FEILDING’S CRICKET FESTIVAL

Manawatu Times, Volume XLXI, Issue 3480, 14 December 1926, Page 3

FEILDING’S CRICKET FESTIVAL

It is customary in the Old Country, for some at least of the first-class county teams to hold a special carnival or festival week, when the home team arranges to have particularly attractive visitors on the County ground. Thus Canterbury Week, and the Taunton Festival are renowned. Throughout New Zealand, no town, large or small, approaches so nearly to this desirable state of affairs as does Feilding. It is becoming the regular thing for the local Association to entertain visiting team s about Christmas time. Sometimes it is an Auckland team, sometimes a team from Wellington. This Christmas an exceptionally attractive cricket programme has been arranged, and local followers of the good old game arc assured of a very special Christmas treat. There will certainly be two, and probably three, one day matches on Kowhai Park between Christmas ana New Year. On Wednesday, December 29th, the N.Z. Nomads commence an extensive tour with a match here. The next day a team of seniors and colts representing the Hutt Cricket Club also commence a tour of this coast with a one-day match In Feilding. The Hutt team is at present one of the leading teams in the Wellington competition, and it is, possible that some of the tourists will bo In the running for a place in the New Zealand team that is shortly to tour England. The Nomads, too, are sure to be a strong combination, with players gleaned from various districts.

Then on Saturday, New Tear’s Day, it is almost certain that a team of Wanganui Juniors will be in Foilding, when a team of local Colts will be matched against them. Wanganui Juniors are somewhat too strong for our B grade players, and It is proposed to select the best of the B. grade and (ill up the team with young and promising Colts from the A, grade.

At the fortnightly meeting of the Management Committee held on Friday last, Dr. Salmond was appointed captain and selector of the teams for the first two matches, and G. Y Wild was appointed similarly for the Colts team. Players who arc available for those matches should advise these selectors accordingly. All players arc eligible for place in the teams against Nomads and Hutt; but only young follows are required for the match against Wanganui. If the Borough Council permits, it is proposed to charge one shilling admission to each of these matches, ladies and children free. A Peilding Cricket Festival season ticket may however be purchased for the sum ot two shillings, which will admit the holder to all three matches.