Central leads cricket after two rounds

Press, 6 December 1979, Page 40

Central leads cricket after two rounds

PA Wellington Three outright decisions came in the Rothmans under-23 cricket tournament at Karori Park, Wellington, yesterday, and at the end of the day Central Districts had an eight points lead after two rounds. A first session continuation of good batting by ; Wellington’s Bruce Edgar and Richard Reid, and later a tasty charge for runs by Peter Bowers, gave the capital’s side a late win. Carrying on from his unbeaten 100 overnight, Edgar went on to 135 not out, supported by Reid’s progression from 81 to 103. With a healthy 296 for three declared, iWellington forged itself into | a strong position over ‘Northern Districts. But when Northern, after ■losing four early wickets, i got back into the game with a century to the captain. Barry Cooper, there were many beginning to rue the lack of penetration in the local attack. Cooper was given the luxury of pounding 50 off two I of David McEwan’s overs, I racing to his hundred in 106 1 minutes, as Wellington appeared to buy, with a fast ; increasing inflation rate, a i declaration. i It was Reid to the rescue i however, this time with some rather friendly spin|ners, and he took five late I wickets for 23 and left Weljlington with a dubious chase of 150 in 20 overs and a few i minutes. I Thanks to Bowers’ lusty (hitting and Edgar’s trusty (placement, the side faltered, (but got there by five sweating wickets. Central had an easier ride, ( after Canterbury went On from its overnight 100 for seven to 131, and was then asked to follow on. In spite of Vaughan Brown’s 77 in 139 minutes,

i Ray Jones’ 53 and Mark , Chamberlain’s unbeaten 34, ’ Canterbury could only mus- ’ ter 232 second time round, L and left the compact Central (■ side seeking only 78 to win I with time of little import- . ance. Again the opener lan Smith batted well with eight , boundaries in his 40 and he . steered the side to its seven- . wicket victory. CENTRAL DISTRICTS ' i First innings 286/8 declared Second innings I. Smith lbw b Cummins 4ft C. Jayasingha lbw b Cummins ■ TW. Hodgson not out Ift ■ M. Toynbee b Cummins 2 , E. McSweeney not out 14 i Extras 4 Total (tor three wickets) 78 i Bowling.—G. Cummins. 10. 2, . 20. 3; Al. Chamberlain, 3 0 . 27, ■0; A. Xuttal, 8,3, 15 0, S. (Bateman, t. 0,0, 0: P. Rattray, ■.0.5. 0, 3. 0. CANTERBURY 1 ! First innings 131 1 Second innings IR. Jones c Jones b Robert- , son S» "|R. Deans e Briasco b Robert--1 son 4 » P. Rattray c Smith b Robertson .. ft |V. Brown b Toynbee . 77 ’ (R. Latham c Smith b Robert- ) son 4 S. Bateman e Aberhart b '. Robertson a ’ R. Leggat c Aberhart b Toynbee .12 [; j At. Chamberlain not out 34 ■ A. Nuttal c Jones b Jones 14 I G. Gordon lbw b Robertson I G. Cummins c Smith b Jones ft > I Extras is 'j Total 232 Bowling.—G. Robertson, 18, ft, ; 84, 6; R. Thomas, 13. 6, 23, 2; IW Aberhart. 9. 2 33. J; M. . Toynbee. 16. 3, 45. 2; A Jones ! 21.4. 6, 46, 2. H Outright win to Central Districts. Points at end of round two: Central Districts 35, Otago 27, ' Wellington 27. Canterbury 21, Auckland 15, Northern Districts 12. Otago 278 and 53/2 beat Auckland 61 and 269 (M. Crowe 38, P Horne 72, A Hunt 51; P, . Hills 3/63, D. Walker 3/59, J. Bracewell 4/841. Wellington 296/3 dec. and 152/5 I (B. Edgar 34. P. Bowers 78; B. Cooper 3/29i beat Northern Dis- . tricts 151 and 294 <B. Mclntosh. 1 88 D. White 47, Cooper 119; R. Reid 5/23).