Fiji And Wanganui Cricketers In Two-Day Match

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 February 1948, Page 3

Fiji And Wanganui Cricketers In Two-Day Match

The Fijian cricket team will commence the fourth match of its New Zealand tour against the Wanganui representative eleven on the Wanganui Collegiate School ground this morning at 10.30 o’clock. Highly spectacular in their batting and fielding, the Fijians should be one of the biggest cricket attractions in Wanganui for many years. Cricket enthusiasts may be expected to attend in large numbers, as was the case in February, 1939, when Sir Julian Cahn’s team made its appearance on Cook’s Gardens.

That the Wanganui side is capable of bright cricket is evidenced by its feat in winning the Hawke Cup last week from Hawke’s Bay. Captain of the visitors is P. A. Snow, a good batsman and slow bowler, who has played for Leicestershire and other teams in England. He is Administrative Officer, Fiji. A splendid all-rounder is Ratu G. K. Cakobau, formerly of Wanganui Technical College and Newington College, Sydney. In September, 1939, he was outstanding as a five-eighths in the unbeaten Fijian Rugby team, of which he was captain. Cakobau (pronounced Thakombau) is the leading chief by birth of the colony.

M. J. Fenn came to New Zealand with the Fiji hockey team in 1939. He is a slow leg-break exponent. The youngest member of the side, H. J. Apted, is an attractive left-hand bat and medium-paced bowler. Good wicketkeepin.g may be expected from P. T. Raddock, who is also a solid bat. A. J. Dendt has credentials as an all-rounder. The remaining European is the manager, J. W. Gosling, a medium-fast bowler. Alsea Turuva is said to be an excellent fieldsman. Like that of some of his colleagues, his batting should be noted for its unorthodoxy. Viliame Savu Mataika, who is 45 years of age, and 6ft. 4in in height, is a vigorous bowler. A corporal in the Fiji Police Force, Kaminieli Aria, who weighs 16 stone, is a spectacular batsman and useful bowler. Other members of the side are Moses Bogisa, Semi Ravouvou, Isoa Logavatu, Tevita Vakaloloma, and Petero Kuba, who is a wic-ket-keeper. To-day the members of the visiting teams, together with officials, will be the guests of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Gilligan at lunch at the headmaster's residence. To-day and to-morrow members of the teams and officials will have afternoon tea in the school dining hall. PERSONNEL OF TEAMS. The personnel of the teams for today’s match is as follows:—• Fiji. P. A. Snow (captain). Ratu G. K. Cakobau. P. T. Raddock. H. J. Apted. I. Bula. M. Fenn. A. Turuva. A. J. Wendt. L. Isoa. L. Tevita. B. M. Mosese. J. W. Gosling, 12th man. Wanganui. R. E. Thomas (captain, T. 0.8.) E. K. Hunt (Wanganui). J. A. Bergerson (T. 0.8. D. A. Cameron (Wanganui). P. R. Williamson (Wanganui). J. Barnett (T. 0.8 ). D. D. Beard (Marist). R. E. Brown (T. 0.8. E. A. Urlich (T. 08. J. McConway (Marist). J. A. Bryers (Marist). G. M. Russell, 12th man (Wanganui). The match will commence at 10.30 a.m. and the lunch adjournment will be taken at 12.30 p.m. Play will be I resumed at 1.45 p.m. and the afternoon tea adjournment taken at 3.45 p.m. Play will continue at 4 p.m. and stumps will be drawn at 6 p.m. The umpires are Messrs. H. E. B. Newton and C. E. Anderson. A collection will be taken up each day on the ground to assist in defraying expenses.