THE HAWKE CUP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 76, 25 February 1930, Page 2

THE HAWKE CUP.

SOUTHLAND v. MANAWATU. KEEN BATTLE EXPECTED. Manawatu will be required to meet the fourth challenge for the Hawke Cup for the present season when Southland take the field at the Sportsground to-morrow. With probably but another game to play prior to the termination of the present season, Manawatu are naturally hoping that they will prove capable of retaining possession of the trophy yet another year. However, there is every indication that in Southland they will be meeting a strong opposition and spectators should be treated to a close and exciting contest. It was Southland’s good fortune to be the first holders' of the Hawke Cup away back in 1910 when it was first offered for competition by Lord Hawke, and they retained it till the 1912-13 season when the trophy came north in the possession of South Auckland. Since that year Wanganui, Poverty Bay, Wat-rarapa,-ltangitikei. Nelson and Taranaki had held it for varying periods prior to Manawatu wresting possession from Wanganui in 1927-28 season and the local representatives have been successful in frustrating the efforts of the challenging associations since. In the three matches in which Manawatu have been required to participate in the series this season the holders have scored a total of 1035 for the loss of 47 wickets as compared with 871 runs for the loss of 60 wickets by the. challengers, the respective average running getting powers being: Manawatu, 22.04 runs per wicket; challengers, 14.51 runs per wicket. Based on their showing against the M.C.C. team, Southland promise to prove worthy opponents, for the southerners did better than the majority of the minor associations of the Dominion. Manawatu, on the other hand, fared disastrously; indeed, it was plainly evident that the occasion had proved too great for them. However, Saturday saw some big scoring returns forthcoming and the eleven which has been selected to do duty for the holders to-morrow will no doubt meet with general satisfaction. Tomorrow’s meeting carries with it unusual interest for it was in the 1927 winter season that Manawhenua held the Ranfurly Shield and then Manawatu won the Hawke Cup in the 192728 cricket season. Southland won the former trophy from Wairarapa last winter and it would be a coincidence should they likewise capture the premiership among minor cricket associations in the following season. Southland is also the present home of the ladies’ hockey shield and it would be a feather in the cap of the southerners should they possess all three trophies in one year. MANAWATU TEAM. J. Greig is definitely not available for the Hawke Cup match against Southland to-morrow, while Me Vicar will probably not be able to secure the necessary leave. Should the veteran, who has not missed a Hawke Cup match since Manawatu secured the trophy, be unable to play, the twelfth man, Cutler, will probably take his place. A bowler with some pace will be chosen to replace Greig, and McDonald, of Feilding, is considered to be a strong contender for the position. The defection of McVicar and Greig, coupled with the absence of Diederich, leaves Manawatu with only one of its regular bowlers, Gallichan. WAIRARAPA' ANXIOUS FOR GAME. MASTERTON, Feb. 24. There is some disappointment among Wairarapa cricketers in that it does not seem likely that there will be a match for them against Manawatu for the Hawke Cup. Southern Hawke’s Bay forfeited their match with Wairarapa in the elimination round, and Wairarapa challenged Manawatu on November 20. The Wanganui-Ranjjitikei match was not played until December, when B-angi-tikei won their elimination round and sent in a challenge for the cup. As the Wairarapa challenge was in first it is considered here that Wairarapa should have priority over Rangitikei.