Auckland leads

Press, 2 December 1981, Page 48

Auckland leads

PA Blenheim Wellington failed to accept the opportunity of defeating the top team, Auckland, in the national under-22 cricket tournament at Blenheim yesterday. In a match shortened by rain to 47 overs a side Auckland set the opposition a moderate target of 212. The captain, Anup Nathu, and David Oakley put Wellington well on the way with a second-wicket partnership of 92 in 71 minutes, but once their partnership was broken with the team total at 120 a revival rarely looked likely. The Canterbury-Northern Districts match went the full distance of 36 overs a side with Canterbury falling short of its winning target by just six runs.

The Central DistrictsOtago game was also played right out but when the thirtyeighth and final over was bowled in surprisingly good

light at 7.55 p.m. the South Islanders were still well short of a winning total. With three matches played Auckland leads with 18 points followed by Northern Districts 12. Wellington and Central Districts 9, Canterbury 6 and Otago 0. Scores.—

Auckland 212/6 (R. Aitken 49, T. Franklin 49, P. Bell 40 n.o„ R. Brazendale 40; M. Hayman 4/96, G. Geale 2/45) beat Wellington 160 (A. Nathu 79, D. Oakley 35: Franklin 4/22. I. Fisher 4/46) on the first innings by 52 runs. Northern Districts 189 (S. Doleman 42, D. Beard 42 D. White 37; D. Farrant 3/33. M. Chamberlain 3/65. G. Neilson 2/42) beat Canterbury 184 for nine (R. Latham 84, M. Priest 26; D. Beard 2/ 37, P. Goulin 2/42, White 2/44, S. Wilson 2/54) by five runs on the first innings. Central Districts 200/7 (G. McKenzie 45, J. Smith 41, D. Stirling 25 n. 0., A. Marfell 23; P. Irvine 4/77, J. D'Arcy 2/21) beat Otago 111/6 (N. Muir 39, N. Weightman 22; S. Duff 3/19) on the first innings by 89 runs.