HAWKE CUP PROSPECTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 5

HAWKE CUP PROSPECTS

BRIGHTEST FGR YEARS NOTES AND COMMENTS Judging from the tine performs.. e against Kangiuxei on Sunday. and . the tact that L R. bneiueld. the noted professional, v..il be coaching players irom January 15 to 24, \\ annanui’s chances of .-ccuiing th? Hawke Cup this season are the for manv years. Most of U»»- credit for this cheering position is due to th • management committee of the Wanganui Cricket Association and the sole selector. Mr. E, C. Gee, ■a hose enthusiastic effort has put the game definitely, on the up-grade. ( oach. A sporting gestui much appreciates in Wanganui was that of tne Wellington Cricket Association in offering the services of its professional coacn tor travelling and living expenses only. Sheffield is rankea as one 01 : he best cricket coaches in tne work;. Before coming to New Zealand some .ears ago, he regularly represented E-=ex u. English county cricket. He is a good ick i-keeper. particularly so to slow bowling. A line batsman, he gets the majority o f his runs behind the wicket by cutting and legdriving. He has a sound defence, and has been playing with success for University in the Wellington senior competition this season Every effort should be made by Wanganui players to take advantage of this rare opportunity to obtain expert coaching. Through tne goodwill of Mr. H. Card, proprietor of the Station Hotel, who has offered to billet Sheffield, during his stay, the services of the coach will be acquired very cheaply. Imo FaM fifties. Among the highlights of the match with Rangitikei on Cook’s Gai dens on Sunday, were brilliant half-centuries ny G. Hook and L. Kauder. Attacking the bowling with shots all round the wicket. Hook compiled his 50 in 25 minutes, the fastest time this season. His time was also equal to that of the winner of the trophy for the fast 50 scored last season. Powerfully built. Hook is noted for making the spectators “sit up,’’ and has already scored a century this season. Kauter, the most dashing batsman last season, revealed his best form in knocking-up 50 in 37 minutes. W. Dhry berg’s Century. Although it was not his first century this season, W. Dhryberg’s fine tally of 147 on Sunday evoked some surprise, as he has impressed as being more of a “lucky” batsman than an accomplished one. Nevertheless, his

score was sufficient proof of his ability, including one six, 19 fours, and five threes. His running between wickets, for whicn he has been condemned more than once, also showed a vast improvement. Dhryberg was associated in two outstanding oartnerships, one ot 137 with Hook, and the other oi 107 with Kauter. Close Senior Championship. With the first round played, the - senior championship is at an interesta *ing stage. United has taken the lead t■ by four points from Technical Old I Boys, wiln whom Wanganui is equal, - and Marist is third, six points behind, f All the hick was on United's side in i I the match with Technical Old Boys L for the lead on the championship i ladder. The wicket was perfect on _■ itr.e first day’s play, and United comi piled 212 for the loss of two v/ckets. , Continuing last Saturday' when conelditions were against the batsmen, • United was all out tor 301. Yet the total represented a hopeless task to Technical Old Boys, who just avoided ■ .an outright, defeat bv two wickets. A pleasing feature of the match ’ , v. us the return to form of G. A. Mc--1 [Dougal, the United fast bowler. Wil.ii the wicket “playing up,’’ McDougal 1 was in his element and registered the ■ joutstanding average of six wickets lor 25 runs. i ■ \\ aiig..nui Acquisitions. I Formerly one ot the weakest. WanJi ganui is proving one of the strongest teams in the competition this season, j and in the round to be played during . I the school holiday, the team may . (spring some big surprises. Two notable acquisitions to the side are H Whiting and A. McPhail, who are on .’holiday from the Wellington Train- . >ing College. Both players have represented Wanganui, and are former members of the Technical College ,iiist eleven. A stylish bat, Whiting , ’ has registered some good scores for .’ University at Wellington this season. ; McPhail is a first-class off-break bowler and a sound batsman. With, the wicket in his favour he can bowl 1 i a prodigious break, as was evidenced ! | last Saturday when he dismissed six 5 Technical College batsmen for 29 runs. 5 Match Willi South Taranaki. Although it is to be played on ■ Christmas and Boxing Day, the match i with South Taranaki will be by no; means a holiday one. The visiting ‘ . team will be a good deal stronger: than was Rangitikei. and the Wanga- I nui players will have to be on theii mettle. In spite of the fact that • several representative players are not i available, the sole selector has chosen | a good all-round combination, captain-. ed by R. I. Sewell. It is pleasing to | see a member of the Technical College eleven, D. McCarthy, given his chance, i A junior match between Wanganui i and South Taranaki will also be play- ' cd on Christmas and Boxing Day at ; Victoria Park.