CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26353, 7 January 1947, Page 6

CRICKET

SHIELD TEAM MATCH AT PALMERSTON NORTH (P.A.) PALMERSTON N., Jan. 6. Jaded and tired after a night spent on the Auckland-Wellington express, the Otago Plunket Shield cricket team were not at the peak of form when they began a two-day game against the Wellington District Minor Cricket Association's team here to-day. The Minor Association’s team includes players from Manawatu, Nelson, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Southern Hawke’s Bay, and Wanganui. Otago lost the toss and had to spend a day in the field. They began well, taking three wickets for 43, but J. A. Ongley, the Wellington representative, in a brilliant captain’s innings, wore down the bowling of Overton, Smith, McDougall, and Duncan, and the remaining batsmen scored freely to make 256 when the innings closed after 324 minutes’ play. Hadlee and Roberts returned direct to Dunedin, and Freeman was left in Auckland, where he was admitted to hospital. To-morrow, Otago will meet the bowling of Cave and Downes, who will probably form the backbone of Wellington’s attack against Otago in the next Plunket Shield match to be played at Dunedin at the end of January. The top scorers for Minor Associations were Ongley 46, Collis (Manawatu) 46, T. P. Reaney (Hawke’s Bay) 38, and J. D. Ridland (Taranaki) 43,