Between Overs

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31236, 7 December 1966, Page 17

Between Overs

'THE leading batting aggregates in the senior championship at the halfway stage are: K. Thomson 311, C. J. Stevens 240, B. J. Bayley 224, C. L. Broad 213. R. T. Dowker 210,‘C. L. Bull 209, G. T. Barrett and B. F. Hastings 185, I. M. Walter 174, A. C. Harrison 161. The best averages, of those with five or more innings, are: Dowker 70, C. M. Kirk 46.3, Bayley 44.8, Stevens 40, Thomson 38.9, Broad 35.5, Walter 34.8, Bull 34.8, B. G. Hadlee 31.2, and J. M. Ruston 31.

Most wickets have been taken by: B. Andrews 25, K. Ferries, B. R. Taylor and B. C. Irving 17; J. M. Mclntyre, J. W. Kiddey 16: Kirk 16; B. J. Salt, D. H. Hicks and R. C. Motz 14.

The leading bowling averages are: Motz 11.9, E. R. Hignett 12.1, Ferries 12.6, Kiddey 12.8, Andrews 12.8, D. R. Hadlee 13.2, N. J. Woodham 14.6, Hicks 14.7, D. G. Trist 15, Taylor 16.5.

The most successful wicket-keepers have been A. E. Dunlop, with 11 dismissals, S. C. Guillen and G. C. Nottage with 10, G. W. Henry with 7. Most catches in the field have been taken by Hicks (7), Harrison and M. J. Hadlee, each 6.

When M. L. Ryan, the Old Boys’ captain, lost the toss to B. F. Hastings in the fifth round, he spoiled an excellent record. He was the only senior captain to have won the toss in each of the first four games. He is now joined by B. J. Salt (Sydenham) as the most successful money-spinner in the grade.

The East ChristchurchShirley club enjoyed a successful day last Saturday when all six of its teams won their matches. The senior B and 2B grade teams won outright, and there were first-innings victories in 2C, President’s, 3B (two teams). In the previous round the club had four first innings wins, a draw, and a first-innings loss.

A newcomer to the Old Boys’ senior team, V. Bishop has not enjoyed as much success as his bowling has perhaps deserved. Bishop is a grandson of a noted Canterbury cricketer of half a century ago, H. A. Bishop. In times when representative matches were less re-

gular than today, H. A. Bishop made 10 first-class appearances and scored 437 runs in them. In senior club championship matches he totalled 4621 runs, scoring 744 of them in 10 completed innings—in the 191415 season. There are still some at Hagley Oval who recall Bishop’s graceful batting and outstanding fielding in the covers. * « *

The young West Christ-church-University spinner, C. M. Kirk, has already bowled very successfully for a player in his first senior season, but his batting, too, has been of much value to his team. In five innings, twice not out, Kirk has scored 139 runs. Bowlers have been able to get him out only once so far; he has twice been run out.

There are awards these days for the best young batsmen and the best young bowler and the best under-23 at this and that, and the Cricketer of the Year. If there was an award for the most loyal and hard-

working club member, it could well go to Mr R. Johnson, scorer for the St Albans senior team.

His Interest in cricket and his club is immense; and, although this season he would not accept a place on the club's committee, his work for the game goes on. Looking after a senior side's book is no trifling task but Mr Johnson also organises the club’s afternoon teas, which bring in a tidy profit each season. His is officer in charge of the soft drinks section, and he is one of the hardest workers at selling raffle tickets an exercise now part and parcel of club life. Moreover, Mr Johnson’s attitude to the youngsters who will be to morrow’s cricketers is exemplary. He could not be more encouraging, or kinder. With it all, he is completely self-effacing. St. Albans is lucky to have him.