Old Boys May Take Lead

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31867, 20 December 1968, Page 15

Old Boys May Take Lead

Old Boys, at present five points behind the competition leader, Riccarton, might take the lead when the two teams end their match tomorrow.

It is unlikely, however, that Riccarton will collapse as it did last week, and if Old Boys are held to a first innings decision, Riccarton will still be in front by one point. The game would become very interesting if Riccarton dismiss Old Boys cheaply in the second innings. As the pitches are becoming faster, the conditions might suit the Riccarton pace attack in its task. East Christchurch-Shirley holds the advantage in its

.encounter with Old Collegians lat Elmwood Park. The latter is 112 for four wickets and (with the principal batsmen in the side already dismissed, the target of 297 seems beyond it. Elmwood Park is in splendid batting order and it seems that an outright decision is out of the question. West Christchurch - University is well on the way to a win over St Albans and an outright decision would put the team up with the leaders. West tvill probably declare at the resumption of play and take advantage of the early “life” that may be in the pitch during the first hour of Play. Much will depend on the wily spin bowling of J. M. Mclntyre in the SydenhamLancaster Park match at Sydenham Park. Park still has •56 runs to make to take first (innings points and has six j wickets in hand. j The task appears relatively ieasy but Mclntyre bowled with such skill last week that he might prove a great danger again tomorrow. However, Park has a slight ascendancy and will probably make the runs.