Date-stamped : 20 Jan97 - 06:21 20 January 1997 Revitalised Burnside Finishes On Top Burnside-West University completed its remarkable revival in the Trust Bank Cup when it finished tied at the top with Sydenham after the preliminary rounds of the one-day club cricket competition. Burnside and Sydenham were level on points going into the final round on Saturday, but rained forced the abandonment of their game at Sydenham Park leaving both sides to settle for one point. A calculator will be required this week to decide who has the superior net run-rate and therefore the home advantage for next month's major semi-final. Only one result was possible on Saturday following another rain-affected round. Burnside failed to win a game in October, but with captain and off-spinner Hamish Kember in top form it is in a position to make its fourth successive Cup final appearance. The winner of the Burnside-Sydenham clash goes directly into the March final with the loser granted a second life. The beaten side plays the winner of the semi-final between defending Cup champion East Shirley and Riccarton. Kember, who has taken 17 cup wickets at 10 runs apiece, said the return of the previously unavailable Gerald Barrett and Adrian McFedries and the injured Mark Hastings has been vital to its resurgence. However, Kember is still not entirely happy with his side's performances. "If we are going to go all the way this year we are going to need a more concentrated team effort. We can't keep relying on one player, whoever it might be." Kember said a "more aggressive" approach with his off-spinners had played a significant part in his success. "In the past if I got hit for four, I would dart the next one back in there. But now I'm prepared to toss another ball up there and invite another big shot. "I'm also turning the ball more than I used to. I think the slightly wetter weather we've had has helped my cause." The only game to finish in a result on Saturday was at Burwood Park where East Christchurch-Shirley beat St Albans on a countback. East struggled through to 142 for nine. St Albans lost early wickets and by the 30-over mark, which constitutes a game, it had plummeted to 72 for eight. Veteran off-spinner Tony Gray snared three St Albans wickets and took a magnificent diving catch to dismiss Greg Olliver. Rain set in before the 31st over could be started, forcing players from the field. Points were shared in the other four games. Sydenham and Woolston were the big losers because of the rain. They had Burnside and High School Old Boys in trouble, respectively. The other games between Marist and Old Collegians, and Lancaster Park and Riccarton, were evenly poised. Final points: Burnside-West and Sydenham 13, East Shirley 12, Riccarton 10, St Albans, Old Collegians and HSOB all 9, Lancaster Park 7, Woolston WMC 5, Marist 3. Scoreboards: East Christchurch Shirley 142-9 (S Pawson 41, S Murphy 3-12) beat St Albans 72-8 (T Gray 3-23) on a countback. Sydenham 208-9 (M Houben 57, C McGillivray 39, M Richards 32, C Ogilvie 4-42) drew with Burnside-West University 43-3. Woolston WMC 145 (D Jemmett 39, R Mitchell 32) drew with HSOB 78-6. Marist 209 (S McCloy 81, M Hudson 4-48, W Wisneski 3-31) drew with Old Collegians 41-2. Lancaster Park 183 (M Lane 39, C Tolley 35, G Stead 5-28) drew with Riccarton 71-3. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)