A DRAWN GAME.

Wairarapa Age, 8 March 1927, Page 5

A DRAWN GAME.

CANTERBURY V. MELBOURNE.

VISITORS AVERT DEFEAT.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 7. In the last two hours’ play yesterday, Canterbury had the Melbourne men fighting for their lives to avert defeat. After Canterbury had made 253 for eight wickets they declared the innings closed and ,avc the visitors a sporting ehanee of making the runs required (250) in two hours seventeen minutes. The Victorians started off briskly. When they lost, two 1 of their best batsmen early, they set about playing for a draw. After this Merritt bowled three mon in quick succession, and an hour’s play saw five wickets down for 39 with still an hour and a quarter to go. Then Hansford joined Onyons and they played a rock game until all danger of defeat was past, whez they opened out somewhat. At closing time they were still together, and the total was 105. A drawn game, in which Canterbury had by no means the worst of the encounter was the result. The scores were as follow:—

Canterbury.—First innings, 316. Second innings, Hamilton, b Armstrong, 23; Gregory, e Jewell, b Ebeling, 39;, Page, l.b.w. b Armstrong, 0; Nixon, c. Jewell, b Hendry, 32; Roberts, e and b Armstrong, 71; Patrick, 1.b.w., b Ebeling, 20; Boon, c Hendry, b Armstrong, 2; Evans, b Ebeling, 13; Read, not out 29; Merritt, not out,. 1; extras, 7; total for eight wickets (declared) 253. Bowling analysis: Ebeling 3/63, Hendry 1/45, Armstrong 4/99, R. C. Johnston 0/5, Sandford 0/17, Ransford 0/16.

Melbourne.—First innings, 350. Second innigs: Hendry, c Hamilton, b Cunningham, 3; Sandford, b Read, 13; Onyons, not out, 37; Johnston, b Merritt, 3; Jewell, b Merritt, 4; Rogerson, b Merritt, 3; Ransford, not out 30; extras, 12; total for five wickets, 105. Bowling analysis: Rend 1/14, Cunningham 1/16, Merritt 3/3, Nixon 0/18, Evans 0/16.—(P.A.).