RANGITIKEI FAILS IN HAWKE CUP CRICKET AGAINST MANAWATU

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 December 1947, Page 6

RANGITIKEI FAILS IN HAWKE CUP CRICKET AGAINST MANAWATU

(0.C.) Palmerston N., Dec. 28. With Rangitikei facing a hopeless position at stumps on Saturday, at the end of the second day of play in the group Hawke Cup elimination match against Manawatu at Palmerston North, the two captains by agreement decided to declare the game closed with a win to Manawatu on the first innings. Batting first on Friday, Manawatu compiled 365 runs, and at stumps had taken ot>e Rangitikei wicket for 13 runs. Continuing their strike on Saturday, Rangitikei failed to gain command of the mediocre bowling, and their innings closed after the tea adjournment at 165, just 200 runs behind Manawatu's total. Following on, they lost seven wickets in quick succession for only 64 runs at stumps.

There could be little doubt that had the game continued to-day it would have finished early in the morning with an outright win in Manawatu's favour.

The Rangitikei batsmen displayed unwarranted timidity towards the home side's attack, which relied upon medium to slow bowlers, and at no time packed any aggressive sting. Rangitikei took 302 minutes to make the 165 runs in the first innings. In their second knock, Rangitikei batsmen appeared morally beaten and at no stage took command of the bowling. Chief scorers for Rangitikei in the first innings were P. Marshall with 39, J. Marshall 35, B. Monk 23, and N. Ashenden 20. Bowling for Manawatu, R. Dilks took five wickets X;> 47, and F. Collis two for 37.

In Rangitikei’s second innings P. Marshall reached 15, J. Marshall 15, B. Monk 10, and C. Merritt 8. Collis took two wickets for 18, Miller two for 13, and M. A. Ongley two for 3.