DEATH OF L. C. EASTMAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24613, 22 May 1941, Page 4

DEATH OF L. C. EASTMAN

Cricketers in Otago will have heard with deep regret that L. C. Eastman, the well-known Essex cricketer, has died at the age of 44 from an illness arising out of his service as an air raid warden. Eastman was one of the several who have been brought here from time to time by the Otago Cricket Association to act as coach, and his services extended over the 1927-28 and 1928-29 seasons. While he was not notably successful as a player, one reason for which was a series of injuries, he did impress as a very useful all-round cricketer, and, if he achieved no substantial results as a coach, that was not altogether his own fault. He began his first representative season for Otago well with a score of 59 against Auckland, and improved on this with 38 and 91 against Canterbury, against whom he also took five for 78 in the

first innings. He had little success as a bowler in the next season, but his scores of 88 and 67 against Wellington were valuable efforts. Unfortunately frorp an Otago point of view, his successes were all achieved away from home. Since he began his career for Essex in 1920 he had given the county consistently valuable service, making well over 10,000 runs and taking close on 1000 wickets. Even in 1939, the last full season in England and probably Eastman’s last in any case, he finished fourth in the batting averages. He was rewarded for his services, with a benefit match, the receipts from which amounted to nearly £6OO. Eastman fought in the last war, and it is a tragic circumstance that he should have lost his life on the “ home front ’’ at a time when he would normally have been settling down to enjoy the pleasant existence that is the lot of most professional cricketers who are as popular as he was. Turning Out Again One of the best-known Otago distance runners of recent years, E. C. Brown, has been transferred to Christchurch from a Public Works camp in North Canterbury, and is turning out again this winter after a fairly lengthy absence from harrier running. He will be running for the Christchurch Harrier Club, and will be a big asset to winter athletics in the northern centre. Brown was the holder of the New Zealand 10 miles record until this was broken by another Civil Service runner. A. R. Geddes. He also represented Otago in the national crosscountry championships for several years, and won the first marathon race held in New Zealand. Other successes of this outstanding runner are too numerous to mention. Good Forwards E. Treweek, R. J. McDonald, and J. Agnew were the best of the Alhambra forwards on Saturday, Treweek is the loose forward in the pack, and although he figured prominently in most of the loose play, he was not afraid to do his share in the tight when the occasion demanded. A noticeable feature of his play was the manner in which he shielded his half-back from the Union fast-breaking forwards. The Union pack has in the past few seasons adopted the bustling tactics of breaking through rucks and harassing the opposing half-back, but Treweek bocked them effectively. McDonald hooked well and was always up with the ball. Of the Union forwards. J. Walker and V. Newall stood out. Walker showed vigour in the tight, pace in the loose, and jumped with more judgment in the line-outs than any other player on the ground. Newall worked hard, and his line-out play was good. A Strong Side The Kiwi Basketball Club is perhaps the most fortunate of all the clubs fielding teams in the Dunedin senior competition in that its 1941 combination is practically the same as the one which earned for it so high a reputation last season. Elna Abernethy, who last year played in the forward third, has returned to her old position in the centre, and, with Lorraine Phelan as throw-off and Gretta Harris filling the right wing, the centre play with perhaps two exceptions, will equal anything in the competition. The forward third has been fortunate to secure the services of Joyce Timperley, from Auckland. Her co-players are Nan Buchanan and Islay Purdie, both expert exponents of the game, the latter, in particular, being a player of outstanding ability. The defending third, consisting of Winnie Dunn, Agnes Brown, and Eunice Nauman, is renowned for its strong, aggressive play and as in previous years should be one of the decisive factors in any success which the team attains. Of these players, W. Dunne and I. Purdie have represented Otngo, and N. Buchanan. A. Brown, and L, Phelan have been prominent in trials.