EPIC CRICKET STRUGGLE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1926, Page 11

EPIC CRICKET STRUGGLE

TARANAKI WINS HAWKE CUP WANGANUI BEATEN BY 32 RUNS. THRILLING END TO GREAT MATCH BERNAU-S DOGGED FIGHT FOR 137. After an epic struggle extending over three days, Taranaki succeeded yesterday in wresting the Hawke Cup from Wanganui by the narrow margin of 32 runs. Thus for the first time in its history this province has earned the right to have its name engraved on the mueheoveted trophy that is held annually by the champion minor cricket association of New Zealand. In every way and from the point of-view of both teams the soaring fortunes of yesterday’s play, the splendid stand made by Bernau and Treadwell in an endeavour to stave off defeat, and the final collapse of Wanganui before the attack of Clarke and Cole just when victory seemed almost within their grasp, combined to create a sustained thrill that only cricket can provide. When the last wicket fell players and spectators alike experienced a feeling of mental and physical exhaustion, so acute was the reaction after hours of -excitement and pent-up feelings. DIFFICULT TASK AHEAD. It may be recalled that at the beginning of the day Bernau (50) and Treadwell (1) faced the Taranaki bowling knowing that they and the five batsmen to follow them had to make a total ot 211 runs if they wished to retain possession of the cup. Accordingly they applied themselves with determination to the task of breaking up the bowling by a dogged defence, and so successful were they in refusing to go out that between them they compiled 184 runs. When Petty took Orton's wicket on Saturday evening, three wickets were down for seven rims; when Orr was bowled in the last over of the same day four wickets were down for 39; and before Bernau and Treadwell were separated just before luncheon yesterday the score had mounted to 204, the partnership yielding 103 runs. Play opened yesterday morning in almost oppressively hot weather, the, wicket, in spite of its long usage, being in splendid condition and very hard. Petty and Clarke opened the attack, and though, the latter was right up to form he did not have the cross wind that helped him so much on Saturday. In spite of the heat Clarke trundled almost unchanged for the rest of the match, sending down no less than 42 overs. Almost every ball was a possible- wickettaker and he did not relax into bowling slows except very occasionally. At first Clarke met with no encouragement. Treadwell, after scoring a single and a two, suddenly opened out for a few overs, and recorded seven boundaries in succession. Just as suddenly he settled down again, and off his remaining scoring strokes he made only one boundary and 12 patient singles. His was probably a more meritorious performance even than that of Bernau, for he played splendid cricket, and gave, only one difficult chance. He finally lifted one of Clarke's worst balls for Cole to take a good catch. BERNAU HAS MANY ESCAPES. Bernau, on the other hand, had a charmed life. Following upon his two escapes on Saturday, he gave four more chances yesterday, none of which was accepted. With the total at 125 and his own score at 57 he sent a fast one into slips off Cole, but Lay could not hold it. A little later he gave a simple one to Kingston, but the usually sound wic ketkeeper dropped it, and periodically from then on he sent balls flying here and there just out of reach, within a few inches of eager slips or anywhere except where there was a fieldsman. Apart from these chances, however, Bernau's innings was a magnificent effort against heavy odds, and by it he almost won the match. Abandoning his usual I practice of punishing the bowling and scoring freely, he defeuded his packet as stubbornly- as the most patient opening batsman. Thus in spite of the consistent goodlength trundling of -Clarke and Cole, and the many interchanges of bowling aud ends that Kingston worked, the score mounted steadily, and after an hour's play stood at 157, the partnership having added 67 during the morning. The fieldsmen were on the tip toe of keenness, and the ground fielding was excellent, evoking frequent applause, Grayson especially aud Petty, both at square leg, made some splendid saves. Bernau reached his century with a powerful drive to the long field off a elow of Clarke’s, and next over amidst prolonged applause brought 200 up on the board with a graceful glide to the leg boundary off Cole.

WANGANUI HOPES RUN HIGH. To the Taranaki supporters it seemed that Treadwell and Bernau would never be separated, but just, before lunch, when the score was 206, the latter mishit Clarke into Cole’s hands, and the luncheon adjournment was taken with the total at 208 and Bemau’s score 108. After lunch Holland continued to play good cricket, and Bernau to treat all straight and off balls with great caution. occasionally gliding or pulling leg balls to the boundary. When the total was 229 Holland put his leg in front to Clarke, but Hutchison, who replaced him. looked as though he had come to stay, and it was towards the end of his partnership with Bernau that many of the Wanganui supporters began to show by their encouragement and comment that they felt confident as to the issue of the game. TURN OF THE TIDE. With the dismissal of Hutchison, however the tide turned. Clarke, bowling with wonderful spirit and accuracy considering he had been at the bowling < tease in the hot sun practically all day, eomp’ctely beat Hutchison with a trirn-r.-r and people began to think he was getting back to Saturday’s form.. The total score was then 247. Bernau seemed to feel that if the necessary runs were to be made he must make them himself, and he began to open out, lifting ( latke for a beautiful six to long on. He also made obvious attempts to keep the bowling by judicious manipulation of the running. As it happened, this brought about his undoing, for a short time later he faced Cole when under the usual scheme of running h!s partner should have been in that posi-

tion. He lifted one into the near long field, and Crombie made no mistake. The end had come. Clarke completely beat Wells, and Cole, inspired into splendid bowling by the bright prospects, clean bowled Harris for two, the innings closing when Wanganui still required 32 runs. The match concluded at 3.15 p.m. TARANAKI BOWLERS IN FORM. The fall of the last wcket was the signal for a great demonstration by the Taranaki supporters, Clarke and others being carried off the ground shoulder high. Though Clarke’s performance yesterday was a splendid one, however, it was not much better than that of Cole, Who maintained a fine length throughout the long day, sending down 28 overs. From his last eight overs only nine runs were scored, and four ot these overs were maidens. Kingston received a nasty knock that necessitated the suspension of play for a time. Though in considerable pain he gauiely continued keeping wickets, but the occurrence was reflected in his performance which w T as not up to usual standard. In his position as captain he pursued the policy, that on the comparatively small ground and against batsmen of the type of Wanganui only fast bowlers should be used. Wilson, a slow bowler off whom Bernau gave a chance behind the wickets, was given three overs, and Bottrill was not used at all yesterday. Petty bowled better towards the end of the day than at tl/e beginning On one occasion in the morning he had Bernau out l,b.w. but did not appeal. Details;— TARANAKI. First Innings 188 Second Innings 178 Grand total 366 WANGANUI. First Innings .. 63 Second Innings. Orr, b Clarke 30 Wood, l.b.w b Clarke 1 Dempster, run out 2 Orton, l.b.w. b Petty 0 Bernau, c Crombie b Cole 137 Treadwell, c Cole b Clarke 47 Holland, l.b.w. b larke 11 Hutchison, b Clarke 10 Wells, b Clarke 5 Williams, not out 2 Harris, b Cole 2 Byes .\.... 17 Leg byes 7 Total 271 Grand total 334 Bowling analysis.—Clarke took six wickets for 110 runs; Petty, one for 59; Cole, two for 50; Lay, none for 3; Bottrill, none for 11; Wilson, none for 14. PRESENTATION OF CUP.

After the conclusion of the match the Hawke Cup was presented to the Taranaki team on the ground by the president of the Wanganui Association (Mr. Treadwell). In doing so he congratulated the visitors on their performance and stated that sorry as Wanganui were to lose the trophy, they were glad to see it go to a province that had not uot won it before. He also presented to Mr. E. Cole a silver pencil which he said had been donated by the first secretary and treasurer of the Taranaki Cricket Association for presentation to the player taking the most catches in the match; Mr. Cole shared the honour with two Wanganui players. In a few remarks Mr. Orr, captain of the Wanganui team, observed that the game had been won by Taranaki fairly and squarely on merit. Replying on behalf of the Taranaki team, Mr. Kingston said that Wanganui cricketers would realise what the winning of the cup meant to Taranaki, where cricket was more or less “up against it.” He felt it would do the game a lot of good. Leaving Wanganui by car about 4.45 p.m., the members of the team arrived at Hawera about 6.30 p.m.. where they were met by the vice-president of the Taranaki Cricket Association (Mr. B. McCarthy) and a number of enthusiastic supporters. Brief congratulations were voiced by Mr. McCarthy, and on behalf of the team Mr. Kingston and the manager (Mr. T. H. Bates) replied. A similar function took place at New Plymouth, when the team were greeted on their arrival at 9.45 p.m. by a number of local cricketers. The cup will be placed on view in a shop in Devon Street to-day. PAST WINNERS. The Hawke Cup was presented by Lord Hawke on January 1, 1911, for competition amongst the minor associations of New Zealand. Since then it has been won by the following associations : 1910- 11.—Southland. 1911- —Southland. 1912- —South Auckland. 1913- —Wanganui. 1914- —Wanganui. 1918- Poverty Bay. 1919- Poverty Bay. 1920- —Wairarapa. 1921- Wairarapa, Bangitikei, Nelson and Wanganui In turn. 1922- —Wanganui sustained all challenges. 1923- Wanganui and Nelson in turn. 1924- —Nelson sustained five challenges. 1925- Nelson and Wanganui in turn. 1926- Taranaki.