OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 26 October 1928, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR "TOMMY" KNAPP

WELL-KNOWN CRICKETER Cricketers throughout the district will learn with deep regret of the death of Mr "Tommy" Knapp which occurred last evening. He was a well-known personality in Waimea cricket for many years past, first as player and latterly as umpire ind selector. He had a very dry humour which made any match the friendlier for his presence. Although always badly handicapped through illhea'lth he was always cheerful, and up till a few years ago" a batsman who had always to be reckoned with. He believed the ball was made to be hit and for his size he got a great deal of power behind his strokes especially on the leg side. Possibly his best innings in representative cricket was for Nelson against Manawatu at Palmerston North in 1910. Nelson having travelled for ' two nights, going in on a wet wicket, and suffering from stage fright, were dismissed for 71, to which Manawatu replied with 174. With only a few minutes to go that evening and 105 behind, Knapp and Mead went in with the determination to show that the first innings form was wrong and before stumps were drawn had put up 73 in 40 minutes without loss by brilliant cricket.' Next morning they carried it to 95 of which Knapp claimed 59 and Mead 42. Both these fine batsmen have now passed away. As a result of this fine opening Nelson were enabled to score a splendid win. Mr Knapp's last appearance as umpire in town was in the Australian match against Nelson at the end of last season, and it is strange that the smallest two men on the field in that game (Mr Knapp and Mr Schneider the brilliant little left-hand batsman) should both have died before the next season opened. All matches set down in the Waimea Association's competitions for to-morrow have been postponed out of respect to the memory of "the late Mr Knapp.