CHRISTMAS SPORTS PROGRAMME

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 December 1949, Page 6

CHRISTMAS SPORTS PROGRAMME

Sporting interest in Wanganui during the Christmas holidays will be centred on the North Island bowling tournament and the Wanganui Sailing Club’s regatta. In contrast to previous years the sporting programme is a light one. An unusual feature is that no cricket matches with outside teams has been provided for. Visiting teams usualty play in Wanganui over the holidays, but, unfortunately, this will not be the case this year.

Section play in the bowling tourney will take place on the Wanganui, st. John’s, Gonville and Wanganui East greens on December 26, 27, 28 and 29. Post-section play will be held on the Wanganui greens on December 30 and 31. Fifty-eight rinks have entered for the tourney, which will be followed by a pairs tournament. Section play will be held on the Wanganui, St. John’s, Gonville and Wanganui East greens on December 30, with the post-section play lhe following day on the Wanganui greens.

The Wanganui Sailing Club’s regatta will commence on December 26 and conclude on December 29. Yachts from Auckland, Wellington, Paramata, Foxton and New Plymouth will be competing. Racing will begin at. 2 p.m. on December 26 and the programme will commence at 10 a.m. on the three following days. Races for Z, I, P and X.Y.T. classes will be held. Main cricket interest in the district will be the three-day Hawke Cup elimination match between Rangitikei and Wairarapa at Taihape, commencing on Monday, December 26. This will be the first time in the history of the Hawke Cup that a match has been allotted to Taihape. Included in the Wairarapa eleven is H. H. Whiting, a former Wanganui representative and prominent soccer player. Also in the visiting side is D. Hayes, a promising batsman and member of this year’s Country team. Rangitikei players who should have a good chance of furthering their reputations are S. Finney, left-arm spinner, and D. McCarthy, a stylish bat, who performed well in the Minor Association’s trial at Palmerston North recently. On Monday, December 26, the Wanganui Colts’ cricket team will begin their short tour with a two-day game in Palmerston North. The team will play at Taihape on December 28 and 29 and at. Marton on December 30 and 31. Captain-manager of the team will be D. A. Cameron, a former Wellington Plunket Shield player and Rangitikei and Wanganui representative. Included in the side is M. Poka, the outstanding Technical College bowler, and N. F. Walker, the T. 0.8. wicketkeeper, who is the most promising cricketer in Wanganui.

No tennis tournament, will be held in Wanganui over Christmas, but from December 30 to January 4 the North Island championships will be played at the Wanganui Club's courts, Nelson Street. A number of Wanganui players will be participating at the Taranaki championships at Hawera from December 26 to 29, and at the New Zealand Catholic tournament to bo held at the Mitchell Park courts, Hutt Valley, from December 26 until January 1.

Racing and trotting enthusiasts will be w ell provided for over the holidays. At Awapuni today, the feature event is the Manawaiu Cup, which, with a stake of I’2ooo, has attracted a Imo. field. On Monday the Auckland Cup, lhe richest race in the Dominion, will be run al Ellerslie. Most of the country’s leading handicapppers have entered. Premier trottingevent of lhe Christmas holidays will be Tuesday's Auckland Cup. Race meetings will be held in many parts of New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday.