A SKIPPER'S REWARD

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 244, 14 October 1944, Page 3 (Supplement)

A SKIPPER'S REWARD

Dickson Medal For Sportsmanship To H. Hunt, of North Shore League Team

TWO highlights of a long League career will stand out in the 1 memory of the North Shore captain, H. H. Hunt, When_his playing days are over. One will be the captaining of the 1941 club champion side, and the other the award this year of the Dickson Medal as the best all-round club man of the 1944 season at Carlaw Park. «

Hunt has been connected with North Shore since 1926, when he was in his 'teens. After captaining the Shore senior reserve thirteen which took the championship of that grade at its inception, Hunt, who had previously been a junior representative, won a place in the champion Shore senior team of 1932 ana 1933, holding his place in the pack over the succeeding years, in whicn Shore was several times close to the season's honours but was each time thwarted in the end. He retired from League in 1939, having a season at Soccer, but rejoined the League club when active service claimed players. During the 1941 season Verdun Scott left for overseas, and Hunt took over the captaincy from him, having the pleasure of seeing the club againi win the championship. .He led the North Shore-Marist combination the following season, this side reaching the final of the'Roope Rooster but going down to Richmond. A front row forward, Hunt won representative honours last season against South Auckland. During the summer he keeps wicket for R.V. in the Crty and Suburban senior competition at tne Domain, and intends playing again this season. Nearly 15 years ago he represented Auckland behind the stumps in four Plunket Shield matches, having a spectacular debut when he caught, both Wellington opening batsmen in March, 1930, at Basin Reserve. Hunt also toured the fouth with Auckland the following season. As a cricketer he .was coached by the Sussex professional EH Bowley, and was wicket-keeper for Y.M.C.A. for three years before transferring to Ponsonby, with which club he stayed until he decided to play .in the City and Suburban comPe The captain's keenness lias had much to do with North Shore s improvement in recent matches at cSwPark. season Shore had only middling success, and this was the case for most of this year, the telm occupying a relatively low position in the championship. Ihe Roope Rooster knock-out has been different, Shore defeating Richmond Manukaii and Newton in good style to qualify for the final with PonS °lJ y " recent matches Shore has moulded an improved team, witn backs of quality. Outstanding have been McArthur (half-back), Claike (five-eighth) and Cave (centre threeauarter), the latter two being returned men, while the team secured new wingers in A. Read and S. H. Short. Shore's pack has always been good, and a recent addition is a. Graham, back from a : period of service overseas. Forwards now playing for Shore who were in.thel94l champion team include Hunt, i. Fields, J. Rutherford and Graham while the backs are McArthur and Clarke.