CRICKET IN WAIRARAPA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1938, Page 8

CRICKET IN WAIRARAPA

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY REVIEWED

Notes and Comments

(By “Blue & Gold.”)

The Wairarapa Cricket Association’s competitions were continued on Saturday last under good conditions. Wins were obtained by Red Star and Lansdowne seniors in the first completed matches in the senior division.

Uncertainty of Cricket. The “glorious uncertainty” of cricket was demonstrated in the game between Wairarapa College and Red Star at the College grounds. It will be remembered that Red Star collapsed in the first innings for 36, though it was generally recognised that this was not a true indication of the team’s batting strength. On Saturday the team made a much better showing in their second innings, and disposed of the College team for a small score before the drawing of stumps.

A Very Serviceable Player. Over a period of 35 years the name of Hoar has been prominently associatbd with Wairarapa cricket. Away back in pre-war days the late Tom Hoar, then a member of the now defunct Carlton Cricket Club, many times winners of senior championship honours, demonstrated his ability with lhe ball. He was in his young days one of the best trundlers in the province, besides being a useful bat and fieldsman. Tom was secretary of the Red Star Football Club, (Practically every playing member of the Red Star football seniors, juniors and ihirds were cricketers, and members of the Carlton Club, the club at one time having three teams in the Wairarapa senior championship), and one of the finest sports that ever donned flannels or football gear. He vzas a footballer of note and an old Wellington representative player, coming from lhe ranks of the now defunct Melrose Club. He rendered great service to Wairarapa cricket as well as to football. Then we had Bill Hoar (selector of the senior representatives nowadays) who was a brilliant bat. and ' one of the fastest scoring men Wairarapa has ever seen; the late Arthur Hoar, an outstanding batsman and good all rounder, whose record for the highest individual score in Wairarapa cricket, I believe, still stands; and Frank Hoar, vigorous batsman and magnificent bowler, who after about a quarter of a century is still a thorn in the side of the opposition. Now comes Newman Hoar, grandson of Tom, who promises to uphold the high traditions of the Hoar Family. On Saturday he compiled 61 runs by splendid batting. He hit probably the mightiest sixer ever recorded on the College ground and reminiscent of big-hitter Bob Moss. Wairarapa’s greatest all-rounder. Newman, only a youth, hit nine 4’s in addition. With coaching and experience he should develop into one of the best cricketers the Wairarapa has produced. He also bowled splendidly, taking 3 wickets for 7. It is as a bowler that Newman is best known, but he is coming along splendidly as a batsman.

A Sound Display. A very sound display of batting was given by Wally Peterson who at 36 went to an easy catch by Tier. The school bowling was of a type that made him cautious; for him to score eight singles in succession demonstrates that the bowling was good. He scored three 4’s and four 2’s. Steady Batting. Gordon Peterson produced a steady display of batting which included p 4 and five 2’s. He made some splendid strokes each side of the wicket.

The Tail Wags.

The Star tail wagged very effectively, the last four wickets adding 129 runs to the score. In addition to N. Hoar, Henson, Friend and Renner all added their share. Henson and Renner clipped a couple of 4’s each in their respective scores, and Friend found the boundary once. Steady Bowling. The College attack was of an even character and too many liberties could not be taken with it, though the “tailenders” got down on Patrick. Upston bowled consistently well, coming out with the best average, while Thompson was not far behind him in bowling ability. A Good Sport. The high light of the College batting in the second innings was a very ‘fine 20 put together by Tir-r. He found the boundary twice and hit a couple of 2’s. He made some nice strokes on both sides of the wicket and drove well. The College is fortunate in having such a keen enthusiast to take the team in hand. Having an excellent knowledge of the game Tier is doing splendid work among the College boys. Sports of the type of Tier are a decided acquisition to Wairarapa cricket, and the game must benefit by his association with it. i A Stubborn Fight. Though the College team only scored a small number of runs in the second innings the players made a stubborn fight for victory, and stonewalled with the hope of securing a first innings win for themselves. However, Hoar, Henson, Friend, Renner and Pool were a combination of bowlers who proved too superior in attack, and College suffered defeat by exactly the number of runs which they compiled in the second innings. A Gallant Effort. Though Lansdowne, with such a commanding first innings lead, really had the game “in the cart,” Old Boys put up a most determined fight. One was pleased to see that good sport McPherson make a creditable score for Old Boys. Mac never the best of luck at the crease and a double figure score by him always brings satisfaction to the spectators. A Creditable Display. The Old Boys’ second innings produced two very fine displays of batting. The score of Alexander (38) was compiled in a masterly manner. When occasion demanded he went for lhe bowling and his score contained many attractive strokes. He hit a number of boundaries as well as three 6’s. Time and experience are going to make an excellent batsman of this young ex-High School player. He put together a splendid 19 in the first innings. Good Batting. It will be remembered that last season Ryan, of Old Boys, gave many , pleasing batting and fielding displays. This season he is continuing his good work in both departments and on Saturday he put together a particularly nice 30 (not out). A pretty batsman, he hit freely all round the wicket. Solid Bowling. I

As usual Lansdowne were solid in the bowling department, and Arthur Whiteman Sid Jenkins and Dave Groves returned some splendid figures. Strong in batting and bowling Lansdowne is going to be a big problem for other teams to handle successfully.