CONSISTENT RUNS FROM DARLINGTON

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 98, 17 December 1970, Page 9

CONSISTENT RUNS FROM DARLINGTON

College Old Boys captain John Darlington leads by example A splendid fieldsman, handy off-spin bowler and sound opening batsman Darlington is a source of inspiration to his relatively young team. And his batting to date has been a model of consistency. Darlington opened the season with a half-century against Taupo, failed next time up against Wanderers, got runs at representative level for Taupo at Tauranga, resumed club play with a halfcentury and 32 against College, and last week was 45 not out in a team total of 73 for two chasing Taupo 's 208 for four declared. Darlington and his overnight partner, G. Pearse, hold the key to the result of the game. Taupo desperately needs outright points to stay close to competition leader, Wanderers, which appears to hold the whip hand over College in the other game. * * * Newcomer Terry Cullen, a forceful left-hander, is giving opposing bowlers a lot of stick. His stroke play for Taupo against College Old Boys on Saturday produced 69 personal runs and an opening partnership, with Paul Vivian (72) of 101. Cullen has amassed 170 runs at an average of 56.6 and a lot more boundaries are anticipated from him as the season proceeds. He also bowls medium pace and is a sound fieldsman. * * * Wanderers captain Dave Hunt lifted his aggregate to 258 runs and average to 86 with his second successive century in the club game against College last Saturday. Without Hunt's effort Wanderers would have been in

serious trouble. The innings total was 210. Ray Williams, with another consistent score to his credit, is averaging 55.5. * * * Improved playing conditions are giving batsmen some superiority over the ball to date this season, and the astounding bowling figures of recent years are notable through their absence. Last weekend, for instance, 546 runs were scored in the two domestic club games for the loss of only 19 wickets. At the Kaimanawa Reserve over 280 runs were notched in even time while at the College 265 runs were on the board at an only slightly slower pace. * * * College Old Boys, and the Taupo Colts representative team, are missing the accuracy and speed of opening bowler Neville Cambie. He suffered a leg injury in College 's second innings two weeks ago and will be out of action until after the Christmas break. His absence was most sorely felt at club and representative levels last weekend, when

opposing batsmen ran up big scores. * * * Mark Carlton assured himself of a place in future Taupo Colts rep teams with a splendid knock for 36 against Tauranga last Saturday. A late selection Mark batted No. 9 and played a leading part in piloting his team past the follow on mark, He is a good fieldsman and with his batting already showing considerable maturity he should become an important member of the College side. *** Russell Williamson, recognised as College's leading new ball bowler, shone in a differ-

ent light against Wanderers last weekend. With brothers John, out to a bad shot at five, Brett,

caught at slip at 14, and Fred Rewa dismissed one run later, Russell joined Bill Gardner and together they carried the total to 55 for three at stumps in reply to Wanderers 210. Russell struck six fours in his unbeaten 28, Mike West and Warwick Davey, Wanderers best bowlers, could be back in the firing line, however, and if they take the field outright victory is probable. * * * Taupo batsman Gary Smith is enjoying a successful season with the bat An unbeaten 25 against College Old Boys lifted his aggregate to 122 and his average to a neat 60. The club boasts certainly the strongest line-up in the competition, with recognised batsmen down as far as No. 8. But with spinner Roger Simons unavailable for the time being the side's bowling strength rests with medium pacers who, on good wickets, are not as lethal as they used to be here in Taupo. * * * Club cricket will take a vacation until January 9 when the second series of games in the second championship round will commence. On January 14 the Taupo representative team will meet a touring young, New South Wales, Country side.