PEAK OF WANGANUI CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1946, Page 8

PEAK OF WANGANUI CRICKET

1925-26—when 'Wanganui cricket was at its peak and the much coveted Hawke Cup was held by the Wanganui Association. During that season Wanganui played four matches with other associations for the cup and won them all. The first was an elimination match against Taranaki which, Wanganui, by winning, gained the right to directly challenge the holders of the cup (Nelson). Wanganui’s subsequent game with Nelson was won by five wickets and the cup came to the River City. Two challenges were then withstood—Poverty Bay and Manawatu both being defeated by three wickets, and the season ended with Wanganui still holding the cup. The players in the photograph are the Wanganui Association’s representatives who took part in one, or any, of the Hawke Cup matches in that season. From the left in the back row are: K. AV. Orton, L. A. Wood, Dr. U. G. Williams, C. F. Treadwell, G. Stevens, R. I. Sewell, and K. H. Cave. Middle row: E. H. Bern an, R. P. London. J. H. Hayhow (hon. sec.), G. Orr (captain), C. A. Holland, H. AVilliams and S. J. Harris. Front row: P. E. Stiver and D. Lance. Absent are: AV. Burke, Dr. F. C. Hutchison and V. A. Staple ton.

Detailed statistics for the representative matches in which these players took part in the 1925-26 season, are as follows (the last two —those against Rangitikei and the second game with Taranaki, were ordinary representative fixtures, the Hawke Cup not being at stake): — Against Taranaki (Elimination match). —Taranaki, 147 and 246. (Treadwell, 4 for 52 and 4 for 37). Wanganui, 289 (London 93, Hutchison 73, Wood 58) and 109 for 5. Wanganui won by 5 wickets.

Against Nelson (Challenge for Hawke Cup).—Nelson, 217 and 127 (Beinau, 6 for 66 and 2 for 38; Holland, 3 for 45 and 4 for 39; U. G. Williams, 4 for 20. Wanganui, 190 (London 53, K. H. Cave 35) and 153 for 5. Wanganui won by 5 wickets. Against Poverty Bay (for the cup). —Poverty Bay, 127 and 165. (Bernau, 6 for 46 and 3 for 47; Treadwell, 3 for 26 and 5 for 47. Wanganui, 190 (Wood 67, Orr 42), and 103 for 7 (Bernau 38). I Wanganui won by 3 wickets.

Against Manawatu (for the cup) Manawatu, 167 and 206. (Bernau, 5 for 61 and 6 for 62). Wanganui, 219 (Orr 53 and 59, Wood 36) and 155 for 7. Wanganui won by 3 wickets. Against Rangitikei vnon cup match) —Wanganui 205 (Wood 56, Holland 47, Stapleton 43). Rangitikei 119 for 8. (Holland 4 for 35). The match was drawn. Against Taranaki (non-cup match). Taranaki 133 and 110. (H. Williams, 6 for 38; U. G. Williams, 4 for 30). Wanganui, 119 (Orr 60) and 125 for Wanganui won by 5 wickets.