first senior season was a fine effort. But G. N. Gearry bowled less often, J. B. Park’s figures declined, and only the inclusion for five matches of C. G. Smith saved the bowling face. The batting was unreliable, although Gearry had another good season, with 514 runs. G. K. Austin, striking his best form late, improved his figures markedly, but G. T. Dowling’s aggregate dropped from 446 to 286.

Seventh The 1956-57 winner, St. Albans, finished seventh, an extraordinary performance. The batting declined. and the bowling was often woefully weak. T. B. Burtt again did well, and so did M. B. Poore, but opening bowlers were sadly needed. Last season Harris scored 813. this summer 341; Guillen’s 776 fell to 419, Poore’s 420 (average 35) to 372 (average 25).

East Christchurch, finishing last, after being third last season, had a disappointing summer. Again no batsman averaged 30. although I. Sinclair improved vastly. T Jones’s bowling was excellent; 41 wickets at 18.3, and R. Cole, although losing form late in the season, bowled with considerable promise. A total of 34 wickets at 21 each was a fine start to his senior career.

Since district cricket began in 1905-6, Old Boys have won the championship 12 times. Sydenham 11, Lancaster Park 10, St. Albans 6. Riccarton 6. West Christchurch 5, East Christchurch 1. Lancaster Park-West Christchurch Combined 1, District Headquarters 1.