Girls dominate proceedings

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 34

Girls dominate proceedings

Females are not generally regarded as'being the equal of males in the sport of cricket, but at -Hospital Corner last Saturday morning, there were people who had different views on the subject. at least as far as junior cricket is concerned. In a D grade derby between two Lancaster Park teams, five girls Were doing much to dominate the proceedings, and forming the solid core of the Park C side. Andrea Walker and Leanne King are good all-rounders; Walker is mus,ering sharp pace for this level and King had the startling figures recently of five for three. Michelle Howard has also been among the wickets. Heather and Rosalind Rickerby are also showing great promise. Rosalind as a wicketkeeper and Heather as a hardhitting, left-handed bat. The girls' fielding has also been praised by the team’s followers who say they show keenness, concentration and skill in this most important aspect of the game. Not to be outdone, some of the boys are developing well. also, with Greg Sharpe and Neil and Richard Armstrong looking good as all-rounders.

In another D grade match at Hospital Corner on Saturday, Bromley, a new side in the competition this season, were keen to build on their success. In 16 games, the side has lost only three times, and then the results were very close. Simon Little and Samuel Bates have both had hat-tricks with the ball this season, but David Mason and Craig Robson are rated the top bowlers. The captain, Conrad Lilley, is a very sharp catcher close to the bat — he dives for everything, averages four or five catches a week, and had his first last Saturday very early on. Lancaster Park met Sydenham in an A grade match on Saturday and, not uncommonly for this level, there was an almost professional atmosphere evident in the play, with a quiet alertness in the field and sound techniques displayed by bowlers and batsmen.

For Park, newcomers Andrew Hastie. Ben Cowan and Hamish Roberts look promising. Scott Webster stands out for his work in the field while Jeffrey Burt is developing well as an all-roun-der. although he has had a lean trot with the bat despite showing a good technique. In the Sydenham side. Dale Lainchbury has been among the runs and the wickets as has Justin Massie, who had a recent 50 with the bat and six for 18 with the ball.

Quentin Clough, promoted since Christmas, looks promising as the new ’keeper and another promoted player, Jason Flood, has come on so well that he is now opening the bowling. St Albans in the D grade has

several new players who are looking sharp — Andrew Clayton and Nathan Considine as batsmen. Andrew Wylie with his bowling and Matthew Fowke behind the stumps. In the same grade. Old Collegians has Brett Chapman and Simon Templeton, batsmen with a future, and a new player. Simon Tozer, a promising bowler supported by Matthew Donnelly. For St Albans in the B grade, Roger Alabaster, Liam O'Hagan and Greg Davis have shown good form with the bat. Davis also pitching in usefully with the ball. Craig Liken has been a very tenacious batsman. Kerry McKenna. ’ the side’s female player, has taken some fine catches, as has Carl Hois.