CRICKET AT OKAIAWA

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1933, Page 12

CRICKET AT OKAIAWA

TWO CHAMPION TEAMS. GOOD BOWLERS AND BATSMEN. Mr. John Radford and Mr. H. W. Whalen were the “fathers” of cricket at Okaiawa. Well over 21 years ago they moved for the formation of a team and after interest had been developed the first cup match was played in 1911, the opponents being Manaia. The Okaiawa team never won a match that season, but in 1916 and in 1926-27 the team won the South Taranaki championship. The club has also produced several first-class batsmen and bowlers. The first earn comprised W. and C. Cantelin, C. and R. Penny, H. Whalen, Dave Mitchell, M. Lynsky, Alex. Neilson, H. Bint, Cameron and P. White. _ Next season the club recorded its first win in a match against a strong Eltham eleven, the victory being due to a great “stonewall” by Dick West lasting 2h 19m. Of the early players H. Whalen, L. Slinger and R. Penny were very good bowlers, while E. Penfold, C. Cantelin and F. Atkins were strong batsmen. The highest score ever made for the club was Edgar Phillips’ 181 against Manaia in 1918. Percy Pratt, Arthur Betts, Reg. Eden, Alfred Thomas, H. Huglies, D. Crawford, J. Williamson and others have all served the club usefully. Two of the present foremost cricketers of South Taranaki, S. Betts and V. Betts, served their apprenticeship as emergencies in the Okaiawa team that won the southern division in 1926-27. This team played against Western Park for the Taranaki championship but lost by five runs. The 1916 team comprised L. Slinger, R. Grace, C. Penny, J. Short, H. Whalen, H. Blackman, C. Barclay, J. C. Barclay, E. Penfold, R. Penny and C. Cantelin. The 1926-27 team was G. Harrison, H. le Fleming, H. Betts, P. M. Pratt, D. Crawford, B. Hughesi A. Thomas, B. M. Barclay, H. R. Penny, F. Atkins and ABetts. 1 ■