Park women bowl to win

Press, 22 October 1984, Page 13

Park women bowl to win

The consistency of Lancaster Park’s bowling attack paved the way for its win in the first round of senior women's cricket on Saturday. Lancaster Park, which had dismissed Sydenham for the mediocre score of 98 in the first innings, resumed at 166 for 7 on Saturday, and added just eight runs to the total. But the lead was large enough to make Sydenham cautious in its approach during its second innings. The balance swung further in Park’s favour when Mary Campbell was caught from Rebecca Millichip’s bowling, for the second time, with the team total at two, and Nancy Williams was bowled by Paula Woolhouse with the total on 15. A sensible approach from Kay Wickes (25) and Tonia Watts, who was left not out on 33, restored the situation a little, but the Sydenham supporters must have been disappointed at seeing the last four batsmen fail to score and the side was out for a total of 126. That left Park a chase of 51 for victory. With such a talented top order batting line-up, which included two internationals, Nicky Turner and Debbbie Hockley, the result was hardly in doubt, and the required total was achieved with only the loss of Turner’s wicket. At Porritt Park, Riccarton had played itself in to a seemingly unbeatable position on the first day, but had to be content with only a win on the

first innings against St Albans. St Albans, which was dismissed for 131 in the first innings, was forced to follow on behind Riccarton, and needed to score 130 to make Riccarton bat again. Riccarton’s hopes of an outright win must have increased when Ann McKenna was run out early in the innings, but from that point on, St Albans fought back. The next partnership yielded 37 runs, and the downfall of Kirsty Bond brought Vicki Burtt and Sarah Illingworth together at the batting crease. The skill and ability of Burtt is well known, but Illingworth matched her in both runs and tenacity, and proved particularly strong on the off-side. Burtt's innings of 69 contained nine boundaries; Illingworth scored seven fours in her total of 61, and the partnership pulled St Albans well and truly clear of defeat. The bowling figures of the match belonged to Sue Rattray, who took six wickets for 28 runs with her spinners in St Albans first innings. Scores:— Sydenham 98 and 128 (K. Wickes 25, T. Watts not out 33) lost to Lancaster Park 166 for 7 dec. and 51 for 1 (J. Olson not out 24). Riccarton 261 beat St Albans 131 (B. Legg 47, L. Wilson 22; S. Rattray 6-28, D. Costello 3-48) and 148 for 2 (V. Burtt not out 69, S. Illingworth not out 61) on the first innings.