Otago under 23 side has an exciting win

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33454, 8 February 1974, Page 18

Otago under 23 side has an exciting win

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. An exciting win over Wellington at Te Whiti Park yesterday put Otago on top of the Rothmans national under 23 cricket tournament table.

Chasing 197 in 130 minutes, Otago achieved its target with two of its second innings wickets remaining and three balls left. The other matches—between Auckland and Central Districts and between Canterbury and Northern Districts —petered out to draws. Points after two rounds are: Otago 35, Auckland 24, Wellington 23, Northern 17, Canterbury 15. Central 13. Otago looked to be heading for a big first innings total against Wellington when W. Lees and D. Dempsey batted crisply for 77 and 64 respectively. But the later Otago batsmen struggled against the medium-pacer, K. Bitchener, who finished with five for 18. G. Ross and B. Cederwall batted steadily in the Wellington second innings, and a good declaration kept Otago in the game. The hero of Otago’s chase in the second innings was B. Cameron, a nephew of the test selector and former test bowler, Frank Cameron. x He batted sensibly for 31 not out to follow the invaluable innings of G. Williams and Lees, who set up the Otago win with fierce hitting in the middle order. SET 210 Auckland was set a chase of 210 in 100 minutes. In the Central second innings, during which Auckland persisted with a medium-pace attack, there was more quallity batting from the Plunket

Shield players, Roger Pierce and Jock Edwards. FIGHTING KNOCK Northern needed 213 in 140 minutes against Canterbury, but it also never looked like achieving this task. At one stage in the Canterbury second innings a Northern win looked almost certain. With a spinner, C. Dickeson, bowling well, Canterbury slumped to 65 for six, but it was saved by a fighting 72 in 120 minutes by the No. 8 batsman, R. Newton. The third and final round of matches will be held today and tomorrow 7 at Karori Park.

Scores: Canterbury 247 and 195 (R. Pither 29, R. Newton 72: C. Dickeson 4/48). Northern Districts 230/9 declared (A. Puna 66, W. Lawrie 51, M. Child 23; D. Bracewell 2/41, A. Stimpson 2/60). Auckland 252 (C. Atkinson 85, M. Schraft 34, J. Reid 30, D. Findlay 26; G. Lvnch 3/55, R. Ormiston 2/64, J. Hooper 5/44) and 71/2 (Atkinson 24). Central Districts 309/6 declared and 153/5 declared (G. Edwards 34, R. Pierce 45; G. Troupe 3/45). Otago 246 (P. Facoory 32, D. Dempsey 64, W. K. Lees 77, S. B. Cater 3/73, K. Bitchener 5/18) and 198/8 (V. Brady 30, Dempsey 24. Lees 22, G. Williams 53, B. Cameron 34 not out: Cater 3/54. Bitchener 2/23), Wellington 292/8 declared and 150/5 declared (G. D. Ross 67. B. W. Cederwall 33; S. Boock 4/29).