THE HAWKE CUP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 8, 10 January 1946, Page 6

THE HAWKE CUP

NOTED CRICKET TROPHY

ELIMINATION MATCHES THIS MONTH

The Hawke Cup cricket elimination match to be played between Taranaki and Wanganui on Cook’s Gardens, Wanganui, on January 19, 20 and 21, and between Rangitikei and Wairoa, at Masterton, on January 19 and 20, recalls that this trophy was presented by the late Lord Hawke in 1910, for competition among minor cricket associations in New Zealand. The present holder is Manawatu.

In the first year the cup was contested separately between’ the North and the South Islands. Statistics compiled by Mr. J. H. Hayhow, Wanganui, reveal that Rangitikei were the dinners of the North Island series and Southland victors in the South Island. In a match between the two teams, Southland beat Rangitikei. Wanganui first won the Hawke Cup In December, 1911, when they beat Taranaki. Since then, but for oreaks because of World War I and World War 11, Wanganui has consistently taken part in the competition. Down the years the Wanganui cricket repicsentative team has played matches against Taranaki, South Taranaki, South Auckland, Poverty Bay, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Nelson, Rangitikei and Manawatu. Most success was achieved by Wanganui in the years from 1910 to 1931, when the representative eleven played 36 games, winning 26 and losing 10. C. A. Holland, the former New Zealand representative player, who still resides in Wanganui, has a remarkable bowling performance in Hawke Cup cricket. Between 1910 and 1931 his record reads: 1044 overs, 279 maidens, 214 wickets, for 2634 runs, an average of 12.30.

The donor of the trophy which bears his name, Lord Hawke, died in 1938. For fifty years he was closely associated with the M.C.C. and, as president, treasurer, or member of the committee, he did much to advance the game in that span of years. He organised and led many English amateur teams to various parts of the Empire and had visited New Zealand. After leaving Cambridge University he was appointed captain of the Yorkshire County eleven in 1883, and was identified with it until his death. It was due to his co-operation and generous support which laid the foundations of its present success.