Canterbury under 23s gain 6 batting points

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33453, 7 February 1974, Page 24

Canterbury under 23s gain 6 batting points

(.Veto Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. Canterbury lost its tenth wicket just short of a seventh batting point against Northern Districts in the second round of the Rothmans under-23 cricket in Wellington yesterday.

G. Smith (77) gave Canterbury a quick start, but late in the innings the accuracy of C. Dickeson checked the scoring. In reply to Canterbury’s 247, Northern reached 112 before losing a wicket. But nt then, too, slumped. The Central Districts Plunket Shield batsman. R. Pierce, scored an elegant century to help take his side to eight bonus batting points against Auckland. Pierce, scoring freely between point and mid-off, made 121 as the Central Districts batsmen hammered the Auckland attack. DECLARATIONS NEEDED However, any decisions in the three matches of the

: second round will have to come from declarations. The; pitches at Te Whiti Park ! gave little assistance to the ’ bowlers, all sides scoring ■ with freedom. After J. Edwards had given ‘Central Districts a good .(start, Pierce and R. Ormiston! ! ! (79) pressed home the ad- ’ i vantage. After Edwards declared at (307 runs for six wickets, it . was the Auckland batsmen’s; ’ turn and, led by C. Atkinson ' (76 not out). Auckland ! reached 136 for two at, ! stumps. ’ Wellington, alter a tedious start, profited from some big hitting bv R. Cox and S. Cater ! before Cox fell to a fine, leap- ’ ing catch in the outfield by; B. Cameron. The feature of Otago’s inn--1 ings, which stood at 125 for i four at stumps, was the (wicket-keeping of S. Wilson,!

I who had a hand in all the (dismissals, with two catches land two stumpings. ! Bonus points scored yes-; J terday were: Central Districts! ‘B, Auckland 2, Canterbury 7. i Northern Districts 6, Wellington 5, Otago 2. i Central Districts 307/6 dec ■ (R. Pierce 121, R. Ormiston !78, A. Amadio 36: D. Findlay 3/38), Auckland 136/2 (C. Atkinson n.o. 76, M. Schrafte ;;34; G. Lynch 2/48). ; Canterbury 247 (P. Meli Ewan 53. R. Newton 42, J. ; Larter 29; C. Dickeson 3/46, ;E. Gillot 2/64). Northern • Districts 177/5 (A. Puna 66, ; W. Lawrie 51; D. Bracewell 1/18, P. Macewan 1/20, R. ■ Pither 1/55). Wellington 292/8 dec. (R. Cox 70, G. D. Ross 56, S. ■ Cater n.o. 44; R. Webb 4/51. ’ S. Boock 2/96) Otago 125/4 i (D. Dempsey 64. P. Facoury ,132; B. Kitchener 1/2).