AN EXCITING FINISH

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 14

AN EXCITING FINISH

Strong, fearless hitting, particularly in the last quarter of an hour, won the day for University by the narrowest of margins in a sensational finish "to their match againsi Kilbirnie' at Kilbirnie. Leaving University 151 runs to get in a little more than an hour when they declared at the third wicket in their second innings, Kilbirnie looked'certain enough of securing a five-pointer. But although the first University wicket fell cheaply, the championship leaders received a shock in the form of some remarkable batting before 6.30 p.m. Blandford, who was the hero of the day, was supported steadily by both Connell and Tricklebank.

At 5.25 p.m. University started their second innings. By 6 o'clock there were nearly 80 runs on the board, and the .century took 50.minutes. Blandford had put on 50 of these in 45 minutes and, when things looked promising, he kept on scoring freely. With eight minutes to go University had to produce 30 to win, and in the ensuing three minutes Blandford was twice dropped in the field. The handicap had been reduced to 12 within three mmutes of stumps, and excitement among the spectators was such as is usually seen only in really big cricket. ■ With the last over being bowled there was still 8 runs required. A boundary came, then four byes, and another 2 which clinched the win. The match finished with generous applause for University's brav\-eight-pointer. Some indication of the spec-

tacular butting is given by the boundary figures*—92 runs in 4's. Blandfoi'd hit nine of these, Tricklebank eight, and Connell six. After University finished their first innings there was a continuous dieplay of sparkling batting for the remainder of the afternoon, as Kilbirnie, in their second effort, piled on 54 in short order. The most successful bowler was Parsloe, who took five University wickets in the first innings for 66 runs. There was a debacle at one stage in that innings. The tail wagged sufficiently, however, to avoid 'a follow-on and, as the scores testify, there was no respect for the same bowlers' in the second hit. Ashenden deserves mention ■for securing three wickets for 29 in the first innings 'and Christopherseu for his reliable wicketkeeping. Details:— UNIVERSITY. First Innings. Blandford, b Parsloe £5 Simpson, c Ashenden, b Crook S Connell, b Parsloe 0 Cooper, run out 7 Wilson, c Crook, b Ashenden 41 Tricklebank, c Ashenden, b Parsloe ... 7 Dormer, c Christophersen, b Ashenden 22 Kdgley, b Parsloe 0 Dean, c Christophersen, b Parsloe .. 0 Ryan, c -Handscomb, b Ashenden .... 0 Meek, not out S Extras 17 Total 135 Fall of Wickets.—One for 43, two for 56, three for 83, four for 143, five for 163, six for ICC, seven for IC7, eight for 169, nine for 170, ten for 195. Bowling.—Parsloe took five wickets for 66 runs; Crook, one for 20; Ashendeu, three for 29; Griffiths,.none for 30; Handscomb, none for 12; Morris, none for 12. , Second Innings. v' Simpson, c Christopliersen, b Ashenden 2 Blandford, not out 73 Connell, b Handscomb * ::S Trieklebank, not out 31 Extras : i Total for two wickets 153 Fall'of wickets.—One for 6, two for 88. Bowling.—Wilson took no wickets for 16 runs; Ashenden, one for 49; Crook, none for 19; Griffiths, none for 28; Parsloe, nous for 14; Handscomb, none for 23. KILBIRNIE. First innings 291 Second Innings. Christophersen, c Blandford, b Tricklebank o Wilson, c Dean, b Edgley .. 3U Bilby, st Blandford, b Wilson 8 Handscomb, not out 5 Griffiths, not out 10 Extras l Toal for three wickets (dec.) .. £4 Fall of wickets.—One for 1, two for 10, three for 43. Bowling.—Tricklebank took one wicket for 13 runs; Dean, none for 11; Wilson, one for 25; Edgley, one for 4.