CRICKET.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 102, 15 April 1912, Page 2

CRICKET.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir. —An account of the match played last Friday on Cornwall Park bptween two teams representing the Hastings Cricket Club and the Hastings District Cricket Association, has been eagerly looked for in the columns of your paper by a host of supporters. Regarding the criticism that appeared in Wedensday’s issue no mention is made as to the unusually large audience who watched the match from start to finish, the largest crowd, it is said, who have visited the Park this season to view a cricket match. As an interested spectator on that occasion, I am convinced that the attendance of visitors totalled fully 300 persons —a fact that clearly shews the strength of_a growing popularity of the Hastings District Cricket Association. The splendid form exhibited by the District team in the first innings tvas freely discussed by the onlookers, and has since the match been the cause of many congratulations. The team presented a startling surprise by remarkably good fielding and bowling, taking into consideration the short time during which the Association has been m existence an the raw material from which theplayers have been drawn. A remark, re the bowling of Brooker, is not just, for had he deliberately thrown the ball repeatedly, as stated by your critic, it is certain that he (Brooker) would har e often been noballed by the umpire (Mr. Mullinger), whose fairness is beyond dispute. The District players are so distinctly- criticised that one cannot help but conclude that such criticism is all against the one team—the Hastings District Cricket Association. Then your critic is not satisfied with the decision of one of the umpires regarding G. Reeves being given out l.b.w. In fact, he states that such a decision was not correct. Now, is that fair to an umpire who kindly gave his services to judge the game without fear or favour ? I say it is not. The umpire in question (Mr. C. Clarke) has only had an experience of about 30 years, at cricket, and if your critic wotdd show a little less severity it is quite possible Mr. Clarke would be prepared to accept any points or corrections your critic should care to bestow. Thanking you for your indulgence,—l am, etc., E. ROBERTS. Tomoana, April Hth. 1912. [The publication of this letter has been delayed owing to the Postal Department carrying it on to Ashhurst.—Ed. H.B.T.J