Years Since Hawke Cup Came South

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31281, 30 January 1967, Page 14

Years Since Hawke Cup Came South

The North Canterbury cricket team arrived at Christchurch Airport soon after noon on Wednesday, on its way home after winning the Hawke Cup from Manawatu. The team was met by the members’ families, supporters, and representatives of the Canterbury Cricket Association and the Canterbury Cricket Supporters’ Club. This is the first time that the Hawke Cup has come south of Nelson since 1913. Southland held the cup then but the system has been changed since. Originally the >cup was between the two champion island minor association teams; now direct challenges are made through elimination games.

The North Canterbury Minor Association was formed only about four years ago, and this was its second direct challenge for the cup. The North Canterbury captain (A. F. Wright) said that the team had outplayed Manawatu in all phases of the game. He said that it had done extremely well considering that seven team members had not previously played in a three-day match. Wright said that the opening bowler, R. C. Merrin, had bowled consistently well for long spells, especially in Manawatu’s first innings. He had received good support from the left-arm swing bowler, W. Wilson. R. Farrant batted capably in North Canterbury’s first innings and in the second solid contributions had been made by the young wicket-

keeper, P. Williams, C. Adams and I. Sail. Batting late in the order on each occasion, A. F. Wright scored 45 and 75 respectively. Although V. T. Pollard and B. W. Yuile had bowled their spinners accurately, the team had managed to play them fairly comfortably, said Wright. The ground and wicket at Palmerston North were the best he had played on, said Wright The manager (Mr R. Bennett) said that the team had played magnificently. It was the thrill of a lifetime to have brought the Hawke Cup home to North Canterbury. He also said that Wright had led the team splendidly and its success had been the result of a great team effort.

The first challenge is likely to come from Nelson. The dates have to be arranged, but the game is likely to be played early in March, at Rangiora.