GLANCE AT WANGANUI'S EFFORTS IN HAWKE CUP CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 December 1948, Page 10

GLANCE AT WANGANUI'S EFFORTS IN HAWKE CUP CRICKET

Names Of Players Of Other Days (By “XAVIER”) Holders of the Hawke Cup at Cricket, Wanganui has a proud record in association with that trophy which is to be defended against Hutt Valley in a match commencing tomorrow. The Hawke Cup was presented ' by Lord Hawke in the 1910-11 season for competition amongst the minor associations of New Zealand. Southland became the first holders of the trophy when they defeated Rangitikei, lhe leading North Island side of the dav. in March. 1911.

South Auckland secured the cup in the 1912-13 season and in December, 1913, Wanganui gained its initial success by defeating the holders by ten wickets FIRST TEAM A STRONG ONE The first Wanganui team to secure the Hawke Cup is acknowledged to be the strongest that has represented this city. Members of the side were J. M. Hussey, M. Beattie. Haddon, H. M. Butterworth, E H L. Bernau, K. H. Cave. Furrie, R. W. Orton, L A. Wood. C. Holland and Burrett. The strength of the side was such that if L. P. Cave had been available, C. Holland would have batted No. 11 instead of No. 10 as in this match The same year Holland batted No. 8 for New Zealand. A'name of a member of that team which is of interest to present day players is that of L A. Wood, captain of the United senior team. Wood was still a student attending the Wanganui Technical College, but because of his outstanding ability was prevented from playing junior cricket. Wood played for Wanganui in every Hawke Cup cricket match from 1914 until 1935—truly a remarkable performance. Wanganui lost the Hawke Cup at the conclusion of the First World War but regained thp trophy in the 192122 season. From this time onward until 1930, Wanganui was recognised as the strongest minor association. The Hawke Cup was held by Wanganui in 1922-23, 1923-24. 1925-26, and 1927-28. GREAT NAMES Many great cricketing names are among these players who established Wanganui’s prominent record. C. Holland. the New Zealand representative, was a magnificent medium-paced offbreak bowler When the conditions were favourable he could bowl both inswingers and outswingers Chester Holland could bowl all day if required and he was renowned for his perfect length and accuracy. Holland was also a. prominent batsman and is probably the most accomplished cricketer ever to have represented Wanganui. E. H L. (Bill) Bernau, the fast lefthanded bowler, had a devastating swerve from the off that dismissed many a batsman. Bernau was a member of the 1927 New Zealand team that toured England. Bernau was an extremely powerful hitter, who played many an exhilarating innings for his side. A. (Aubrey) Tronson, the present handicapper for the Auckland Racing Club, was a right-handed bowler of some pace before the Great War, but his best performances were achieved after the war when he became a slow bowler, similar in pace to R. Brown, a present day representative. Tronson had an unusual style of delivery and proved confusing to batsmen who had not played against him before. Tronson appeared to bowl off the

wrong foot and bowled leg-breaks by spinning the ball off the forefinger. TODAY’S COACH G. Orr. present rep. coach, was an exceptional slip fieldsman and there has been no one in Wanganui to approach him since. Orr was a renowned opening batsman and, in partnership with L A. Wood, opened for Wanganui in practically every game throughout the 20’s. George Orr, in company with Bernau and Holland, often were selected to play Plunket Shield cricket. Other players who rendered Wanganui cricket great service during these years included J. H. (Chubby) Williams .the competent all-rounder; Dr. U. G Williams, medium fast bowler with the occasional extra good slower and faster ball; R. W. Orton, stylish batsman, who also played professional cricket for Buckinghamshire: R. P. (Pat) London, good forceful and free bat, with splendid strokes, especially square of the wicket; C F. Treadwell medium-paced bowler and good attacking batsman. The wicketkeepers were F. Lomas, R. P London, R. I. Sewell and S. J. Harris. The captain of the team was usually G. Orr. CRICKET STANDARD The standard of Wanganui cricket started to decline about 1930, but nevertheless there were some outstanding players, who gained representative honours G. A McDougal, the fast bowler, was the greatest Wanganui bowler betv/een the C. Holland and H. B. Cave period, and A. J. (Mick) Darby the excellent fieldsman. Other prominent players who played for Wanganui before 1938 were those two excellent batsmen and cricketers, G. Hook and L. Kauter who probably would have made the Wanganui side in its glorious days. R I. Sewell, who played in teams which held the Hawke Cup, and G Bullock-Douglas, a fine forcing bat, were other notable Wanganui cricketers of the pre-war period. Wanganui has regained the Hawke Cup and there are four members of the present side who can be compared with the great cricketers of the past —Cave, the bowler; Thomas, the captain; Brown, the fieldsman; Condliffe,