Old Boys look set for success

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34012, 28 November 1975, Page 24

Old Boys look set for success

Old Boys were narrow and somewhat fortunate winners of the senior cricket championship last summer. But the team has started so well this season that it has already established a lead of .14 points, and looks likely to go on to a sweeping- success.

On Saturday, however, Old Boys will have one of their hardest tasks. At Hagley Oval, they will meet Lancaster Park, undisputed champion for three seasons before losing the title last summer.

Lancaster Park has had some strange reversals in the last few weeks, but it is still likely to offer Old Boys stern opposition. Its batting has been suspect, but runs must surely come soon from a team which includes Ken Wadsworth, Roy Gearry, David Dempsey, Tony Collins, and Mark Johnston. It is unfortunate that the Canterbury and former New Zealand captain, Bevan Congdon, is not available for this round of matches. He has been batting well, and his bowling will also be missed. A newcomer to the side for this season is Richard Wilson, the Christchurch United'goal-keeper. He made

his senior debut last season,' playing four matches. Wilson is a right-hand batsman.

Old Boys have had steady batting successes, Barry Hadlee, Colin Stevens, John Calder, and Cran Bull all showing fine form. And the Old Boys bowling—the brothers, Richard and Dayle Hadlee, Alan Hounsell, and Chris Marks—has been very impressive.

Here, however, Lancaster Park can probably match the leaders. The steady, heady Wayne Wilson has already taken 18 wickets at only 11 each, Gary Bateman, 16 at 10.4, is one of the most promising seamers, and Kit Chambers, although so far used little, is often a demolishing left-armer. Park also has the veteran Bruce Irving, whose off-spin bowling remains a tremendous asset.

Another match of particular importance is that between Old Collegians and East-Shirley, at Elmwood Park. Old Collegians, who have never won a senior championship, are at present second to Old Boys, and East is 11 points further back in third place. In the other matches, St Albans will meet Sydenham at Sydenham Park and Bumside-West will play Riccarton at Ilam.