HAWKE CUP MATCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1934, Page 4

HAWKE CUP MATCH.

Though there will be regret that the Hawke Cup was not retained by Taranaki cricketers there will be nothing but praise for the efforts made to turn what appeared likely to be overwhelming defeat into victory. But for a mishap, one of those occurrences that after all give salt to any game by adding to its “glorious uncertainties,” the cup might have been retained at the eleventh hour, so to speak, of a match that whether won or lost provided cricket enthusiasts with many exciting moments. That there are lessons to be learned from the game which ended in a victory by one wicket to the challenging team goes without saying, and if they are applied in due course the future of cricket in the province should be all the brighter. Both teams can, however, congratulate themselves on having fought the contest as cricket should be played whatever the skill of the contestants. The game was sportsmanlike from beginning to end, and so long as cricket continues to be a game played with all the skill available but with sportsmanship as the guiding principle so long will it deserve the place it holds in British pastimes. It is the duty of those controlling the game in Taranaki to see to it that the loss of the Hawke Cup is not allowed to weaken interest in cricket. Rather should this week’s defeat stimulate resolve to improve the calibre of play and thus make the province a force to reckon with in the cricket circles of the Dominion.