Close call for Wellington

Press, 13 January 1987, Page 36

Close call for Wellington

PA Levin Although Central Districts had to concede first innings points to Wellington in their Shell Trophy match at the Levin Domain yesterday, they came close to scoring an outright win in a thrilling finish.

After setting Wellington to score 300 in 63 overs, Central Districts sensed victory when they had eight batsmen back in the pavilion with 24 balls still to be delivered. But Paul Allott and David Molony held out against some tight bowling to see Wellington through to 244 for eight, and to salvage first innings, points for their side.

Wellington’s run chase began after some free scoring by the Central batsmen as they went to 310 for four declared in their second innings. The highlight was a solid 117 from Mark Greatbatch, which took 224 minutes and came off 190 balls. > The former Aucklander, who scored 50 in the first innings, again figured in a good third wicket partnership with Martin Crowe which produced 125 runs. Crowe’s 73 included 10 fours and two huge sixes. Another useful contribution came from lan Smith with a brisk 34 not out which included five boundaries. The most successful of the Wellington bowlers was Gavin Larsen who picked up two, including the valuable wicket of Crowe. The loss of wickets at vital stages probably cost Wellington the outright win although it could be argued that the target set by Crowe was too difficult " The Wellington opener, Bruce Edgar,, a first innings century-maker, became the- first player to be bowled in the three days of the match when he played across the

line from a ball from Gary Robertson and was put for 15 in the seventh over.

Robert Vance had a life off Robertson on seven but was eventually caught behind off Derek Stirling for 26.

Just before tea, Jeremy Coney (12) became another of Stirling’s five victims.

Tim Ritchie raised Wellington’s hopes with a fine innings of 95 which included six boundaries and five sixes, all off the spinner Paul Unwin. Ritchie shared a 54-run sixth wicket partnership with Ervin McSweeney and while they were at the crease, Wellington’s chances of the outright victory looked bright.

CENTRAL DISTRICTS First innings 308/6 dec. Second innings T. Blain run out. ..... . 24 J. Smith c Ritchie b Gray 36 M. Greatbatch not out. .. 117 M. Crowe st McSweeney b .. . Larsen ; . ;.i, ? 73 S. Briasco c Chatfield b Larsen ...... < .16 I. Smith not out 34 Extras (8 lb, 2w). . . . 10 Total (for 4 wkts) 310 Fall: 45, 75, 200, 255. Bowling: P. Allott 19, 4, 70, 0; E. Chatfield 13, 4, 27, 0; D. Molony 13, 3, 37, 0 (2 w); E. Gray 22, 8, 52, 1; A. Jones 9,0, 32, fr, J. Coney 5,2, 7,0; G. Larsen 17, 0, 77, 2. WELLINGTON First innings: 318-3 dec. Second innings B. Edgar b. Robertson... 15 R. Vance c I. Smith. b Stirling 26 A. Jones b Stirling 6 T. Ritchie c Briasco b Unwin. .......... 95 J. Coney c J. Smith b Stirling 12 E. Gray c Crowe b Unwin 11 E. McSweeney c I. Smith b Stirling 40 G. Larsen c I. Smith b Stirling .... . . . . . 10 P. Allott not out 13 D. Molony not out 6 Extras (6 lb, 4w) ... . 10 Total (for 8 wkts) 244 Fail: 35, 46, 49, 74, 125, 179, 222, 230. ■ ■■■: Bowling: G. Robertson 14, 0, 37, 1. D. Stirling 18, 3, 59, 5, C. Crafar 2,0, 11, 0 (1 w), W. Martin 7,1.25, 0, P. Unwin 17,4, 68,2. T. Blain 5,0, 37, 0(3 w).