CRICKET.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5241, 20 February 1928, Page 2

CRICKET.

I’ISIT OF AUCKLAND TEAM.

PAEROA’S .OPPORTUNITY.

Paeroa is not in the favoured position 1 of being a centre where Plunket Shield' cricket flourishes. Its opportunities of viewing sonic of the best that is on offer in the popular summer pqstime, though limited, do pen along occasionally. Though the fruits of the good things of the game are rare, they should none the less be appreciated.

An opportunity for the public of the town! and district to witness a mersure of the best that the game has to offer will be afforded-at the domain! on Wednesday- It will be presented by the appearance of an Auckland representative' senior eleven, which will include J. Langridge, the English professional.

The initiative for the Paeroa Cricket Club in making arrangements for the. playing of this game at Paeroa deserves a fitting commendation, and this can be most effectively achieved by public patronage to an extent that will guarantee that the financial commitment in connection, with the visit will be adequately met. The patrons of the coming match will get their return in the quality of the cricket prom’sedon Wednesday. The visiting side will comprise some of the noted cricketers in the Auckland province, while the eleven selected to uphold the banner of Paeroa and disr trict is a well-balanced side, and should be capable of putting up a creditable showing against their experienced opponents. The Auckland team is due to arrive at Paeroa on Tuesday evening, and will stay at the Criterion Hotel. At night the members will be guests at the Ohinemuri Club.

On Wednesday morning, at 10 o’clock, the Mayor. (Mr W; Marshall) will welcome the visitors, at the do*main, and the match is to commence at 10.30 a.m. An adjournment of an hour will be allowed for lunch, and at 4 p.m. afternoon tea will be served by the wives and supporters of the Paeroa Cricket Club in the Bowling Club ? s, pavilion. Play will in all probabiity be continued until 7 p.m. At 7.30 p.m. a dinner is to be tendered to the visitors at which the club’s patron, Mr W. Marshall, will presideInvitations, to be present have been accepted by the mayors of Waihi, Thames, and Te Aroha, and also by the chairmen of the Ohinemuri and Ha.uraki Plains counties. The umpire for the local team is Mr iW. M. Wallnutt, Mayor of Waihi, and an enthusiastic cricketer. The Auckland team will return on Thursday morning.

During last week the Paeroa Club held a series of working bees on the domain, and as a result the outfield is in fair order, but on account of the dry weather it lias not been possible to roll the field. '

Accompanying the visitors will be Mr E. E. Nalder, chairman of the management committee of the Auckland Cricket and IMEKJ* Watts, treasurer; It Is the intention of the Mayor to invite business, people to close their premises at 3 p.m. so as to enable their staffs to see the visitors in action.

Following are the teams: — . • Auckland. —S. C. Arblaster,- Grafton and North Shore; W. J. Coates, North Sh°re and Auckland; F. Cooper, Eden and PonSonby; E. Fuller, Auckland Theatres XL; P. C. Furley, Graf-,, ton; O. S. Hintz, University ; N. HHockin, Eden and Auckland; J. Langridge, Sussex and Ponsonby; R. W. Rowntree, Grafton, Auckland, and New Zealand; N. C. Sineddon, Ponsonby, Auckland, and New Zealand; W. H. Bennett, Eden. Paeroa and District. —G, Sale, G. Stack, W. Flower, Paeroa; A. J. McDonald, R D. Macklow, Hauraki Plains; R. Dutton, J. Thompson F. Collins, Waihi; I. 0. Peake, Manawaru; C. Williams, Te Aroha; L. Crawford-Watson), Thames. Emergencies : F. Knight, Paeroa ; and Robinson, 'Waihi.-