Chronicle-1961

2nd December vs. Northlands High School at Kearsney Lost by 4 wickets This was a game where Cricket was at its strangest. The total collapse of the Kearsney 1st innings followed by a similar collapse of the Northlands batsmen in their first innings was inexplicable. The pitch was a little difficult due to all the rain, and the Kearsney boys may have suffered from no practice during the last fortnight due also to the persistent rain, but that cannot be the full explanation. It does not explain the Northlands collapse, nor does it offer any explanation for Hulett's onslaught in the Kearsney 2nd innings. Dyer won the toss and batted, and Kearsney was out before lunch for 42. Only Procter reached double figures with 12. Gavan was a constant danger. His spell of13 overs for 5 wickets wasone ofthe best efforts offast attacking bowling seen at Kearsney for a long time. He wrecked the Kearsney innings,by claiming the wickets of Hulett, Dyer, Procter and Knox, the core of Kearsney batting. At 12.15 the Northlands innings opened, and in the 50 minutes to lunch tbey scored 9 runs. That was the time in which they could have won tbe match, and never been in a position to have to fight not to lose it. After the lunch break the Kearsney bowlers, led by Procter, went right on to the attack. Two very confident appeals for stampings were lodged with 6 wickets down for 28 runs, but they were both dismissed by the umpire, and that gave the Northlands batsmen a little breathing space, and enabled them to add the necessary runs during that partnership for victory. However, their innings was not prolonged and at 59 they were all out. This 59 runs, however, took too long to make,and as a result, there was no possibility ofdeciding the game on a double innings. Still, Kearsney had to bat again, and Hulett with the help of Dyer,and to a lesser extent,ofTodd,showed what might have been. He reached his 50 in 65 minutes,and then, with the possibility ofacentury.Dyer gave him as much bowling as he could. Hulett's century came in 86 minutes. This was his third century ofthe year,and when he had 57,he passed the records set by his two brothers in 1957 and 1959 for the most runs scored in any one year at Kearsney. His innings from 50 to 100 was a fine attacking exhibition, lasting only 21 minutes. The shots were crisp, and timing perfect. Kearsney: 42(Govan 5 for 20, Hilton-Taylor 4 for 21) and 153 for 3 wkts.(Hulett 107,Procter 19*). Northlands: 59(Procter 6 for 25, Leitch 2for 15). 9th December vs. Standard C.C., Pietermaritzburg at Kearsney Won by 89 runs We won the toss and had no hesitation in batting on a very good wicket. The Standard Club had been let down by two players at the last minute,so Messrs. Townshend and Saunders played for the Club side. Kearsney started well,Daniel and Todd adding 42for the first wicket,and from then on the School batsmen were never in trouble. Hulett and Procter batted very weU and received valuable support from Dyer and Knox although the Standard bowling was accurate. The batting remained on top and Dyer declared at 247 for 4. The Standard Club batting started quite well, but from the run-out of Jonathan Lowe after an unfortunate call, it slumped except for that of Mr.R.Dukes wbo compiled a well-earned 53. The bowling on the whole was accurate with the only real penetration by Procter who again had a good game. Kearsney: 247 for 4 decl.(Hulett 70, Procter 55*, Daniel 38, Dyer 31, Todd 17, Knox 14*). Standard C.C.: 158 (Mr. Dukes 53, Mr. Townshend 21, Procter 4for 56,Bigalke 2for 19). 130

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