CRICKET AND HISTORY IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 1, 16 January 1952, Page 6

CRICKET AND HISTORY IN TAUPO

The Australian Visit. Cricket has .been played in Taupo since 1871. In that year clubs waro iormed in Taupo, Te Haroto, Runanga and Tarawera. The first recorded game in Hawkes Bay cricket was one played between a touring Taupo team and the Clarendon Club oi Napier in the same year. Cricket in Taupo was first played seriously after the years following the first World War, when a triangular competition was inaugurated, the following clubs participating: — Taupo, Tokaanu and Mokai. in those days there weren't the travelling facilities that are now being enjoyed by present day competitors as the only mode of transport to Tokaanu and vice-varsa was on #he old steamboat "Tongariro" or on one of the few launches that were then on the lake. If rough weather was encountered then the trip had either to be cancelled or if the players were willing to face the elements, those who were not good sailors would be far from fit byt the timo their destination was reached. ^evertheless' ithey always enjoyed these trips and were always looking ahead for more. Two noticeable incidents during this period will alwiys be rememi bered by those who took part, and no doubt also by those residents of Taupo who were here then. These were the visit of the Australian Touring Cricket Team of 1921, captained by that great test batsman of pre-war days Vernon Ransford, and by Lord Jellicoe's team in 1920. In the case of the Australians a one-day match was played between them and a local side selected from the three clubs. It was really a great day for Taupo when an invit- j ation was extended to the Austra- | lian to come to Taupo was accepted ; ' on the condition that it be at the end i of the tour and that the local association guarantee their expenses from Rotorua and back including board. i As the Association had no funds the convenor Mr Arthur Grace called a public meeting of the Taupo people, this taking place one evening in Ricket's Hall. The project was | briefly outlined by Mr Grace, a subscription list opened, and at the close of the meeting the sum of £75 the i amount required had been guaranteed, thus enabling the invitation to be carried out. The Australian team included such notable players as V. Ransford | former test player, A. Kippax, V. j Richardson, Ironmonger, Hornbrook, ; who subsequently all represented | Australia as well as other outstand- | ing state players of that period. The j Taupo team comprising 15 players S a m p s o n , Butcher, Crowther, Gamble, Osborne, Mohoaonui, Wharerahi, Paurini, Paerata, Wilson, Betty, 'Creevy, Hill. ! Taupo scored 128 and Australia 280 for 4 wickets. There is no doubt ihe visitors could have dismissed Taupo for much less, but when "big Joe Mohoaonui" of Tokaanu, who ; weighed over 20 stone went in, one | of the Australians rushed away to tho hotel for his camera with the plea to the bowlers not to put Joe ( cut until he had taken a "snap". j Jce was there lulled into a false | sense of security by the bowlers who i gave him some really "s-oft ones" | which were promptly hit to the j boundary. By the time' the camera- j man returned Joe had compiled over j 40 runs. The man with the camera duly got his snaps, then signalled ; the bowler, who by the way was Hornibrook. The next hall came down and the mcst surprised man of all was Joe when he saw his wickets scattered behind him. Next day the "Aussies" were the guests of the club and the local people in an excursion on the lake which took in all of the westera bays up to Karangahape Cliff and

back. For the trip the steamer Tongariro and four launches all owned by the Lake Taupo Shipping Co. Ltd. were kindly given by the company ior the occasion, and some of the visitors tried their skill at fishing with quite good results, several big fish weighing 10 to 12 lbs in excellent condition being caught. The Jeliicoe Match The other notable ocassion was the match between a team from the then Governor-Generals Staff. Lord Jeliicoe who was at the time camped at Waipeehi now known as Jellicoe's poinb. This as previously stated took place prior to the Australian visit. The match which afair was a one-innings event. resulted in a win ior the visitors by 14 runs. Lord Jeliicoe being top scorer with 22. The Taupo team was as follows: — McCartly (captain) ; Grace, Sampson, Butcher, Wharerahi, Growther, Rameka, Betty, Royal, Kauwhata, Hill. Up to the out-break of world war II cricket was played regularly for the "Aussie Shield" a trophy which was got from the balance of funds when the Australians came and called. the Aussie Shield to commemorate the visit. ISince the last war, while there has been no recognyed competition, the Taupo Cricket Club has played a series of return matches each season against teams from Tokaanu, National Park, Tihoi, Reporoa, Rotorua P.W.D., Maroa and Kaingaroa Forest. Last Season's Averages. At the End of the 1950-51 season averages for the Taupo Cricket Club were as follows: — Batting. A. J. CoIIett: Aggregate 357; average 51.0. T. Hatherton: aggregate 114; average 22.8. W. J. McKean: Aggregate 132; average 14.7. R. Beale: Aggregate 99; 14.1. J. Loughlin: Aggregate 118; average 13.1. Bowling. A. J. CoIIett: Rus 212, wickets 32, average 6.6. T. Hatherton: Runs 139, wickets 20, average 6.8. G. Patchett: Runs 50, wickets 7, average 7.1. W. J. McKean: Runs 121, wickets 15, average 8.1. J. Loughlin: Runs 229 , wickets 26, average 8.8.