TARANAKI CRICKET

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1926, Page 9

TARANAKI CRICKET

PLAYERS ENTERTAINED DINNER TO HAWKE CUP WINNERS. APPRECIATION OF THEIR SUCCESS. To show their appreciation of the victory of the Taranaki representatives against Wanganui in the recent match for the Hawke Cup, sportsmen of New Plymouth interested in cricket gave the members of the team a dinner at the Criterion Hotel last night. Mr. E. Whittle presided, and at the table at which he was seated with the players and the team manager (Mr. T. H. Bates) was displayed the cup. Visitors were present from Stratford and other parts of the southern district. Opportunity was taken to present Mr. C. G. Clarke with the “ball that won the match.” In proposing the toast of “The Taranaki Team—Winners of the Hawke Cup,” Mr. Whittle said that in January, 1903, he also was a Taranaki representative. In that year lie played in New Plymouth and Hawera against Lord Hawke’s team. The win at Wanganui went to show that the interest in cricket had greatly increased. Tlie Hawke Cup had given country cricketers an incentive and a greater opportunity for improving their play than in the old days. He expressed the hope that at least one of the representative cricketers present

that night would be selected for the New Zealand team to go to England. (Applause.) They had to offer their hearty congratulations to the winners of a match which was not won at all until the eleventh hour. The game had been full of possibilities, and Taranaki looked as though they would win. But then Wanganui had improved their position as a result of a fine uphill fight. PERFORMANCE OF CLARKE. One player deserved special mention, and he was Cecil G. Clarke, proceeded the chairman. He had much pleasure in presenting Mr. Clarke with the last hall bowled in the match, and he hoped the recipient would have the chance of emulating his success in the New Zealand team to go to England. The ball presented to Mr. Clarke was mounted on a pedestal and bore a silver plate with the following inscription:— “The ball that won the match. Presented to Mr. George Clarke by the Taranaki cricket team which defeated Wanganui for the Hawke Cup, December 6, 1926, in recognition of his phenomenal bowling—first innings seven wickets for 16 runs; second innings six wickets for 92.” There was no doubt that the win was going to stimulate cricket in Taranalw, continued Mr. Whittle. He felt sure it was the result of a reamalgamation of the north and south associations, and now that they had one strong body, as in the old days, they would show that Taranaki could produce not only butterfat, but cricketers. In responding, the captain of the team (Mr. C. Kingston) said the players had not expected anything like the present gathering, but they hoped to merit a few more of them on similar occasions. (Applause.) They had the cup now and hoped to defend it successfully. There were certainly outstanding men in the team; there always were and there always would be. But as a team one could not have wished for a better combination. The younger members had acquitted themselves like more experienced players. Owing to the conditions, some of the team did not have a fair chance, but he hoped the selectors would give them another opportunity. Mr. Cole was worthy of mention, continued Mr. Kingston. He bore the brunt of the attack with Mr. Clarke, and bowled 28 overs, which was fairly good considering he was 51 years of age. Mr. Clarke expressed thanks for the trophy and said he always did his best n the field, but he hoped to do a little better when Hawke's Bay came here. The selectors must be very proud men that day, said Mr. J. W. McMillan, of Stratford, in proposing their toast. Had the team lost they would have been severely criticised. A great deal of the credit was due to the selectors. Stratford was very glad that it had two representatives in the team, particularly Mr. Cole, who was looked on as the father of cricket in the district, and a very good father, too. The selectors had a difficult task to perform, and credit was due to them for choosing such a team.

WORK OF THE SELECTORS. Mr. R. Laurie Cooper, one of the selectors, responded. With reference to the union between north and south, he said that in his experience of selection there never had been any question of differentiation between the two districts. It was a matter of getting the best team and the best men would be put in, whichever end they came from. Selectors were often criticised for keeping players in and not giving the young players a chance, but he did not know when a man was too old to play cricket. Enie Hine was not an old man. (Applause. ) In proposing “The Team Manager,” Mr. P. E. Stainton complimented Mr. T. H. Bates on the tact he had displayed in preserving harmony among the team. He had done a great deal towards enabling the team to bring back the shield. It was hoped his interest in cricket would never abate.

It had not been an easy game, said Mr. Bates. On the contrary, it had been a hard one, and most of the players had been massaged in the evenings. The result was that they had gone out in the mornings feeling fit. Both on ami off the field the players had behaved as gentlemen, and while they had the same type of men to play for Taranaki they would hold the cup. Play here had been improved by the policy of bringing on young players. He paid a tribute to the Wanganui cricketers and supporters for their sportsmanship. “Kindred Sports” was proposed by Mr. E. Jackson, who said Taranaki was proud of the victory its team had won against the strong Wanganui side. He felt sure the improved wickets played on in Taranaki had a great deal to do with the representatives’ success, and clubs should do their utmost to make them better still. Mr. J. McLeod replied on behalf of the Rugby Union. No one had been more thrilled a J the progress reports that came through he said. The Press was proposed by Mr. A. Bewley, who referred to the help the local Press had always given the game of cricket and other sports. Mr. L. J. Furrie proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. W. Graham, their hosts, and Mr. Graham responded. After the chairman’s health had been drunk the gathering dispersed.