CRICKET.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 77, 14 March 1913, Page 4

CRICKET.

A POPULAR COACH. Hawke’s Bay has been particularly fortunate in having had the services of Mr. J. Board as a professional cricket coach during the last few seasons. Mr. Board is ont here primarily with the object of teaching the High School boys, but luckily he also finds time and opportunity to coach the adult players. The cricketers of the district have felt that Mr. Board has been a really fine “sport” in thus “putting in overlune'’ for nothing and they see also that his tuition has raised the standard of play considerably in Hawke's Bay. It is therefore only natuinl that keen regret should be felt at his departure for the Old Uountrj and he has received tokens of the esteem and regard in which he is held in several places. A week or two ago a number of cricketers assembled at Mr. Hawkin’s residence and after a friendly match made a presentation to Mr. Board in the shape of a pretty silver tobacco box. Last night at Abbots Hall, Napier, a number of representative cricketers entertained their coach and made him a present of a handsome service of plate. Mr. T. Bruce Bear occupied the chair and wellknown players were present from. Hastings and other parts. The. general trend of the speeches made by Messrs. Bear, Smyrk, Macassey, Ashcroft, Massong (Railway Club), and Napier and W. Lane (Hastings) was an expression of regret at Mr. Board’s departure and of the hope that he would return again next, year. Mention was also made of the fine influence Mr. Board exercised with the boys. Mr. Board’s reply to the speeches was brief, but feeling and was received with hearty applause. During the evening many capital songs and recitations were given. Mr. Board is to be entertained also by the Hastings cricketers.

Speaking to a representative of the “Tribune” Mr. Board said he hoped sincerely that players would realise what men like Messrs. E. H. Williams and T. Lowry were doing for cricket in Hawke’s Bay and that all would respond by doing their share towards placing the game on a high standard. Coaching was no good unless players were prepared to show r enthusiasm to make sacrifices for the game. TO-MORROW’S FIXTURES. The following fixtures have been drawn up by the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association for a new series of matches commencing tomorrow First Grade.— -Srindv v. Hastings, at Heretaunga ground ; I nited A United B. Becroation Ground. Second Guide. —Railway v. St. Matthew •• Heretaunga ground ; United v. Tukapa A. and Sciiule B v. High School, at Nelson Park. The following will represent Hastings against Scinde to-morrow: — B<it«, Cato. Rev. Lusk. Baker, Wood. Parkinson. I'aircy, Seed, Glassford. Helt. Napier and Bromley. WELLINGTON YISIT PROBABLE Intimation has been received from the Wellington Cricket Association that efforts are being made to dispatch a representative team .to Ila’v.k ■ B.tv <m either March and 31st or April sth and 7th.