Brilliant Batting On First Day Of Club Cricket

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31501, 16 October 1967, Page 16

Brilliant Batting On First Day Of Club Cricket

Summer arrived early in Christchurch this year. At Hagley Oval on Saturday, when G. T. Dowling and B. F. Hastings were together, it seemed the height of the season—no hint of hesitancy appeared in a partnership which, for quantity and quality, bore comparison with any in the long history of this lovely ground.

Dowling, in superb form, made 179 not out, his highest score in club cricket. Hastings scored at a tremendous pace, reaching an unbeaten century in 84 minutes—and while he was there, 173 runs were added.

So West-University was able to declare at the dizzy height of 361 for one against a Lancaster Park team which was butchered, quite beautifully.

On the same ground, Riccarton topped 300, and it was astonishing progress for a season’s first day. Usually, the batsmen struggle on difficult pitches, and have their better bits heavily reduced in value by thick outfields. On Saturday, Hagley was a picture—first-class pitches. 1 smooth, surprisingly fast outfields, and the whole ground;

groomed superbly. The ground, and the pitches—the best for an opening day for a very long time—were a tribute to the enthusiasm of the groundsman, Mr A. Sheath. Dowling and Hastings held this handsome stage, but two Riccarton youngsters, R. Anderson and F. Madrussen, batted grandly against the pennant holders. Old Boys And at Sydenham Park, Sydenham escaped from neardisaster through J. M. McIntyre's determined batting. Another youngster, I. M. Walter, helped Dowling pre-

pare for the later onslaught with a fine innings of 70. The bowlers who did best were D. R. Hadlee (Old Boys) and J. A. Harrison (St Albans) each with five wickets. Neither East ChristchurchShirley nor Old Collegians, newly returned to the senior grade, had very successful days. Results: Riccarton 304; Old Boys 71 for three wickets. West-University 361 for one, declared; Lancaster Park 65 for five. Sydenham 219; EastShirley 57 for five wickets. Old Collegians 187; St Albans 94 for two wickets.