CRICKET St. Albans Takes Lead By 3 Runs And 2 Minutes

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30687, 1 March 1965, Page 15

CRICKET St. Albans Takes Lead By 3 Runs And 2 Minutes

Beating West-University by three runs and with only two minutes to spare, St. Albans went into the lead in the senior cricket competition when Old Boys, the previous leaders, could only gain five points from a first innings win against Lancaster Park.

St. Albans left West-University the target of 165 runs in 140 minutes and this generous declaration provided a grand finish. A blazing innings of 60 by G. A. Bartlett in 55 minutes almost won the match for West-University but when only four runs were needed the last man, P. A. Sharp, was bowled by the fifth ball of the second last over of the day.

At the other end of the ladder, EastShirley made amends for its defeat by Old Collegians in one day in the first round by winning decisively by seven wickets. Old Boys and Lancaster Park fought a war of attrition and, although Old Boys were able to enforce the followon they were unable to get Park out a second time. The strong Sydenham batting faltered badly against

Riccarton and Riccarton won easily by seven wickets. Only one batsman, Bartlett, passed 50 and bowlers also did not figure much in the individual returns. T. L. Jones took five wickets for St. Albans as did P. G. Z. Harris and they were the only bowlers to take more than five wickets in an innings.

Results:— St Albans 134 and 189/8 dec. beat WestUniversity 159 and 161 by three runs.

East-Shirley 211/8 dec. and 103/3 beat Old Collegians 175 and 138 by seven wickets.

Old Boys 295 beat Lancaster Park 175 and 222/7 on the first innings. Riccarton 315 and 36/2 beat Sydenham 158 and 191 by eight wickets.

Points are: St. Albans 73, Old Boys 71, West-University 67, Sydenham 63, Riccarton 63, Lancaster Park 51, Old Collegians 19, East-Shirley 15.