North Canterbury Has Lead Over Nelson

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31305, 27 February 1967, Page 15

North Canterbury Has Lead Over Nelson

North Canterbury secured a first-innings lead of 47 runs over Nelson in the Hawke Cup match at Dudley Park, Rangiora, on Saturday, but in a fairly spiritless batting exhibition scored only 138 for nine in the second innings. North Canterbury owes much to the opening bowlers, R. c. Merrin and W. R. Wilson. P. Rutherford and P. R. Williams. Merrin, the fastest bowler in the match, and Wilson, a lefthander with the ability to move the ball either way, bowled all but 15 overs in Nelson's first innings. They opened every spell, coming off as a rule after about an hour and a half, and their persistence and energy were praiseworthy and remarkable.

They shared the wickets which fell to bowlers, but a noteworthy contribution was made by Williams in the field. With swift, accurate throws from the outfield he ran out the Nelson captain and top-scorer, D. V. Spence, and C. F. Crolhall. The North Canterbury wicket-keeper, R. Judson, was also in fine catching form and conceded no byes.

The Nelson not out batsmen, G. E. Lowans and I. R. Hampton, went quickly in the morning, and I. B. Leggat fell to Wilson. Spence stayed, without looking completely in command, and K. A. Baker seemed" likely to take Nelson to a first innings lead.

North Canterbury made a bad start in the second innings.

and but for Rutherford the match would probably have been over. He unleashed from time to time a majestic squaredrive and did not allow himself to be tied down. However, the other batting was modest and North Canterbury will be looking for runs from the last pair. A. F. Rapley and Merrin. to increase its present 185-run lead. NELSON

Total .182 Bowling.—R. C. Merrin, 24. 9, 76, 3; W. R. Wilson, 24.2, 8, 62, 5; E. Bailey, 7,0, 22, 0: A. F. Rapley, 7,1, 11, 0: A. F. Wright, 1,1, 0, 0.

Extras (no-balls 7) 7 Total for nine wickets .. 138 Bowling.—E. G. Potts, 19. 7, 52, 3; C. F. Crothall, 12, 4, 28. 3; I. B. Leggat, 21, 9, 24. 1; K. A. Baker, 11, 5, 18, 0; I. R. Hampton, 5,2, 6,0; D. V Spence, 1, 0. 4, 1.

First Innings (57/3) G. E. Lowans, lbw, b Wilson 25 I. R. Hampton, c Judson, b Merrin 13 I. B. Leggat, c Judson, b Wilson 20 D. V. Spence, run out 35 R. D. Wilson, hit wkt, b Merrin 10 K. A. Barker, b Wilson 33 F. Crothall, run out 3 e'. G. Potts, not out Extras (no-balls 6, leg0 byes 4, wide 1) .. 11

NORTH CANTERBURY First Innings Second Innings 229 D. R. Farrant, c Wilson, b Potts 0 p R. Wilson, b Crothall 10 P. Rutherford, b Crothall . 69 G. T. Wright, c Spence, b Crothall E. Bailey, b Leggat 5 1. F. Sail, c Wadsworth, b Potts 5 R. Judson, c Wilson, b Potts A. F. Wright, b Spence 10 W. F. Rapley, not out 7 R. Wilson, c Wilson, b Potts 15 R. C. Herrin, not out