CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1919, Page 7

CRICKET.

THE HAWKE CUP. I By Telegraph.—Press Association. Glsborae, last Night. A special meeting of the Poverty Bay Cricket Association was held to-night to consider challenges for the Hawke Cup from Wanganul and Marlborough. It was decided to telegraph Wanganul stating that Boxing Day Would probably bo thei earliest date that Poverty Bay could play, and asking Wanganul to telegraph the date most suitable. The Marlborough challenge was held over pending the reply from Wanganul. PROBABLE ENGLISH TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA By Telegraph.—Press Atsn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 25. Marylebono Is 1 unable to promise to send a cricket team to Australia in the autumn of 1920 until the reports of the counties ore received and considered Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. The annual general meeting of-tlie New Plymouth Cricket Club was hold in the Soldiers' Club on Thursday evening at the conclusion of the meeting of the association. Mr. E. Whittle was voted to the chair, and presided over an attendance of about a dozen members. The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Hon. O. Samuel; president, Mr. W. C. Weston; vice-presidents. Dr. E. A. Walker, Sir. T. H. Bates, and Dr. E. F. Fookes; club captain, Mr. E. Whittle: secretary, Mr. W. Qulckfall; treasurer, Mr. F. Willis; auditor, Mr. E. Lash: management cominlttoe, Messrs, J. Heskett, E. Whittle', W. P. Nlcoli, T. V. Mackay, P. Stainton, and E. G. Johnson; delegates to North Taranakl Cricket Association, Messrs. Heskett and Berg. Members wore unanimously of opinion that the ground should be placed in order immediately, and on the understanding that the Pukekura Park ground would be available for the club, it was resolved that all members should be asked to attend at the park on Saturday, 27th. Inst, for a working bee, and Msesrs. Stainton and Willis were deputed to make arrangements for the necessary Implements.

Those who take an Interest In Ihls summer game must have felt gratified at the enthusiasm displayed,, at the meeting held on Thursday ovenlng. All were enthusiastic, and from what one can gather the play this summer should creatp a great deal of Interest. With possibly nine teams engaged there should material avallabel to select a good eleven to meet any touring team that chances to visit the province. In the past cricket has been allowed to drop to a very low ebb, but the tide has now turned, so that President Whittle and bis supporters will havo every cause to feel s atlsfled with the prospects ahead.

It was a graceful tribute paid by Air. Stainton to those onthusiasts who had somo months ago gone to a lot of trouble to revive Interest. As he stated, these' gentlemen had been very successful In securing donations and guarantees, and altogether were very successful In what Is usually a very unwelcome task. That these efforts should be backed up ,by players generally Is naturally expected, and from the Interest evinced this should be realised. The vered question of preparing grounds loomed largely in the discussion, and there Is « good deal In the contention that It Is decidedly wrong that one club should prepare an excellent pitch and field, and another eleven have somothlng little better than a paddock. It was generally recognised that the Recreation Ground was a stiff "hurdle" to surmount In this dlroetlon, but with the New Plymouth and Old Boys' membership the task should not be beyond them provided a start Is made shortly. Regarding clubs, the meeting welcomed representative's from the Freezing Works and Walreka Clubs. The more teams engaged In the competition the better for the gamo, and the more matches to be played. The Rame Is, after all, the main feature of sport. To have a competlton narrowed down to a triangular duel between three clubs bacomes wearisome to those not directly engaged, whereas with several teams the players have ?mplo opportunities of meeting and acquiring the experience necessary to assist them In becoming more proficient in the pastime. The New Plymouth Club appear to bo fortunato in possessing several of those who have been associated with the club for several years, and who are quite willing to "give it a go" for another season. High School will be <i youthful brigade, but with the assistance of the masters they should bo quite capable of holding their own. They will have tbe big advantage of possessing the beat pitch In the competition.

Freezing Works and Wairekn Clubs will be something In the nature of an experiment, and their opening games will bo keenly anticipated by those anxious to see the game progress. Both are stated to havo strong memberships, and should have no difficulty In that direction In meeting their engagements. Nothing is known concerning Inglewood, but If Gudgeon, Clegg -and Co. again assist our Southern neighbours they should be quite able to sustain Inglewood's high record. Tlkoransl, lad a few games against the Toko eleven, and with the Foremans, Sartens, etc., again available should, like Inglewood, provide good games for the visiting teams to their localities.