South Canterbury held a lead over North Otago of 23 runs on the first innings, with one wicket in hand, when the first day's play in the first Richards Trophy cricket match, at Oamaru, concluded yesterday. South Canterbury must win outright to wrest the trophy from North Otago, the holder.
North Otago was dismissed at 3 p.m. for 165 runs and at stumps South Canterbury, maintaining a good rate of scoring, had knocked up 188 runs for nine wickets in reply.
G. Parker, R. Gourley, S. Dick and M. Sandri were the most impressive North Otago batsmen and R. Pile and G. Austin, although not getting among the runs, both shaped promisingly.
N. Dellow worked up a bit of pace and, particularly after lunch bowled very well.
R. Bowden top-scored for South Canterbury with a soundly-compiled 55 but M. Jack proved himself the visitors most complete batsmen with an entertaining 33. W. Nutsford (25), F. Luke (25) and Jack all appeared to justify a higher position in the batting order. These batsmen, along with Bowden, were responsible for taking South Canterbury's total from five for 76 past North Otago's 165.
The best North Otago bowlers were the outstanding young third grade players, A. Kelman and M. Sandri, both medium-paced men. Kelman has an easy action and bowled really well to take three wickets. Sandri secured two wickets but was bowled into the wind too long.
Messrs F. Jones (Oamaru) and N. Johnson (Otekaike) are the umpires.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Richards Trophy -
South Canterbury vs North Otago at Waitaki BHS, Oamaru
North Otago 165 ( G. Parker 46, R. Gourlay 23, M. Dick 22, M.F. Sandri 14no, I.T. Geddes 12, Dellow 6-50, Williams 2-30 ) & 219 ( R. Gourlay 49, G. Parker 35, I.T. Geddes 34, R.W. Pile 27, M. Dick 20, S. Pheloung 17, M.F. Sandri 14, Phillips 4-24, Dellow 3-57, Bigger 2-50 )
South Canterbury 193 ( R. Bowden 55, M. Jack 33, W. Nutsford 25, F. Luke 25, R. Phillips 19, A. Kelman 3-43, R. Gourlay 2-5, G.K. Austin 2-18, M.F. Sandri 2-47 ) & 119-8 ( R. Phillips 33, M. Jack 25no, W. McDonald 24, L. Walker 15, G.K. Austin 4-34, A. Kelman 2-12 )
First innings win to North Otago
Full scorecard for the match