Old Boys Bowlers In Command

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 20

Old Boys Bowlers In Command

Rather unexpectedly. Old Boys came out of the first day against Riccarton on top. Perhaps it was a form of oneupmanship used by Old Boys in the fresh of morning. They opened with W. M. Duncan, a batsman of character. but limited quality, who usually comes in just before the byes. And Duncan showed considerable disdain for the Riccarton pace attack by bringing off a succession of lucrative shots, played one-handed. His dismissal at 32 saw Riccarton win a return to dignity, wickets fatting rapidly to the pace of K. A- Nicholson and the purpose of R. C. Motz. But C. L. Bull, Plunket Shield reject, gave his best display of the season. He was in nearly two hours for his 35. but he was rarely in trouble. Some dashing batting by M. J. Hadlee, who hit some magnificent shots, par. ticularly before lunch, helned Old Boys to a moderately satisfactory score. For nearly all the innings, Motz kept pressure on the bats-

men. and there seemed no reason why Riccarton should have such a struggle for runs. G. R. McAulay and D. W. Stead scored steadily and well to put on 42 for the first wicket, but then the batting was so nervous and inept that it seemed the pitch had suddenly acquired a thousand devils. The Old Boys bowlers seized their opportunity avidly. D. R. Hadlee was much more dangerous than his figures might suggest; Duncan’s leftarm swing defeated the batsmen repeatedly, and Hounsell, digging the ball in at considerable pace, claimed Important wickets quickly. Motz tried to hit Riccarton out of trouble, and has seldom struck and missed as often as he did against Duncan. A success of the day was the Riccarton wicket-keeper. B. P. isherweod, who claimed four victims. His leg-side catch to dismiss D. R. Hadlee looked a comfortable process, but was made so by swift anticipation and movement. The umplrea are Messrs T. F. Mathie and R. W. Hobbs.