OLD BOYS STRUGGLE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 15

OLD BOYS STRUGGLE

Although High School Old Boys hold a lead of one run on the first innings, the loss of two second Innings wickets in the final 20 minutes of play could give Sydenham the stronger hand if a decision is to be reached. On a wicket which gave the batsmen little confidence in playing shots. Old Boys struggled to 113 in its first innings. The top-order batsmen had considerable difficulty judging the pace of the ball off the wicket and with P. McKenzie in a fiery mood the pressure was on them from the start. M. J. Hadlee was the only Old Boys batsman to play the bowling with any semblance of confidence and his 30 in just on one hour included a number of aggressive strokes. An older brother. B. G. Hadlee, stayed while 37 runs were added for the fifth wicket but the variances of flight and pace qad him iU at ease. A. B. Hounsell produced a broad bat to prop up the tail but another fine spell by McKenzie, assisted by J. M. McIntyre, deprived him of partners. Sydenham was given a flying start by B. J- Ellis and W. A. Thomson, and although both

lived a little dangerously they managed an opening partnership of 30 in under an hour before tea. Thomson, showing his custom- . ary keenness to hit the ball, scorned the close field settings and a number of times lotted the ball safely into the outfield. Ellis also was not reluctant to put the ball in the air but he did appear restricted in his movements by a leg injury. However, after tea the situation changed abruptly. From 50 . without loss, Sydenham slumped to 30 for four and then *5 for five. W. R. Barberel; with the wickets of I. R. Hartland and K. Thomson, was mainly responsible for the change In proceedings. though It was the deceptive flight of M. A. Cleinents that trapped both Ellis and W. Thomson. D. L. Gallop applied himself well to the situation and with sensible batting took Sydenham to within sight of the Old Boys total. ' When the last pair came to- ■ gether, however, 10 runs were 1 the difference but only nine ' were added to Sydenham's score before the partnership was broken. Barberel bowled on a good ' lino and deserved his figures !

of three for 18. A. R. Hounsell was rather loose in his first spell and suffered accordingly but later came back and with greater accuracy was rewarded with three wickets. C. L. Bull and P. A. Hern were both trapped by spin in the final stages of the day's play and this put matters back about where they started at 10.45 in the morning: both sides with a chance of victory. Umpires:' Messrs G. Aitken and J. Pope.