Auckland Races To Last Over Win

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30951, 6 January 1966, Page 11

Auckland Races To Last Over Win

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. In a thrilling finish, Auckland defeated Central Districts by four wickets on the second ball of the last over in their Plunket Shield match at Eden Park yesterday.

Although not quite so dramatic as the end of the Auckland-Can-terbury match earlier in the series, Auckland produced a madcap race for runs in the last 30 minutes when it seemed as if a draw was inevitable.

The exciting finish was the result of a very fair declaration by M. E. Chapple, the Central Districts captain, who gave Auckland 96 minutes in which to score 138 runs for victory. He was allowed to do this by an excellent 96 by M. J. F. Shrimpton, which carred the Central second innings total to 246 for six declared. UNDER CONTROL

Auckland was immediately in business, the first ball going for four. However, T. W. Jarvis and R. M. Harris could not score quickly

against accurate bowling from R. 0. Collinge and D. Kinsella. Chapple was soon into the attack and quickly had Jarvis out.

R. W. Morgan thrashed about without ever looking permanent, and at two for 34 it seemed as if Auckland would have to play for a draw.

Harris was caught in the outfield, and with three out for 52, only 40 minutes remained for Auckland to score 86 runs for victory.

At this stage Chapple and B. W. Yuile were bowling cleverly and seemed to have Auckland struggling to survive. Then, in 11 minutes, N. S. Harford and A. R. Morrison swung the game towards Auckland as they added 27, including a massive six by Morrison. REVIVED HOPES

Harford was run out at 79 and Morrison was stumped at 84, but their sudden burst had revived Auckland.

J. T. Sparling joined R. S. Cunis and in a spritely assault they brought Auckland back to needing two runs a minute. Sparling hit a huge straight six off Chapple, and 33 were needed in 16 minutes.

Chapple now knew he had little chance of taking five wickets for victory. He might have rested himself and Yuile, and put on the quicker bowlers who would take more time.

Yet, in one of the finest and most gallant pieces of sportsmanship seen on Eden Park for many years, Chapple kept himself and Yuile on right to the end. SUPERBLY CAUGHT

Sparling and Cunis kept chipping off the runs at two a minute—2s runs needed in 12 minutes, 21 in 10 minutes, 18 in,9.

There was a pause as Cunis was superbly caught by J; Morrison in the deep: 125 for six. Still the runs came, with R. E. Sutton picking up ones and twos and Sparling playing the innings of his life. So it came that Auckland

needed four to win in the last over. Sutton drove the first ball for two, missed the second, and then rushed up the pitch and hit Chapple through the covers for four. There were cheers for Auckland, and just as hearty cheers for Chapple, for throughout the day he had kept the game alive, and had not been scared to lose in the last 15 minutes. DASHING STROKES

Earlier in the day Shrimpton started nervously but after the long break for rain was once more the dashing strokeplayer he was several years ago.

He lost B. L. Hampton, who again batted well, for 64, at 109, which made the scores level. V. Pollard went at 124 for three but then a brisk stand by Shrimpton and D. Payton stopped the decline. Later still J. Morrison played with poise and skill for 24. However, Shrimpton dominated the innings. He drove with power and timing but was even more impressive with his sweeps and pulls to leg. Just when his century seemed certain he was bowled by H. J. Howarth with a ball that skidded through low.

CENTRAL DISTRICTS First Innings .. ..168 Second Innings B. E. Congdon, c N. Harford, b Sparling .. 23 B. L. Hampton, c Jarvis, b Millener .. .. 64 M. F. F. Shrimpton, b Howarth .. 96 V. Pollard, lbw. b Cunis .. 8 H. D. Payton, b Howarth .. 18 J. Morrison, b Howarth .. 24 B. W. Yuile, not out .. 5 Extras (5 leg-byes, 3 noballs) .. .. 8 Total for 6 wkts. dec. 246 Fall of wickets: One for 61, two for 109, three for 124, four for 161, five for 233, six for 246

AUCKLAND First Innings for 7 wkts. dec. 277 Second Innings T. W. Jarvis,, c Hampton, b Chapple .6 R. M. Harris, c Shrimpton, b Yuile . 26 R. W. Morgan, c Payton, b Chapple . .10 A. R. Morrison, st Schofield. b Yuile .. ..28 N. S. Harford, run out .. 12 R. S. Cunis. c Morrison, b Yuille ..15 J. T. Sparling, not out .. 33 R. E. Sutton, not out .. 9 Extras (1 leg-bye) .. 1 Total for 6 wkts-. .. 140 Fall of wickets: One for 12, two for 34, three for 52, four for 79, five for 84. sax for 125. Bowling

Changes In North XI

Two changes have been made in the North Canterbury cricket team to meet Ashburton in a replay of a Hawke Cup elimination match, at Dudley Park, Rangiora, on Saturday and Sunday. The previous match in December was washed out because of rain.

The changes are the inclusion of W. Wilson (Ashley) and P. Kininmonth (Hurunui) to replace R. Merrin and N. Barclay. Merrin is not available as he will leave on the Sunday afternoon for Australia with a Canterbury under 21 team. The North Canterbury team is: A. F. Wright (captain), A. F. Rapley. I. F. Sail, E. Bailey, G. T. Wright, P. Rutherford, R. Judson, B. Butcher, N. Q. Wright, W. Wilson, P. Kininmonth, I. Doody. The twelfth man will be announced on the morning of the match.

Bowling 0. M. R. W R. E. Sutton 15 7 19 0 R. S. Cunis 11 2 37 1 J. T. Sparling 17 3 58 1 H. J. Howarth .. 23.1 8 63 3 R, W. Morgan 11 3 29 0 D. J. Millener .. 9 1 32 1

0. M. R. W R. 0. Colllnge .. 3 1 8 0 D. A. Kinsella 2 1 1 0 B. W. Yuile 18 0 72 3 M. E. Chapple 17.3 3 58 2