Brabin Cup to Canterbury

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32804, 3 January 1972, Page 16

Brabin Cup to Canterbury

A first innings win over Auckland assured Canterbury of the Brabin Cup when the annual tournament ended at Hagley Oval on Saturday. Canterbury won the toss and batted on the first day and thanks to a splendid innings by J. Wright, who made 90 in shr lOmin, Canterbury’s over-all victory was seldom in doubt. Wright’s concentration never wavered, and although he was slow at first, his innings was the best of the tournament. He scored mainly on the off-side, and several of his off-drives and cover drives were excellent. USEFUL STAND R. Newton (35) and Wright featured in a fifth-wicket partnership of 63. The Auckland bowlers were steady but not dangerous, and the Canterbury batsmen got themselves out mainly through bad shots. W. Martin, who was selected for the New Zealand team at the end of the

tournament and who also took the most wickets, was able to get some life from the pitch, and G. Troupe, who took two wickets early and then another four later in the innings, cleaned up the Canterbury tail. Auckland began its innings in grand style, scoring 60 runs in 75 minutes before stumps for the loss of one wicket, but it began to lose ground on Saturday and was finally out for 204, 26 runs short of Canterbury’s total. Canterbury 230 (J. Wright 90, R. Newton 35. P. Joyce 29; G. Troupe 6/46, W. Martin 3/78) and 86/4 (P. McEwan 32 not out, Joyce 32; Troupe 3/21) drew with Auckland 204 (R. Unka 35, D. Bygraves 34, A. Hill 30, J. Wiltshire 26, B. O’Connor 20; I. Wilson 3/40, R. Pither 2/40). Otago 322 (W. Lees 95, G. Murdoch 76, D. Watson 24, L. McAlevey 22. C. Graham 20, G. Williams 29; S. Cater 4/51. N. Smith 3/94, C. Currie 2/67) drew with Wellington 260 (P. Cameron 61, C. Jacobsen 48, B. Middleton 28, S. Cater 22 not out, C. Currie 35; Watson 3/33) and 108/3 (Jacobsen 44, T. Powell 23 not out).

Rugby.—The South ’ African Cape Coloured Rugby team, Proteas, finished its six-match tour of Britain by losing 3-33 to United Hospitals in London on Saturday. .