CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 September 1926, Page 2

CRICKET.

PROMISING OPENING MUCH ENTHUSIASM DISPLAYED Cricket, in the eyes of its devotees, “King of Games,” and. one with a wonderful history and great traditions behind it, finds keen support in every centre practically of the British Empire. It is remarkable how Englishmen going out into far away corners of the globe generally manage to transplant cricket to a greater or less extent, and also- how it has taken hold of the peoples with whom these men from the heart of the Empire have come into official contact. But of this it is certain that it is their ability to relax from the cares and responsibilities of daily work and to take part in games which has enabled them to so influence these peoples of other lands.

The first settlers in this Dominion were of .that type and they brought with them the love of cricket as of other games. And when the hard work incidental to settlement was relaxed to some extent, they turned naturally to the pursuit of some of the games learnt at Home. In Taranaki the cricketers of to-day have to thank the Imperial soldiers, the Armed Constabulary, and the irregular troops for the beginnings of cricket and for laying the foundations on which later generations have built. That applies very specially to South Taranaki in general, and to this immediate district in particular. The early matches were between such teams. Hawera is exceedingly fortunate in having such a wonderful ground as the park on which to play the game, and should daily thank the pioneers who secured these great reserves and the successive public bodies. controlling them, which have shown such a remarkable spirit of support to the later generations of cricketers. Now they are in possession of playing rights over a ground which compares more than favourably with any outside the centres, and when the additional portion is brought into use, there will be a ground of which any city might well be proud. It was therefore very cheering to see on Saturday last such an excellent response to the notice of the opening of the season. It is rare indeed here that so many turn out that an overflow match to be arranged.

Another noticeable feature was the addition to the ranks, of several new men who will materially strengthen the club on the playing field. One could not help but remark on the very fine batting style of Sugden, a player from Wellington whose fine free shots on both sides of the wicket were of the sort that attract the public. They were indeed good to watch. Sugden is also an effective bowler and a good field. . The wicket-keeping of Veale was, too, a feature of the play on Saturday. It is an art that does not appeal to everyone, needing a keen eye and much endurance. to stand up to fast bowling. Veale shaped very well indeed both in this department and in batting. He -will be a valuable help to the team for which he is chosen.

Seager, too, is a useful man and should -prove an all round strength to one of the teams. He shapes well with bat and ball and is a capital field. Back once more in Hawera is a whilom player of some years ago, Treweek, who when he works back to form will also help his team very much. Of last season’s players, the veterans McCarthy and Jennings keen as ever, and younger players Thomas, Lay, Nielsen, Cheevers, Walkley and Crombie, all showed capital form and will still be the backbone of the club’s teams. v A special feature of the day was the number of -catches taken. It does perhaps not read too well, from the batsman’s point of view .to see so many catches given, but it is eminently satisfactory to see that so many were held, and this on an opening day. With that fine sward on which to practise, it is to be hoped that the captains will get their men out at times and -let them indulge in fielding, catching and returning to the wicket. Smart work in those departments is responsible for many a wicket and for keeping down the score in a way, that is equivalent to a tidy score from the bat. All men cannot be first-class batsmen or bowlers, but everyone can by consistent practice be almost as valuable to Heir side as the former. There is, too, a wonderful joy in good fielding and catching, and plenty of it. It is as interesting as any part of the game. Altogether, therefore, .the prospects for the season just opened are bright, and it looks as though play should be good and interesting. There will, unfortunately, be one senior team less than last year, Eltham having decided .that the best it 'can do is to play junior, and this unfortunately will mean probably a bye each week. Still there is a spirit of enthusiasm and keenness which bodes well and is more marked than for a considerable time. It is to be hoped that everyone will do his best to see that this is maintained.