J. Ruston in form

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32561, 22 March 1971, Page 18

J. Ruston in form

Another fine innings by J. M. Ruston gave most substance to the St Albans innings at Hagley No. 1. Although he was dropped at six, Ruston played good, firm strokes as the others struggled and survived, for shorter or longer periods, through bad Lancaster Park catching. Lancaster Park, on top for most of the innings, was later thwarted by B. D. Lark (26) and a brisk innings of 29 by a senior newcomer, T. D. Marks. C. W. Aldridge and B. C. Irving had most of the wickets, R. J. Hadlee most of the misfortune. Five catches were missed from him, three in the space of three overs. C. K. Baker, maintaining his recent good form, batted well as an opener for Park and P. D. Burney, with some stylish strokes, has helped give his side a very good chance of scoring more batting points on Saturday. Umpires: Messrs M. M. Jones and B. Dennison.

Scores;— ST ALBAN'S First Innings X M. Ruston e Baker b Aldridge .. 69 L. A. Smith c Jackson b Hadlee 9 J. W. Burtt b Gearry 20 S. T. Murdoch c Aldridge b Irving 14 R. D. Kennedy c Aldridge b Irving 5 G. B. Smith b Irving 0 B. D. Lark c Chambers b Aldridge 26 T. D. Marks c Burney b Hadlee 29 A. L. Fleete not out 10 J. Harrison lbw b Aldridge 5 Extras (leg-byes 2) 2

Total for 9 wkts (dec.) 189 Bowling.—R. J. Hadlee, 13, 0, 38, 2; K. Chambers, 9,0, 36, 0; C. W. Aldridge, 102, 1,52, 3; R E . Gearry, 6,1, 19, 1; B. C. Irving, 12, 1, 46, 3. LANCASTER PARK First innings A. E. Collins e Smith b Marks 6 C. K- Baker c Marks b Ruston 46 A. M. McKendry c Ruston b Marks ..161 P. D. Burney not out .. 311 R. E. Gearry b Harrison .. 20; J. F Jackson not out 7; Extras (byes 2, no-balls 7) 9j Total for 4 wickets 135! Bowling.—G. Walklin, 3,0, 26,; 8; T. D. Marks, 6,2, 24, 2; J. M. Ruston, 13, 2, 50, 1; J. A. Harri-i son, 11, 2, 29, L 1