CRICKET IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1929, Page 5

CRICKET IN TARANAKI

COMMENTS ON COMPETITIONS

CENTURIES BY TWO SCHOOLBOYS.

HEAVY SCORING IN THE COUNTRY

(By

“Philosopher.”)

Cricket in North Taranaki last Saturday was featured by two things—, the splendid recovery by High School against Western Park, and the comparatively heavy scoring in the North Taranaki Country competition. Both were particularly pleasing to see, fcr they betoken a great potential strength in.'the'younger set of Taranaki cricket. Individually the outstanding performances of the week were the' two centuries made by Clegg (New Plymouth Boys’ High School) and Sturrock- (Hawera Technical High School). Both boys are deserving of the warmest congratulations. Their performances go to show what fine nurseries of cricket the schools of Taranaki are. Clegg, by the way, is a Sydney boy .who is a boarder at the H.iji School. Orig’.ially he came from Huritcrville to -the school, but though his people have removed to Australia they preferred to leave him to complete Lis education at what is recognised as one of the most famous schools of the Dominion. Randell’s success in taking eight School wickets at a comparatively short price was well-deserved. It is only of late that he has developed as a bowler in North Taranaki cricket, and the fact that he is shortly to leave the province will be regretted by all cricketers. He had the honour of captaining the Taranaki team that performed so well in the Hawke Cup preliminary match against Wanganui last year, and has already led the Western Park team to victory once this year. NO LACK OF WICKETKEEPERS. The less said about the batting in the New Plymouth-Old Boys second innings the better. On the whole it was a most uninspiring display. Certainly the wicket was not a favourable one, but it was no worse than the previous week, when the scoring was better. North Taranaki is not short of good wicket-keepers this season. Both A. Petty and Hawkins are developing into first-class ’keepers, to say nothing of several country players who are attracting the public eye. The selectors are going to have an unenviable task when the time comes to pick the North Taranaki team to play South Taranaki for the Graham Cup on November 30. And it. is certain that on form they will be compelled to go outside New Plymouth. for some of the members if they are going to do justice to all the players. The glorious uncertainty of cricket was never more clearly illustrated than in the Old Boys-Western Park senior B match last Saturday. For the last two men to go in, with nine wickets down for 44, and 29- runs still required to win, and carry the score to 116 before .they were separated, was a great performance. J. Palmer (47).and Johns (23), Who did the trick, are to be heartily congratulated. Incidentally, it is doubtful whether on the day’s play the better team won. Western Park is a strong team in this grade this season, and the other clubs in the grade will have to look to their laurels if they arc to keep their Western Park opponents from coming out on top. On present form Old Boys look as though they, are the team that will probably do it, all the same. THE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION.

The standard of play in the North Taranaki Country competition has each year, thanks to the keen interest taken in the game by the players, both young and old, particularly the former, shown a distinct improvement. This year the improvement is even more marked, and from the form already displayed by many with both bat and ball indications are not - wanting that the men from that division are destined to play a big part in the future destiny of Taranaki cricket. All the players need is more games against outside teams to give them' the necessary confidence.

In their inter-cl ’> matches each team takes the field with a friendly spirit of rivalry that gives a healthy zest to the game, and also with the feeling that

they are as good as their opponents, and as a result they do themselves justice, and big scores even against good bowling are amassed. If they could only go on the field with the same optimistic feeling against outside teams they would do much better. It is pleasing to note, though, that they are being given more opportunities to get outside experience which will do incalculable good. Last Monday, against some fairly strong New Plymouth bowling, Tarurutangi players reproduced their club form, and this should not only give them' confidence but should also instil confidence in the other country teams. Country players deserve encouragement, and all will be pleased to see that the North Taranaki Association is recognising that’ by arranging another Town v. Country match prior to the selection of the Taranaki representative team. With the important Hawke Cup elimination match and the English match in prospect, the association must use every possible means of finding out the best material and making the best use of it.

KEEN COMPETITION THIS YEAR.

The country competition promises to be very keenly contested this year; even more so, in fact, than in the past. Players are to be complimented on the serious way in which they take their cricket. All take the field in flannels, and in practically every case with their club cap, setting an example in this respect to clubs in the other competitions. It is difficult at present to forecast the ultimate winners, but indications point to three of the teams fighting hard for supremacy, with either of the others liable at any time to bring off a surprise.

Tikorangi, in order to give the young players a chance, have entered two teams, and it is pleasing to note that