Return no surprise

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 42

Return no surprise

The leading wickettaker in the Canterbury first grade cricket competition last summer, Garry Hooper, said yesterday that his return this season to East Christ-church-Shirley from Marist was always intended. "I was only originally going to Marist for two years, but I spent three with the club. My first season with the club was in second grade, but when Marist was placed in seniors for a two-year trial period I was committed to staying with it,” he said. Hooper, who took 74

wickets last season with his medium-paced deliveries at the second best average (13.3), captained Marist to win the first grade pennant in its first season and again led the team to second place last summer. He said yesterday that Marist knew from the start of his intentions to return to East-Shirley. ‘T’ve always had close ties with Marist and Shirley, but it is basically because of the proximity of Shirley to where I’m living that I’m back with East-Shirley.

“I feel I’ve lived most of my life at Burwood Park,” said Hooper, who also played for the Shirley Rugby Football Club this season instead of Marist. The fiercely competitive and determined Hooper, who played nine seasons with the EastShirley first grade team before lending a hand at Marist, said he had enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Marist. “I’ve left behind a happy, well oiled club which has set high stand-' ards and is maintaining them.”