Fine Century By Patchett

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31256, 31 December 1966, Page 13

Fine Century By Patchett

A century by the Linwood High School opening batsman, B. J. Patchett, yesterday helped Canterbury B to a big score in the opening twoday match of its South Island tour, against Southland at Invercargill.

Southland, with eight wickets intact, was 143 runs behind Canterbury’s first innings of 282 for four declared. Canterbury won the toss and had first use of a plumb wicket, but against a very accurate attack found scoring difficulty in the opening stages.

Canterbury lost K. Samson

at nine, and B. G. Hadlee and Patchett batted quietly adding 66 before Hadlee was caught in the covers. The innings progressed cautiously against a tight medium-pace attack, G. T. Barratt scoring 32 in a partnership of 61 in 120 minutes.

P. G. Coman hastened the scoring with many delightful shots and with Patchett, who was stroking the ball firmly, took the score to 210 before Patchett was out to a very tired-looking drive.

Patchett scored his runs in three hours and gave only one sharp chance when in the 70s. He hit 12 fours. Southland replied with 139 for two in the final session. M. G. Lester, the Canterbury

left-arm spinner, bowled well, although unsuccessfully, and D. Mcßae’s medium-paced deliveries earned much respect in the early overs. He was the only successful Canterbury bowler. The Southland opening batsman, L. Holland, stood firm and with N. Thompson, who hit the ball very hard, placed Southland in a sound position.

Scores: Canterbury 282/4 declared (B. G. Hadlee 22, B. J. Patchett 109, G. T. Barratt 32, P. G. Coman 74 not out, B. J. Isherwood 24 not out; R. Wills 2/71), Southland 139/2 (L. Holland 58 not out, N. Thompson 49 not out).