Stevens Continues In Good Form

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30681, 22 February 1965, Page 7

Stevens Continues In Good Form

Little cricket of quality was seen at Lancaster Park when the competition leaders, Old Boys, played th? home side. Old Boys batted for most of the day, and apart from C. J. Stevens’s innings of 82 the batting was mediocre. After making a century in the previous round, Stevens was again in good form, and although his innings was not without blemishes, included in it were some fine strokes, particularly on the off-side. Runs came quickly while he was at the wicket, and he hit 13 fours. The 78 not out scored by M. A. Clements was of great value

to his side. With G. W. Henry he put on 86 runs for the i seventh wicket. Usually a fast scoring side, Old Boys, apart from when Stevens was batting, were be hind the clock all day, their runs being scored in 320 minutes. The faster bowlers received little assistance from the pitch, but the Lancaster Park off-spin-ners, A. G. Duckmanton and A. McKendry, made the ball turn and lift sharply. The bowlers had little help from the field. 10 catches going to ground, and the ground fielding. which in the first hour had looked very good, deteriorated to such an extent that the ball sometimes was beating not one but two fielders. The day finished on a brighter note, however, with some sparkling batting by M. D. Randle. Umpires: Messrs F. Goodall and R. G. Aitken. Fine Double By Kay Banks Peninsula matches during the week-end were dominated by a great all-round performance by R. Kay (United). Although not a usual opener, he made 110 not out when he opened against Akaroa. and then bowled his leg-spinners to take seven for 45. Results: Le Bons 116 (C. Mclntosh 23. T. Meyer 23; R. Watson two for 35. B. Beach two for 13, E Allan three for 14) beat Kaituna 95 (B. Beach 33: C. McKay three for 44, L. Inwood five for 35, C. Mclntosh two for 0). United 234 for 3 declared (R Kay 110 not out, R. Harris 68, C. Blakie 24, W. McLeod 28 not out) beat Akaroa 111 (R. Langrope 33: W. McLeod four for 52, G. Moore four for 29, R. Harris two for 23) and 110 (B. Jones 20. P. Ferguson 33, R. Harris three for 65. R. Kay seven for 45) outright.