Counter attraction delays action

Press, 25 November 1981, Page 33

Counter attraction delays action

There was a multitude of junior cricket teams in action around the grounds, again, on Saturday morning, but a few were waiting for their opponents after the scheduled starting time. At Sydenham Park. Sydenham in the ’B grade was itching for opposition to arrive to further test its mettle. Jason Flood has performed well with the bat and ball, taking four for 16 in. the previous round and scoring 36 in the same game. Jeremy McEira is a keen player who is starting to bowl well; Paul Lynch has kept wickets excellently, conceding only one bye so far this season; and Paul Britnel made a great batting start in the last round after being promoted from the D grade. Another side waiting for opposition on Saturday was St Albans 1 in the E grade. In this "nursery grade" side. Matthew Sutherland and Jonathan Gowland have stood out for the promise in their batting. Andrew Wyllie and Dean Serra for their bowling, and Andrew Davis in the field.

The counter-attraction of Hay’s Procession seriously affected another E grade match at Hospital Corner. David van der Looy, Hamish Whitta and Nicholas Stagg turned up for St Albans 2; luckily, its opponent. Old Collegians, is a numerically strong side and a worth-while match was arranged. For Collegians, Michael Evans, Andrew Turnbull and Stephen Marshall look as if they will develop well as batsmen while Hamish Taylor, Zak Davie and Andrew Smith are promising bowlers. James Pearse shows early talent as a ’keeper. Jonathan Stewart and Craig Mitchell are keen

to develop the skills needed to take them further in the game. The St Albans A grade side performed well in the last round, scoring 124 for three and having Hoon Hay 63 for seven. St Albans had a century opening partnership. both Dougal Ferguson and Chris Harris retiring in the fifties. Hoon Hay’s best scorer was Brent Holland, with 26 not out. Bowling for St Albans, Jim White, Andrew Hartshorn, Chris Hartshorn and Chris Harris each had a wicket, while David Benbow took two. Merivale-Papanui went into Saturday’s play, against Burn-side-West, unbeaten in the C grade. Well-performed players for Merivale are Shaun Craig’, an all-rounder, Jason Rea, a batsman. and Ryan Young, a bowler. Chris Cotton and David Pocklington are keen and valuable members of the side. For West, Russell Coventry, Mark Coster and Craig Burroes are batting well, Coventry also

performing well with the ball. Coster is rated a highlv promising ’keeper. Murray Clarkson and Paul Fahey are great value in the field. Fahey chipping in with some useful bowling. In the C grade, St Albans met Xavier College in the last round. For St Albans. Warren Holland and Jason Ellmers are bowling well, while Gary Thorman is looking good as a 'keeper. The Liken twins. Craig and Antony, are performing excellently in the field. Aaron Lanyon and Mark Sinclair are batting very well for Xavier, the special practice given them by a retired Marist brother. Brother Benedict, paying off handsomely. Julian Edlin had six for 12 with the ball in the last round and Mark Grose is showing fine application. The St Albans D grade side has promising players, including Stephen Liebert, ah opening batsman. and Derek McKenna, an all-rounder.