RANGIORA MATCH

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30348, 25 January 1964, Page 18

RANGIORA MATCH

N. Canterbury Begins Well With the substantial total of 379 for eight declared. North Canterbury appears to have placed itself in a strong position against Ashburton in a cricket match between the two minor associations which began at Rangiora yesterday. Ashburton is 40 for the loss of one wicket in reply. North Canterbury ran up its tally at the brisk rate of just on 80 an hour. An unusual aspect of the match was that the North Canterbury captain, A. F. Wright, robbed himself of the chance of scoring a century when he declared with his total at 97 Wright was not aware he was just three runs off his century when he declared to give Ashburton an hour’s batting at the tail end of the afternoon. Winning the toss, North Canterbury went in to bat on a fast and true pitch at Dudley Park, which was showing signs of wear by the end of the day, however. The outfield was fast. By good attacking cricket, the North Canterbury openers, P. Mullins and I. Sail, hit up the first 50 in 28 minutes, Sail being caught behind shortly afterwards. Solid Partner Scoring 27, N. Allan was a solid partner in helping Mullins take the total to 134. Mullins was bowled at 82 after a very good innings, which included nine fours and two sixes. Playing his first game for North Canterbury, G. Wright played some delightful shots in his 67. The captain, A F Wright, proved a valuable middle order batsman again Coming in with the score at 250 for five, he rattled up 97 with well chosen and powerful strokes while the other batsmen added 32. His knock included 14 fours and two sixes In the final hour Ashburton scored 40 runs, after losing B Tutty for 10, lbw to R. Merrin. NORTH CANTERBURY First Innings P. Mullins, bK. Butler .. 82 I. Sail, c Isherwood, b Butler .. 20 N. Allan lbw, b McCormick 27 G Wright, b Samson .. 67 C. Merrin, c and b Isherwood .. 27 E. Bailey, lbw, b B. White 10 A. F. Wright, not out .. 97 R. Hopkins, lbw. b White .. 7 R. Merrin, b White .. 4 P. Blakely, not out .. 4 Extras .. .. 34 Total for eight declared 379 Bowling.—B. White, 16, 5, 43 3; K. Butler, 22. 2. 92, 2; G McCormick. 17, 2, 62. 1; B Samson. 20 4, 64. 1; R. Hortin. 8. 0, 42. 0; D. Ishefwood, 7, 0. 42, 1. ASHBURTON First Innings B. Tutty, lbw, b R. Merrin 10 I. Blair, not out .. ..24 B. Samson, not out .. 0 Extras .. .. 6 Total for one wicket 40 Bowling.—R. Merrin, 7,3, 9, 1; E. Bailey, 6,1, 15, 0; A. F. Wright, 3,2. 4,0; P. Blakely, 3. 1, 6 0.