CRICKET IN WAIRARAPA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 January 1939, Page 3

CRICKET IN WAIRARAPA

BIDWiLL CUP KNOCK-OUT CONTEST

Notes and Comments

(By

“Blue & Gold.")

The first round of the Eidwill Cup competition was completed on Saturday when Red Star easily accounted for Old Boys in a game that was full of good fellowship and was played in the spirit which should always characterise the summer pastime. Excellent Knock by . McPherson. The Old Boys’ first innings was noticeable for a very fine knock by McPherson, and players on both sides were pleased to see this popular cricketer score well all round the wicket, being undefeated at the close of the innings. The bowling was difficult to negotiate and Skipper Frank Hoar swung the changes frequently. But "Mac” plodded along steadily, taking no chances and putting the loose stuff when it occasionally came along where it should go. He drove very nicely indeed and got several neat shots away on the leg side. He- hit a beautiful six, and also notched two 4’s and three 2’s. In the second innings he was going well when Frank Hoar came smartly across to take a good catch a few yards from the boundary.

Good Batting. Wilson was run out when he had notched 19 runs made by good strokes and which included three boundaries.

Pat Ryan Goes Well. In the follow on Old Boys failed to reach their first innings score but there were several nice knocks, especially that of Pat Ryan, who batted prettily for 21. His strokes on the leg side were attractively made and through the slips and to the on he placed several balls very neatly, timing them perfectly. His score included three boundaries and a couple of 2’s.

McWhinnie Bats Nicely. McWhinnie batted well for 15 and was strong on the leg side. Although he only got two boundaries, many - of his strokes which were snapped up smartly by the fieldsmen were worth runs.

Useful Contributions. Hatton (two 4’s) was going well when Pool caught him in the slips. Heenan’s dozen included two 4’s, his runs being patiently made. The Bowlers. Newman. Hoar sent down 4 overs for 20 runs and 3 wickets. His bowling had the batsmen thinking all the time. Upston had two overs, bowling well and getting 2 wickets for 8 runs. Keener fielding would have made Roys’s average (2 for 21) much bet--ter. He bowled 4 overs, one of which was a maiden. Pool, Coleman and W. Peterson all took a wicket, while McWhinnie also sent down a couple of overs. THIRTY YEARS A SENIOR. JACK RENNER STILL IN THE PICTURE. Few cricketers can boast such a long active connection with the game of cricket as Jack Renner, of Masterton. He started his cricket in Wellington long years ago—he was playing senior cricket in Wellington 30 years ago. In his young days he was. a member of a Wellington combination of young players which in the four years of its existence never suffered a defeat. Members of that team included “Ranji” Wilson, afterwards the noted New Zealand All Black forward and captain, Bob Moss, Bert Waugh and “Loo” Keys. The last three players are well known to old

Wairarapa followers of the game. “Loo” Keys played for many years for Featherston seniors an'd Wairarapa and also for the Wellington representatives and was one of the best 'known bowlers in the North Island, putting up many notable bowling performances, including the capturing of the whole of the ten wickets for a small total in a single innings in a senior game in Wellington, and on another occasion, along with the late Billy Frith (Wellington, Canterbury, Otago and New Zealand representative) putting the Greytown seniors out for some half dozen runs. The late Bob Moss played representative cricket in Wellington and later came to Masterton, where he linked up with the Carlton Club, playing for that club for a long period of years and for Wairarapa. He was the hardest hitter, and the fastest bowler Wairarapa has seen, and the best all round player that the district has known. It was Bob Moss who first taught Clarrie Grimmett to bowl "googlies.” Bert Waugh played for many years for the Wellington gasworks senior team (which included Cobcroft, one time captain of the New South Wales team and later a New Zealand representative and a Featherston senior and Wairarapa representative) in the Wellington senior competition, and also for the East team, in the same competition. Bert Waugh was the first “googly” bowler seen in the Wairarapa senior competition, and the first time that local players batted against him they tied themselves into knots trying to play his bowling. He was a member of the Carlton team and was a good batsman as well, his average for a season generally being in the vicinity of 35. ®

Jack Renner when he came to Masterton 25 years ago found himself associated in the Carlton Club with his 'old Wellington chib, mates —Bob Moss, Bert Waugh and also Dave Patrick. ’He was a noted bowler in those days, and his 3 for 7 against Old Boys in the recent Bidwill Cup match in Masterton demonstrates that a. quarter of a century later he can still bowl effectively. Jack Renner when living in Wellington played for the Institute and Midland seniors as. well as for the Old Boys’ Club. It was in connection with the Midland Club that he was particularly well known as a player. He was associated for some 'seasons' in the Midland Club with .such noted players as Fred Midlane, the late Arnold Williams, the late Erny Upham, Jack. Hutchings, ■ Alec Bruce, Bob Wilson, Ken Tucker. Bill Quee, Dave Patrick, Stephenson, Hickson, Dave Whiting, Charlie Atkinson, Scisson, Patterson, and Erny Windley. As a bowler Jack Renner has a long list of successes in senior and representative cricket in Wellington and Wairarapa to his credit. He was a brilliant fielder and still is, for the only player to equal him in the field today in the Wairarapa is Pat Ryan. A good steady bat he could always be depended upon to make a decent score, and was a particularly useful man at the wickets when runs were required to win, for with a heart as big as a lion he had no fear of the bowlers, and a “rot” never put him off his game. For a long period of years he played for the Carlton Club, and when that club went out of existence he associated himself with, the United Club which won the senior championship on. several occasions. When the United Club ceased to function he linked up with the Red Star Club for which club he has rendered valuable service, especially in coaching and giving advice (which is always eagerly sought) to the younger players. He is also a keen official of the Red Star Football Club and takes a deep and personal interest in the players and their training.