Cricket

Northland Age, Volume 28, Issue 66, 12 September 1928, Page 6

Cricket

By J. M. E>

Football finals have been played; the days are getting longer (and wetter); some districts have had their cricket meetings, so now although we’re not to have the benefit this season that“Sidey” bestowed upon us during last, I modestly suggest that our Mangonui County “opens” very soon.

Reviewing last season all will agree that the club competition ultimately won by “Son” Wrathall & Co., was a much better "go” than the most optimistic anticipated when the Association delegates held their Annual Meeting. The return to the crease of our friends over the saddle —Herekino and Broadwood were largely responsible for that.

The Dargaville Shield match v Rodney at Matakana was according to results a very one-sided affair, yet it required only the luck of cricket to have been reversed and veteran L.J. would have been still smiling his best; as it was he was’nt downhearted. It was most unfortunate that the “next XI” match Rodney v our local Association as arranged at Matakana did’nt eventuate, and whilst agreeing with those who maintained that fixture should have been a junior match, as the former was decided upon it was rather unfair to those who arranged the contest that some of our players said they would’nt participate, for in my opinion had Rodney fulfilled their promise (and they tried to) it would have been the means of restoring some ot the prestige that may have been lost at Matakana.

At Easter, North Auckland made a very creditable show against Mr Beal’s team at Eden Park. We had four reps in that team and a wicket keeper was wanted but owing to too short notice neither of ours could make the trip. Shortly after Easter 1 had the good fortune to have a lengthy interview with Mr Beal and several of his colleagues, and I want to impress upon the cricketers of this county that Mr Beal is bringing a team North at Christmas and a tough proposition it will be. So far as we are concerned it will mean at least a county rep match and one v say 15 colts, and represented in a couple of North Auckland elevens on a central ground. If the travelling team can spare time I hope to see two more Mangonui games included in their itinerary.

But for now let’s be up and doing. It is very gratifying to report a wave of enthusiasm among the younger players and it appears that it will be an easy matter to run a junior or B grade competition. May I suggest that Mangonui and Peria combined; Victoria Valley and Fairburn districts; Kaitaia and Awanui and Broadwood and Herekino combined each enter senior and junior teams. This would mean four teams in each competition and with the Northern contingent on the warpath local knights of the willow will be kept moving until Christmas. When we send a team to bring back the Dargaville Shield this summer I suggest that both Whangarei and Northern Wairoa also be played on the tour, and the time is ripe for taking two teams so that our B players would also be wearing rep colours. With such bright prospects it will be advisable to hold our Annual Association meeting earlier than usual this year so in

the interest of the best of all summer glints, clubs should meet in the near future, and see that everything is putin order to ensure a pleasant and successful cricket season.