Match 7 - Southern Districts

REDS HAGGARD AT HAGLEY, HADLEE'S HOME HAUNT

Sunday April 12

After a sleepless night in his skins worrying whether to go heads or tails, skipper Blair 'Blobbsy' Hobbs called correctly and had no hesitation sending Southern Districts in at beautiful Hagley Oval, former home ground of Richard Hadlee and Shane Bond. 'Cletus' Palin struck early to remove left-hander O'Loughlin, easily caught at second slip by Scotland. 'Prince' Harry Martin followed by bowling SDCC skipper Quinn to have the home side in mild bother at 2-14. A quickfire 64 run stand righted SDCC's innings before opener Van Zanten chased a wide one from Scotland and was brilliantly caught by Lucas at slip diving full-length to his left - the catch of the tour. But this brought SDCC's two senior batsmen Knight and Billingsley together, and they produced a superb run-a-ball stand of 118 before Billingsley holed out in the deep off Hobbs trying to bring up his century with a six. Once again, an attack of the dropsies didn't help Reds' cause, the main victim being 'Postie' Powell, whose offies should have had 5-48 not 0-48. Blobbs also bowled a very tidy line and length after conceding 32 in his first four overs to finish with 2-49. Knight was eventually caught on the boundary on the second last ball of the innings for a punishing 114 to give 'Uncle' Geoff Boyes a deserved wicket - but 42 runs conceded in the last three overs gave Reds a formidable 296 to chase.

The pursuit began well with Scotland and Kahn adding 64 in the first 17 overs, Scotland cutting savagely over point numerous times. The advent of Knight saw Kahn miscue a pull to midwicket and Blobbs follow soon after clean-bowled. Scotland continued to rampage at the other end, driving over mid-on, and Powell played some brilliant shots, the best being a sweep for four off medium pacer McCloud. But when McCloud jagged one back to bowl Scotland and Powell hit a fieldsman-seeking missile to mid-wicket from fellow-offie Billingsley, Reds were a precarious 4-133 from 33. Another three wickets fell in quick succession, the most painful being Rob Johnson, whose LBW went close to breaking his toe. At 7-146, the game was gone, but HRH Prince Harry of Martin, Sir Richard of Lovett, 'Cletus' of the Ozarks and S. Undries - far and away the player of the tour - all helped restore some respectability by adding 1-46 in the last ten overs. HRH's dismay at being bowled was relieved, or possibly deepened, when his dad 'Pete the Pom' arrived from England to catch the last half of his knock. 

Match: Reds XI vs Southern Districts CC
Date: Saturday April 11
Venue: Hagley Park, Christchurch
Toss: Reds
Weather: Fine, sunny, 20 degrees
Pitch: Slow
Players of the match: J. Knight (Southern Districts) J. Scotland (Reds)