Nelson retains Hawke Cup

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 46

Nelson retains Hawke Cup

PA Nelson Nelson came from behind to retain the Hawke Cup with a four-wicket win over Hutt Valley in the Cyclone series cricket match which ended in Nelson yesterday. The Nelson veteran, Colin Aitken, notched the winning runs with a four and the game ended with Nelson on 233 for six wickets. The holder was set 232 runs to win the match after Hutt Valley had scored 172 and 201. Nelson scored 142 in its first innings, its lowest total in 13 Hawke Cup defences. Nelson’s chances of retaining the cup looked rather bleak yesterday morning. It lost its second wicket with the total at 18 when the opener, John Smith, was caught in the slips for three — the other Nelson opener, Brian Schwass, was out for five before stumps on Sunday night. A fighting partnership by Andrew Jones and Wayne Hodgson, however, turned the tide for Nelson. The Central Districts representatives produced 120 runs for the third wicket in a matchwinning stand. Hodgson in particular was in punishing form. He raced to his half century in 62 minutes off 46 balls. He gave the flagging run rate a much needed boost but he was out just before lunch for 88, lbw to Ewen Chatfield for the second time in the match.

Hodgson scored 14 fours and two sixes in his fine innings, which proved to be a match winner in the final analysis. Jones played a solid, sheet anchor role scoring slowly while holding down his end. He shared a 62-run partnership with Richard Hayward after Hodgson’s dismissal. Jones was eventually out for 55, which he scored in about 250 minutes. Hayward batted on and scored 38 before he was caught at mid-off by Wayne Greenstreet.

Scores: Nelson 142 (J. Smith 34; E. Chatfield 8/49) and 233/6 (W. Hodgson 88, A. Jones 55, R. Hayward 38; E. Chatfield 3/76, G. Allen 2/33) beat Hutt Valley 172 (Ni Parata 62, P. Visser 4/46) and 201 (R. Smith 69, B. Smith 54; W. Aberhart 3/26, P. Visser 3/55).