Superb Play By West-University

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

Superb Play By West-University

Dowling’s Innings on Hagley 1 was a masterpiece, almost free from fault, full of grace and colour and power. It began modestly, but Dowling, from the first over, seemed to be in the splendid form of last season He and young Walter had to watch the new-ball bowling of the North Canterbury representative, G. Wilson, who moved the ball off the pitch a little. But the only other period in which the mastery of the bat was really challenged was just before lunch when B. C. Irving made a few lift and turn a little.

Dowling and Walter went through to the interval and they seemed likely to repeat their feat of last season, when they had a double-century partnership against Lancaster Park

Walter, diffident and lacking footwork at first, steadily matured and brought off some lovely cover drives while Dowling s mastery became more apparent.

Their stand of 188 took 146 minutes, and 15 minutes later Dowling was at his century. His last 79 runs came in 69 minutes, and even this did not quite keep pace with Hastings, w hose ability to use his crease, and whose flowing stroke making reduced the bowling to tatters and field placing to a waste of time.

There was a flood of runs from these two, with the pulls and cuts and drives supplemented by sure, swift running between the wickets. The season may hold nothing better than this; it would be surprising if it did.

Wilson, after a useful start, seemed to tire rather quickly, and none of the others troubled the batsmen. But when Lan caster Park went in. the former Wellington representative. N A. Huxford, moved the bail deceptively on a beautiful pitch and only M. D. Randle, with

some elegant strokes, stood firm.

D. N. McLeod, a Central Districts player recently transferred to Christchurch, hit two superb square cuts off P. A. Sharp, but by the end West was very much on top. Umpires: Messrs R. W. Hobbs and J. C. Streeter.