Early Years of the Havelock North Cricket Club, The
The Early Years of the Havelock North Cricket Club
Contents
Chapter Title Page
1 Introduction 5
2 The Fledgling Club 7
3 The Rugby Factor 14
4 The Intermediate Grade 20
5 The Originals 26
6 The Fulfords 33
7 1953/54 Plus Pen Portraits 49
8 1954/55 62
9 The Lower Grades 70
10 1955/56 81
11 1956/57 86
12 1957 /58 92
13 1958/59 99
14 1959/60 104
15 Anderson Park 114
16 1960/61 118
17 1961/62 124
18 1962/63 133
19 1963/64 139
20 1964/65 147
21 1965/66 157
22 1966/67 164
23 1967/68 172
24 1968/69 180
25 1969/70 191
26 1970/71 200
27 1971/72 209
28 1972/73 217
29 1973 /74 227
30 1974/75 236
31 1975/76 243
32 1976/77 250
33 1977/78 257
34 1978/79 264
35 1979/80 268
36 1980/81 276
37 1981/82 283
38 1982/83 289
39 1983 /84 295
40 1984/85 300
41 1985/86 and 1986/87 306
Page 1
THE EARLY YEARS OF THE HAVELOCK NORTH CRICKET CLUB
by Graham Smith
Introduction
Having joined the Havelock North Cricket team in 1957 as a raw 17-year-old, just out of Hastings High School, the author soon became interested in the folklore that had already been generated in such a young club, particularly the stories surrounding that significant year in the club’s history, 1951. This was the year when the Havelock North Cricket Club applied to the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association for a place in the Senior Inter-town Competition.
This interest persisted, fuelled by tales of the village doctor, whose enthusiasm for the game of cricket was well known in the village during those heady days, when cricket started after the war. Dr Reeve had a clear vision for Havelock North cricket which was fixed very firmly on a Havelock North team playing senior cricket in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s inter-town competition. He never let go of this idea. He became the driving force behind the move which resulted in the realisation of this dream in 1952.
Coinciding with the good doctor’s positivity was a natural enough negativity, whereby feelings of doubt regarding player uncertainties in transferring from an established club or team to a completely unknown and untried one.
The bravado and resoluteness of three sets of Havelock brothers (Baker, Frater and Fulford) along with the persistence and persuasive powers of Dr Reeve and his committee, may well have influenced the H.B.C.A. to include a Havelock North team into the Intermediate Grade in 1951, with the proviso that, if this grade was won, promotion to the Senior grade was a possibility.
Over-riding this challenge was the indisputable fact that – here was an idea whose time had come. Within the village of Havelock North there were now players who would make up a fine Senior grade side, able to compete against the best that Hawke’s Bay club cricket could offer.
In 1957, the author would listen to tales of the 1951/52 season when, after stumps at either Nelson or Cornwall Park, the team would socialise with the opponents of the day for the after-match drinks. The two teams would crowd into Anderson’s garage, a stone’s throw from Cornwall Park; hide from the prying eyes of the law in the seclusion of the old Nelson Park changing sheds or relax in perfect freedom on the back lawn and terrace of our captain, Bob MacIness’s home in Greys Road. There was no Anderson Park Clubrooms and Pubs were not open after 6 p.m. in those days.
All of the above was stowed away in the memory bank, but as the years rolled along the mind began to wonder just what did occur during those early 1950 years. What was the catalyst for the remarkable series of events, whereby a team representing the village of Havelock North could rise from the Junior A grade, (3rd tier down) into the newly formed Intermediate grade (2nd Tier), soundly win that grade and be thus promoted to the Senior grade? All of which was accomplished over a period of just two seasons.
Having achieved the objective of Senior status, it seemed quite remarkable for the team from the village to convincingly win the H.B.C.A.’s Senior championship by 26 points in its second season in this grade, and to then sensationally win the championship again in the following season. This was indeed the “stuff as dreams are made” and quite unparalleled in Hawke’s Bay cricket.
Many years later a comment which was passed over a drink at the National Services Club, was enough to spark old and well remembered times and an opportunity to reminisce on the glory days of the mid 1950s. With the free time that comes with retirement, here was an opportunity to research, interview and discuss and so cover the years in which the author was intermittently involved with the Club as a playing member.
Page 2
Harold Pinter once said “The past is what you remember; imagine you remember; convince yourself you remember or pretend you remember.”
What has ensued is hardly a “History” as such. There was insufficient primary source material available for that. It is rather a reminiscence of playing days and well remembered highlights. An appropriate title, although somewhat lengthy, could well be, A Dissertation on Games and Players over Three Decades in the Early Days of the Havelock North Cricket Club, preceded by an Account of Cricket in Havelock North, between the Two Great Wars.
I wish to inextricably emphasise that it is a book about the players themselves and not about administration, organisation or committee meetings.
A simple definition of History is that it is one person’s record of events and people, over a given period of time. What has ensued in this volume is, one would hope, a definitive concentration of the ‘people’ aspect.
It is the ‘players’ themselves, with all their cricket skills; their individuality; their idiosyncrasies; their amiability; their loyalty; their disposition; their geniality, but above all – their belief in the club, who have indeed shaped the story of the Havelock North Cricket Club. It is to them and their exploits, contribution, actions and deeds, no matter whether they were grand or minor to whom the contents of the following pages have been dedicated.
The exploits of the players of those early years may well now pale into insignificance when compared to the deeds of the modern Havelock North cricketer, equipped with his state-of-the-art gear and equipment, playing under the far more favourable conditions of today. What must be singularly remembered is that the equipment and gear of the three decades from 1950 through to 1980s, was simply quite primitive when compared to that used by the modern day “knights with all their multiplicity of protection, along with their blazing bats”.
The volume, weight and balance of the humble cricket bat has changed significantly over 50 years. The length and width of the blade have remained constant, (56 cms long and 11 cms across), but it is in the depth of the blade, the ‘spine’, where the main difference lies. A 1960’s bat had a ‘spine’ height of 5 cms with an edge of 2cms. The modern bat is almost half that thickness again with a ‘spine’ height of 7 cms, with an edge of up to 4cms.
So a six, or a series of sixes, hit in the 1960s was a rarity. When this feat was achieved it was an exception and was newsworthy.
W.G. Grace’s words are pertinent when regarding the batsmen in those early days of the Club:
“The great thing about hitting a six is not to be half-hearted about it, but when you make up your mind to hit, to do it as if the whole match depended on that stroke.”
There were no helmets or arm, chest, or upper thigh protection. Pads were buckled on and quite flimsy. Batting gloves were thinly padded, the upper fingers of the glove often consisted of hard-set, spikey rubber slabs.
In conclusion it is heartening, to witness the positive position in which the Club finds itself today. Within Hawke’s Bay Cricket, since the 1950s there have been closures and amalgamations of once highly regarded Clubs in both Hastings and Napier. During all the years since its emergence as a bona fide and strong organisation the Havelock North Cricket Club has remained proudly independent. Its future now completely and unconditionally assured.
Graham Smith
Page 3
Acknowledgements:
Havelock North from Village to Borough 1860-1952 S.W. Grant
Cricket Centenary – The Story of Cricket in Hawke’s Bay, F.F. Cane
*Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: (Multiple columnists) 1945 to 1975.
*Daily Telegraph F.F. Cane 1945 to 1980
Margaret and Keith Fulford
Bob Mitchell
Irene “Reeney” Freemantle
Jill Payne – RCM’s daughter
Ray Robertson
Leith MacInnes.
Barrie Hart
Jackie Braid
Paul Clothier
I am deeply grateful to my wife Wendy for her inexhaustible patience and excellent sandwiches.
*The many cricket reporters working for the “Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune”.
Page 4
Prologue:
Some time before the start of the 1951 cricket season, a meeting was called in the Havelock North Village Hall by a group of interested and concerned villagers to discuss the future of cricket in Havelock North over the coming years. The Havelock North cricket team had performed creditably in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s 1950/51 Junior A Inter-town cricket competition. The team had scored a comprehensive outright victory over the eventual winners, Taradale, in the final game of the season. One supposes therefore, that the agenda for the meeting included the possibility of Havelock North entering a team into the senior competition for the coming 1951/52 season.
Prior to this meeting, the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association had decided that, because of the assumed strength of the Junior inter-town competition, a further grade, named appropriately, ‘Intermediate`, should be interposed between the Senior and Junior grades and that the Junior B grade be renamed Junior A. The concept of promotion/relegation was to be applied to all grades in order to encourage the competitiveness of the teams and by implication the partiality of the Clubs. The H.B.C.A. decided that the teams to play in this Intermediate grade would be those which participated in the previous season`s Junior A grade, in which Havelock North had come a close third.
One assumes that those in attendance at the meeting in the Village Hall knew of this H.B.C.A. manoeuvre and that the meeting concluded with a strong and robust minute, outlining the assembled committee`s intention to support any undertaking which would enhance the status of cricket in Havelock North. The first step in this initiative was to assemble a team which was capable of winning the Intermediate grade, and thus, through the process of promotion/relegation, move seamlessly through to senior status in the 1952/53 season.
In order for this ambitious scheme to succeed, a vital prerequisite was that those cricketers living in the village and its rural surroundings, who played their cricket for Hastings` clubs, should be approached, with the purpose of persuading them to link with the current Junior A grade players to form a strong Havelock North XI capable of winning this Napier/Hastings Inter-town Intermediate grade.
The vision and logic of such a proposition, which would give Havelock North a sporting identity, currently lacking during the summer months, was not lost on those village cricketers who were already attached to senior teams with Hastings clubs, particularly the Rugby Cricket Club. However, the downgrading from Senior status to the Intermediate grade was the only stumbling block for them in joining Havelock North
The spectre of failure, in not convincingly winning the Intermediate grade surely hung over them. This was a huge hurdle for some to overcome, but for those Havelock citizens who did join up with their village team, it could be said of them, that the will to win the Intermediate grade title, was the motivation, indeed the inducement, which inspired many of these men into career-best performances, so that as the season progressed after the Christmas break, even as early as February of 1952, it became clear that the prize of competing in next season’s Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association`s senior competition was theirs.
The men from Havelock, did go on to win the Intermediate grade quite handsomely. And, yes, the Havelock North Cricket XI was promoted to play in the Senior competition for the 1952/1953 season.
The goal of those founding members, Dr A.W. Reeve, Manley Michael, Hugh Fair, Noel Fulford et al, who met in the Village Hall in the spring of 1951, was achieved. This was indeed a momentous point in the club’s history, brought about by two important ingredients:
1. A committee which had a clear vision of the future of Havelock North cricket and its place in the milieu of the village;
2. A team of fine village cricketers who made the vision become a reality.
Page 5
Chapter 1
The Pre-War Years
“There’s a breathless hush in the close to-night-
Ten to make and a match to win –
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play, and the last man in”.
from ‘Vitai Lampada’ by Sir Henry Newbolt
If one moves over 140 years back in time, it is discovered that a Havelock North Cricket Club was mentioned in the 1874 edition of The Hawke’s Bay Almanac. Sydney Grant’s excellent book, The History of Havelock North also states that there was a match played in that same year between the Havelock North Cricket Club and the Tradesman’s Club of Napier. This is the only reference to cricket in Havelock North until the turn of the century. Sydney Grant volunteers the claim, that the Cricket Club was indeed the first sport’s club in Havelock North. A proud precursor to the halcyon years which were to occur over half a century later.
Along the pathway to the historic Village Hall meeting in October 1951, referred to in the Prologue, it is not difficult to imagine that there had always been an interest in cricket in the village. In fact, whenever men gathered to talk about, or participate in, outdoor pursuits in a closely knit village such as Havelock North, it is quite likely that the game of cricket may well have been a subject of many conversations.
Hereworth School old boys, returning from far-off educational pastures to take up work on the farm, orchard or station, may well have chatted about their secondary school deeds on the playing fields of Wanganui Collegiate, Palmerston North Boys High School, Nelson, Kings or Christ’s Colleges. Such discussions could well have led to the selecting of a couple of sides for a friendly contest on the village green to fill in a quiet Saturday afternoon. The minimum requirements being a couple of bats, a ball and some stumps in order to set up a game of cricket as the long, lazy days of the summer approached their zenith.
The centrally located village green, ideally situated between Te Mata Road and Napier Road was the ideal spot to pitch one side against the other. The challenge of bat against ball; the austerity which is traditionally imbued into the spirit of the game with its inbuilt qualities of sportsmanship and fair play; the exhilaration of hitting a boundary or of knocking the stumps over; the social congress of families on the village green, along with the close camaraderie uniquely associated with the game of cricket, must surely have appealed to not only the pioneering nature, but also the aesthetic proclivities of the villagers of the time.
It was in this atmosphere which pervaded the village at the time that a meeting was arranged with the singular purpose of forming a cricket club on September 22nd 1906. The meeting Chaired by the Rev A. F. Gardiner was well-attended and John Chambers was elected as the first Chairman of the Havelock North Cricket Club
In October the club held its first practice on the Domain and a team of Villagers was entered into the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s second grade competition. The team played the whole season, held weekly practices on the Domain and came fourth out of nine teams. Thus, in October of the year 1906, cricket historically had its origins in Havelock North.
In the year 1909, this spirit encouraged, one Enoch Hallett, to progress one step further and establish the Club on a firm and permanent basis. Enoch, following the Rev Gardiner’s lead, gathered around him, a group of villagers in order to maintain the enthusiasm of the families such as the Chambers, the Williams, and again enter a Havelock North team into the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s second Grade.
Page 6
In the following year the match against the Napier Tradesman’s club with its traditional after-match social function, was resurrected and it seemed that cricket was on the rise in the somewhat isolated community which was Havelock North at that time.
Unfortunately, this groundswell of interest in cricket was drastically cut short, as the onset of the Great Depression affected the way of life of the small hamlet. It was not until the year 1931, when Sydney Grant assures us, that one of the positive outcomes of the match played between the boys and the old boys of Havelock North Primary School, was that a group of the old boys, who played in this game decided that the time was overdue to revive the game of cricket in the village on a semi-formal basis. Aiding and abetting this fine initiative, Hereworth School encouraged by its headmaster, was engaging in regular fixtures with Havelock North Primary School, so the idea of a Havelock North Cricket Club was floated on a semi formal basis.
In September, 1931, the Havelock North Town Board was approached by the fledgling club to have permission to use Havelock Domain, during the summer months. A team was entered into the junior grade of the Hastings Sub-Association’s competition. The players were to contribute two pence per game as well as perform the menial tasks, necessary to prepare the central pitch for the home games, played on a Saturday.
However in spite of this willingness, the Club began to decline, and some fringe members began to drift away. But those enthusiasts who were made of sterner stuff, still wished to see Havelock North have its own club again. A special meeting was called in January 1933 to confer and debate just what place cricket had in the social fabric of the village.
After much discussion, it was duly decided that the staunch and true citizens of Havelock North should be represented by their own team, which was entered into the Hastings Sub Association’s Junior competition. The team performed with enthusiasm and a degree of flair which saw it compete on even terms against its Hastings’ adversaries.
The originals, who made up the bulk of the playing members, resolutely carried the side through the subsequent nine years with varying degrees of success, until 1942 when the playing of all organised cricket in Hawke’s Bay was adversely affected by the Second World War. However all cricket did not come to a stop during the war years. There was sufficient male population between the ages of 15 and 50 who were keen to continue to play the game.
In the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s 62nd Annual Report of September 1944 it was stated that club competitions were again played during the previous season 1943/44 with the eight teams competing, being as follows:- Seniors: Technical College Old Boys, Napier High School Old Boys, Army and High School. Juniors: Taradale, Air Training Corps, High School and the Napier Intermediate School. “A singularly Napier competition dredged from those cricketers, young and old not directly involved in the War.” Apart from the two teams, Army and Air Training Corps, neither Hastings nor Havelock North were on the H.B.C.A.’s horizon. The Annual report concluded with the thought that, “prospects seem brighter for the coming season with every likelihood of the War with Germany being over, and the return to civil life of several cricketers.”
Page 7
Chapter 2
‘The Fledgling Club’
“How was my spirit torn in twain,
When on the field arrayed.
My neighbours with my comrades strove
My village against my trade.”
G K. Chesterton.
After the War, cricket was re-commenced in Hawke’s Bay, in October 1945. A cricket club in Hastings, with its engrossing oxymoron, “The Rugby Cricket Club”, which had its headquarters firmly established, fielded its top team on the opening day of the senior grade of the Hastings/Napier inter-town competition. On that day, five players who were residing or working within the vicinity and environs of the Havelock North village played in the Rugby Club’s Senior team at Cornwall Park in Hastings.
Noel Fulford scored his maiden club century on this very day as he made his debut for Rugby. The young colt was supported ably by the other Havelock men – Jim Stevenson, Keith Baker, Harry Hawthorn, Robert and Tony Frater.
The opposite side of the coin to this healthy Havelock representation in a Hastings club, was that even though the Hastings Sub Association had teams entered from local clubs in the 1945/46 season, such as Whakatu-Mahora, Midland, Hastings, Rugby, Baptist and Hastings High School Old Boys, there was no entry from Havelock North in this first season after the war. Whether this was an oversight, or whether it was presumed that the facilities and playing surface on the Domain were sub standard, it is difficult to ascertain. But as the days of the 1946 new year grew longer and warmer, and the new season was just one winter away, the cricketers within the village, quite correctly decided that a return to the inconsistent grass practice wicket of the pre-War days was too time consuming, too dangerous and of little benefit in improving one’s game. A succession of ‘working bees’ constructed a new concrete practice wicket which was the initial step in establishing the very first post-War cricket team from Havelock North.
When October 1946 rolled around, there was now sufficient interest to have a meeting and organise a team to play in the Hastings Sub Association`s Junior A grade. The first game of the new season, indeed the new era, saw Havelock North playing against Midland. In spite of the efforts of R. Clark, C. Hill and George Mitchell the team lost outright by ten wickets.
This loss was followed by a further brace of losses against Whakatu-Mahora and Hastings. Lesser individuals may have been left quite daunted by the disheartening start to the new team’s season, but the players at the vanguard of this exciting new enterprise were a pretty determined bunch. Men like Manley Michael, Bill Panckhurst, Foote, Harry Hill, John Neilson, ‘Nobby’ Clark, Wally Jones, Sandy Coombes, Maurice Miller and Laurence Rickard were of a breed of cricketing enthusiasts who relished the opportunity to be involved in their village team.
Being an enterprising group, the players seemed to have an established routine at every practice. The first arrivals would drag the coir matting over to the concrete strip on the domain and stretch it out as taut as was possible in order to cover the entire pitch, then peg it firmly into place. As a reward for his punctuality and labour, the leader of the group of early arrivals would pad up for first bat which usually meant that he was able to get more batting time.
The question of whether the practice sessions on matting, followed by the playing of the Saturday games on the faster grass wickets in Hastings, was the reason for the poor start to the season was an enigma. This dilemma was a constant bone of contention, which seemed to last all season. Many diehards were convinced that practice on matting, then the game on grass was detrimental to the Saturday performance of the team.
Page 8
In spite of the early setbacks, which included a heavy outright loss to Hastings by 104 runs in the first game after the Christmas break, all was redeemed in the two day fixture against Whakatu-Mahora which concluded on January 25th 1947. The team recorded its first victory. The first innings win by 54 runs was indeed an historic milestone. Havelock North made 109, Panckhurst 38, Whitehead 28, and Clark 18. Whakatu-Mahora were dismissed for 53, Foote 5 for 11 and Coombes 3 for 11.
As the new 1947/48 season approached, a solution to the dilemma of the concrete practice wicket was volunteered by Sidney Grant, a staunch supporter of the Havelock North Cricket Club and coach of the 1st Cricket XI at Hereworth School. He pointed out that such was the quality of the grass surface, as well as the even bounce of the grass practice wickets at Hereworth School that the club should approach the Headmaster with the purpose of requesting the use of the practice wicket which was located on the Te Mata Road boundary, nestled under the chestnut trees, near the Simla Avenue corner.
So began a rather unique association of the Club with the School which continued up until 1958. This participation was to be clearly manifested in the not-too-distant future by the inordinate number of Hereworth Old Boys who, on leaving secondary school, joined up with the Havelock North team. Many of these returning farmers’ sons played in the senior team and became major contributors to the Club’s later successes.
The Club’s mid-week practice sessions were now well settled and held every Tuesday and Thursday under the leafy chestnut foliage of the Hereworth School boundary. The improved practice facilities of a good grass strip along with plenty of room for fielding and open wicket practice may well have been the reason for an increase in playing numbers.
At the beginning of the 1947/48 season the club now had the luxury of being able enter two teams into two separate competitions. An A team was entered into the Hastings/Napier Inter- town Junior A competition and a second team in the Hastings Sub Association’s Junior B competition.
The Hastings Sub Association’s competition for the 1947/48 season was underway on November 1st, .a fortnight prior to the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Inter town competition in which the Havelock North A XI was entered.
The Havelock North B side played its first game of the season , on the Number 2 pitch at Nelson Park, Hastings, against the Te Aute College 1st XI , a side bristling with quick bowlers and aggressive batters. The loss by six runs on the first innings was compensated by a good win against another College side, St John’s, on the following Saturday. The first innings win by 51 runs was the result of good batting performances by Kani, 37, Hill, 19 and a young 14-year-old, Keith Fulford who scored 17. The youngster followed this up with his first ever 5 wicket bag for Havelock North – 5 for 17. But maybe the star of the afternoon was ‘Nobby’ Clarke who snared 5 wickets for 0 runs, which ensured the win.
On the following Saturday, Clarke continued his good form with the ball, being the main destroyer of Rugby`s first innings in collecting 6 wickets for 5 runs in a dismal Rugby batting performance of just 16 runs. With an outright victory well in sight, a good all round performance from Hill, with 27 out of 79 in Havelock’s first innings’ tally, along with his 6 wicket haul for just 5 runs, saw Havelock comfortably notch an historic innings victory, the club’s first ever outright victory.
November 15th 1947 was the day that the pick of the village cricketers, the Havelock North A side played their inaugural match. The side played the Napier club, Artillery United, in the Junior A competition.
A significant feature of this game was another historic milestone. ‘Hughie’ Fair scored the club`s first century, with a score of 116. Fair was having his debut game for Havelock North, having started the year playing for the Midland club. The transfer was an undoubted success with the ever popular ‘Hughie’ continuing to
Page 9
perform with much success well into the 1950s, both in the lower grades and, in later seasons, for the Senior team.
The 1947 season had indeed started well for both Havelock teams. But any sense of euphoria soon dissipated. The A side had two narrow losses. The first against Midland, by 4 runs on the first innings, followed by the loss to Napier High School Old Boys by 10 first innings runs.
However despite the losses, many players in this Havelock A team were emerging as loyal members of the Club with the genuine aim of maintaining the impetus which had already been achieved in a very short space of time.
Manley Michael, along with ‘Hughie’ Fair gave notice of future successes by their consistent performances. These two were well supported by the likes of Dudley Hawkes, Sandy Coombes, John Neilson, Morrie Miller, Laurence Rickard, Anthony Matheson, Payne, Bates, H. Hill, Mitchell, Panckhurst, Foote, Max Liley and Ray Gurran.
In the Hastings Sub Association’s Junior grade, the following players in the B team, turned in good performances for the 1947/48 season – Hay, Keith Fulford, Ray Baker, Milne, ‘Nobby’ Clark, Clapperton, Wright, John McCormack, John Beaumont, Ron Sivewright, C. Hill, Kani and B. Slade.
Many of these would become stalwarts of the club as it made progress into the decades of the 1950s and 1960s. It should also be remembered that some of them were still schoolboys attending Hastings High School, so the performances of Keith Fulford, John Beaumont and Ray Gurran, were commendable to say the least. Having played for the School on a Saturday morning these keen youngsters would turn up to the practice sessions at Hereworth School on the off chance of getting a game in the Saturday team.
Both teams battled through the rest of the season with a good balance of wins and losses, but the one thing of significance was that the village now had a playing pool of considerable depth and ability, consisting of cricketers whose allegiance to the Club was based on their residence in the village or its horticultural/agricultural surrounds.
During this same 1947/1948 season the catalogue of exploits of the five Havelock North compatriots playing in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s inter-town Senior grade competition for the Rugby club, was further evidence of the wealth of cricketing talent which had emerged in Havelock North in the immediate post war years. Players of ability and talent such as, Harry Hawthorn, Bill Nichol, Keith Baker, Noel Fulford and Jim Stevenson, were not at this stage, tempted to transfer to the village club. They were, in fact well settled as an integral part of the Rugby Club`s senior team.
The Rugby Cricket Club was founded in the inter war years with the aim of maintaining the camaraderie and team fellowship, established among the players in the winter months on the rugby field. The club established a reputation and a tradition for encouraging young rugby players to aspire to participate in the game of cricket at all levels. Rugby not only fielded its paramount senior team, which came third in the H.B.C.A.’s competition, but also some four teams in the lower grades.
For any cricketer playing for a side in the Napier/Hastings Inter town competition, to even consider transferring from his secure and stable cricketing environment, to join up with the recently formed Havelock North club, it would have been necessary for him to seriously consider many factors. The comparative lack of facilities found at Havelock, the absence of an established cricketing tradition, and the somewhat remote nature of the village, removed from the epicentre of Hawke’s Bay cricket.
However the 1948/49 season which began a little later than usual on November 6th saw the Havelock North B team, playing in the local Hastings competition, score a good win against the Baptist club by 43 runs on the first innings. A pleasing aspect was, that the team had lost very few, in fact hardly any players from the
Page 10
previous season. The stalwarts of the previous season: Clark, Robert Frater, Muir, Beaumont, Crooks, and Wilson played a major role in this significant win.
The A Team playing in the Junior A Inter-town competition had to wait until the end of November for its first win because of mid-November rain, washing out the game against Tech. Old Boys. The Hastings Cricket Club, at this stage was always competitive but in this game, good batting by Laurie Fair (26) and Ray Gurran (71 n.o.), backed up by Sandy Coombes, who took 10 wickets for the match, secured the win. ‘Hughie’ Fair unlike his brother, did not feature prominently in this game, but a fortnight later on the 18th December he scored 102 n.o., the club’s second century, in Havelock North’s total of 299 against United.
Such was the promise and potential of the young 16-year-old Keith Fulford in his first year out of Hastings High School, that he was selected in the A team for the first game after the Christmas break against Napier High School Old Boys. In a rain-affected match, Havelock batted first and made 171 with good contributions coming from Gowan, ‘Hughie’ Fair, John Neilson and Manley Michael. The young Fulford when thrown the new ball managed to extract something extra from the damp wicket, not attained by the Napier bowlers. Gaining plenty of lift and cut he induced the batsmen into false shots as he carved off 6 wickets for 20 runs which ensured a worthy victory for Havelock North.
And so began a winning streak for the A team, which continued against Tech Old Boys, in a game which featured an innings of 66 n.o. by a young University graduate, Anthony Matheson, the son of the Languages master at Hasting High School. The string of wins continued throughout February and into March.
The outright win by 102 runs against Hastings was punctuated by the dismissal of Hastings in the first innings for 29 runs. The destroyer was K. A. Fulford, with 7 wickets for 3 runs. The sequence of wins was stopped abruptly in the final game of the season by United, but the fine form shown by the prodigious Fulford teenager continued, with a five-wicket bag to finish off his excellent season.
After their win in the first game of the 1948/49 season, the B Team`s good fortune continued in the unlikeliest of outright victories against St John’s College. Havelock North bowled first and had St John’s all out for 27 runs. Havelock replied with a fairly unsubstantial reply of just 56 runs. In a one-day game this surely spelt a first innings win but the young John Beaumont stepped forward, and bowling his accurate slow-medium outswingers captured 3 wickets for 5 runs to help dismiss St John’s for 38 runs. The 10 runs required were made without the loss of a wicket.
However, after this it was all somewhat disappointing with outright losses to Rugby B, twice, Midland B and Baptist. A first innings loss to Midland A was compensated with an outright win over Hastings High School by 7 wickets, in the final game of the season, with Hill taking 7 wickets for 14 runs to wrap up the final game and the season
The 1949/50 season started off with a notable headline and supporting article in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, November 12th 1949.
Havelock North Player Scores Second Century
“H. Fair of Havelock North gained the remarkable distinction of scoring his second century in successive innings, following up his 103 in the opening game with 122 on Saturday.”
Having scored a century in December of the previous year, Hughie’s feat of scoring two consecutive centuries was all the more extraordinary. It was performed in the first two games of the season. A time when the limited amount of pre-season net practice has, in normal circumstances, hardly been sufficient to allow the batsmen to get their eye in. Another salient fact which adds considerable lustre to Fair’s achievement is that the playing conditions at this time of the year were somewhat suspect with instability and moisture in the spring air, leading to a dampness and inconsistency in the wicket. This time of the cricket season in Hawke’s Bay is often the domain of the bowlers.
Page 11
The first Act of this piece of theatre was on October 29th 1949. The Havelock North A team played United, who batted first and were all out for 83. A total, which is about par for the course, in the Inter-town Junior A competition, during October and November. ‘Hughie’ Fair not one to be too concerned about norms and averages, took to the United bowling to score his century in Havelock’s score of 219 for 9 declared, which was plenty enough to secure the eventual first innings win.
Act 2 was played out just one week later, appropriately on Guy Fawkes Day. Havelock North playing Napier High School Old Boys, rattled up 235 runs with the leading man, H. M. Fair, scoring 122 runs. Another historic milestone! The records and archives of the club have failed to reveal a similar feat in the entire history of the club at any level. It has remained intact for over sixty years. If there were to be a sub plot entwined in this rather extraordinary tale, then the 5 wickets for 27 captured by one Laurie Fair, Hugh’s brother, and the 4 for 11 by the young pretender, Keith Fulford, in Napier Old Boys` second innings to seal the outright win, would be it.
This good form was carried over to the next game on the 19th November, when the Havelock North XI, guided again by ‘Hughie’ Fair, (58), scored an outright victory over Old Boys Hastings. Fair’s average up to this point in the season was 141.5. But in this particular game it was the bowlers who won the match. Keith Fulford, Dudley Hawkes and Ray Baker took 14 wickets for 32 runs between them.
If these good performances with both bat and ball continued throughout the season in the grade which was ostensibly the second grade – one below senior – it did not seem beyond the realms of probability that this team could be a contender to play in the Senior grade the following season. It being an accepted fact that cricket is a game in which it is sheer folly to presume, to predict or, indeed, tempt fate, was clearly emphasised in the next game against Rugby. An innings of 67 by H. Fair was not enough to avoid a first innings loss.
A first innings win against Midland, just prior to the Christmas break in which Anthony Matheson (60) and Ray Baker (41) featured in a good partnership at the top of the order in a total of 231 for 8 declared, had the team on track again. However the outright loss in the first game of the 1950 new year, to the newly formed club and village rivals, Taradale, was a reality check.
But at this stage of the season with two outright wins; two first innings wins; an outright loss and a first innings loss, the balance was very much in favour of this Havelock North A team going on to win the Junior A grade, provided the dedication of performance and commitment remained at the same level as was evident in the first half of the season. If this was to be the case, a promotion to the senior grade was certainly on the cards. However there were a number of stumbling blocks and unpredictable occurrences which were about to crop up.
After the Taradale loss, the team picked itself up and by the end of January, Havelock had a convincing outright win over Tech. Old Boys by 45 runs. This was followed by February rain which completely washed out the game scheduled for the 11th and 18th February. A narrow first innings win against Old Boys Hastings on March 11th concluded a highly successful season for the Havelock North A team. The next weekend there was no cricket because of the festivities set down to celebrate Napier achieving city status.
The A team could be well pleased with their season and the aspirations of the Havelock North Cricket Club were firmly set on applying for a place in the senior competition. Much depended on how the next season progressed.
As is often the way with a winning team, it seems to generate a growing proliferation of support and goodwill among those who follow its fortunes. In a village the size of Havelock North in 1950, good news spreads easily and the general populace seemed to be getting in behind their cricketers. The following extract from the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune’s Sportsman’s Notebook on February 11th 1950 seems to bear this out.
Page 12
“Good spirit was shown by the Havelock North Swimming Club in staging a special attraction this week in the way of a cricketers relay as a contribution to the cricket coaching fund. Five cricket relay teams were entered and it was a pleasant surprise to see so many veteran swimmers among the cricketers.”
The Havelock North B team in the 1949/50 season did not have the best of good fortune. After beginning the season in fine style with a good first innings win against Midland, the winning touch seemed to elude the team. But in amongst the losses there were some good performances with the bat. John Beaumont scored consecutive half centuries in the games against Baptist and Whakatu-Mahora right at the end of the season. John Neilson, Hill, Clark, Crooks and Mitchell were consistent run scorers while the new recruits of Laurence Knuckey, Keith Huddleston and John Smiley showed plenty of ability with both bat and ball.
In the 1950 /1951 season, the Havelock North club`s second team, again playing in the Junior grade of the Hastings competition had retained many of last season’s brigade. A young recruit, Crozier, had a fine debut game against Whakatu-Mahora, being much to the fore in Havelock’s innings victory. He scored 24 in the village’s first innings total of 122 and then succeeded in destroying Whakatu-Mahora first innings by taking 5 wickets for 8 runs.
Without any doubt the 1950 /1951 season was set to be a pivotal and important season for the young Havelock North Club which had set its sights on winning the Junior A grade for the second time.
Taradale must also have had aspirations to play cricket in a higher level after their successful Inter-town season of the previous year. A repeat of their performances of last season, especially against Havelock North, could see Taradale apply to the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association for senior status. So the competition between the two villages, Havelock and Taradale, already strong, was set to intensify with everything relying on how consistently the two first-choice teams performed throughout this season.
The second day of the first game of the new season was washed out because of rain so a draw was recorded against Marist Brothers Old Boys – another new club with aspirations for senior ranking. A six wicket win against Old Boys Hastings in a low-scoring game featured Matheson, Fair and Baker with the bat and Tony Gilbertson, Hawke’s, Fulford and Fair with the ball. Six players on whose broad shoulders rested many of the hopes and expectations of the club. A low-scoring game against United, which resulted in an outright loss by 4 wickets in early December, ramped up the pressure. Keith Fulford, now 16 years of age, but considered a veteran in this team, picked up his first 10 wicket haul for a match. In this match the unpretentious and characteristically modest young star gathered in a true harvest of dismissals with figures of 4 wickets for 12 runs and 6 for 24. Another historic first!
An outright win against Midland in the game just prior to Christmas saw a return to form by ‘Hughie’ Fair (56) who featured in a good first innings partnership with Matheson (46), which set up the win. But it was the first game of 1951 just after the Christmas break, against Rugby, won by Havelock on the first innings, which provided an insight into the true potential of this team.
The main feature was an extraordinary double by the aforementioned teenager K. A. Fulford. What was discovered in this game was that this youngster is a batsman of considerable talent, good eye-hand coordination, and a keen determination to not give his wicket away lightly. In his two turns at bat, he scored 61 and 57 n.o. and then capped that off with his usual fine bowling figures – this time, 5 wickets for 47. He was ably assisted by Ray Baker (57), Tony Gilbertson (68, and 2 for 12), Dudley Hawkes (2 for 33) and John Beaumont, newly promoted from the B team, (28).
In the second game of 1951 a good first innings win over Tech. Old Boys saw the continuation of the regular appearance for the club of Max Liley who was to become a true stalwart and one of the real characters of the Club. Max was a Primary School teacher of some renown and had just completed his Country service at Wanstead School in Central Hawke’s Bay. He was appointed to a senior position at Havelock North Primary
Page 13
School and duly joined up with the A team. In this, his first game in the H.B.C.A.’s Junior A grade he showed his prowess as a hard-hitting batsman in scoring a half century, featuring in a good middle-order partnership with Ray Baker (40).
The month of February however proved to be a complete disaster for Havelock North. Two outright losses, one by an innings to Marist Brothers Old Boys, the other to Old Boys Hastings by 89 runs, saw the faint hope which the club had entertained for promotion to the senior grade, fade fitfully away unless there was to be some miracle waiting in the wings.
However this miracle, was not to be. Dudley Hawkes’ ten wickets in the final match of the season against Taradale, no matter how worthy, was just not enough. This irony was exacerbated in that Havelock gained maximum points in this game. The damage was done earlier in the season with some below par performances The aura of disappointment, that manifested itself around the team as it packed up for the season was aggravated by Taradale, who in winning the competition were now first in the queue for promotion to senior status. Havelock North buried in third slot seemed to be out of the hunt.
The politics of cricket at this time worked in favour of the Havelock Club. If it was not for the machinations of Dr. Reeve and his capable committee in creating a strong first team for the 1951/ 52 season to play in the Intermediate Grade then the future of the Club would not have travelled the path that it did post 1951. But more of that later.
Page 14
Chapter 3
The Rugby Factor
“There is a common and quite erroneously held belief that cricket is just another game”.
Prince Phillip – 1975 Wisden.
The months of October 1951 through to March 1952 were to become the crucial cricket season for the nascent Havelock North Cricket Club. The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association, in its wisdom, perceived that there was considerable talent and plenty of potential in the teams which finished at the top of the Junior A grade at the finish of the previous season, therefore this august body of men established a new grade, called the “Intermediate Grade”. The gauntlet was thrown down to the newly formed clubs of Marist Brothers Old Boys and Taradale along with Havelock North to perform well in this grade if they wished to be granted Senior status.
In order to attain this goal in the 1951/52 season, Havelock North needed to enter the strongest team available, selected from all cricketers who resided in or had some form of affiliation with the village.
It was imperative, therefore that members of the committee of the Havelock North Cricket Club should approach those Havelock affiliates, who were already playing cricket in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association`s Inter-town Senior grade – (as chance would have it, all were playing for the Rugby club) – make an invitation to them to join up with Havelock North, and thus swap their club fealty from Hastings to their home and village.
This was no easy matter, because club allegiance had a very high priority in both the Hastings and Napier clubs at this time. It became a hypothetical choice between club and village. In order to understand the strength of feeling and emotion that accompanied the well meaning and quite genuine actions of the main players in this saga, it is necessary to briefly view and analyse the performances of the Havelock North based Rugby club players who were playing in the H.B.C.A Senior competition.
It must be emphasised that at no point did the main protagonists in this unfolding drama had any selfish, avaricious or self-seeking motives. The Rugby Club brigade of Robert Frater, and his brother Tony; Noel Fulford and Keith Baker along with Bill Nichol and Harry Hawthorn all had connections with Havelock. There is a distinct family orientation here which may have had some bearing on the choice between town and village.
Playing cricket for the joie de vivre, which the sport of cricket fosters, through practicing during the week on the Havelock Domain with near neighbours, teammates and friends and then in playing, on the Saturday for their village could well have been a major motivating factor in any decisions made
So why was it so important for the Havelock North cricket club to try to convince the above players to throw in their lot with the club at this stage in their careers?
To answer this question, one must return to the immediate post war years and deal with each player individually in order to ascertain the contribution which these men made to the Rugby club in the 6 years from 1945 till 1951, and to extrapolate their performances during these years in order to envisage their future roles with Havelock North.
The Frater Brothers were very good all-round sportsmen who were able to adapt with confidence to any sport, to which they turned their hand. In much of the team sport played in Havelock North at this time, the Fraters seemed to be in the thick of it. They both turned out, playing for the Rugby Cricket club in Hastings in the very first season after the war. Both played well but other sports seemed to take over much of their time.
Page 15
Much will be written about Noel Fulford in later chapters of this book, but his contribution to the Rugby Cricket club in just over half a decade was monumental to say the least. A summary of his performances reads like something out of the Boys Own Paper. The teenaged Noel, had not played serious cricket for any side, anywhere during the war, so after his good friend, and fellow orchardist, Jimmy Stevenson suggested that he play for Rugby at the re-commencement of cricket in 1945, Noel jumped at the opportunity.
At the age of 18 years, Noel was a pretty handy second five eighths during the War years, playing for the Havelock North Rugby club but he had never turned his hand to donning the flannels and seriously participating in the summer game. However when he did get to play his first ever game of cricket the magnitude of his performance on that balmy Hawke’s Bay afternoon is almost beyond belief. N. G. Fulford flailed the Hastings High School Old Boys attack to the four corners of Cornwall Park and finished up with 103 runs.
In his very first game of cricket, he had scored a coveted century!
This feat was against all the staid conventions and laws of reason of this great game of cricket as it was then played in the Province of Hawke’s Bay. How could a complete novice don the pads take up his bat and hammer the strong Old Boys attack into submission in a tour de force which was the harbinger of mightier deeds to come?
A remarkable debut! One doubts if it has ever been emulated by any other cricketer in New Zealand. He was helped along the way in this quite unique opus with great support from both the Frater brothers Robert (61) and Tony (26).
Just as an indication of Fulford’s huge influence on the success of the Rugby club in the immediate post War years, a summary of the club averages at the end of each season from 1946 up until 1951 will suffice to portray the immense value that such an all rounder as Noel Fulford can be to any club side.
*In his first season, the 1945/ 46 season, Fulford, from 25 innings, scored 645 runs at an average of 30.7. His highest score was that outlandish 103, scored in his debut game.
*In the following season, 1946/47, he played 21 innings, scored 684 runs at an average of 34.2, with a top score of 94.
*Fulford’s 1947/48 season was highlighted by two innings in the 80s, with a November century against Napier High School Old Boys. His run total was 613 at an average of 36.0.
*In the 1948/49 season, 411 runs were scored off the Fulford bat with a highest score of 82. Four not outs, out of the fifteen innings played, contributed to his highest average so far of 37.2.
*In the 1949/1950 season, Fulford’s highest score was again 82, this time not out. He batted 17 times, made 457 runs at an average of 31.5. It is worthy of note that for this year, 1949/50, Noel Fulford in playing for the Hawke’s Bay representative side, topped the representative averages in both batting and bowling.
At this point in his career, Fulford had accumulated 2,810 runs. The following season which was to be his last for Rugby, Noel recorded his highest score for the club – 150 against Tech. Old Boys
Fulford’s figures as a bowler were equally outstanding. In his four seasons of playing for Rugby he captured 205 wickets at an average of 17.6.
Page 16
This all-round cricketer was an asset, to say the least, for the successful Rugby XI, and they would surely have been loath to lose him to any other club, particularly as they could take much credit for the quality of his nurturing and his progress in this early part of his cricketing career.
Noel Fulford may well have been one of the chief instigators of the movement of players from Rugby to Havelock North. All the logic in such a move was patently obvious to even the most cynical observer. His brother Keith was playing some quite outstanding cricket for the village club. Havelock was home – transport, to and from practice would no longer be an issue for one who does not drive.
At this time Noel’s cricketing colleagues and good friends at Rugby were showing an interest in shifting their allegiance to Havelock. He was a man of strong principles and even as a young man in his mid twenties, was a firm believer in encouraging the younger generation in playing cricket. He was patently aware as the 1951 season was coming to a close that the future of cricket in his home village of Havelock North depended on a strong and united senior Havelock XI.
Keith Baker was a stylish batsman who featured in a number of partnerships with Noel Fulford, during this time, playing for the Rugby club. He joined Fulford in transferring to Havelock for the 1951/52 season, as his brother, Ray was a successful all-rounder playing for Havelock at the time. Keith played just two seasons and then moved to Nelson with his good friend Dave Spence who played for Whakatu-Mahora. The initial attraction was the good wages to be gleaned from working in the tobacco and hops fields of the Riwaka/Motueka district. Both men had successful cricketing careers playing for Nelson.
Keith was a Havelock man. His family owned and operated a very successful orchard in Thompson Road. Keith was an all rounder and a fine slip fielder. He was an aggressive middle-order batsman who had the ability to turn a game with a hard-hitting knock. His best score for Rugby was 79 in his first season with the club. He bowled quite sharp, medium pacers with a whippy action that gave the ball plenty of bounce on a favourable wicket. He picked up one five wicket bag for Rugby. Bill Nichol felt that he was not getting enough bowling in playing for Rugby as a leg break bowler and saw it as an opportunity to transfer to Havelock as the side did not, at that stage, possess a creditable spin bowler.
Bill Nichol was a stockman by trade and carried out much of his droving and mustering in rural Havelock North. He was a tidy leg spinner who bowled with an upright action – the right arm very high at delivery as his fingers and wrist went to work on the ball. He did not seem to possess either a googly or top spinner but relied instead on flight and accuracy. His standard ball was the one which pitched on the off stump and spun away to slips. He picked up many wickets through batsmen losing patience, lunging at the tempting delivery and being caught at either cover or extra cover. As a batsman, he was a captain’s ideal number 11, utilising a long forward stride and a dead bat to all bowlers, fast and slow.
Nichol’s ritual on coming to the wicket as the incumbent number 11 batsman was of considerable amusement to his teammates.
Having asked for and been given centre from the umpire, Bill would firmly fix his bat under his arm and stride down the wicket to the batsman at the other end, expounding in a very clear voice: “Right! This partnership will be 10 for starters then we shall look at it again. I am not going to throw my wicket away and neither, I hope, are you. So let’s get on with it!” Nichol was probably the batsman who had more Not Outs against his name than any other, playing for either Rugby or Havelock North.
He first played for Rugby in the 1946/47 season. With the talented bowlers at Rugby’s disposal, Nichol often would be given the ball as fourth or fifth change. When he did bowl for long spells he always picked up wickets. Against Napier High School Old Boys in mid- January 1947, he snatched a five-wicket haul, followed a month later against Artillery United with 11 wickets in the match.
Page 17
In March, when the wickets were a little dustier, which suited his style of bowling, he finished off the season with two spells which yielded 4 wickets apiece – against Tech. Old Boys, 4 for 97, and Napier Old Boys, 4 for 43.
At the start of the next season on November 15th 1947, he was given the ball as first change in both innings and responded by snaring five wickets in one innings and three in the other.
Nichol cruised along in the next two seasons where the norm was a couple of wickets per innings when he was asked to bowl. Although he did not get the bowling time which he wanted he always gave of his best and actually finished off on a good note in his very last game for Rugby against Tech. Old Boys in late February 1951, when he took six wickets in the match – 3 for 72, and 3 for 37 against Tech Old Boys.
Another fine cricketer who played with much success for the Rugby club, before and after the War was Harry Hawthorn. Harry was to transfer to the Havelock North Club in 1953, almost a year after his colleagues. He became an integral part of the Championship winning Havelock team of that 1953/54 season.
Harry was a Head Lineman for the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board and after the War he was involved in attending to the building and maintenance of power substations and new power lines in and around the Havelock North area. There was a definite affinity between the village and Harry along with his two young sons Ross and Paul. But it was he who procrastinated the longest on making the decision to transfer from Rugby to Havelock North.
Prior to going to War he had etched a very successful career with the Rugby club and his allegiance was most assuredly there. He resided in Terrace Road in Hastings near Parkvale School, which his two boys attended. Harry was a hard-nosed cricketer of the old school who hit the ball with purpose and bowled his leg breaks with a goodly degree of accuracy and guile. He also bowled a very good googly.
He had a pretty slow start in his first post-war season but this was all redeemed with his brilliant innings against Tech Old Boys on 14th December 1946. Here is what Frank Cane of the Daily Telegraph had to say about his century:
Daily Telegraph: Thursday, 19th December 1946, F. F. Cane.
“Harry Hawthorn carried off the day’s honours with 115 impressively taken runs. Since resuming with the Rugby club after the completion of his active military service, Hawthorn has scarcely given us a glimpse of the admirable form which typified his cricket in the pre-war era. On Saturday he suddenly grasped it again with both hands. Never slow or tedious to watch he always appeared to be the complete master of the occasion, driving both with power and precision. It was a chanceless innings with a four and a six to finish, after he had reached his century”.
Just twelve days after this triumph, in fact in a two-day game starting on Boxing Day, in the Representative match between Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, Hawthorn and Tom Reaney, from Napier High School Old Boys, re-wrote the record book for games played by Hawke’s Bay. In a partnership of 291, these two carried the score on the first day at stumps to 368 for 3:- T. Reaney 202 n.o., H. Hawthorn 126 n.o. The partnership continued to flourish on the second day and Hawke’s Bay went on to score 653 for 9 declared. T. Reaney 299, H. Hawthorn 162. As an aside to this, remarkable accomplishment, the young Noel Fulford scored 55.
F. Cane: Daily Telegraph, Thursday, January 2nd 1947
“Harry Hawthorn delighted with the grace of his wrist work, excelling with his strokes behind the wicket but he still hit 5 sixes and 13 fours”.
At the conclusion of the 1946 /47 season Harry Hawthorn had a batting average of 40.0, with a highest score of 162. This placed him 4th in the averages – three above Noel Fulford.
Page 18
In the early part of the following season, Hawthorn’s consistency with the bat was rewarded with two good scores; 84 against Artillery United and two games later a 45 versus Tech. Old Boys. Often it was the bowling of his leg breaks, whipped through with his strong right shoulder, forearm and wrist, which seemed to baffle and confuse the opposition batsmen.
Figures in consecutive games from December 21st 1948 to February 19th 1949 show how he was able to mesmerise batsmen, unfamiliar with good leg spin when it was enhanced by the occasional top spinner and googly. In the game before the Christmas break, playing against Hastings High School Old Boys, he snatched a hat trick in figures of 4 for 14. Then in the first games of the new year he took 4 wickets for 24 against Whakatu-Mahora; 5 for 46 against Tech Old Boys and then the highlight – a 10 wicket match haul – 6 for 15 and 4 for 7 against Hasting High School Old Boys.
At the end of the 1948/49 season, Hawthorn featured in a run feast along with Jimmy Stevenson and Noel Fulford when Rugby compiled 432 runs in the afternoon of March 26th. Stevenson scored a big century. Hawthorn on 60 and Fulford on 56 were both not out when stumps were drawn.
Hawthorn and Fulford although exhibiting completely different techniques, in both bowling and batting seemed to be able to complement each other. Hawthorn was adept at the square and late cuts as well as the well-placed cover drive. Fulford relished the full flowing drives, hooks and pull shots. At the bowling crease, the subtle nuances, born from years of experience, of Hawthorn’s leg spin were contrasted with the accurate away swing and variation of pace of the young Fulford. They worked well in tandem often with a solid partnership in batting or capturing the wickets in the middle order which could turn the game Rugby’s way.
Towards the end of the 1950/51 season, after missing some games earlier in the season, Hawthorn finished with a flourish with half centuries in consecutive games. One against Old Boys Hastings (which was the chosen name for the recently combined Clubs – Hastings and Hastings High School Old Boys), and the other against Tech. Old Boys.
When the 1951/52 season rolled up and the time came to make the decision as to whether to join his colleagues and transfer to the Havelock North club, Hawthorn decided that his loyalties lay with Rugby. Being in his mid 40s and having spent time overseas he probably felt that he would prefer to see out his last years playing for the club with which he had originally joined as a young cricketer in the mid 1930s.
However there was a sting in the tail of the veteran yet, as after just one season without his old mates, who were playing some pretty exciting cricket for Havelock, along with Rugby’s poor season, Harry possibly felt that the enjoyment with which he had hoped to conclude his illustrious career was to be found with the villagers, thus he successfully applied for a transfer of clubs through the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association.
Five of the above six cricketers – Robert and Tony Frater, Keith Baker, Noel Fulford and Bill Nichol, were at the centre of the transfer drama which unfolded pre the 1951 cricket season. Their combined decision led to a huge disruption within the Rugby cricket club. Its internal workings, administration and player availability were all thrown into chaos.
The five had all decided that as they were indeed Havelock North workers or residents that playing cricket for their home village, where family and friends lived, was a logical progression at this stage in their cricketing lives and it was seen by all as the thing to do.
To leave the Rugby club for which they had played, and enjoyed their Saturday afternoons in the years after the war and in order to take on the unknown to become pioneers in a new venture, may well have seemed to them to be quite daunting. But to rejuvenate a young and struggling club and to be part of its top team in order to bring that side into the senior grade was indeed one of the many challenges which may well have motivated these five intrepid summer sportsmen
Page 19
So in the Indian summer days of March and April 1952 the Havelock North cricket club, having gained senior status could now settle back and reflect on the two momentous years that had transpired, the events that had occurred and the progress that had been made. As the winter drew on, the players certainly came to the realisation that come next spring, the new season was going to be a real challenge, and that the eyes of the entire Hawke’s Bay cricketing fraternity, especially the cricket scribes, Frank Cane of the Daily Telegraph and ‘Cover Point’ who wrote for the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune would be sharpening their pencils in readiness.
With their eyes clearly focussed on the performance of this new pretender to the senior ranks, how would the Press deal with the new upstarts from Havelock? Would the Napier paper give a fair and unbiased opinion as was expected of the Hastings paper?
By far the most influential writer of this time, and the one who would lead public opinion about the Havelock North club’s arrival on the senior stage, was the Daily Telegraph scribe, Frank Cane. His recording and reporting on all aspects of cricket in Hawke’s Bay right from the first games after the War up until he retired from writing in 2001, became an integral part of all that was fine about the game of cricket in Hawke’s Bay. Therefore it is worth delving into his methods and writing during this time. Did he accept the Havelock team as genuine contenders or just a flash in the pan? Prior to 1952 Frank Cane had never seen them play. The only reporting that he had done on any of the team was in his columns dealing with the Rugby cricket club.
In his reports on the senior games of the 1952/53 season he was particularly enamoured by the unique Fulford brothers. Some of his most flowing and eloquent prose was written in acknowledgement and appreciation of the exploits of the Havelock North team at the time in which the two brothers were playing.
Frank Cane was well-fitted to the job of cricket correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. He had a successful career himself, playing in the Hawke’s Bay representative XI alongside Tom Lowry and Tom Reaney. He was an Old Boy of Napier Boys High School and was instrumental in founding the Napier High School Old Boys cricket club before the war. If indeed his writing at times had a slight bias towards this Napier side, this was easily excused because of the insight, and interpretation he brought in his writing to all of the clubs.
Although Frank resided in Napier in Priestley Terrace on Bluff Hill, he spent all of his working life in Hastings, employed by the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Cooperative Association where he reached the position of chief clerk at Head Office.
His cricket reporting was a hobby and for the long hours he spent in writing, analysing researching, and being on the phone in his own time to both his Hastings and Napier contacts, he never accepted any payment!
His compilation of annual records and statistics published in the Daily Telegraph always celebrated the end of the cricket season. His annual publication of the senior and representative averages was published in both the Daily Telegraph and the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Such was the quality and forthrightness of his reporting of all cricket that any attempt to write a history of any aspect of cricket during the post war years, right up to the turn of the century would be almost impossible if it were not for Frank Cane.
Therefore the writer and Havelock cricket club are deeply indebted to Mr Cane for his attention to detail, his wonderful interpretation of the spirit of cricket and the quality of his prose which emanated from his pen and typewriter for over 50 years.
One of the stipulations that the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association made, regarding a club fielding a senior team was that it had to have at least one other team entered into one of its other grades. So the great stalwarts of the Junior grade, still remained loyal and the likes of ‘Hughie’ Fair, Bill Pankhurst, John Beaumont, Manley Michael, Sid Keogh, John Smillie, Sandy Coombes, Alan Berry, Woodham, Bell, Jeffares, Huff and Tunnicliffe, stood tall once again and performed.
Page 20
Chapter 4
The Intermediate Grade
“If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim;”
“If” by Rudyard Kipling
The pathway which the Havelock North Cricket Club would have to walk to achieve the goal of playing in the senior ranks was now very clearly laid out. The decision reached by the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association to conjure up another grade, slot it between the senior and junior grades and call it, Intermediate, was one step further than Havelock North had expected. However for the sake of Hawke’s Bay cricket it seemed to be a worthy proposition at the time, as there was a fair amount of re-organisation and movement amongst all the clubs in both Hastings and Napier, prior to the start of the 1951/52 season.
This rather fluid state of affairs within the clubs was invigorated somewhat, by the arrival from Somerset of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s newly appointed professional coach, Maurice Tremlett. He presented a strong case to have a Colt’s team playing in the senior grade, which he would captain. Young players under the age of 22 would be drawn from all clubs, on an equal basis, to make up the team.
This proposal was turned down by the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Management committee. The very suggestion of a composite team entering into senior ranks captained by a recent English test player, would place aspiring clubs such as Havelock North, Taradale and Marist into the invidious position of possibly playing out the next few years in the newly formed Intermediate grade. So there was a fair amount of speculation in both the Hastings and Napier newspapers as to where all this was leading. The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune’s “Sportsman’s Notebook” of October 9th 1951, presented a fairly broad view of the situation:-
“Amalgamation of the Artillery and United Clubs has been effected and will see the new Club of Artillery-United in action – probably in all Intertown grades. The move is a wise one and alleviates the injustice caused by the restriction of senior status to only six clubs. This is the first of the combined clubs to be formed in Napier. Two of the three teams from Hastings in the senior competition are amalgamated – Hastings High School Old Boys and Hastings become Old Boys Hastings, and from earlier days, cricketers playing for the teams representing the outlying village of Whakatu and the newly formed suburb of Mahora became Whakatu-Mahora. The possibility of Rugby and Havelock amalgamating is also mooted.”
Frank Cane writing in the Daily Telegraph was somewhat more concise and direct:-
“The amalgamation between Rugby and Havelock failed to eventuate with the result that N Fulford, and W. Nichol have gone over to Havelock North.”
The Havelock North committee may well have been somewhat bemused by Mr Cane’s deliberation regarding a possible amalgamation. The good men of this Management committee, robustly led by its Patron, Dr A. W. Reeve and Chairman, Manley Michael, had carefully administered the club’s finances over the past few seasons. They had both worked hard to increase the playing numbers with their ultimate goal being that Havelock North should be represented with its own senior grade team. If not in 1951 then, most certainly, in the following season.
Mr Cane’s assumption of an amalgamation of Rugby and Havelock North had little substance. One has the feeling that the Havelock North committee had decided for some time now, that the sole manner by which Havelock North cricket could be represented in the senior ranks was by performance and merit
Participating in the Intermediate grade, the Havelock North village was to be represented by a new cricket team consisting of players of genuine all-round cricketing quality and ability, laden with talent, experience,
Page 21
leadership and a common purpose. This intrepid Havelock North team entered into uncharted waters for the first time, and the question as to how successful this amalgamation of Rugby club seniors and Havelock juniors was hanging in air as the new season approached.
The question was, will the three factions of the promoted Junior A cricketers, the demoted senior players from the Rugby club, along with two experienced cricketers, new to the district, who joined up with the Havelock boys, be able to unite into one strong team and achieve the goal of victory as articulated by Dr. Reeve and his committee?
How will the best players from the Junior A inter-town competition – ‘Hughie’ Fair, Keith Fulford, Dudley Hawkes, Ray Baker, John Beaumont, Maurice Miller and Sandy Coombes along with Bill Hill and Bob MacInnes, the newcomers to town, combine with the seasoned senior players from the Rugby Club, Noel Fulford, Keith Baker and Bill Nichol?
More players from Rugby were to follow within a short time. Harry Hawthorn who still considered that he had a few more good seasons in him in the right environment joined Havelock North at the beginning of the following season. The likes of Singleton, Pattullo, Elliot, and Stevenson stayed on at Rugby.
It did not take long for the newly-formed team to set the minds of Dr Reeve and his Management committee at ease. If anything provides the motivation to build team spirit, camaraderie, and encourage the support of its followers, it is of a team which possesses the knowledge of how to win, and the habit of doing so.
On October 22nd the 1951 season began. Havelock’s opposition was Taradale, the winners of the Junior A competition of last season and the team which was also vying for a place in the senior grade.
Noel Fulford led the way in his first game of wearing the blue and black cap. He performed a remarkable double – a hat trick followed by a century. One is left to contemplate as to whether this feat will ever be emulated by any other Havelock North club member. Here we have an historical first, performed by a player in his first ever game for his new club. His performance with the ball of 5 for 22 in the first innings was ably supported by Dudley Hawkes (4 for 23), and Ray Baker (4 for 17), in Taradale’s second innings.
Fulford dominated the Havelock innings of 203 for 9 declared, with his innings of 110 not out. The ultimate result was Havelock winning by an innings and 37 runs.
The game on November 10th and 17th 1951, was against Marist Brothers Old Boys. Marist was another recently formed Club which had aspirations of senior status. Havelock North batted first and after a fairly even batting display with Keith Baker, in his first game, top scoring with 42. He was well supported by ‘Hughie’ Fair and `Sandy` Coombes, both being not out when Bob MacInnes, the skipper, declared with the score on 171 for 8. It did not take the canny MacInnes’s accountant’s brain long to realise just what a lethal opening bowling attack he possessed.
Marist was then dismissed for just 77 runs in both innings. In the first innings of 77 the bowling honours were shared by all the bowlers. In the second innings the Taradale batsmen were unable to cope with the prodigious away swing of Noel Fulford who bowled unchanged and finished with figures of 6 wickets for 24. The result was an outright win to Havelock north by an innings and 17 runs.
The Napier Technical College Old Boys team (Tech. Old Boys) was the next up against a buoyant Havelock side. Tech. Old Boys won the toss and elected to bat. The Fulford siblings opened the bowling and together captured all of the Tech Old Boys wickets with the total at 98 – Noel 6 for 19 and Keith 4 for 43. The number of firsts for the team which were occurring with such pleasing regularity were indeed added to, in this game, with the statistic of two brothers taking all ten wickets in an innings. Between them the Fulford brothers took 10 wickets for 61 runs.
Page 22
This was not the conclusion to Tech Old Boys woes. In the session of play after tea up until the declaration on the following Saturday, Keith Baker plundered 141 runs off the Tech. Old Boys bowlers. Noel Fulford joined in on the second day with 59, to bring the Havelock North’s total to 223 for 5 declared. Fulford was not finished yet, in spite of Tech. Old Boys putting up better resistance in the second innings. Noel Fulford continued from where he left off in the first innings with the figures of 6 for 49, in Tech. Old Boys total of 150. Havelock North scored the 25 runs necessary for the outright win by 8 wickets
Fulford’s 12 wickets, in the match, for 67 runs at an average 5.6 runs per wicket, sent a clear message to all the teams playing in the Intermediate grade.
With three outright victories under the belt, the growing number of Havelock North supporters began to rummage around for the H.B.C.A. points table to ascertain just how far ahead of the field was their favourite team. They discovered that with 12 points for an outright win Havelock North after six playing Saturdays had catapulted itself into the lead with 36 points and now seemed assured of being the Intermediate grade champions.
But not for the first time have we to be reminded that the game of cricket carries with it the inevitability of chance and luck and the ubiquitous fallacious predictions.
In the final game before the Christmas break, Havelock’s nemesis happened to be Napier Boys High School Old Boys (Napier Old Boys). In spite of the noble efforts of Bill Hill who scored 115 runs in his two turns at bat (54 and 61 n.o.) Havelock’s two innings consisted of 144 and 107 for 5. Dudley Hawkes’ medium fast outswingers were the main reason that Napier Old Boys were restricted to 156 in their sole innings. Havelock lost on the first innings by 12 runs and picked up 2 points – a pretty severe reality check.
The cricket season resumed on the 19th January, 1952, which seemed an inordinately long break for Christmas and the New Year. It did however give the Havelock players who lost to Napier Old Boys, plenty of time to lick their wounds and prepare for the next game against Old Boys Hastings. The villagers first game this season against a Hastings club. Old Boys Hastings batsmen, in batting first, were subjected to the fire of the two Fulford brothers, bowling at their best and were soon dismissed for 112 runs. The Fulfords took nine wickets between them for less than half the Old Boys Hastings total – Noel, 6 for 28 and Keith, 3 for 32. With plenty of time left on the first day, the left-handed opener, Bill Hill stroked a fine 83. On the second day’s play, Frank Cane describes the conditions:-
“A blistering sun combined with a scorching nor-wester which possessed all the qualities of a furnace blast, giving cricketers a real taste of the Australian heat wave conditions.”
These conditions may well have been the cause for the minor collapse in Havelock’s middle order at the start of the day. Dudley Hawkes and Ray Baker rallied and rounded out the innings in style with a 43 and 33 respectively. In scoring 224 runs, exactly twice as many as the opposition it appeared as though another good win was in prospect. However in the second innings, Old Boys Hastings did a little better in scoring 146, which was sufficient to make Havelock bat again. In the Old Boys Hastings second innings, Bill Nichol was given a prolonged spell with the ball. He displayed an appetite for the heat and dry dusty conditions and bowled his leg breaks effectively to capture 3 for 31, which nicely complemented Noel Fulford’s 3 for 39. The Havelock openers in the cooler part of the day rattled off the 34 runs required for a nine-wicket outright win.
Bill Nichol’s fine contribution to this win meant that the players who had transferred from Rugby were having a highly successful season. All were enjoying the challenges which accompanied playing for their new club. So it was a little disappointing to read in the Herald-Tribune of the 24th January, 1952 the following report penned by Mid Off:
Page 23
“The continuous failure of Rugby is disappointing. Whakatu-Mahora quickly bowled them out for 71, the lowest score of the series, only the opening pair of Hawthorn and Kani reaching double figures. In the batting Whakatu-Mahora took complete control. It was a complete rout of the bowling.”
Early February rain ruined the chance of Havelock snatching another outright win against their main rivals for a position in the senior grade, Taradale. Havelock, batting first, made 218. Keith Baker, Maurice Miller and Dudley Hawkes, being the main contributors. Taradale were 3 wickets down for 62 runs at the stumps on the first day. Cyclonic rain on the second day washed out all cricket so Havelock North had to be content with the draw and 4 points.
Napier Old Boys were next up. With a score to settle, it was important that Havelock North in batting first should put on a good total. Dudley Hawkes and Bill Hill were the only batsmen to fire in a somewhat disappointing total of 158. This was a meagre 14 runs more than their losing total of 144 in the previous game against the Napier club. In a rain-affected match Noel Fulford regained his early season form with 5 for 23 and Napier Old Boys were back in the pavilion for 118 as the rain finally settled in. This first innings win gave Havelock a further 6 points.
In the first game in the month of March with the season nearing its close Havelock North scored their most comprehensive victory of the year. So convincing was the victory that the Herald-Tribune, which seldom writes about the lower grades, was pretty effusive about this win. The details of the game and the report are as follows:-
March 1st and March 8th 1952
Technical College Old Boys versus Havelock North
A win for Havelock by an innings and 66 runs
Score card
Tech Old Boys 107 – D. Hawke’s 5 for 46 (including the hat-trick) and 174 – D. Hawke’s 5 for 46
Havelock North – 349 for 5 declared. N. Fulford 124, K. Baker 141
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, L.B.W., March 3rd 1952
“The Havelock North, Tech. Old Boys match must set a record for fastest scoring in an afternoon as 456 runs were scored for the fall of 15 wickets. The pace was set by Keith Baker and Noel Fulford, after Tech Old Boys had only mustered 107 runs. For Havelock North, Hawke’s secured the hat trick.
“He has bowled very well at times this season but with the Fulford brothers usually taking the honours, his figures have not been as prominent as those returned by bowlers of lesser ability at other clubs. When Noel Fulford retired on Saturday with 124 runs to his credit, he had scored his third century of the season and raised his club and representative aggregate to 649 runs. His club average at the present is 70.1. In addition Fulford has taken 45 club wickets and 10 representative wickets this season so far. Another feature of the game was not only the Dudley Hawkes’ hat-trick but the fact that he captured exactly the same bowling figures to capture his 10 wickets in both innings.”
The March 15th and 22nd game was against Marist Brothers Old Boys (Marist) who compiled 226 in their first innings. Bill Nichol, tweaking his leg spinners, gained his best figures for the club so far – 5 for 46. The 226 was a most competitive total and one which could take some getting. However the two Fulford brothers settled the issue.
In scoring his second consecutive century, Noel brought up his fourth century for the season. Four centuries in nine games in one season is another first, and a feat which one doubts has been emulated through the years by any other Havelock player. Noel emulated the feat of ‘Hughie’ Fair of consecutive centuries of some three seasons ago. In this innings Noel’s 118 was nicely enhanced by brother Keith’s, 53 n.o., along with Ray Baker’s 36 runs. With just the single innings for each team, Havelock finished up the winners by 31 runs on the first innings.
Page 24
As this long season stretched into the month of April, 1952, the final game played at Cornwall Park was a fitting end to a highly successful six months for Havelock North. Old Boys Hastings were worthy opponents in this game.
The two teams amassed 679 runs in four innings. Old Boys Hastings – 359 and Havelock – 310. The result of the game could have been a win to either side, so close were the scores in all four innings. On the second day, either side could have clinched an outright win. Old Boys Hastings with a lead of 39 runs on the first innings declared to set Havelock North the task of scoring 241 runs in 180 minutes to win the game.
Noel Fulford provided the blazing start which Havelock required with his 74 runs in ultra quick time. On his dismissal the pace slackened. Although Max Kale (35) and Maurice Miller (29) pushed on manfully, the task was too great, and with 7 wickets down, Havelock, on 191 for 7 were still 49 runs short at stumps. The first innings loss rather tarnished a perfect second round but the prize of the winning of the Intermediate grade was never in doubt. Havelock North were now well poised for promotion into next season’s senior grade.
Although the championship had been decided in Havelock’s favour as early as March, the Havelock team in the second round of matches never gave up in its efforts to convincingly win each game in order to convince the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association that Havelock North would be a worthy addition to the senior grade. In fact, in the opinion of the club and its growing body of supporters, the H.B.C.A. in next season’s draw had no option but to have the best six teams in the Hastings/Napier Competition – and this included Havelock North – playing in the Intertown senior competition.
Thursday April 17th 1952
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Sportsman’s Notebook
How The Teams Stand:
“The main feature of the Championship tables is the margin established by the leading teams in all grades and it is significant that they are the teams which throughout the season have taken full advantage of the opportunities to drive home an outright decision.”
Points awarded – 12 for an outright win, 6 for a first innings win or lead, 8 for a tie, 4 for a draw, 2 for a loss on the first innings.
Senior:- Artillery United 64; NHSOB 58; Whakatu-Mahora 58; Technical College Old Boys 56; Old Boys Hastings 44; Rugby 10
Intermediate:- Havelock North 80; Taradale 56; Technical College Old Boys 46; Old Boys Hastings 44; Marist Brothers’ Old Boys 38; Napier High School Old Boys 30.
It is of considerable significance that not only did Havelock North dominate the Intermediate grade but that Rugby, this once proud club, could muster just ten points in ten games in the senior grade
Cricket Season’s Averages
Intermediate Grade – Havelock names only, with place on table
Qualification – an average of 20.0
Batting:
Place Name Innings Highest score Runs Average
1. N.G. Fulford 9 124 576 64.0
2. K. Baker 12 141 502 41 .8
3. H.W. Hill 7 83 284 40.5
Page 25
Bowling
Intermediate Grade
Place Name Wickets Runs Average
1. N.G. Fulford 52 459 8.8
4. W. Nichol 18 217 12.0
9. K. Fulford 15 227 15.1
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: M.W. Miller
Footnote
With the wider reportage of the senior grade in the Press the author now has the luxury of being able to refer to newspaper reports from both the Herald-Tribune and the Daily Telegraph to guide him in his assessment of the Havelock North’s team’s first and subsequent seasons in the Senior grade. There will be a copious amount of quotes from both F.F. Cane of the Daily Telegraph and from Mid Off and Omni, writing for the Herald-Tribune, interspersed with opinions anecdotes and opinion from other sources. The author is indebted to both Newspapers for their comprehensive coverage of cricket in those early years of the Havelock North club’s existence. The colour and hue, progress and disappointments of a new and vibrant club could not have been portrayed without such information
Page 26
Chapter 5
1952/1953 SEASON
The Originals
First season in senior grade
“Off the mark;
the greatest innings
always start from small beginnings.
Ten runs;
double figures is my score,
from where they came there’s plenty more.
Twenty runs;
Well, I can say
I made more than the boss today.”
David Phillips ( 2001)
With the return to Hawke’s Bay of the official coach, Maurice Tremlett, for the second season of his contract, the administration of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association was thrown somewhat out of kilter. Tremlett continued his crusade for a Colts’ XI playing in the senior grade, which he began on his arrival last season. He now presented a very strong case for what was to become a hobby horse with him – the inclusion into the Senior grade of the inter-town competition of a Colts’ team, captained by him. The cream of Hawke’s Bay’s young players would be given the opportunity to play in a strong and competitive environment and would be nurtured and coached by Tremlett who argued that such a scheme would enhance and secure the future success of Hawke’s Bay representative teams in the years ahead.
Tremlett, being quite passionate about his scheme fought fiercely for its acceptance. However from the point of view of the clubs, it was again argued that senior teams would be robbed of promising colts, whom they had recruited from Secondary Schools and were coaching, encouraging and preparing for their senior sides. But most importantly, for the clubs, it seemed that the inclusion of a Colts XI meant that there would be a current senior team demoted in order to continue with the H.B.C.A.’s policy of a six-team senior competition.
This was an abomination to Dr Reeve and his Havelock North committee, which had enjoyed watching their team completely dominate the Intermediate grade of the previous season. A team, which had earned the right to play in the senior grade, and was now poised and ready not to do so.
Having accepted the Tremlett scheme, the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association made the compromise of creating an eight team Senior grade in the knowledge that Tremlett’s contract expired at the conclusion of this season. Now this was exactly what Dr Reeve wanted to hear as it meant that Havelock North would now be playing senior cricket. It mattered little at the time that the Senior grade would probably revert to the standard six team competition in the following season with the departure of Tremlett, the subsequent disbanding of the Colts XI and the relegation of the bottom placed team.
The issue of the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune on Saturday October 11th 1952, the Sportsman’s Notebook, compiled by Omni, had this to say:
“Though appraisal has been accorded the proposal to extend the Senior Intertown Club Cricket Competition to eight teams, including a Colts XI, the administrators will still have a headache in deciding who the other seven teams will be. It seems that there will be eight teams nominated for seven vacancies. Havelock North and Marist Brothers’ Old Boys, putting strong claims for senior status. Indications that the gentleman’s agreement which has operated for some years now, that where possible there should be an even number of teams for each town in the competition, will go overboard. This threat to the Intertown concept is a serious one and events may truly lead to it being undermined. Havelock North will field a second team in the eight
Page 27
team Junior B inter-town grade. A stipulation of a club being granted senior status was that there had to be at least two teams playing in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s inter- town competition.”
When the final decision was made, Marist Brother Old Boys missed out which meant that there were four teams from Hastings and three from Napier with the composite Colts XI making up the eighth team. Incredibly within the seven teams along with the eligible Secondary Schools 1st XI’s there were 40 players under the age of 22 years, from whom Maurice Tremlett could select, nurture, coach and captain in his Colt’s XI.
Among the players from which Tremlett could select were: Ray Gurran, Selwyn Cushing, George Bishop, Brian Wilson, Alan Brown (Keeper), Keith Fulford, John Beaumont, John O’Shaughnessy, Bob McInnon, “Dickie” Bird, Dave Dine, Peter Coutts, “Lucky” Roberts, Bob Husheer, Roy Clements.
The high expectations which the Club supporters, living in the village, had of their new senior grade team performing well in their opening matches, were somewhat dashed by the fickle nature of the 1952 springtime rainfall. November’s capricious weather allowed only eight hours of play in four Saturdays. However Havelock North produced enough good cricket in that limited amount of time, to herald their arrival as a highly competent, well balanced side, worthy of playing at the top level in Hawke’s Bay cricket. On the 1st November 1952, on opening day against Tech. Old Boys, just one hour’s play was possible. On day two, with the Havelock bowlers bowling well, with little luck, Tech Old Boys scored 213 for 8 declared. Havelock batted out the draw getting to 145 for 5 with the two ex Rugby players scoring well. Noel Fulford (42), and Keith Baker (31). The Press was very interested as to how the ‘new boys on the block’ would perform. Saturday’s Herald-Tribune of the 15th November 1952 states:
“Taken all round, the erstwhile villagers more than held their own against the long-standing Senior team of Technical College Old Boys. With their attack being steadier and more varied than Tech’s, while their batting as a team was more consistent, Havelock North may well claim to have given the most consistent batting performance of the day. Theirs was quite a promising debut and more can be reasonably expected of the Fulfords, the Bakers, Abelson, Hawke’s and company”.
In the second game, which was against Maurice Tremlett’s Colt’s XI, the major threat, as anticipated by the Havelock North skipper would come from Tremlett’s opening spell of fast medium aggression. Havelock North won the toss and Bob MacInnes’ decision to bat was the right one.
Noel Fulford and ‘Hughie’ Fair – neither of whom give much credence to reputation or prestige, hammered a century partnership off Tremlett and his Colts’ attack. H. Fair rattled off 54 runs in quick time. Fulford continued his unparalleled string of centuries since joining Havelock North. His 107 runs comprised his fourth century in eleven innings for his new club.
Frank Cane writing in the Daily Telegraph of November 17th 1952:
“It was a typical Noel Fulford knock, with enterprise and power entering the picture. Fulford is endowed by nature with willowy and lithesome muscle, being particularly long in the forearm and a high-handed grip adds more to the circle of his hitting. Is it a wonder then that the ball sizzled red hot to the boundary leaving the fleetest footed fieldsman standing?
On Saturday, both wicket and outfield were as dead as the proverbial doorknob, but the ball in happy contrast sizzled off Fulford’s blade with pulsating energy. Fulford is particularly adept in the cover country and one lofted drive landed on the roof of the tea kiosk – the outcome of a combination of muscle and perfect timing. In attack, Fulford intuitively uses the cross-bat stroke with telling effect but he can now defend with the best of them – when the necessity arises”
Rain washed out the second day with the result that the Havelock bowlers had another idle day and the game finished up as a draw.
Page 28
One of the eternal verities of the game of cricket is that, of all sports it is the greatest leveller – nothing can ever be taken for granted. With a string of successes it is more likely that the imminent threat of a reversal of fortune is most likely just around the corner. The game against Whakatu-Mahora was indeed to be Havelock North’s bête noir for this particular season
The Number 3 wicket at Cornwall Park was still suffering from the ravages of the wet November and it turned out to be a bowler’s preserve. With three innings of less than 90 in the match, it was Whakatu-Mahora’s second innings of 163 for 8 declared, which proved to be the determining factor in the game won outright by Whakatu-Mahora by 129 runs.
The Havelock North team was without Noel Fulford who was playing for Hawke’s Bay against Poverty Bay where ironically he completed a hat trick, and John Beaumont, Havelock North’s most promising youngster, had become a permanent member of Tremlett’s Colts. The valiant efforts of Dudley Hawkes, with match figures of 6 wickets for 62, Bill Nichol with four for 23, along with Arthur Abelson, who top scored in both innings were not enough to keep Havelock off the bottom of the table with just 6 points from two draws and an outright loss.
Herald-Tribune Friday December 12th: From the Field of Sport, by Mid Off
“Whakatu the current champions had little difficulty in beating the newcomers whose batting throughout the match was poor and not in keeping with their earlier efforts. Havelock North’s second innings can be written off with the mention of two features. The first was the brilliant stumping of the opening bat Keith Baker by Dick Mitchell, the tall, lean and agile Whakatu-Mahora keeper – a great piece of work and probably the smartest in Mitchell’s long career. The second feature however is not so creditable. It was the incessant appealing which took place throughout Havelock’s innings by the Whakatu-Mahora fielders.
“What effect this had on the young ‘villagers’ and the umpires can only be conjectured , but at least one spectator voiced his sentiments in apt fashion when he yelled out to the fielders to ‘throw that cracked gramophone record away!’”
In the final game prior to the break for Christmas and New Year, Havelock North could reflect on a fairly patchy season so far. So to come up against Artillery United, the current champions, was to be a real challenge. Both sides scored over 200 runs in their sole innings so the first innings loss by 52 runs was narrow enough. Keith Baker (65) and the new recruit Balfour (67) scored three quarters of the runs. ‘Morrie’ Miller’s 34 meant that the remainder of the batsmen hardly featured. In Artillery United’s innings of 274, Arthur Abelson continued his good run with the ball in capturing 3 for 33.
F. Cane, Daily Telegraph, Thursday 18th December 1952
“Hearty congratulations deservedly go to Havelock North on the very successful and impressive first appearance at Napier as a senior team. Having lost Noel Fulford early, Keith Baker and ex Gisbornite, Balfour set to work with praiseworthy persistence of purpose to re-establish their position and did so, so thoroughly that they placed exactly 90 on the board for the 4th wicket. Balfour should be an acquisition to the side if he can play regularly, as he comes from cricketing stock. His father being one of three brothers, each of whom successfully appeared for Napier Boys High School 1st XI in the early 1900s.”
The team for this first game of the second round beginning on January 10th 1953 was:- Bob MacInnes (Capt), Dudley Hawkes, Bill Nichol, Keith Fulford, Noel Fulford, Max Liley, Keith Baker, Ray Baker, Balfour, Ray Gurran and ‘Morrie’ Miller.
This game gave a good indication of the depth of players which Havelock was able to call upon throughout the season. Both Ray Gurran and Max Liley had played for the Junior A grade team in the previous game, prior to Christmas. Both performed with much credit in this match and did much to secure Havelock North’s first win in the senior grade.
Page 29
Keith Fulford brought some of his Junior grade batting form to light in top scoring with 39 in Havelock’s first innings. Other ex Junior Grade batsmen to contribute to the competitive total of 218 were Ray Gurran (38), Ray Baker (27), Morrie Miller (13). Young Balfour was amongst the runs again with 30.
The remaining five wickets were taken within the hour on the second day, to have Napier Old Boys out for a meagre 131, thanks to Max Liley with innings figures of 4 for 22 and Dudley Hawkes (2 for 32). Havelock, being 87 runs ahead chased second innings runs with Keith Baker (27) and Ray Gurran (36) featuring in a solid partnership which enabled skipper Bob MacInnes to declare, giving Napier Old Boys ample opportunity to get the 194 runs required. However with Bill Nichol in fine form with his leg breaks (3 for 24) the Napier team closed up shop and batted out time to be 154 for 6 at stumps which gave Havelock its first win on the first innings by 87 runs.
Herald-Tribune, Thursday January 15th 1953. From the Field of Sport by Omni – after Day 1
“Havelock North produced the surprise of the day in knocking up 218 against the accurate attack of Napier High School Old Boys. As they have collected five valuable wickets they stand an excellent chance of securing an outright victory.”
In the last week of January 1953, Havelock was drawn to play Rugby. There had been much speculation as to how both sides would approach this match but all credit to both teams – it was played in good spirit, with Havelock recording another historic first – an outright win in the senior grade. Rugby batted first and were dismissed for 108. Two of their ex-players did the damage. Noel Fulford (4 for 28) and Bill Nichol (4 for 9).
With Havelock’ s turn to bat, another ex-Rugby player rubbed salt into an already weeping wound, when Keith Baker plundered 115 off the rather limited Rugby attack. When it came Rugby’s turn to bat again on the second day it was the youngster Keith Fulford who was mainly responsible for the failure of the Rugby batsmen to get among the runs. The side was dismissed for 69 with Fulford capturing 6 for 29.
Herald-Tribune Thursday January 29th, From the Field of Sport by ‘Omni’
“Rugby are again unlucky in that they have found themselves held at bay by one particular player making a stand in the opposition side, just when they appear to be getting the upper hand. On the latest occasion the stumbling block was Keith Baker, the young Havelock North batsman who so far this season has been his sides most prolific run-getter. His 115 runs, the sole century of the day, gave his figures a good boost and was the second century scored by the villagers. He was well supported by Gurran whose three innings so far have all been quite sound and he has undoubtedly been an acquisition.”
Buoyed by the outright win, Havelock entered the game, beginning on February 7th, against Old Boys Hastings in the knowledge that the top and middle-order Havelock batsmen were coming into some good form; the young colt, Keith Fulford was having a dream run with his big in swingers; brother Noel was overdue for a good score. In this game all three components manifested themselves, to carry Havelock North through to its second consecutive outright win. Noel Fulford gave the Old Boys Hastings bowling a real thrashing in running up 51 in quick time. The middle order clicked, with ‘Morrie’ Miller and Ray Baker each scoring in the 30s. Keith Fulford had match bowling figures of 7 for 82 at just under 12 runs per wicket. A most unusual aspect of the 76 run outright win was the inordinate number of extras yielded by the Old Boys Hastings fielders – 50 in total, which must surely be a record in the Senior Club competition. This outright win lifted Havelock North to fourth on the table.
February 21st and 28th 1953
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Havelock needed to get 118 to win the game and at stumps fell just 8 runs short in an exciting finish. Even though this was a first innings loss it still had Havelock 4th on the table.
Page 30
Score card:
Tech Old Boys 113, N. Fulford 6 for 46, M. Liley 2 for 24
and 103 for 8 declared M. Liley 4 for 29, D. Hawke’s 3 for 29
Havelock North 99, M. Liley 39 n.o.
and 110 for 4, N. Fulford 46, W. Hill 33.
Herald-Tribune, Thursday, March 3rd, From the Field of Sport by Omni
“…interesting was the bold bid made by Havelock North to down Tech Old Boys, the competition leaders. Havelock North can console themselves, that they at least de-throned Tech by restricting the win to a first innings one. It was not a happy match for Tech Old Boys and may well prove the means of depriving them of the championship which seemed to be well within their grasp”.
The first days of March 1953, saw the second match between the Colts and Havelock North. The Tremlett experiment of having a composite side in the senior competition certainly was a great success, if the result of this game is anything to go on. Tremlett and his bowlers, McKinnon, O’Brien, Small, Bishop and Dine in dismissing the Havelock side for just 93 set the youngsters up for at least a first innings win. The memory of Noel Fulford’s century in the first game between these two sides must have been well in the mind of Tremlett when he courageously declared when the Colts had just passed the Havelock total with the score at 100 for 8. So the gauntlet was forcefully thrown down for the villagers to respond. Which they did in fine fashion with Noel Fulford racing to 71, before being dismissed. In the spirit that had become so evident in this game, Bob MacInnes declared, leaving the Colts 147 to get for the outright win, which they did amidst the lengthening shadows of the Cornwall Park oaks, with just an over to spare. What better experience could the young men of Tremlett’s XI, have had, than to so victoriously win this game in the competitive ambience created by both skippers?
March 21st and 28th 1953
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
The final game of the season on March 21st and 28th 1953, was against Whakatu-Mahora. This was the chance for the villagers to redeem themselves after the first-round debacle of an outright loss against the Hastings team. Such was the self-belief that this fledgling senior side possessed, that the mid week net practices on the playing fields of Hereworth School took on a very serious hue. There was a resolute determination to remain in the senior grade and thus honour the expectations which Dr Reeve and his men had of the senior eleven, that of nurturing and advancing the game of cricket in the minds and psyche of the folk of the village of Havelock North.
A grand finale was necessary to put beyond any doubt a possible return to the Intermediate grade. Another outright loss was not to be countenanced. And indeed it was not – nothing was further from the minds of the eleven Havelock North players who strode out on the Cornwall Park to do battle against their fierce rivals in this Hastings derby.
In compiling a record score of 355 in their first innings Havelock put their stamp on the outcome of this match. Noel Fulford’s 78 aggressive runs led the charge. He and Ray Baker shared a quick-fire century partnership.
But it was the skipper, Bob MacInnes who stole the limelight. His decision to promote himself in the batting order, for the first time since beginning his captaincy of the side, reaped a rich reward.
His bold square cuts, sweep shots and delicate leg glances kept the score turning over as he forged his way to a justly deserved and well applauded half century. The accumulation of 49 extras was the bonus which allowed Havelock to declare overnight after occupying the crease all day.
Page 31
Whakatu-Mahora grafted stoically for the most of the second day’s play and when the last batsman was finally dismissed in the final hour of play, both captains cried ‘enough’, and stumps were drawn on a groundbreaking performance by Havelock North.
The final points table for the 1952/53 season was as follows:- Colts 80, Whakatu-Mahora 64, Tech Old Boys 60, Havelock North 48 [2 outright wins, 2 outright losses, 2 first innings wins, 2 first innings losses] Napier High School Old Boys 40, Artillery United 32, Rugby 22.
A good conclusion to the first season in the senior ranks. But a H.B.C.A. report loomed which implied wittingly that the last-in/first-out logic could prevail in next season’s competition.
Herald-Tribune, Thursday April 2nd 1953 in the Column ‘From the Field of Sport’ by Mid off:
“The Championship to the Colts is rather a hollow victory for it virtually means ‘no one’s championship’ as it is most unlikely that there will be a Colts XI defending the title next season. Indeed it is to be hoped that the administrators get down to some earnest consideration in the off season and exercise some judicious and conciliatory jurisdiction in effecting a reduced number of senior teams in next season’s competition “
A Report of a Representative game by Frank Cane noted:-
“Noel Fulford’s batting has improved out of all sight and now with left elbow well up and shoulder forward he comes across in classic style for the drive. Seldom do we see such a transformation successfully negotiated at so comparatively a late stage in a career.”
Hawke’s Bay cricket averages: 1952-53 season
Havelock Players only – including their position on the table
Batting Innings N.O. Highest Score Runs Average
6th N. G. Fulford 15 0 107 477 31.3
11th K. Baker 15 1 115 367 26.2
36th R. C. MacInnes 10 1 54 124 13.7
37th M. W. Miller 12 2 36 133 13.3
39th M. H. Liley 10 1 33 113 12.5
41st R. Baker 15 1 53 174 12.4
41st J. Beaumont 13 2 45 137 12.4
Bowling Wickets Runs Average
10th W. Nichol 20 260 13 0
14th N. G. Fulford 29 433 14.9
15th M. H. Liley 20 301 15.0
26th K. Fulford 20 376 18.8
28th A. Abelson 13 270 20.7
32nd D. J. Hawkes 19 430 22.6
Havelock North could be well satisfied with their first season in the big time. The team, astutely led by Bob MacInnes more than held its own in coming fourth in the eight-team competition.
Page 32
A salient factor which has become prominent within the club after just one year in the senior competition is the status of the two Fulford brothers. The question will be raised time after time throughout the next decade: “Where would Havelock be without the Fulfords?” Such is the enormity of their contribution to the club; its success; its spirit; its culture; its ambience that in order to bring some credence to all the speculation and writing of these two quite remarkable players that the next chapter will be devoted entirely to the two of them.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose bowl: Most improved all-rounder: R. B. C. Baker
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: M. W. Miller
Page 33
Chapter 6
The Fulfords
“It takes two men to make one brother.” – Israel Zangwill (C 1904)
The ball left the flashing blade and soared in a perfect arc, scattering the staunch assemblage of Napier supporters roosting on the wooden steps of the old pavilion at Nelson Park. The two-piece, rather worn, ‘Kookaburra’ ball smashed into the top tier, rebounded off the back wall, thumping down the steps to be retrieved and thrown back by a spectator to the dawdling, deep square leg fieldsman.
On a cold, grey Napier Saturday afternoon with a mild sea breeze blowing, the brightly shining two-piece ball was delivered at pace, from a height of some 9 feet, at the school end of Nelson Park Number 3 wicket. As the velocity of this two-piece shining projectile decreased, the ball began to swing alarmingly from the off to the leg, past the defensive bat of the scrambling opener, smashing into the previously well guarded leg stump.
The above two occurrences occurred regularly in the Hasting/Napier Inter-town, and later Inter-city, senior cricket competition during the decades of the 1950s and 1960s. The promulgators of these two regular occurring feats on the cricket fields of Hawke’s Bay were two brothers who had a monumental influence on the founding, forming, progress, development and success of the Havelock North Cricket Club.
The influence of, and contribution by, both Noel and Keith Fulford in the early days of the Havelock North Cricket club was instrumental in taking the young aspiring club from its position as a struggling team in the Junior A inter-town competition during the years from 1946 until 1950 to gain promotion to the Intermediate grade (Second grade) in 1951 and then onwards, to being victorious in winning the Senior grade competition in March 1954 and in the process scoring five outright wins.
If a history of the Havelock North Senior grade cricket team playing in the Havelock colours of the blue and the black is to be written, then to recount the exploits of these two extraordinary sporting brothers, one eight years older than the other, is an essential ingredient.
Of Noel, the older of the two, it is fair to say that no one in the entire history of the club has scored more runs, taken more wickets, hit the ball across the boundary more often, scored more centuries, more half centuries, taken more five wicket bags, dropped fewer catches or had more bowling match figures of 10 wickets or more.
Keith, who formed a most potent new ball opening attack with Noel, was the perfect foil for his brother. The two of them, in the years 1952 until 1965, between them, captured more seven, eight and nine wicket bags, in an innings, than any other opening duo in the club`s history. Seven times they reached the magical feat of taking all ten wickets in an innings. During the twelve years of their partnership, just three centuries were scored when the two brothers were playing together as follows: Dave Kivell in March 1955, Keith Baker in November 1957 and Selwyn Cushing in January 1965.
Noel, born on May 20th 1925. He was the fourth child of Walter and Dorothy Fulford of Goddard Lane, Havelock North. His three older siblings, two sisters and a brother had little interest in sport. It was Noel, the first of the “younger batch” who displayed, at a very early age, a remarkable affinity for ball games. It was his example, which led the remaining three younger members of the family into a love of sport. Mary, Keith and Irene (Reeney) were all gifted at sport. Mary, a Hawke’s Bay Representative Netball player, married Jack Robertson. Their eldest son was the 1970s All Black centre three quarter, Bruce Robertson.
Living at Goddard Lane, a no exit street, meant that there was plenty of room, with little traffic, for the four younger members of the Fulford family, to play tip and run ‘back yard’ cricket on the road outside the house.
Page 34
In the long summer evenings, the neighbouring children from across the lane, the Satchwells, along with the Youngs, whose parents ran a small herd of cows, would come out to play and often the young workers on Vernon’s farm where the Research Station now stands, would join in. It was in this environment that Noel and Keith enjoyed exhibiting their inborn proclivity for the game of cricket, using their intrinsic eye-hand-ball coordination and love of a contest, to dominate the neighbourhood ‘Test matches’.
It was this very environment which saw both the Fulford boys develop their own bowling styles, and when batting, were able to hone their quickness of eye and sharp reactions. Their aim was to hold on to the bat and stay at the crease for the longest time possible as they fought many an ‘Ashes Test’ against the best that the neighbours could offer.
At this time, grandfather William Wilson Smart, Dorothy Fulford’s father, was a police sergeant in Hastings, but lived in Havelock North’s Middle Road. He was a fine, strapping cut of a man, who proudly bore a slight physical resemblance to W.G. Grace.
Grandfather Smart was, from an early age, an enthusiast for the game of cricket. Prior to leaving England to emigrate to New Zealand, he had indeed posed for a photograph with the great W.G. himself, a treasured family heirloom. It was his love of the game and his reminiscences of village green cricket in Surrey which may well have been the catalyst which saw the two grandsons, Noel and Keith, set out along the road where the game of cricket became such a major factor in their lives.
However, in spite of Grandfather Smart’s enthusiasm he was far too busy in his job to be able to physically coach the boys. Older brother Gordon, who showed little ability with the bat, was either busy on the orchard or away at the War. When he returned home after being wounded in the leg, he was discharged and entered the trade of cabinet making.
The two boys never received any formal or, for that matter, informal coaching in their early years. They learned what they could through their wits, observation, listening, imitation and experimentation. Their undoubted ability, innate talent and flair for the game of cricket seemed to be intuitive, indeed instinctive and was derived it seemed from some God-given source well beyond our ken.
Noel Fulford
“Batting pleases the eye, because it is a thing of straight lines that are subject to angles and dimensions.”
Mark Nicholas, ‘A Beautiful Game’, 2017
The Fulford family lived through the years of the great Depression and the post Depression of the late 1930s, therefore any sort of employment that the older siblings could find was deemed necessary to keep the family coffers buoyant and in the black. So, as a raw boned 14-year-old, Noel was removed from school to take up a job in Chisholm’s Confectionary Company, in Hastings, a thriving business which specialised in making boiled sweets and candy. The job was obtained through the persistence of Dorothy who had a distant acquaintanceship with the Manager. For the first two or three years of biking in to Hastings every working day, Noel’s weekly wage, went unerringly straight into the family’s weekly food budget.
During this time, Noel’s cricketing skills were never really encouraged by anyone. There was no cricket for him during the Depression or in wartime so his growing desire and urgency to bat and bowl in a team, any team, had to be put on hold while life in Havelock North and Hawke’s Bay revolved around the war effort and the supply of foodstuffs to the boys overseas. There was little time for recreation or any form of sporting activity.
After working at Chisholm’s Confectionary Company for just on four years, and having become fully conversant with all the duties and routines that go hand in hand which such a place of employment, Noel was seriously scalded when an urn, full of boiling syrup toppled off the hot stove as he was walking past. He
Page 35
suffered severe first degree burns and skin damage. The right side of his head, neck and body took the bulk of the spillage. His right arm was severely affected, as it bore the brunt of the boiling syrupy fluid. Noel was rushed to the Napier Hospital where he was confined for some months, while his skin tissue was re-built, through the application of numerous skin grafts to his damaged body.
The interminable hours of waiting and stoical forbearance, while lying in an uncomfortable bed, were not the best of times for an energetic, active and somewhat impatient young man. But worse was to come. Noel contracted a chronic bout of double pneumonia, which had spread through the hospital at the time, and from which he was fortunate to recover. He was severely incapacitated and his slow recovery from this affliction along with the physical scars of the accident, put paid to any thoughts of the eighteen-year-old enlisting in the Army and joining older brother, Gordon in the Middle East and Egypt.
The adventurous Fulford spirit was somewhat dulled in Noel’s enlistment in the Home Guard, but he carried out his duties right through to the end of the war. The remnants of the scars from the wounds and skin grafting, caused by the accident at Chisholm’s were evident, but were conscientiously concealed by Noel throughout his entire cricketing career.
After his full recovery from the disaster, the young Fulford was taken into the family orcharding business where he began working with his father, Walter, and older brother, Gordon, both pretty hard task-masters. They had Noel working long hours at both the cherry orchard on Napier Road and the Te Mata Road orchard as well. But as time went on, Noel gradually became adept in both the practical and the business side of things. When father, Walter retired, a working partnership between Noel and Gordon was established.
Cricket in Hawke’s Bay was just resuming in 1946, after the War. Jim Stevenson, a close friend of the family who played his cricket for the Rugby Cricket Club before the War, was a leading run scorer at both club and Hawke’s Bay representative level. He was considered by many, to be a good judge of a cricketer’s potential. He encouraged Noel to play for his club. The bonus to this, for Noel, was that Jim, who lived on the Hastings-Havelock Road near the St Andrews Road corner, supplied the Morris 8 conveyance, so Noel’s attendance at practice and transport to the Saturday games was relatively simplified.
Thus began, at the age of 20, the Senior grade inter-town cricket career of Noel Fulford, as an all rounder, playing for one of the most prominent clubs in the Hastings/Napier competition at that time.
The full picture of Noel Fulford’s immense contribution to the early history of the Havelock North Cricket club cannot be fully appreciated without considering that segment of his early days when he was playing for Rugby. Here was a young man without any tangible coaching who in this early phase of his career, in spite of his flourishing success for the Rugby club which bolstered his growing confidence, was inexplicably, mildly maligned by the Press of the time and also by fellow cricketers. People found it difficult to weigh up Noel’s superb and consistent performances for Rugby, with his lack of a solid 1st XI school boy grounding and lack of formal coaching, which was available to those who had attended a school away from Hawke’s Bay or who went to either one the two local High Schools of the time.
The Rugby Cricket Club was a very successful club in the pre-war years of the Hastings/Napier Intertown competition and when Noel Fulford joined up, he was the youngest player in a team of experienced, competitive and shrewd warriors and practitioners in the arts of the game of cricket. Players such as Ed Singleton, Brian Pattullo, Vic Viggers, Jim Stevenson, Ian Spurdle and Harry Hawthorn gave to the young Fulford the camaraderie, friendship and fellowship along with the firm foundation in the fundamentals of the game, which was exactly what the raw, but talented young Fulford required. The value of those few years with the Rugby Club were the foundation of a career in Hawke’s Bay club cricket the like of which had never been seen before.
In his first game for Rugby in the month of October 1946, indeed in his first ever game in a cricket team in any grade of cricket, Noel scored a century! His score of 103 against Hastings High School Old Boys was
Page 36
followed, a month later with another century, this time 126 against Napier High School Old Boys. In an extraordinary performance in the very next game, against Whakatu-Mahora, Noel captured 7 wickets for 45, and in late November of 1946 he scored 85 against Artillery United.
A new star had surely appeared on the horizon. The local Press, led by the indomitable, and often critical Frank Cane of the Daily Telegraph, went into high excitement as this young man plundered club attacks and sliced through their batting order.
Daily Telegraph Thursday, December 12th 1946. F. F. Cane
“For one who flails the bowling with such happy disregard, Noel Fulford continues to meet with astonishing success. Three 40s in a row have now given way to a far more pretentious 85 and it will be agreed that his batting, though at times unorthodox has something of the genius about it.”
Noel’s selection into the Hawke’s Bay team, which played Wairarapa over the Christmas break of 1946 was a just recognition of the outstanding start, which he had made to his cricket career. A score of 55 runs should have cemented his place in the team, but already at this early stage, incipient problems with arranging transport, to and from mid week practice sessions and deadlines to be met on the orchard were to be an ever present enigma for the rest of his representative career, where the dictum of ‘Non attendance at practice – No game for Hawke’s Bay’ may have been all very well for the Napier contingent, with the practices scheduled mid week at Nelson Park.
But for a young and willing cricketer who found himself somewhat isolated and out on a limb working from dawn to dusk in one of two orchards in Havelock North. This was a real problem for Noel and was highlighted by the following notification in the Daily Telegraph: “regular attendance (at net practice) will strengthen a players claims for final selection”.
However, 1947 was a good year for Noel Fulford, with a century – 126 – against Napier Old Boys in an extraordinary game. Both Hawke’s Bay Newspapers gave the game full coverage. Seldom had there been a cricket game of such drama played on the playing fields of Nelson Park in Napier.
An adaptation of the reports on the game as appeared in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune and the Daily Telegraph is as follows:
November 22nd and 29th, 1947.
Rugby versus Napier Old Boys
Result A draw.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, December 1st 1947
“Noel Fulford again impressed by turning on the fifth century of the season and the third in which he has been personally concerned in his senior career. The writer saw most of it and it was remarkable for its unorthodoxy.
“Even in defence and when opposed to the straight delivery, his bat possesses very definite agricultural leanings, and in attack he continued successfully to sweep the ball to leg, with the utmost power and precision.
But Noel is a law unto himself and he continues to thrive on methods which to most of us would prove disastrous. Stevenson’s 71 was produced by a straighter blade but he lacked the fire and impetuosity of his partner.”
Daily Telegraph, December 1st 1947 F. F. Cane
“It has been said that cricket is a game of surprises and Harold Reaney must have received one on Saturday when coming on to bowl for his second spell at the southern end against Rugby. He was hit to the extent of
Page 37
34 in two overs, all but one of the runs coming from Fulford’s powerful blade. The runs scored off the overs were:-
(1) 4 – 6 – 4 – 0 – 4 – 1
(2) 4 – 1 – 1 – 4 – 4 – 1
Herald-Tribune, Thursday, 4th December 1947
“… facing a total of 443, Rugby might well have been excused for giving up the ghost and when the first wicket went down to the fourth ball of the seventh consecutive maiden over, their chances of survival on the face of it appeared to be exceedingly remote.
But Noel Fulford decided otherwise. He immediately sensed that the position required far bolder tactics and set to work to put them into execution. Instead of remaining flat footed he went out to meet the ball and then soon carried the attack into enemy territory.
With flashing blade, the ball sped to all four corners of the field almost with the speed of thought, and with Stevenson successfully playing second fiddle at the other end, the score mounted in prodigious doses. Altogether the partnership produced 183 runs, making the game safe, though, in the failing light, six further wickets had fallen at stumps for the addition of only 41 runs.”
Score card:
Napier H.S.O.B:
443 – The two Reaney brothers Tom and Harold scored centuries
N. Fulford, 2 for 115, W. Nichol 3 for 174, H. Hawthorn 2 for 76
Rugby 229 for 8, N. Fulford 126, Stevenson 71 – no one else above 10
The year 1947 also produced four half centuries for Noel Fulford. It began with a 63 against Napier Old Boys of which F.F. Cane wrote in the Daily Telegraph, Thursday January 16th:
“Noel Fulford again defied all the canons of correct batsmanship to reach 63 for Rugby.”
The runs kept coming for the young Fulford. He scored 94 in the game against Artillery United in February in which he also captured 4 for 44, and 5 for 25. This was followed by possibly the first of the veiled criticisms of Noel, by F. F. Cane in the Daily Telegraph, March 6th 1947.
“Rugby’s fine victory over Artillery was largely the result of some penetrative bowling by Noel Fulford who, in the match took 9 for 69. He has his successful days in Hastings, but has only taken 9 of his 34 wickets in Napier and therefore is not the same force in the representative field”
In the first game of the following season on November 1st 1947, against the Hastings Cricket Club, Noel achieved a stunning tour de force on the opening day.
The consistency of the Fulford success on the opening day of the cricket season became so regular as to be predictable over the next two decades. All teams suffered, some more than others. On this occasion he scored a well struck 98 in quick time and followed this up with 4 wickets for 48 in Hastings’s first innings, followed by a five-wicket bag of 5 for 41 in the second innings. The local newspaper reported N.G. Fulford’s exploits as follows.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, November 10th 1947
“Remarkable all-round success attended the efforts of Noel Fulford. Following up his splendid batting display for Rugby of 98 on the first day, he delivered no fewer than 34 overs on the second day to take 9 wickets for 89 in the two successive Hastings Club’s knocks. But this was not all. Fulford is ever sprightly in the field, covering an enormous area of ground with gigantic strides, and on Saturday he whipped the ball inches above
Page 38
the wickets to leave Geddes, the Hastings XI’s best batsman stranded. It indeed was a shattering blow to the Hastings cause.”
After a season and a half of playing representative cricket for Hawke’s Bay, Noel was called into the Wellington Plunket Shied team. There was no Central Districts’ team in those days and the Wellington administrators and selectors seldom went outside the Wellington/Hutt Valley metropolitan areas to select players. But such was the promise of this ‘lad from the provinces’ that Noel was asked to play for the capital in the Plunket Shield competition, which consisted of four teams Auckland, Wellington Canterbury and Otago.
There were undoubtedly many difficulties, personal and emotional that such an assignment would have for this young colt. There were no full-time counsellors in those days. You were very much on your own and the reaction from the incumbent Wellington players, as one can imagine, was not that welcoming. So the nervousness that dogged Noel at this time may well have been the precursor to further spells of nervous tension which he seemed unable to shake off, when he was selected to play for either Hawke’s Bay or trial for Central Districts.
There were other more simplistic factors that resulted in Noel’s limited representative career and getting to and from games and practices was the major one. He was happier playing for his club side anyway, and the Rugby club was indeed the winner in all of the Hawke’s Bay representative XI’s jostling which involved, attendance, transport, performance in games, batting order, use of the new ball and preference for the experience of some players as opposed to the youthful promise of others. All this seemed to pass Noel by, as he jauntily continued to dissect opposition club attacks and dismantle their batting line up.
In the year 1948, he began the season with eight wickets against Whakatu-Mahora and then scored two half centuries. The better of the two being 85, versus Hastings High School Old Boys. In what was now a regular feature of his club cricket career – inordinate success on the opening day – he followed up the half century in the same game, by taking 7 wickets for 57.
Such was the interest in Noel Fulford’s outstanding performances at club level, which appeared to the bemused cricket-loving public, to go unrewarded through his consistent omission from the Hawke’s Bay representative side, that the following letter to the editor appeared in the Daily Telegraph in late January 1948.
(To the Editor)
Sir, I was interested a week or two ago in your cricket writer’s notes. He quoted the performance of N. Fulford of the Rugby Club, figures which bear repeating: 98, 20, 25 n.o.126, 16 and 81, which makes 368 runs at an average of 73. Surely a cricketer capable of such performances is worth a place in the Hawke Cup team. Since the team was announced, Fulford has had two more innings of 31 and 37 in team totals of 93 and 156, making his own total 436. I am not sure of his bowling average, but I understand that he has taken some 25 to 30 wickets. These figures coupled with his brilliant fielding should have made him one of the first players selected for the Hawke’s Bay team. The selectors choice must come in for a lot of criticism. The figures of Newman, Alexander, Revell, Marsden and Mason in Hawke’s Bay senior cricket would make an interesting comparison with Fulford’s performances
I am, etc
Interested.
In the March 22nd issue of the Daily Telegraph, F.F. Cane had this to say, which may have been a response to the above letter of March 22nd 1948.
“It has always been the writer’s contention that there are a number of weak spots in Noel Fulford’s defensive armour, but if he would adopt in the big Representative matches his usual offensive tactics, which have brought him in such a rich harvest in club cricket, I am sure he would achieve far greater success”.
Page 39
However there were many who were of the same opinion as the letter writer, ‘Interested’ and to add further to this growing groundswell of support, Noel had a bumper year in 1949 which included five half centuries. One of the most noteworthy was his 57 against Old Boys Hastings on October 24th. Old Boys Hastings was the club which was formed out of the amalgamation of the two clubs, Hastings High School Old Boys and Hastings. Their first game in the new club’s colours was against Rugby in which Noel followed up his half century with the remarkable bowling figures for the match of 11 for 78.
A quote from the 1962 Wisden which referred to an Australian test player, could well have been written about Noel Fulford at this time:-
“When a cricketer can make 50 runs for his team he immediately becomes a valuable commodity to his side. When he has the ability to add to that five wickets in an innings and a brace of slip catches he is beyond price to his associates and his captain.”
The Hawke’s Bay selectors may well have been aware of the general public`s desire to see Noel included in the Hawke’s Bay representative side and thus not only selected him, but unlike their past practice, actually gave Noel the new ball and batted him at either Number 3 or 4 in the batting order. The selector’s faith was rewarded. The other over-riding factor that the selectors could not ignore, was Noel’s huge contribution to the continuing success of the Rugby club.
Season’s Averages – compiled by F.F. Cane
“Noel Fulford proves Hawke’s Bay’s best cricket all rounder
Leading Hawke’s Bay cricketer this season is Noel Fulford of Rugby who heads the Representative batting and bowling averages and occupied a prominent place in the season’s all-games averages for both batting and bowling.”
(Rugby Club’s ranking and names only, included)
Batting: Representative games Innings Not outs Runs Highest score Average
1st N.G. Fulford 8 2 190 59* 31.6
Bowling: Representative games Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Average
1st N.G. Fulford 73 15 195 13 15.0
Batting: Club games Innings Not outs Runs Highest score Average
2nd N.G. Fulford 17 4 457 82* 35.1
19th H. W. Hawthorn 16 2 310 75* 22.1
34th K. Baker 15 1 222 79 15.8
Bowling: Club games Runs Wickets Average
6th K. Baker 288 22 13 15.0
9th N.G. Fulford 663 45 14.7
REPRESENTATIVE CAREER
N. G. Fulford’s Representative career has been somewhat shrouded in mystery. Just how good was he? Did he get a fair go from the selectors, and the incumbent captains? To discover the answer to these queries one must go right back to Noel’s debut for Hawke’s Bay in 1946 some six years prior to playing for the Havelock North team.
The Hawke’s Bay selector at that time, Mr G. Pirie saw the huge potential in the young 21-year-old colt even though he had played just one season of cricket for his Club, Rugby. Noel was selected to play for Hawke’s Bay for the first Representative game of the season which was against Wairarapa
Page 40
This match will be remembered for the Harry Hawthorn / Tom Reaney partnership of 391. But the young Fulford was not to be denied. According to the Press, Noel’s contribution was at Number 6 in the order where he made a “scintillating 55 and covered acres of territory with his anticipation and speed in the field.”
This early promise, blossomed into a match winning crop of performances for his Province which matured in the 1950 Hawke Cup Challenge when the supremely confident Hutt Valley side captained by John Reid took the Cup on tour. Their first stop was in Napier on Nelson Park Number 3 wicket. Hawke’s Bay won by six wickets. Noel Fulford played a major role in this victory in that he opened the bowling in both innings taking 3 for 42 in the first innings and 3 for 25, when it really mattered in the second. His 30 runs in the second innings took the game sufficiently out of reach of the Hutt Valley side, and thus enable the Hawke’s Bay captain, Dave Spence to score the winning runs as the light began to fade in the late afternoon.
In the same year, Noel topped off his representative season with a superb 52 against an Auckland XI and then against Poverty Bay with 1 for 32 in the first innings a match winning 37 followed by an extraordinary spell of six overs when just 7 runs were scored off his out-swingers.
This fine form continued at the beginning of the next season in the traditional game with Poverty Bay with his first 5 wicket bag for Hawke’s Bay and innings of 68 and 62 runs. Then on to the Manawatu game, where he featured in a fine first innings partnership of 142 with Maurice Tremlett, the Captain/Coach of the side. He then opened the bowling and took 3 for 35. He placed his stamp firmly on this game with a rapid 65 in the second innings.
In the 1952 season Noel was now playing successfully for the Havelock North team. He was the only Havelock player selected into the Hawke’s Bay side to pay the annual fixture against Poverty Bay in November. He scored 37 and took 3 for 25.
But it was in 1953/54 that the Hawke’s Bay representative team benefitted from Noel’s outstanding club form. In December 1953 the big scoring game against Manawatu when Doug Bowden scored a massive 234 in Manawatu’s total of 535, Noel produced two fine performances one with the ball and then with the bat responding positively to the position Hawke’s Bay found themselves in by making a stylish 69.
Against Waikato during the Christmas break in a low-scoring game, Noel took 2 wickets for 21 runs and then propped up the innings with a 19 and 22 not out. January 1953 playing against the touring Fijian side he out did the most famous of the Fijian big hitters I.L. Bula in scoring 77 and sharing a 149 partnership with another fine stroke-maker, Dave Kivell. Noel opened the bowling and having dismissed Bula cheaply bowled two spells of six overs to take 1 for 16. At the conclusion of the season against Wanganui, he opened the bowling, with his brother Keith for the first time in a representative match. Noel took 2 for 30 and 3 for 10, which he followed up with the bat in scoring 38 runs.
In the following year Noel again opened the bowling with Keith in the match against the Riverina Touring team from Inner New South Wales, in a one-day game. Noel took 4 for 47 to continue his fine record with Hawke’s Bay. The Fulfords again opened the bowling against Hutt Valley during the Christmas break, on December the 27th/28th Noel took 8 wickets which included a 5-wicket haul in the second innings.
In January 1956, Hawke’s Bay played Waikato at Nelson Park, Hastings – an innovative initiative by the HBCA to move Representative home games to Hastings. Noel relished the change in taking 6 for 23.
After this game Noel was not selected again for Hawke’s Bay for another two seasons. Ernie Elliott who was the selector at the time implied by his selection policy that he preferred the promising youngsters to the better more established payers. It was left to Harold Reaney in the 1959 season to recall Noel to the Representative side. However, with W. J. McKenzie as captain, Noel found himself bowling at 5th change and batting down in the order, yet he still managed excellent results with a 4 for 3 against NZ Universities, a 2 for 2 against Poverty Bay and a 5 for 33 against Wellington.
Page 41
In the summer of 1960 Noel whose back was beginning to trouble him, chose a Hawke Cup game as his last hurrah. The result was a foregone conclusion after Nelson batted for the first two days of the three-day match to score 602 in their first innings. There was no way that Hawke’s Bay were able to match this total and so a magnificent Representative career came to a rather disappointing conclusion for N.G. Fulford. Although Noel never made the three figure scores of which he was capable for his province, he however played some splendid innings and bowled some quite outstanding spells with the ball
N.G. Fulford played one game for Central Districts. The West Indies team of 1952, having completed a rather indifferent tour of Australia, where they lost the rubber by 4 games to 1, called in to New Zealand on their voyage home to play two Tests.
The New Zealand Cricket Council squeezed a couple of first-class games in between the two Test matches. The newly formed Central Districts franchise was given one of those games, which was played at the Sports Ground in Palmerston North on the 20th and 21st of February. Noel was called in after his successful season for Hawke’s Bay. He took the wicket of Sam Guillen and bowled well to finish with 1 for 23.
CLUB CRICKET CAREER
The local press seemed incapable of analysing and discovering the reasons for Noel’s exceptional success as a bowler. He was not the quickest bowler in the competition, but undoubtedly even as a youngster, he was the most astute. He quickly discovered an opposing batsman’s weakness or weaknesses and with his ability to move the ball late, along with his pinpoint accuracy, managed to conjure exactly the right ball to test the most able of batsmen. It was his subtle use of pace, length and movement that often tempted a batsman into the incorrect shot. He often played cat and mouse much to his own obvious delight and the batsman’s chagrin.
One can envisage him now, bowling at any of the venues in Hawke’s Bay with that characteristic run-up from just 12 yards. A loping run-in which, appeared fairly innocuous to the uninitiated. As he approached the bowling crease he wound up ‘the spring’ with a shuffle which put the right leg behind the left as he turned his bulk into the side-on position for his delivery stride. Both arms held high as he bent back as far as possible and then extended the left leg as far forward as was comfortable.
Thus the coiled spring could now be released, as the body weight was transferred, with the shoulders, then right arm, wrist and upper body thrown into each delivery. An action which made the ball swing away or for variation with the extra twist of the wrist, off-cut sharply. Noel was unique, uncoached and extraordinary.
In 1950 Noel recorded his second highest personal score – 150. Frank Cane had this to say.
Daily Telegraph 7th December, F. F. Cane
“There is always something fascinating when unorthodoxy and success go hand in hand and that quality was certainly not lacking as Noel Fulford proceeded to collect 150 of the best, in even time. That Fulford must be exasperating to bowl to, I have no doubt, for it is quite impossible to predict how he will deal with any particular ball, and to place a field successfully to subdue his scoring proclivities would, I should say, be far beyond the scope of human ken.”
The broader picture of Noel’s batting and a more plausible reason for his quite amazing success as a batsman is surely more complex than that which is written above. His imposing physical presence, which is alluded to by Mr Cane, and the powerful forearms and wrists were definitely a factor, but it was his reflexes which enabled him to get into position so quickly that the bowlers never quite knew what length to bowl to him.
From an early age Noel had perfected for himself a defensive technique of taking one pace forward with the front foot accurately aligned along the direction of the ball. Still relatively upright, properly balanced and perfectly relaxed he would place the stationary bat in front of the oncoming ball. There was no classical high
Page 42
elbow, leading shoulder, bent front knee, head tucked in over the ball. Noel kept it simple. By getting the bat in the correct position in relation to the oncoming ball he was able to defend his wicket. Then, still on balance, he would give the bat a slight flourish when finished, wander out towards square leg and return for the next delivery.
This defensive technique was infallible for him, and he chose to use it as the most effective manner of defending his castle. But it was in the art of attacking the bowling that Noel was at his best. He had uncanny balance at the crease and with his ability to see the ball early he was able to pick the right length and get into position either forward or back, to play the ball not on its merits but on his terms. Batting for Noel was about runs – not about style and grace and at times he bisected the field by playing some outrageously courageous shots.
In the January of 1951, Noel continued his good form with three half centuries, culminating with a glorious knock 83 on the last Saturday of the month, of which Frank Cane reported the following:
Daily Telegraph February 1st 1951, F. Cane.
“For one whose correctness in defence is open to question, Noel Fulford’s consistency is remarkable and is certainly a wonderful testimony to his alertness of eye. His 83 on Saturday follows innings of 51, 10, and 61. This places him in a category by himself as the most successful batsman of the season.”
It has often been mentioned by Noel’s contemporaries, right across the board – in both Napier and Hastings, that he would have been perfectly suited to today’s 50-over format with his furious hitting at number 3 and with his immaculate medium pace bowling. It is debatable as to whether he would have adapted to the T/Twenty format, as he played the game for the sheer pleasure it gave him. And this was when playing in the club format of two-day cricket.
Noel continued his fine run with a 74 against Whakatu-Mahora in March, 1951. This innings was to be the final act of Noel Fulford playing for the Rugby club in the senior ranks of the Hastings Napier inter-town cricket competition.
As from the following season he would join up with the Havelock North club and play in the Intermediate grade.
With Noel there was no pretence. He was unaffected by any of his stellar performances and always remained true to himself and to the belief that cricket was to be played for enjoyment and the camaraderie that came with it. What you saw is what you got. He left the Rugby Club a legacy of mythical proportions, which should have been the catalyst for that club to go on to even greater success in the following years.
Much will be written on the subject of Noel Fulford’s career with Havelock North in further chapters of this book, suffice to say, Noel continued playing for Havelock North until 1966. During this time and after, in subsequent years, his intriguing life took on a further dimension. His influence as a horticulturalist, a family man and a brother continued.
On his father Walter’s death in 1975, the orchard in Te Mata Road was sold, but the cherry orchard in Goddard Lane remained in the family. Noel and Keith, who was still working for Brown’s Electrical decided to join forces and gather the finance which would enable them to purchase an orchard in Southland Road, on the fertile, silt loam of the southern outskirts of Hastings.
This caused much ructions in the family, but the two brothers went ahead with it anyway and established a model orchard, with Keith managing the shed and Noel the pickers. It was the envy of many a local horticulturalist. Noel became a highly respected, practical, hands-on orchardist and was always ready to lend a helping hand to any aspiring young orchardist, wanting to get started. The orchard was managed in the true Fulford spirit. It was a family orchard with many nephews, cousins, neighbours, young cricketers and
Page 43
family members, either becoming casual workers on it or who became the recipients of much of the largesse of surplus fruit which was such a characteristic of the well-run concern. Noel made sure that the three sons of Keith were well trained in orcharding as he realised that the orchards would be handed over to them eventually. Peter did the shed, Colin the pickers and Brian the trucks.
At this stage Noel was going with Karen but resisted the temptation to marry, late in life when he was well set in his ways. Noel bought and learned to drive the blue Vauxhall which eased the transport problems between Southland Road and Goddard Lane. The pity is that this skill was not taken up earlier.
After he had gracefully retired from cricket with surprisingly hardly an acknowledgement from the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association, or for that matter the Havelock North Cricket Club, of his monumental services to cricket in Hawke’s Bay and Havelock North, Noel began to play golf from scratch and it was not long before he was excelling at this, even though he took it up much later in life than most. The burning competiveness [competitiveness], so apparent in his cricketing days was just as prominent on the golf course as he slammed huge tee shots straight down the Maraenui fairways, and measured up lengthy putts expecting to sink them all, and giving that characteristic chuckle intermingled with a mild expletive if he just missed.
Also time could be spent in the month of May on Hatuma Lake or the Patangata reach of the Tuki Tuki River setting up the mai mai and using the shot gun to good effect, as well as weekends at Pourerere seeking the elusive king crayfish.
Keith Fulford.
“The secret of a medium paced bowler’s success is to be able to swing the ball knowledgably.”
Bill O’Reilly, 1965
Keith Allen Fulford was born on May 4th 1933. The second youngest of a family of 7 – 3 boys and 4 girls. He, along with his brothers and sisters was educated at Havelock North Primary school and went on to Hastings High School, a proud cricketing school with the Headmaster J.E. Tier, an enthusiastic student of the game of cricket. Therefore it was somewhat surprising that Keith’s undoubted ability as a bowler, who whipped the ball through at a pretty fast rate for a school boy was not recognised by the coach of the 1st XI. Keith spent most of his cricketing school days languishing in the 2nd XI, apart from his final year when by sheer performance and success, the young Fulford forced his way into the 1st XI for the annual fixture against Dannevirke High School.
When he left Hastings High School in December 1948, at the tender age of fifteen years old his love of cricket was allowed to grow and expand. This was in no small way fuelled by the success which older brother, Noel was having with the Rugby Club.
But senior cricket was not for Keith just yet. The Havelock North cricket team which played in the Junior A Inter-town grade practiced on the Havelock domain, so it was a short walk or cycle from Goddard Lane to the practice pitch where Keith was welcomed into the team by two of the stalwarts of the Club at the time, ‘Hughie’ Fair and Manley Michael. Both of these men concurred in recognising in the young Keith, the talent and tenacity which could bring the sole Havelock North cricket XI out of the bad patch which it experienced at the conclusion of the previous, 1947/48 season, where first innings losses dominated the results sheets.
Keith’s first game for Havelock was on January 22nd 1949, against Napier Old Boys. When the skipper, ‘Hughie’ Fair threw the young, 16-year-old, Fulford the ‘cherry’ to open the bowling, little did the grand old man of Havelock Cricket realise that before tea, the teenager would have the opposition reeling. He bowled his huge in-swingers to yield the figures of 6 for 20. It could be said that this performance initiated the process of rejuvenation of a side that was previously sagging in confidence and performance, as Keith’s performance led to a rare first innings win on the second day of this game.
Page 44
Winning was no longer a rarity but had now become a highly anticipated outcome for the Havelock Juniors. In the very next game against the Hastings Club, Keith’s figures of 4 for 28 and 5 for 23 helped to establish the winning culture that had been so lacking in the previous season. In this game, Keith piled on the agony for the struggling Hastings Club in taking 7 for 3 as the “townies” crashed to a record low of 29.
In the 1950/51 season Keith emphatically stamped his authority on all the batsmen in all teams in the Junior A competition with best figures of 4 for 59 against Midland, 4 for 11 against Tech Old Boys, 6 for 12 against Old Boys Hastings. His 4 for 51 just before Christmas against Midland sent the clear signal that none of the opposing teams, who in past seasons had plundered the Havelock bowling attack, were going to score runs as easily, ever again. His burgeoning ability with the bat was evident in his double against Rugby scoring 61 and 59 n.o. All the signs were there to clearly indicate that the young man was maturing into a fine all round cricketer. After Christmas, his figures of 6 for 44, against Tech Old Boys, 4 for 36 against Old Boys Hastings, and 3 for 21 against Taradale, carried Havelock to third on the table at the conclusion to the season.
1951/52 was a defining season for Havelock North with the first team’s inclusion in the newly formed Intermediate grade. At last the two brothers Fulford, were now able to bowl in tandem together in the same team, thus forming a partnership which was to become one of the outstanding opening duos in Hawke’s Bay cricket.
In the second game of the season, the eighteen-year-old, Keith and the 26 year old, Noel took 10 wickets between them. Later in the season, the Fulfords snatched 9 wickets against Old Boys Hastings in January 1952. Keith’s contribution being 6 for 28. Keith’s maturing batting prowess saw the two brothers put on in excess of 100 runs in a partnership with Noel scoring 118 and Keith 53 n.o.
With the resounding triumph of winning the Intermediate Championship by an unassailable 24 points, it now became clear that the Havelock North team were destined to become a permanent part of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Senior competition. It was also most apparent that Keith at the age of eighteen, was to become a very influential character in the future tidings and development of Havelock North cricket.
The quite unique bowling action of Keith proved to be an enigma for every batsman who has ever faced up to it, right from Secondary School days up until the day he retired. To attempt to describe Keith’s action in any detail would be to detract from its effectiveness. But, basically it consisted of a characteristic bustling gait into the wicket, off a fairly short run-up (maybe 12 meters) in order to get his balance as he launched into his final stride.
During the split second that this final stride took, Keith had turned his body to be side-on, with his left shoulder pointing directly at the batsman, the head, so positioned in the classical manner, looking over the left shoulder. This led into the big left boot being planted squarely down the track and it was on this foot position which the whole body pivoted.
It was the follow through, which was the most intriguing part of Keith’s action. The right arm came down past the left side of the body, not as in the classic in-swing bowler’s case of the right-hand side of the body. The arm action was high, therefore one must consider that it was the work of the wrist, just as Keith delivered the ball, which must have been the determining factor, which caused the ball to swing late in its flight. This was the finer point which Keith had somehow perfected.
Keith, when asked how he managed to perfect this action, gave a similar answer to Maurice Tate’s, when asked by Gubby Allen, his M.C.C. captain, what was the secret of his ability to swing the ball both ways off an identical action. Tate replied, “I don’t know and I don’t want to know, because if I did I will probably lose it.”
At no stage in his career did Keith have any coaching, which in hindsight was a blessing. His action had developed as naturally as a young thoroughbred foal learning to canter. He worked all this out for himself, no coach, no do-good self-appointed advisor.
Page 45
As he rolled his arm over Saturday after Saturday for either Havelock North or Hawke’s Bay the action became a thing of beauty that batsmen over the years never really worked out.
1952 saw Havelock North’s promotion into the ranks of the H.B.C.A.’s Senior competition, considered by many to be the strongest in the whole of the Central Districts area – the names of Stevenson, Brian, Reaney, Spence, Martin, Payne, Coutts, Spooner, Kivell, Axford, Totty and Pierce may well have been a daunting prospect for any young aspiring opening bowler. The fact that many a senior grade batsman fell cheaply to Keith’s unexpected, booming in-swing, indicated that a new star was on the horizon. His 20 wickets bag prior to Christmas of that year, at an average of 18.8 per wicket was surely notable. His most telling performances came after the Christmas break: 6 for 29 against Rugby, 4 for 56 and 3 for 26 versus Old Boys Hastings and to finish off the season, 3 for 9 against the competition winners, Maurice Tremlett’s Colts XI. These figures lifted his tally of wickets at the conclusion of his second season to an impressive 66 at 12.7.
Let us not forget that at the start of the 1953 season, Keith was still a young man, just turned 20 years of age. He began the season sensationally with 4 wickets for 1 in Whakatu-Mahora’s innings of 99 and finished it with the clear omen of what was to come, showing that he can snatch 5 and 6 wicket bags away from brother Noel with 6 for 31 against Artillery United.
Frank Cane writing in the Daily Telegraph stated:-
“… this was phenomenal progress indeed and some of his performances read like a fairy tale. In 1953/1954 at the annual Central Districts Colts tournament he claimed 19 wickets for just 247 runs at 13 runs a wicket and in the same season, for the Hawke’s Bay Colts against the touring New South Wales colts in the first innings he captured 6 wickets for 25.”
After consistent performances over the 1953/54 season, where Keith and Noel developed into the potent combination of opening the bowling and were such a potent factor in Havelock North’s winning of the Championship, that Ernie Elliott had no choice to name Keith in the Hawke’s Bay representative side to open the bowling alongside Noel in the final game of the season against Wanganui at Nelson Park Napier. The young colt at age 21 snared 3 wickets for 27 and created his bit of History, being one of the two brothers to open the bowling for Hawke’s Bay.
Such was Keith’s success as a Hawke’s Bay Representative that by the 1956/57 at the age of 23 he was the selector’s first choice among the bowlers for the next few years.
At the end of the year 1959, during the Christmas break his figures of 2 for 12 against Wellington was testament to the fact that Keith relished the extra challenge that came with playing representative cricket. He came into his own against Manawatu at Nelson Park Napier, in cleaning out the men from Palmerston in taking 6 for 29, securing the last 4 wickets for just 10 runs off 9 overs and had Brian Yuille, the New Zealand representative out first ball. Then on to Southern Hawke’s Bay with 5 for 18 and the strong Waikato Country Districts at Nelson Park, Hastings at the end of the 1961 season taking 5 for 13.
The following seasons in the 6 years up to 1960/ 61 season saw even greater success. Keith began every season for Havelock in fine style but it was Keith’s performances in the Hawke’s Bay Representative team that really caught the eye.
Against Manawatu, Keith claimed 6 for 29, and at Easter in the annual match against Wellington Colts for the Gannet Cup his match tally was 13 for 90.
Indeed, it was in that golden summer of 1961, that the Hawke’s Bay cricketing public were able to get an impression of just how good a cricketer the younger Fulford was.
Page 46
Hawke’s Bay had been blessed by the New Zealand Cricket Council, with a match against Denis Silk’s touring M.C.C. team. The match was to be played at McLean Park, Napier in the break between Christmas and New Year. The M.C.C. team included the household names of that time – Roger Prideaux, Willie Watson, Bob Barber, Eric Watson and Jim Parks. An international side playing at McLean Park in those days was such a rarity that the scribes of both Hawke’s Bay newspapers gave it a full and comprehensive coverage. It was indeed an historic occasion for the Bay supporters who flocked to the ground to see the local heroes in action.
Keith had taken 55 wickets in the 1959/60 season, so was again an automatic selection in the team which was selected by Harold Reaney and captained by W.J.(Bill) McKenzie, a trialist for the 1949 New Zealand team to tour England. Hawke’s Bay batted first and were dismissed for 124. Keith batting at No.11 stoically held up one end while he and Don Brian put on a partnership of 20 runs.
This in the context of the Hawke’s Bay innings was more than respectable. Keith opened the bowling against the M.C. C. in a spell which lasted 14 overs.
In this marathon effort he removed the two openers, Eric Watson and Roger Prideaux both of whom played Test cricket for England. This gave the big crowd at McLean Park the start that they wanted, but unfortunately this was not capitalised on.
On the second day rain stopped play and ended the contest with Keith doggedly defending again to ensure the draw, with Hawke’s Bay 9 down for 60.
In early March in 1961, Hawke’s Bay played a strong Waikato side at Nelson Park, Napier. Frank Cane had this to say:
“Waikato opened strongly and after 219 minutes had 155 for 5 on the board.
Then suddenly the game was filled with incident and in the next seventeen minutes the whole of the Waikato side were back in the pavilion for the addition of just eleven runs. In his opening spell Keith Fulford had sent down seven overs for thirteen runs without a wicket. When a stalemate arose, skipper McKenzie brought him back into the attack and during the course of 14 deliveries he actually claimed five wickets without conceding a run, twice taking two wickets with consecutive balls and on the second occasion taking 3 wickets with 4 balls.
This latest success takes Fulford’s seasonal aggregate of wickets to 74 which passes his previous best of 66 in 1954, and with three games to go, there is a distinct possibility that he may yet succeed in toppling the 100, an honour that last fell to Bob Blair, the New Zealand representative, 5 years ago.”
In the following weekend, Keith once again performed with distinction. The game was against Manawatu in a Hawke Cup elimination game. The team travelled to Palmerston North and played on the batsman-friendly, Fitzherbert Domain.
Frank Cane takes up the story:-
“Rain fell heavily on the day before the game with the wicket unprotected and ground conditions slow for both sides. The track did not at any stage in the match display any signs of viciousness associated with rain and drying sun. All of which tends to add to the merit of the Hawke’s Bay success and the magnitude of Keith Fulford’s achievement. Both Keith Fulford and Don Brian deserve the highest praise. Altogether they delivered 58 out of the 68 overs to take all the wickets between them. Keith Fulford’s form was magnificent. Concentrating on the wickets, he moved the ball in the air most disconcertingly and had every batsman at his mercy. In 28 overs he conceded just 29 runs to take 6 wickets, 5 of them clean bowled. For sustained excellence, his form was beyond compare. One of the most valuable wickets to fall to Keith Fulford was Brian Yuille the New Zealand representative, who was beaten and bowled before he had scored.”
Page 47
In the final match of this memorable season for Keith, he was selected to play for Hastings in the annual Gannet Cup fixture against the Wellington Colts at Cornwall Park in Hastings. He had the match figures of 13 wickets for 90 runs which brought his season’s tally to just short of the century, at 95. It was in the decade of the 60s that Keith began to demonstrate his ability with the bat.
He was being considered as a batsman worthy of being shifted up the order by the Havelock North captain, Bill Hill, after Keith had scored a determined 45 n.o in the first game of the 1960/61 season.
But he could well have been the architect of his own lack of batting as he continued to steam roll the opposition with bowling figures in consecutive games, beginning in November, of 6 for 11 in 15 overs 10 maidens against Whakatu-Mahora; followed by a 10-wicket haul against Napier Old Boys 5 for 63 and 5 for 22. Old Boys Hastings were next – 5 for 33. All this, in the three games before Christmas.
What was to come after the break? Whakatu-Mahora again suffered – 4 for 47 and 5 for 36 followed by 5 for 42 against Napier Old Boys, and 5 for 26 against Old Boys Hastings
Keith topped the bowling averages for this season with 95 wickets for 958 runs
Frank Cane had this to say: Daily Telegraph November 1963
“At the end of the (1960/61) season Keith Fulford’s aggregate was a magnificent 95 wickets taken at the economical cost of just over 10 runs per wicket which placed him at the top of the bowling table. Never had a bowler more deservedly won this distinction.”
High praise indeed from one of the most astute judges of cricket in the country. It was on the strength of this that Keith was nominated by the Hawke’s Bay selector Harold Reaney, to attend a Central Districts trial at Masterton at the beginning of the next season.
Keith Fulford’s record in senior and representative cricket
Worth noting is the increase in batting average and the ratio of runs to wickets
Batting
Innings N.O. Runs Highest score Average
1952/53 10 0 62 39 6.2
1953/54 14 4 183 18 9.1
1954/55 17 5 86 17 7.1
1955/56 13 2 119 37 10.8
1956 /57 19 1 209 38 11.6
1957/58 14 3 171 40 15.5
1958/59 15 4 72 20 6.5
1959/60 17 4 12 35 9.5
1960/61 22 6 220 45* 13.7
1961/62 21 7 254 40 18.1
1962/63 21 1 366 48 18.3
1963/64 17 0 268 71 15.7
1964/65 19 0 318 56 16.7
Total 229 37 2452 71 12.7
Page 48
Bowling
Runs Wickets average
1952/53 376 20 18.8
1953/54 839 66 12.7
1954/55 554 45 12.3
1955/56 686 49 14
1956/57 687 52 13.2
1957/58 478 26 18.3
1958/59 626 46 13.6
1959/60 666 55 12.1
1960/61 958 95 10
1961/62 1002 51 19.6
1962/63 16 57 10.8
1963/64 566 28 20.2
1964/65 852 49 17.3
1967/68 414 18 23.0
Total 9320 657 15.4
In the seasons of 1960/61 and 1962/63, for every wicket that Keith captured the opposition batsmen on average could muster only 10 runs. Thus inconclusively proving that not only was Keith an accurate and difficult bowler to score from but also was one of that rare breed of bowler who could run through an innings and completely destroy the batting line-up.
It was during the 1961/62 season that Keith began to emerge as an all-rounder of real quality. The Havelock team was to become used to witnessing significant batting partnerships between the two Fulford brothers. It was in this season that Keith was selected to play for Hawke’s Bay not as a bowler but as an all-rounder.
The two brothers continued to combine well with both the bat and the ball, clearly exhibiting their indispensable contribution to the team, right up until Noel’s retirement in 1965. Significantly in the years following Noel’s retirement Keith’s batting really began to flourish to the extent that he was promoted to open the innings not just with the ball, but now, the bat.
At the bowling crease with Noel no longer there, to act as the perfect foil, Keith still had some pretty useful bowlers with whom to team up, such as Dave Ritchie, John Cullwick and Kevin Milne.
And when Keith finally retired at the end of the 1972/73 season at the age of 40, proudly wearing the faded black and blue cap for the final time, he had served his beloved club for 22 years.
The surge of expectation, the thrill, the aura of anticipation, and the buzz that the two Fulfords could generate as the opposition opening batsmen meandered out to the wicket, while one of the brothers casually tossed the ball from hand to hand, as both of them waited to hear the umpire’s call of “play ball”, was no longer there – gone forever!
Page 49
Chapter 7
1953/54 SEASON
Champions
“Champions are made from something they have deep inside them:
A desire, a dream, a vision.
They have to have the will and the skill,
But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
Mohammed Ali
With the departure of coach Tremlett and the subsequent demise of the victorious Colts XI, the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Management committee came out very strongly in favour of limiting the Senior Intertown competition in all grades to six teams. It also supported the policy of promotion/relegation allowing the top team from a lower grade to replace the bottom team from the grade above. The Rugby XI, which had a wretched 1952/53 season was relegated to the Intermediate grade, which left Havelock North along with Old Boys Hastings, Whakatu-Mahora, Artillery United, Napier High School Old Boys and Technical College Old Boys to make up the senior competition.
The Havelock Team which started the 1953/54 season in the Senior grade was:- Bob MacInnes (Captain), Ray Baker, Jim Blane, John Beaumont, ‘Hughie’ Fair, Keith Fulford, Noel Fulford, Dudley Hawkes, Max Liley, Maurice Miller and Bill Nichol.
It is significant from Havelock North’s point of view that Harry Hawthorn had indicated to a couple of his old compatriots, that he was giving up serious cricket and discontinuing his playing days at Rugby. As these teammates were now playing for the village, Harry received a number of intimations from some unnamed Havelock North worthies along the lines that if the village team was to seriously challenge for the Championship, what was required was a strong and consistent middle-order batting line up.
Mr Hawthorn did not rise to the bait, being content to sit out the first round of the new season. But come the Christmas break, he indicated his availability to play for Havelock and was welcomed into his new club, not just as a batsman, but as a fine slip fielder, an experienced and respected team member and a good foil as a leg spin bowler for the incumbent spinner, Bill Nichol.
Jim Blane arrived from Gisborne, having played successfully for Poverty Bay in representative matches. He played a couple of Plunket Shield games for Auckland, as Poverty Bay was part of the greater Auckland catchment area. Keith Baker left to work and continue his cricket in Nelson. Arthur Abelson after a year with Havelock returned to Napier Old Boys.
At the onset of just the second season in the senior grade of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s inter-town competition, the Havelock North team could not have created a better launching pad for success. In the first two games Havelock had recorded two outright victories against the two Hastings teams.
On the first day of the new season on October 17th 1953, Old Boys Hastings was the opposition in a low-scoring game so typical for this time of the year. Noel Fulford (3 for 23) and Dudley Hawkes (3 for 24) opened the bowling for Havelock and were largely responsible for the dismissal of Old Boys Hastings for 135. Havelock’s reply of 115, completed just before stumps on the first day did not auger well for a successful outcome for the villagers. However at the conclusion of the second day’s play the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune in its report of Monday October 26th carries this story:-
“Staging a splendid recovery Havelock North turned the tables on Old Boys Hastings to score the first outright win of the new season and at the same time establish a six-point championship lead with twelve points.
Page 50
Confronted with making 136 runs for an outright win Havelock North started disastrously, losing two quick wickets to Don Brian, but N. Fulford and M. Liley came to the rescue and paved the way to a good win by 7 wickets. Fulford scored 60, the top score of the day, and Liley reached his half century to be not out on 52.”
October 31st and November 7th 1953
At the conclusion of the second game of the season against Whakatu-Mahora the following headline and accompanying article appeared in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune on the 9th November 1953:-
“Havelock North’s Big Lead.
The outright win to Havelock North was their second consecutive 12 pointer and puts them 10 points ahead. Havelock North completely routed Whakatu-Mahora, virtually dismissing them twice in the afternoon of the second day to score their innings victory.”
The lead up to the headline is full of interest, because as the game progressed it became patently obvious that Havelock North was a team which was really firing, playing with confidence and excelling in all aspects of the game – batting, bowling and fielding.
After the first day’s play F.F. Cane in the Daily Telegraph’s Thursday Sports Column wrote:-
“To Beaumont went the batting honours of the day with a well merited 75. Full of promise, he played for the Colts XI under Tremlett last year. On Saturday there was no doubt of his potential and with increasing confidence and power he should develop into a particularly useful member of the ever-improving Havelock team”.
With this win to Havelock North, by an innings and 20 runs it meant that after just two games Havelock North were on 24 points, 10 clear of second placed Tech Old Boys.
November 14th and 21st 1953
Havelock North versus Artillery United
Havelock lost on the first innings.
The third game of first round was a most exciting affair, which could have resulted in a win, with a bit of luck to either side. The game was close enough for it to result in a third consecutive outright win to Havelock or conversely an outright victory to Artillery United, such was the competitive and exciting atmosphere in which the game was played. As it turned out Havelock lost on the first innings. The Score card does not give a clear picture of the battle between these two teams – best leave that to the balanced reporting of ‘Omni’ in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune’s Sportsman’s Notebook of Thursday 26th November:
“The defeat of Havelock North, last Saturday was the highlight of the day. While it might have a beneficial effect on the competition as a whole by reducing their big lead, it must be admitted that Havelock North were unlucky to be on the losing end of the stick. That they lost can only be attributed to their own fielding lapses.
With five Artillery United’s wickets captured and a lead of 97 runs, Havelock North had a good grip on the game at the conclusion of the first day’s play. But on Saturday they developed weaknesses in the field, which allowed Ron Payne in particular to knock up a score and make a stand that turned the tide against them.
Too late, the villagers realised that the honours had been snatched from them but a splendid fighting spirit was engendered. They set about turning the tables in a delightfully breezy fashion. Loss of wickets counted for nothing – the emphasis being on “getting runs” which they accomplished in great style.
Full credit must be given to the fourth wicket stand between Liley and Fair. The result was that 133 runs were compiled at the rate of two runs a minute. Then the fight was over to Artillery United who took up the challenge as they too, set out for a 12 pointer. They were left 100 minutes to get 128 runs and when stumps were drawn they were just five runs short of their target with two wickets in hand.”
Page 51
Score card:
Havelock North: 164 N. Fulford 42, Hill 24, Fair 19, K. Fulford 18, Nichol 11.
and 133 for 3 declared. Liley 43 n.o., Fair 33 n.o., Blane 33, R. Baker 16
Artillery United: 170 N. Fulford 5 for 63, K. Fulford 2 for 35, Liley 2 for 34
and 123 for 8. Blane 3 for 20, Liley 2 for 25, N. Fulford 2 for 31
The points table at the conclusion of the third game:
Havelock North: Outright wins 2; loss 0; First innings win 0; loss 1 Points 26
Artillery United and Whakatu-Mahora are on 14 points, Old Boys Hastings 12 and Napier Old Boys 10.
November 28th and 5th December 1953
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys.
This first innings win to Havelock leaves them still with 12 points clear at the top of the table.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: November 30th
“Jim Blane hoisted his century in 93 minutes. It was a bright and enterprising knock. He took 22 from a Tom Reaney over – in five successive balls he hit 3 fours, a six and a four. Fulford played an unusually restrained innings for him, but it was a welcome one for it revealed something of his earlier promise. Of late he has been rather impetuous”.
Score card:
Havelock North: 247 Blane 103, N. Fulford 41
Napier Old Boys: 195
and 73 for 2
December 12th and 19th 1953
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys.
First innings win to Havelock North
Tech Old Boys were the opponents in the final game of the first round. In another low-scoring game, Havelock finished up the winners on the first innings. Bill Hill found his touch with the bat and in fine style completed an innings which made up almost half the Havelock score – 58 out of 134. Tech Old Boys, when it came their turn to bat, experienced the difficulty of facing the Fulford brothers, working together in tandem. In the total of 106 the brothers took 8 wickets between them, Noel, 5 for 31, and Keith 3 for 26. Bob MacInnes’ declaration at 111 for 4 left Tech Old Boys the target of 139 for the outright win which did not seem to interest their batsmen, with Tech being 51 for 6 at stumps. The first innings win meant that Havelock still led the competition.
The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune’s final cricket headline for 1953 was:-
“Havelock have good lead after the first round.
Havelock ended the first round with a lead of 10 points over their strongest rivals Whakatu-Mahora. The lead is the result of the first innings win over Tech Old Boys and Whakatu-Mahora being held to a rare draw.”
Points Table at the end of the first Round:
Havelock North: Outright wins 2, loss 0. First innings win 2, loss 1. Points 38
Whakatu-Mahora 1 1 2 1 28
Tech Old Boys and Hastings Old Boys are on 24; Artillery United 18; Napier Old Boys; 16
When cricket in Hawke’s Bay re-commenced after the Christmas break, the Havelock North Cricket Club warmly welcomed Harry Hawthorn into the fold. The team for the first game beginning on the 7th January
Page 51
1954 was:- Bill Hill, ‘Hughie’ Fair, Jim Blane, Noel Fulford, Ray Baker, Keith Fulford, Max Liley, Harry Hawthorn, Bill Nichol, John Beaumont, Morrie Miller.
7th and 14th January 1954
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
The good performance by Havelock North in this game prompted the following headlines and subsequent analyses by the Daily Telegraph’s cricket correspondent. Frank Cane’s lyrical prose in the Daily Telegraph adds another dimension to this fine Havelock victory.
Daily Telegraph: F.F. Cane
“Took Fortune by the Forelock
Despite expressed anticipation to the contrary, no material upset occurred in the senior ranks last Saturday and Havelock North retains their 10-point margin over the rest of the field. In fact far from sitting back on their first innings lead over Old Boys Hastings which incidentally they gained with the utmost ease, they declared with a slender lead, and then went all out for the major victory.
That they eventually succeeded in their quest by winning outright by the narrow margin of two wickets after several anxious moments, when all appeared to be lost was appropriate reward for the brave – and their enterprise certainly kept the game very much alive until the final delivery.
Individually there was much to admire. Perhaps most important from a competitive angle was the fine partnership between Max Liley and Harry Hawthorn which placed Havelock North beyond the pale of possible defeat.
Liley came into the picture originally as a left arm spin bowler, but while his methods as a batsman diverge somewhat from the orthodox, he has also successfully continued to produce an impressive aggregate of runs and has rapidly become one of Havelock’s best all-rounders which is indeed rich in all round talent.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 204. N. Fulford 6 for 72, K. Fulford 2 for 42
and 75. N. Fulford 6 for 32, K. Fulford 4 for 36
Havelock North: 218 for 8 wickets: Liley 75 n.o., Hawthorn 52 n.o., Baker 35.
and 62
Points table:
Havelock North: Outright wins 3, loss 0. First innings wins 2, loss 1, points 50
Whakatu-Mahora: 2 1 2 0 draw 1, points 40
Tech Old Boys 30; Old Boys Hastings 24; Napier Old Boys 18; Artillery United 16
21st 28th January 1954
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
First innings win to Havelock North by one run.
With Havelock North and Whakatu-Mahora filling first and second places on the points table, the game beginning on 21st January 1954 was crucial to both sides. The belated start and the poorly prepared Cornwall Park wicket did not help matters and with Havelock being put in to bat they batted stubbornly and were prepared to wait for runs to come. It was really the 8th wicket partnership between MacInnes (32) and Miller (37) which carried them through to the respectable total of 213.
Page 53
Whakatu-Mahora were 20 without loss at stumps, and from this point on it was a thrilling struggle for first innings points, with Whakatu-Mahora in the box seat for most of the time. Up to the tea interval they seemed certain to head off the villagers with only 14 runs to go and three wickets in hand.
However quick thinking by K. Fulford had ‘Mock’ Marsden, run out when he was momentarily off balance and out of his ground after a strong lbw appeal. Fulford made a snappy throw-in to catch Marsden with his foot just a few centimetres out of the crease. That was the beginning of the end and Whakatu-Mahora finished up just one run short of the target. The collapse of Havelock North in the second innings with only one batsman getting into double figures and stumps being drawn with 7 wickets down for 57 certainly provided a surprising anti climax.
February 6th and 13th 1954
Havelock North versus Artillery United
Havelock won by an innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Monday 8th February 1954
“Havelock North Virtually win Club Cricket:
With two matches still to go in the Senior competition, Havelock North are 24 points ahead and all that is required is two points for a first innings loss to ensure the championship”.
And on Thursday February 11th this was followed up by the headline
“Havelock North Consolidates
Batting first Havelock North had run to 285 by a quarter to five through extremely enterprising cricket and when at the end of play, Artillery United had lost four good wickets for 75 the Competition leader’s position seemed to be quite impregnable and the season’s honours for them completely secure.
Harry Hawthorn topped the individual totals with a splendidly aggressive 64. There was certainly nothing to suggest in his form that he had recently emerged from semi retirement at an age when he might well have been forgiven had he contemplated packing his bags for the final time.
But there is no keener cricketer than Harry, who apparently thrives upon his accumulating years and never have I seen him in a more devastating mood than on Saturday, when in one over from Hornibrooke he took two 6 s and two 4s, to add 20 to his total, in four consecutive balls.
Artillery United offered only token resistance in the face of a hostile Havelock North attack led by the Fulfords and were beaten by an innings and 62 runs”.
In keeping with the keen interest that Frank Cane had in the progress of the Fulford brothers this little poetic gem complete with its appropriate alliteration and muted metaphor, appeared in his Thursday column:-
“Congratulations are extended to the younger Fulford, who bowled splendidly to claim six Artillery United wickets for 31, to add further fame to the firm of Fulford. What a pair of attackers.”
Havelock North and Whakatu-Mahora, by both scoring outright wins, have opened up a still wider gap on the remaining teams. The series of successes which these two teams have enjoyed has spread-eagled the field in the most spectacular fashion.
At this stage, everything points to Havelock North and Whakatu-Mahora fighting out the championship as only a succession of sensational upsets could bring any of the other teams into the picture.
Score card:
Havelock North: 282 H. Hawthorn 64, M. Liley 46, J. Beaumont 40, J. Blane 40.
Artillery-United: 128 N. Fulford 4 for 38, D. Hawke’s 2 for 22.
and 92. K Fulford 3 for 31, N. Fulford 2 for 3.
Page 54
February 20th and 27th 1954
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys.
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Daily Telegraph, Monday 22nd February
“Havelock faces defeat
Napier Old Boys gave one of the best batting displays of the season against Havelock North to raise a spectacular total of 385 for 8, Tom Reaney scored 112 – the first century against the newly promoted Havelock North XI.”
Daily Telegraph, Monday March 1st 1954
“Leaders beaten but still champions
Despite their first innings defeat by middle of the table Napier Old Boys. Havelock is still in an unassailable position to win the senior championship. Entering the match which ended on Saturday needing only two points to clinch the title – Havelock collects those two points by virtue of the first innings loss and staving off an outright defeat.
Napier Old Boys set the leaders no easy task last week – they had declared 8 wickets down for 385. To which Havelock North replied with 129 with Jim Blane scoring 46 of them. This fine innings by Blane followed by some token resistance from the latter batsmen merely served to postpone the inevitable and the side was out immediately after tea for 129. Havelock North following on had lost 2 for 117 at stumps, of which Noel Fulford had contributed an unbeaten 65.”
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 385 for 8 declared N. Fulford 2 for 61, Nichol 3 for 40
Havelock North: 129, J. Blane 46
and 112 for 2. N Fulford 65 n.o.
The first senior grade century made against Havelock North
A century against the Havelock North attack with both, or either one of Fulfords bowling, over the next decade, was such a rarity that the circumstances behind such a feat will be recorded. The method of dismissal of the centurion and the bowling figures of all the Havelock bowlers that were used on the day. A short reference from the pen of F.F. Cane will note that part of the day’s events. A further comment if applicable, will be added.
T.P.L. Reaney Ct N. Fulford b. Nichol 112
Bowlers used N. Fulford, Nichol, Hawke’s 0 for 100, Blane 0 for 68, Hawthorn 0 for 33, Baker 0 for 17, Miller 1 for 35 (K. Fulford absent)
F.F. Cane: “This was Tom Reaney’s 24th Century in his long career. If for fluency of stroke play it cannot be compared with some of his previous efforts it was still full of artistry and power. One 6 and twelve 4s are corroborative evidence.”
Tom Reaney played seven matches for the Wellington and Central Districts Plunket Shield XIs, both Pre and Post World War II. He scored over 10,000 career runs for his club, Napier High School Old Boys. Tom played 73 games for Hawke’s Bay, scored 3,306 runs and six centuries for Hawke’s Bay spanning the years 1925 to 1957. Tom’s final century for Hawke’s Bay was 101 against Poverty Bay having reached the grand old age of 48.
March 7th and 14th 1954
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright.
Page 55
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Monday March 9th 1954:
“Unusual happenings on final day of club cricket
Three Outright Wins: All Teams Gain Some Points
“The three outright wins were recorded by three teams which were behind on the first innings. Such an occurrence is unprecedented in Club Cricket in Hawke’s Bay.
Havelock North who had automatically secured the Championship on the first day with the two points gained from the first innings deficit of 74 runs to Tech Old Boys, were not content to let things lie at that. This most successful season so far in the club’s short history was not to end with a whimper and with the return of Noel Fulford and Max Liley from Hawke’s Bay duty, the stage was set for the splendid partnership of Jim Blane and Noel Fulford who raced past the arrears of 74 runs. The lower order caught up in the majesty of the performance surpassed themselves by moving the score onwards to the competitive total of 225 – 151 runs ahead. With two hours of play remaining this was enough for a Tech Old Boys victory. However Keith Fulford and Jim Blane in a superb all round performance turned the tables in taking 6 wickets between them, dismissing Tech for a mere 99 runs.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 63 (N. Fulford and M. Liley playing for H.B. on this day)
and 225. N. Fulford 85 and Blane 47
Tech Old Boys 137
and 99. K. Fulford 3 for 13, Blane 3 for 16
Table for the 1953/54 Intertown Club Cricket Championship
Outright First Innings Points
W. L. W. L. Draw
Havelock North 5 0 3 2 82
Whakatu-Mahora 3 2 2 2 1 56
Tech Old Boys 1 1 5 3 0 54
Napier High School Old Boys 1 1 3 4 1 48
Old Boys Hastings 2 6 1 1 0 44
Artillery United 1 3 2 4 0 32
Averages for the 1953 /54 Season – Compiled by F.F. Cane
Havelock players only:
Batting: Innings Not outs Runs Highest score Average
6th M. H. Liley 22 7 501 73 33.4
8th N.G. Fulford 25 4 644 85 30.6
10th J. P. Blane 20 3 501 103 29.4
22nd H. M. Hawthorn 12 0 275 88 22.9
28th J. B [G]. Beaumont 17 1 93 75 18.5
Bowling:
Runs Wickets Average
3rd K. A. Fulford 839 66 12.7
5th N.G. Fulford 907 68 13.3 * 68 = most wickets
12th M.H. Liley 526 36 14.6
So with Noel Fulford’s heroics ably supported by brother Keith, Jim Blane, Max Liley – in fact the whole team, Havelock waltzed through to the conclusion of a magnificent season to which all contributed.
Page 56
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder K. A. Fulford
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding J. Beaumont
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman M. H. Liley
HAVELOCK NORTH CRICKET CLUB
SENIOR XI
Winners – HASTINGS & INTERTOWN COMPETITION 1953-1954
Standing: H. M. FAIR. D. I. HAWKE’S. H.W. HILL. K.A. FULFORD. N. G. FULFORD. M. H. LILEY. J. P. BLANE
Sitting: M. MICHAEL (Pres.). H. M. HAWTHORN. W. W. NICHOL. R. C. MacINNES (capt.). M. W. MILLER. A. W. REEVE (Patron).
In Front: R. A. BAKER. J. G. BEAUMONT.
Pen Portraits of the victorious championship winning team of 1953/54
Apart from Bob MacInnes, the team pen portraits are in the accustomed batting order for the season.
Bob MacInnes
Bob MacInnes won a scholarship to attend Kings College in Auckland, from his home in Gisborne. He studied at this distinguished College right through to Year 13. He left school as the war in the Pacific was coming to an end, but he joined up with the Royal New Zealand Navy and went to England where he graduated as a young officer. In returning to Gisborne he joined the firm of accountants McCulloch, Butler and Spence and
Page 57
began playing his cricket for the City club. He represented Poverty Bay as an accomplished wicket keeper/batsman and made his debut on the 30th January 1949 at the age of 22. A year later when Poverty Bay played Hawke’s Bay, Bob was batting at Number 3. Bob was transferred to Hastings by McCullochs in 1952.
In looking around for a suitable cricket club he was directed towards Havelock North by a colleague. His reputation as an astute reader of the opposition and as a resourceful captain who knew his cricket, saw him elected by the team as captain in his first season with the club, in its very first season in the senior grade.
Bob, with his naval background, had a staunch belief in discipline. He also valued the traditions and etiquette of the game and was a perfectionist, when it came to correct conduct. Possessing all of these qualities he succeeded in moulding his new side into a winning combination. On his own admission the best place from which to captain a side is the strategic position of wicketkeeper. Bob’s application of his tactical skill, along with this perfect position to view both the field and opposing batsmen, surely added to Havelock’s good fortunes in its formative years.
During his playing days Bob’s administrative and leadership skills, saw his election as Chairman of the Havelock North Cricket club. From there his natural charm, logical mind, along with his innate gift of being able to deal amicably with people, led to his appointment as the club’s delegate to the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association, where he was quickly appointed President. He was the delegate from the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association to the Central Districts Association and became its President from 1984 to 1986. He was made a Life member in 1990. And from there he was appointed as Central Districts delegate to the New Zealand Cricket Council. It was from here that he became one of the most highly regarded and respected leaders of cricket in New Zealand.
This was exemplified when, in 1969 he was nominated for the Hawke’s Bay Sportsman of the Year. This nomination was the result of his fine work as Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Management Committee and Delegate to the New Zealand Cricket Council. Robin Schofield of Napier Old Boys and Central Districts, in nominating Bob, said:
“No person, either as player or administrator has done more for cricket in Hawke’s Bay over the past twelve months than Mr MacInnes. He has been the organising force behind Hawke’s Bay’s exceptionally heavy representative programme last year and the efficiency of this organisation has been commended favourably by both the Central Districts and New Zealand Cricket Councils.”
Ten years later, in 1979 Bob organised the first ever Test match to be played at McLean Park in Napier. He managed to sell the quality of the wicket and facilities to a rather sceptical New Zealand Board. He won his battle, and McLean Park became the 50th International Cricket Test venue, when Imran Khan’s Pakistan team took the field against New Zealand.
In 1983 he was appointed by New Zealand Cricket as Manager of the successful New Zealand team, captained by Geoff Howarth which played in Australia and England in a tri series – defeating England to reach the final. Such was the success of this team that Bob was again appointed to manage Jeremy Coney’s team which defeated Australia 2-1 in the Test series
The MacInnes name is proudly etched in Hawke’s Bay cricket folklore. The pavilion at Nelson Park, the construction for which he worked long and hard, bears his name.
Bill Hill
Bill Hill taught at Hereworth School, before gaining a position with NIMU Insurance Assessors which had its offices in Hastings. After this career shift, his loyalties remained very firmly fixed in Havelock North. Bill with his NIMU Company car was the primary means of Saturday transport for many in the team who were without
Page 58
such transport. It was a common sight in Roberts Street near the Cornwall Park Pavilion to see the Hill vehicle pull up and some four or five of the Havelock North Cricket team bundle out, complete with gear and kit. Bill was a stylish left- hand opening bat whose favourite shot, the off drive was played with a very upright stance.
This favourite shot of his was pretty close to “poetry in motion” as the fluency and power generated by the batsman’s perfect balance and execution gave many an opposition fielder, positioned anywhere between Cover Point and Mid On little chance of cutting off the ball as it sped to the boundary. Many a Cornwall Park boundary-line connoisseur considered Bill’s drive to be the finest in the entire senior grade. His jovial nature and infectious laugh made him a very popular member of the side.
Hugh Fair
‘Hughie’ Fair, a true-blue Havelock man, who bought an orchard along with his good friend Alf Lloyd in Thompson Road. He played in the Junior A Intertown team with great success. Scoring three centuries, one in 1947, and the other two which were scored on consecutive Saturdays in 1949. With his wily medium pace bowling he took a 5-wicket bag in 1947 and many opposition innings were destroyed by his guile and skill. This highly popular team member whose loyalty to the club and to the village drove him to become one of the main instigators in the move to have the Havelock North team enter senior ranks.
Jim Blane
When Bob MacInnes heard that Jim Blane was transferring to Hastings from Gisborne he quite firmly recommended that he join up with Havelock North. Jim had had a series of successful seasons for Poverty Bay. Prior to the introduction of the Northern Districts XI in 1955, Gisborne was included in the catchment area for the Auckland Plunket Shield XI. Some Auckland talent scouts who watched Jim play a representative game recommended that he be selected to play for Auckland. So the country boy was packed off to Auckland for nets and trials and was duly selected to play in the opening game of 1952 season against Otago at Carisbrooke, a game in which he clean bowled Bert Sutcliffe. This was on the second day and Sutcliffe at this stage had in fact amassed 254 runs. Jim will tell you that the ball was the perfect off spinner’s delivery to a left-handed batsman – drifting in to the pads and straightening up to take the top of the off stump. He was a stylish right-hand batsman but just loved bowling his off spinners.
Jim had an illustrious career with his home province Poverty Bay. He made his debut against Hawke’s Bay on January 24th 1947 where he was successful in both innings with scores of 35 and 44. He trialled for New Zealand Minor Associations in 1948 and went on to captain Poverty Bay when he returned to Gisborne in 1957.
He played a number of games for Hawke’s Bay most notably against the touring Fijian team in 1952
Noel Fulford
The 1953/54 season was the season for which Noel had been searching during his short but spectacular cricketing career. He was a Havelock man, heart and soul. His life and loyalty were family; his lodestar, the village, both of which shaped and moulded him.
If there had been a Havelock North cricket team in 1945, he would have without any question become a member.
One could argue that the move of the Havelock North Cricket team into the senior ranks of the H.B.C.A. competition in 1952 could not have been accomplished without one N.G. Fulford.
It was during this 1953/54 season that Noel Fulford became a household name in the village. On most Mondays where folk gathered to chat, whether it be outside Manley Michael’s Men’s Outfitters, as a worker
Page 59
at Fulford’s brick and pottery kiln in Joll Road or Fulford Road, on the Bowling or Croquet Greens or later in the day in the Havelock Hotel, the Fulford exploits of the Saturday were well aired.
Ambitious parents with young, aspiring cricketing sons, held Noel up as a role model and the cricketer to be admired and emulated. Scrap books were filled with his exploits and the end of season averages both club and representative, were read with a tinge of awe.
Noel brought a flair and consistency to both the batting and the bowling, so that one may well venture the thought that, without the services of this prodigious cricketer, the early days of the club may well have taken a different direction.
Harry Hawthorn
Harry Hawthorn joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot and fought in many theatres during the war. After the war he joined up with the Hawke’s Bay Electricity Department and worked as the chief Lineman with much of his work being in the Havelock North area.
Harry began his cricket career with the Rugby Club. He was one its staunchest players and many of the successes of the club were attributed to his aggressive batting and wily leg spin.
After the migration of Rugby Club members to Havelock North, he remained with the Rugby club for a season. It was only when Rugby’s fortunes were on the wane in the following season, and he was not enjoying his cricket as much, that he succumbed to the machinations of his old Colleagues and joined up with Havelock North.
Harry had a remarkable career for Rugby and Hawke’s Bay. A hard-hitting stylish batsman, who was severe on all bowers, paying little heed to the reputation of any of them, no matter who. He scored 126 for Hawke’s Bay in 1947 in a partnership with Tom Reaney of 391. His wily leg breaks were bowled from a strong wrist movement and captured many five wicket hauls. His best bowling in a game was 6 for 15 and 4 for 7 – 10 for [22.]
When playing for Hawke’s Bay he was in the side that became part of history in the game against Manawatu played at McLean Park in April 1947. Hawke’s Bay officially won by default after the seventh LBW decision was given against the visitors in their second innings.
John Beaumont
John Beaumont, from a Havelock North orcharding family, was the youngest in the side and was a product of Hastings High School. He did come in for some coaching from Norm Wilde and others while playing for the 1st XI. He also came through the ranks of the Hastings Sub Association’s Junior B grade and the Junior A team in the local inter-town competition. John was a free scoring batsman who put a high value on his wicket and submitted it reluctantly. His accurate slow medium paced bowling style was the undoing of many an unsuspecting batsman. A thorough village man there was no other club for which he would even have considered playing.
Ray Baker
Ray Baker was from another Havelock orcharding family. The orchard was situated in Thompson Road. He was adamant in his support of the concept of the formation of a strong competitive local Havelock North club side. Brother Keith moved from Rugby to Havelock in 1950 but had left for pastures new by the time the 1953/54 season had started. Ray was a sound medium pace bowler who in the 1959 season took 4 wickets off 4 balls for the Junior A grade team. A strong stroke playing and highly consistent batsman.
Page 60
Max Liley
Max Liley lived at the village’s heart adjacent to where the entrance to Anderson Park now exists. He served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. When he was discharged, he decided that a year at Teachers’ College and a career in Teaching was for him – so a teacher by profession, he returned to Havelock from Central Hawke’s Bay to join up with the village club.
Max was the character of the team who kept the side buoyant with his banter, sense of humour and his good natured but sharp comments, exclusively directed at the opposition. The quips and one liners Max affirms brought him many a wicket. His sharp, turning left arm spinners which tended to lift and jump on a responsive wicket were delivered with the rather unorthodox imbalance that comes through bowling “off the wrong foot”. When the ball was delivered, the weight was on the left foot and through dragging that foot forward as the ball was delivered, he managed to deceive many a batsman who was expecting Max’s weight to be well forward on the right foot. Such was the strength and suppleness of the Liley wrists that the ball seemed to be just slightly delayed from the batsman’s perspective and often led to an unexpected dismissal.
Maurice Miller
‘Morrie’ Miller came from long standing traditional orcharding Havelock family, who owned an orchard near the Havelock end of Ada Street. ‘Morrie’ chose to join the Havelock North firm of Joe Pickering Transport as one of its truck driver’s. He too came through the ranks of the Junior A grade as a solid batsman and a sound and accurate medium pacer. The club was fortunate that there was this reservoir of local talent which could enhance the more renowned players.
Keith Fulford
Keith Fulford was the younger brother of Noel and, like his brother, a Havelock citizen through and through. He attended Hastings High School, and finally made the 1st XI in his final year at the school. He worked as an electrician for Brown’s Electrical. Keith’s cricketing career really began after he left Hasting High School when he began to officially play for the Havelock North Junior A team in the inter-town competition. He joined the first team in October 1951.
He was immediately teamed up with Noel as an opening bowler and the two brothers formed a formidable combination that was to continue right through to Noel’s retirement in 1966. Noel’s stock ball was an away swinger, Keith’s, a huge in-swinger, taking full advantage of the two-piece ball which was in vogue at the time. Because of his inordinate height his action was a little more imposing and was off a longer run than his brother’s ambling relaxed run up.
It was also more orthodox in that his left shoulder led, so that the arch in the back on delivery stride was not as pronounced and the follow through of the right arm just grazed the left side of his body. This was the fulcrum which exploded the big in-swingers and the effect of a banana ball coming from an altitude of somewhere in the vicinity of nine feet had a mesmerising effect on opposition batsmen. Keith like his brother was unique, uncoached and extraordinary.
Dudley Hawkes
Dudley Hawkes was a Civil Engineer who worked for the Hawke’s Bay County Council. He was brought up in St Georges Road where the County yard used to be, just past the bridge crossing the Southland Drain. He was a medium fast bowler and hard-hitting batsman. Dudley also came through the Junior A Havelock ranks with some pretty sound performances. With his bowling he gained many 5 wicket bags and one 7 wicket haul in 1951. Frank Cane said of Dudley that if he had chosen to play for any other club, he would have been recognised as one of the finest cricketers in all of Hawke’s Bay. A great team man.
Page 61
Bill Nichol
Bill Nichol was a true stalwart of the Rugby club, which he joined just after the War, in which he served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. His affiliation with Havelock North was that he married a Havelock lass whose family lived in the building which is now the current Havelock North Club. Bill and his wife, Sheila, lived in the house next door to the in-laws. Bill was an accurate leg spin bowler who rolled the ball out of the front of the hand and extracted just enough turn to beat the bat. He took a number of 5 wicket bags for Rugby and made the switch to Havelock in 1950.
Manley Michael
Manley Michael. The Chairman of the Havelock North Cricket Club committee owned the successful Havelock North Mens’ Outfitters business which was situated in a prime spot within the heart of the village near the corner of Joll and Te Mata Roads. He saw another good business opportunity when he and his family moved into Hastings to take ownership of the thriving Blue Moon grocery shop at 909 Heretaunga Street east. Manley was a very pugnacious batsman who gained much success in the Junior A Grade team with many fine half-centuries to his name.
Dr A W Reeve
Dr Reeve was a second-generation doctor in Havelock North. He was the Hereworth doctor for many years. He exercised a strong influence in forming the new look Havelock North cricket team. He was a regular social cricketer who turned out for many games for the [for] Wahi Pai and the Nowell-Usticke XI.
All in the photo had a very strong Havelock North connection. This was a unique factor and must surely have contributed to the astonishing success that the Club in the mid and late 50s.
Page 62
Chapter 8
1954/1955 SEASON
Champions redux
“Start by doing what’s necessary,
then what’s possible
and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
St Francis of Assisi
Team in the first game of the season: Bob MacInnes (captain), Bill Hill, Ray Gurran, ‘Hughie’ Fair, Harry Hawthorn, Ray Baker, Keith Fulford, Noel Fulford, Max Liley, Maurice Miller, Dudley Hawkes.
St Francis’s words may well have been apocryphal but they clearly and succinctly summed up the position in which the Havelock North cricket team had played themselves into at the start of this season. For the club it had been necessary for the 1st team to play in the senior grade thus making it possible to win the championship. The impossible – winning the championship again this season!
R.C. Robertson, Glasgow, in the 1963 Wisden, wrote:
“Rejoice you bowlers for whatever the books say, yours is the best part in the best play yet written.”
Indeed this 1954/55 cricket season was the preserve of two of the village bowlers. The brothers Fulford were the chief protagonists, in a script which had its setting on the playing fields of Nelson and Cornwall Parks. The leading character in the starring role was undoubtedly Noel Fulford. His tour de force throughout the entire 17 playing days of this rain interrupted season, was of the ilk of a true leading man as he strode through the season like a colossus.
Not far behind, was brother Keith whose role in support often saw him outperform his older sibling. The repertoire of these two merchants of swing and swerve was such that they were nigh unplayable in the first part of the season. The cricket loving public of Hawke’s Bay were, in no small way held in wonder at the heroics of the two lads from the village.
In the six playing days of cricket from October 17th until November 20th Noel’s figures of 19 wickets for 93 runs at 4.8 runs a wicket, incredible as they seemed, were indeed outdone by Keith’s 20 wickets for 72 runs at 3.6 runs per wicket.
On two occasions the entire batting line-up of the opposition’s innings fell to the Fulfords. One 9 and one 8 wicket bag added insult to injury as the local players struggled against this onslaught.
The Hawke’s Bay summer of this time was inordinately humid, damp and showery. With these conditions prevailing for the majority of the matches, is it any wonder then, that two bowlers who rely on swing and lift were so successful?
These are the days of uncovered wickets and long hours of playing hands of cards at ‘500’ or ‘euchre’, as teams waited for the rain to abate and then for the pitch to dry out sufficiently so as to get on with the game. But whenever the rain eased, the glint in both the Fulford boys’ eyes, though not apparent to all, was most definitely there.
October 17th and 24th 1954.
Marist Brother’s Old Boys versus Havelock North:
Outright victory to Havelock North
Page 63
The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: 27th October 1954
“Havelock routed, but win at club cricket
Havelock scored a hair-raising outright victory by 22 runs, despite their second innings collapse, for Marist could not even better their poor first innings showing of 70 runs, falling 1 run short of this mediocre tally in their second knock, although set only 92 for the outright.”
Marist Brother’s Old Boys, the newly promoted team, was drawn against the current champions Havelock North. Whether the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association Draws’ committee saw this match-up as a way of pitting the new boys on the block to a baptism of fire in order to introduce them to the new grade or whether that was how the cards were dealt matters little.
What does matter is that Eric Fisher, a fine player who played just the one Test for New Zealand while playing for Wellington in 1953, had arrived in Hawke’s Bay and had decided to turn out for Marist. This, significantly, was the same year in which he was awarded the New Zealand Cricket Almanac’s award for Bowler Player of the Year. For some reason he was unwanted by Wellington in the following season.
George Bishop of the Napier Marist Brothers Old Boys club made contact with Fisher and offered him the position of player/coach for the Marist Club. In a hurried transfer of goods and gear from somewhere in the depths of the Hutt Valley, Fisher turned up at Nelson Park, just as the game was about to commence. He then proceeded to demolish the Havelock North batting line up taking 8 for 36 in the first innings and 8 for 12 in the second.
In an incredible game, the like of which has seldom been seen since, Havelock North was pushed off its pedestal and was heading for an embarrassment which would be remembered for a long time. In an outlandish sequence of events the game was eventually won by the Havelock North bowlers, but will forever be remembered as the game in which the pride of Havelock North’s batting could muster just 36 runs in the second innings. This score compiled in Havelock`s second season of senior cricket may well go down in the history of the club as the lowest total ever by a Havelock North senior team. After being 30 for four wickets, which was reasonable tally under the circumstances, the last 6 wickets fell for 2 runs, which were extras! The ignominy of six ducks will indeed be long remembered.
It certainly matches the embarrassment which occurred in the following year in March 1955 at Eden Park in Auckland when New Zealand were dismissed for a paltry 26, succumbing to the spin and accuracy of Bob Appleyard the English left arm spinner.
The conditions for both of these fiascos were similar. Heavy overnight rain, with no covers on the wicket, a morning of hot sunshine so that the crust of the wicket was baked to a crisp, while underneath, the clay was still moist from the rain. These are the conditions which define what was commonly called in those days a ‘sticky wicket’. The ball when bowled cut through the top veneer and bit into the damp underlying layer from whence it would then deviate, leap, shoot or gyrate in any direction to the utter discomfort and the often bemused embarrassment of the batsman. The Havelock XI were unable to cope with the guile and experience of Eric Fisher who embarrassed them with his subtle exploitation of the sticky wicket bounce and movement.
However it was not all doom and gloom. Havelock came out the victors in this bizarre two afternoons of cricket. This could be attributed to three factors.
* The captaincy of Bob MacInnes, who in shrewdly utilizing his bowlers, kept his team in the hunt after the disaster of Havelock’s second innings.
* The batting of Bill Hill, under the most difficult of batting conditions.
* The Fulford brothers
Score card:
Havelock North: 125 W. Hill batted through the whole innings for 50.
Page 64
and 36 (seven ducks – W. Hill top scored again with 12).
Marist 70 N. Fulford 4 for 19, K. Fulford 5 for 16
and 69: N Fulford 2 for 14, M. Liley 3 for 15, D. Hawke’s 2 for 22.
October 30th – November 6th 1954
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 1 wicket
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Sportsman’s Notebook: Thursday November 26th:
“Fulford brothers’ success
Championship holders Havelock North were involved in a debacle at Cornwall Park Hastings in the second game of the Intertown Club Competition. Playing Whakatu-Mahora, the two teams came close to deciding the outcome of the game in one afternoon’s play. With Havelock North having their backs to the wall at the close of play.
On a shockingly prepared wicket which was a bowler’s paradise, Whakatu-Mahora were dismissed by the two Fulfords for 90 runs but turned around to dismiss Havelock for 39 runs. But then the Fulfords came to light again and Whakatu were dismissed for a mere 37 runs, leaving Havelock to get 89 to win outright. The remarkable scoreboard of Whakatu-Mahora 90 and 37 was responded to by Havelock North with 39 with the second innings looming next week.
Remarkable figures were recorded by the Fulford Brothers who between them were primarily responsible for dismissing Whakatu-Mahora twice in the afternoon by capturing 18 wickets between them. First Innings Noel Fulford 4 for 11, Keith Fulford 4 for 10. Second Innings Noel, 6 for 16 and Keith, 4 for 20. Havelock went on to win by 1 wicket with Keith Fulford and John Beaumont at the wicket. K. Fulford batting at No 10 came in with a handful of runs required and was dropped off the first ball he received but then settled down to win the match with a perfectly timed hook shot for four runs.”
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 90 N. Fulford 4 for 11, K. Fulford 4 for 16
and 37 N. Fulford 6 for 15, K. Fulford 4 for 20
Havelock North: 39
and 91 for 9
November 13th and 20th 1954
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings.
This game was played on the Number 3 wicket at Cornwall Park, a wicket which seems to be traditionally allotted to these two sides.
Daily Telegraph Thursday 25th November 1954 F. F. Cane
“Fulford brothers in slashing form for Havelock North
The highlight of last Saturday’s cricket was the splendid combined form of the Fulford brothers who together accounted for the formidable batting strength of Old Boys Hastings for 58.
The humid conditions of the last few weeks have certainly assisted those bowlers who place their faith upon swing, and the two Fulfords moved the ball uncannily in the heavy atmosphere which persisted before the storm.
Page 65
On paper at least, Old Boys Hastings has a particularly formidable array of players and the side’s form this season, if not entirely convincing has certainly promised more to come. Considerable interest was therefore attached to their clash with the champions, and their astonishing debacle was a complete surprise.
Keith Fulford in 15.5 overs claimed 7 wickets for 20 with such batsmen as Harford, Brian and Toomey in his bag. At the other end, Noel took 3 for 34 with lively swing.
It is difficult indeed to assess the value of the Fulfords to Havelock North. Last year, time without number, did they similarly shoulder the attack alone. Together last year they claimed 87 of the 145 wickets which fell to the villagers. Max Liley being the next on the list with a comparably modest 25 wickets. But this is not the end to the story. Noel is also run-getter-in-chief for the side, and this he again set out to prove with a splendidly aggressive 98 which included four sixes and 10 fours.
Nor was Harry Hawthorn to be overshadowed with a glorious 53, and in assisting Fulford to 72 on the board for the fifth wicket he actually initiated the hitting crusade. All this was accomplished as the rain drizzled down in quite unpleasant conditions.”
Score card
Old Boys Hastings 58 K. Fulford 7 for 20, N. Fulford 3 for 34
Havelock North 240 N. Fulford 98, H. Hawthorn 53, W. Hill 40
November 27th and December 4th 1954
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
A brace of declarations were to be of no avail as Havelock narrowly went down to Napier Old Boys by five runs on the first innings in a rain-affected match. Bob MacInnes, the Havelock skipper left Napier Old Boys 108 to get in even time to win the match outright. But the wise old heads of the Napier team decided that enough was enough, when five wickets had fallen, so closed up the shop content with just the first innings win.
Score card:
Havelock North: 97
and 113 for 7 declared
Napier Old Boys: 2 N. Fulford 5 for 47, Liley 3 for 23
and 43 for 5
December 11th and 18th 1954
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. ‘Cover Point’, Thursday 16th December 1954
“Stung by a narrow first innings reverse in the previous game the Intertown competition leaders Havelock North produced the best all round batting performance of the season so far, to compile 242 against Tech Old Boys. Havelock North’s innings was one of fluctuating fortunes and just when it appeared that the Tech Old Boys bowlers would make a breakthrough a partnership would be established. Resistance was also provided by the tail with the last two batsmen reaching double figures.
Solid batting by Gurran and Blane paved the way for a good score. Gurran is batting consistently of late. Blane showed glimpses of his best form and scored with strong shots all around the wicket. The hard-hitting Havelock all-rounder went to a sizzling catch at mid wicket and a temporary slump in the middle order was relieved by an invaluable half century by Max Liley.”
Page 66
However all this good work was to be of no avail on the second day, when Tech Old Boys, led by Ian Axford, prior to his departure for the University of Manchester to undertake his doctoral studies in Science and Engineering, and Greg Fifield batting at number 9 to reach his highest tally for some time, scored heavily. Both batsmen were difficult to dislodge, Axford because of his solid defence against the Fulfords, and Fifield, who just seemed to have one of those days in a cricketer’s life when everything just seems to go well. So Tech were able to pass Havelock`s total to grab the honours, in a game which could have been Havelock North’s for the taking at tea on the second day.
Score card:
Havelock North: 242 Gurran 52, Blane 45, Liley 50
Tech Old Boys: 260 (I. Axford 81, G. Fifield 68) N. Fulford 4 for 62
January 15th and 22nd 1955
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings.
There was a lapse of four weeks prior to this game which seemed excessively long for cricketers wanting to get back into playing after the break for Christmas. Hawke’s Bay were away playing Waikato so Marist were weakened in not having the stalwarts Bernie Troy and George Bishop. Comment was made that Havelock North, the Championship leaders did not have a single player in the selector, Harold Reaney’s, side.
Even though Havelock had the better of the first day’s play, Frank Cane filed the following report in Thursday’s January 20th Daily Telegraph.
“Havelock unlikely to have its own way in the second round
It is not for me to forecast the result (of the competition) but of this I am certain: that Havelock, although starting auspiciously against Marist will be extremely fortunate if they again dominate the field in quite the manner they did in the earlier matches before Christmas. Every inch of ground will be hotly disputed!”
Because rain curtailed the second day’s play there was little chance of the villagers challenging the somewhat flippant prognosis of the state of Havelock cricket from the master scribe.
Marist failed dismally with both bat and ball with Noel Fulford accomplishing a great match double the leather and the willow. His partnership with Hughie Fair for the 7th wicket gave Havelock a good 127 run lead at the end of the first day’s play.
On the second day, rain seriously curtailed play which left Marist on 5 for 45 in their second innings. Havelock had to be content with a first innings win.
Daily Telegraph Thursday 20th January 1955. F.F. Cane
Noel Fulford’s form this season in an all-round capacity has certainly proved to be the highlight of the current season, and it is extremely doubtful if Hawke’s Bay has ever possessed a cricketer who has proved so consistently successful with bat and ball.
Score card:
Marist: 59 N. Fulford 6 for 25, K. Fulford 2 for 12
and 45 for 5
Havelock North: 181 N. Fulford 57, H. Fair 33
January 29th and 5th February 1955
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
Page 67
Havelock tightened its grip on the Club championship at the end of the first day in the match against Whakatu-Mahora. Havelock scored soundly in the first innings, with good contributions by Noel Fulford and Ray Gurran. At the end of play, Whakatu-Mahora had lost 6 batsmen for a meagre 36 runs. A situation from which they were never allowed to recover.
Whakatu-Mahora’s remarkable score sheet had Extra’s on 19 as the equal top scorer along with Selwyn Cushing. Havelock went on to win the game comfortably, thus increasing their lead in the Intertown Competition to 8 points. In a move which was typical of Captain MacInnes’s lateral thinking, that when the match had reached a stalemate towards the end of the second day he used a complement of nine bowlers up to the point where the game was called off because of the unlikelihood of an outright win.
Score card:
Havelock North: 164 N. Fulford 52, R. Gurran 44.
Whakatu-Mahora: 52 N. Fulford 5/11
and 157 for 7 N. Fulford 4 for 36, K. Fulford 2 for 33
February 12th and 19th 1955
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
At stumps on the first day Havelock North were in danger of defeat and being knocked off the top of the ladder. The villagers were dismissed for a lowly total. The Old Boys Hastings game plan of keeping Noel Fulford at bay and scoring off the other bowlers was sufficient to gain a first innings lead, but Noel’s figures indicated just how difficult he is to bat against and keep one’s wicket intact. Noel Fulford’s seven wicket bag coincidentally emulated his brother’s performance in the first round against the same team.
Havelock batting for the second time on the first day lost 7 wickets for just over the hundred mark just 87 runs in credit with the number 10 batsman Maurice Miller padded up. Several of the Havelock batsmen had uncomfortable moments when facing the accurate Old Boys Hastings attack, which became hostile at times.
The spearhead for Old Boys Hastings was Russell Blewden who clean bowled 3 and had 2 LBW, with a sixth victim being caught by the wicketkeeper. This was of little consequence to the left-handed Morrie Millar whose aggressive batting arguably saved Havelock from an outright defeat.
Old Boys Hastings had just forty minutes to score the 118 runs required for the outright. They made a bold attempt, but at 5 wickets down after 22 minutes decided to shut up shop.
Score card:
Havelock North: 129 N. Fulford 29, Blane 25, MacInnes 18, Fair 15, Baker 13
and 143 M. Miller 33
Old Boys Hastings: 155 N. Fulford 7 for 53
and 40 for 5 at stumps
Championship points as at 19th February with two games still to play
Havelock North 48, NHSOB 44, Tech Old Boys 42, M.B.O.B. 42 Old Boys Hastings 38 Whakatu-Mahora 22.
February 26th and March 5th 1955
Rain washed out play on the first day of the match against Napier Old Boys. In a one-day match on the 5th March the game was drawn
Napier Old Boys: 175 N. Fulford 6 for 58
Havelock North: 80 for 5 N. Fulford 25 n.o.
Page 68
This letter to the editor of the Daily Telegraph appeared in the following week.
“Dear Ed.
A vastly improved player is Noel Fulford. I do not mean that he has recently achieved fresh claims to distinction. He has long since established himself as an outstanding performer. But on Saturday he appeared to me in a new role, and to my surprise he carried it through to perfection. Fulford has now become so consistently successful as a wicket-taker that his six wickets for 58 runs in the earlier period of the afternoon might well have gone unnoticed, and it is not this performance excellent though it was to which I allude.
We have all known for a long while what a force he can be with the ball. And I have also admired his free hitting style of batsmanship. Not always too straight in the earlier days – he relied a lot upon wrist and eye and there were several weak spots in his defensive armour. On Saturday he proceeded to the wicket with the Havelock total standing at 18 for 3, and his side was in eminent danger of defeat. Here indeed was the occasion for cautious, yet resolute defence, and Fulford carried out his duties as to the manner born. Over after over did he middle the ball by iron concentration and minimal backlift, he plied his bat with maximum care. Only once did he relax and indulge in a full-blooded drive to the long on boundary and lucky indeed would have been the fieldsman who could have dealt with such scorching speed. At the day’s end he was unbeaten on 25 – for Noel Fulford a truly remarkable achievement.
Cricket Lover”
March 12th and 19th
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Match abandoned because of rain on both days
It is worth noting that the Inter-town cricket competition has been robbed of good deal of interest through the excessively wet summer. With the curtailment of play because of rain in the last two games, the next series will be a one-day fixture with little prospect of an outright decision being reached. The position at the end of the above game was very interesting with the two leaders being Havelock North and Napier Old Boys and just 10 points separating the first five teams.
In order for Havelock to lose the competition, Napier Old Boys would need to win and Havelock lose to Tech Old Boys. To add a further dimension – if Tech Old Boys were to beat Havelock outright in the one-day they would take the Competition
March 26th 1955
In a one-day game to finish off the season Havelock North played Tech Old Boys. Match drawn
Tech Old Boys: 205 N. Fulford 3 for 51. Liley 2 for 52.
Havelock North: 109 for 7 Blane 44
The second, senior grade century against Havelock North. Dave Kivell
D. S. Kivell 103 n.o
Bowlers used: N. Fulford, K. Fulford 0 for 45, Liley, Blane 0 for 36, Hawke’s 0 for 13
“Scored in just under even time Kivell gave a superb display of shots all around the wicket including three glorious sixes. He made the strong Havelock attack seem mediocre.” F. F. Cane
Dave Kivell played six matches for the Central District Plunket Shield XI. He scored a century when playing for Hawke’s Bay.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune March 28th 1955
Havelock again win honours in a close competition
“In one of the most interesting competitions for many years Havelock North have won the Intertown Cricket Competition for the second successive season. Getting away to a good start Havelock soon gained a handy lead. But as the season progressed, it became apparent that they were not going to have things all their own
Page 69
way, as happened last season. At the finish Havelock were only 2 points clear of Tech Old Boys. Havelock may have been a little fortunate in that the final game was confined to just one day as they were in a risky position at the end of play with Tech Old Boys certainly taking the honours.”
End of season table
Havelock North 56, Napier Old Boys 54, Tech Old Boys 52, M.B.O.B. 48, Old Boys Hastings 44, Whakatu-Mahora 30.
The elements most assuredly played their part in this victorious season for the Havelock North Cricket Club. The glory and the accompanying accolades associated with such a feat, as winning back-to-back Championships was somewhat muted and certainly dampened by the cruelty of the inclement March weather.
But let us not forget that the accomplishments of this extraordinary band of cricketers who, inspired by the transcendence of the Fulfords, and skippered by the astute cricketing brain of Bob MacInnes were able to celebrate in their own way a monumental victory and thus clinch for themselves their own place in the history of the club.
Not surprisingly the majority of the following were members of the 1953/54 team – all the more reason to celebrate, pay tribute and sing their praises.
Bob MacInnes, Bill Hill, Noel Fulford, Keith Fulford, Harry Hawthorn, ‘Hughie’ Fair, Ray Gurran, Ray Baker, Max Liley, Maurice Miller, Dudley Hawkes. (Jim Blane, Bill Nichol, John Beaumont).
Impossible was never really an option for them and after the splendid beginning to the season when in the months of October and November two outright victories and a first inning win set the tenor of the season, the team set about consolidating their position to ensure another championship was deservedly theirs.
Seasons Averages compiled by F.F. Cane.
The ranking on the table for the Havelock players is listed
Batting
Rank Name Innings Not out Runs High Score Average
5 N.G. Fulford 17 1 475 69 30 12
15 H. Hawthorn 8 1 136 53 19
17 R.G. Gurran 11 1 189 52 18
Bowling
Rank Name Runs Wickets Average
1 N.G. Fulford 714 83 8.6
9 K.A. Fulford 554 5 12.3
23 D. Hawke’s 202 12 16.8
24 M. Liley 291 17 17.1
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: A. F. Berney
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding – no award
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman – no award.
Page 70
Chapter 9
“I tend to think that cricket is the greatest thing that God ever created on earth – certainly greater than sex, although sex isn’t too bad either.” Harold Pinter C.1954
The Lower Grades.
As in all Cricket Clubs, the Havelock North lower grade players are the ones that tend to make up the true ethos of the Club. It is where past Senior grade players spend their final playing days enjoying the challenges of the game they loved, while nostalgically reminiscing about the joys which once were – while ignoring their failing physical adeptness. It is where good men who love the companionship of like-minded individuals can enjoy an afternoon in the Saturday sun. It is where the youngsters straight out of Secondary School can continue the timeless contest of bat on ball, once perfected in their glory days of backyard cricket.
The period 1951 to 1962 is the decade in which the author is most familiar with the lower grade teams and players and the contribution which the lower grades made to the history of the Club. The players, the performance, the club spirit, camaraderie, the good-natured banter at the after-match drinks, the willingness to participate in Club Administration along, with their stalwart contribution to their team, all added up to the strength and success which the Club experienced during this decade.
The year 1951 was a significant year for the cricketers of Havelock North. The stamp of the players who always turned up on a Saturday, were regulars at practice, either on a Tuesday or Thursday was such, that when the first team moved into the Intermediate grade the incumbents from the previous season, who preferred to remain in the Grade that they knew well, and in which they were comfortable, became the core of a sound and capable team, able to carry the club banner proudly.
The 1951/52 season signalled that this side meant business as some fine performances gave notice of things to come. There were two centuries scored. The youngster John Beaumont was the third to score a century for the Club. His 102 not out against Whakatu-Mahora was quite remarkable for the young 19-year-old. In this very same game, Beaumont bowling his accurate out swingers took 7 wickets for 34. This was followed after the Christmas break by Manley Michael, one of the stalwarts of the Club who scored 100 not out against the very strong Artillery United side.
Huff, a newcomer to the club, performed consistently with both bat and ball, scoring an early season half century. John Smillie joined the team after Christmas and chimed in with a fine 57 in the final game.
In their first season of Junior Cricket the Havelock North Second XI proved that the players were here in the Village, and that the side’s good team spirit reflected the excellent culture that was building within the whole of the expanded Havelock North Cricket Club.
1952/53
In this season the team played in the Junior A grade which was the third tier down from Senior. This season saw the emergence of the player who was to become the stalwart of this team in the following seasons. Hughie Fair had all the ability and reputation with both bat and ball to play Senior grade cricket but he chose to continue playing the majority of his cricket for the seconds.
Tony Gilbertson, another who could have easily played in the senior grade was a strength in the batting before the Christmas break. Gordon Small took time out from his farm to add to the team’s batting strength. He scored a fine half century after the break. It was good to see one who contributed so much to the development of Anderson Park get the opportunity to ply his wares as part of this side. Alan Berry was another to shine towards the end of the season when the honey production was easing off. He scored 102 runs in two innings in the penultimate game.
Page 71
The season did not start that well, and a repetition of losses meant that the team may well suffer the ignominy of being demoted to the Junior B grade. The bowlers caused a late season rally with Tunnicliffe and Sandy Coombes leading the way but this was not enough to avoid the wooden spoon.
1953/54
For Havelock to be now playing in the Junior B competition one would have expected the season to begin well. However two dismal totals of 31 and 71 ensured an outright loss. John Beaumont’s 6 wickets for 28, in Artillery United’s second innings of 96, was not enough.
However the bright star on the horizon was the transference of Max Kale from Whakatu-Mahora to Havelock North. Max, in marrying John Beaumont’s sister, had to contend with the Beaumont family’s loyalty towards their beloved Havelock North. Whether it was John Beaumont’s undoubted persuasive powers or not, did not really matter, as Max became very much a part of the Junior team and of the Club as a whole.
Max’s move was signalled with a fine half century in his second game. He was to become the talisman of this Junior side. His success with both bat and ball reflected his ability and meticulous attention to correctness of technique. In batting he took very few risks, kept the ball on the ground and never gave his wicket away. At the same time he could launch into blazing drives and well placed hook and pull shots. The flight and variation of his off spin was delivered with an accuracy that gained him many a dismissal of an unsuspecting batsman.
Max Kale’s fine innings of 122 in Havelock’s total of 296 in the game before the Christmas break, was a huge boost to his team and the harbinger of greater things to come.
In the final game of the season Max Kale and John Smillie put on a partnership of 70 plus, to put the side into a good position against Napier Boys High School. This 1st XI side were cheaply dismissed in both innings by some superb bowling from Sievewright, 6 for 15, Keogh 4 for 17 and Sandy Coombs who capped off a splendid season with figures of 4 for 23.
1954/55 Season
The Havelock 2nd XI played in the HBCA’s Intertown Junior B Grade Competition in two-day fixtures.
The team had a fine win in its first game, with an 85-run victory over Taradale. Max Kale with a fine half century and 3 wickets for 8 runs sealed the victory. After Christmas the side had the embarrassment of an innings defeat against this same Taradale side. However this was well compensated with a victory over Napier Boys High School with Max Kale taking 5 for 27.
The Havelock 3rd XI played in the Hastings Sub Association’s A grade Competition in one-day fixtures, thus becoming the third team to represent the Club.
The emergence of this team was a true indication of the growing strength of village cricket and the fine culture that was being built up within the cricketing fraternity of Havelock North.
The team was ably led and managed by Andy Nola, a teacher at Hastings Intermediate School who had built up a fine reputation as a coach and manager. He was ably assisted in this role by ‘Morrie’ Taylor, a colleague at Hastings Intermediate. This team was a nursery for promising cricketers who had gone through the Intermediate school system. Ray Sullivan, the Makris brothers, Ted Lincoln to name a few.
The team had a dream start with a win over the Rugby Club, with Ray Sullivan scoring a century in a total of 163. Rugby were dismissed for 193 with ‘Master’ Nola and ‘Pupil’ Sullivan taking the 10 wickets between them.
Page 72
The game prior to Christmas yielded another win. With consistent batting which built a good platform, the Havelock bowlers, with Lindsey’s figures of 3 for 9 in both innings and Littlewood’s 4 for 12, ensured the win.
This 3rd XI playing in the Hastings Sub Associations Junior grade had a fine win against Whakatu-Mahora in the first game of the new year. Havelock made 162. Hay (61), and Harrison (51) being the main run scorers. Whakatu-Mahora were dismissed for 85 with the opening attack of Hay 6 for 28 and Lincoln 3 for 51 bowling unchanged for Whakatu-Mahora’s the entire innings. In the second innings Hay rolled up a 10-wicket bonanza in taking 4 for 51. Paul Makris, just new to the team, was the only other bowler to succeed, taking 4 for 25.
In one of the most exciting games of the 1954/55 season the 2nd XI contested a very close game against fellow villagers, Taradale. Havelock North just missed by 11 runs in a relatively high-scoring game. Max Kale and Bill Nichol compiled most of Havelock’s 159 run total. Bill Nichol had a fine match. His 37 runs, complemented Max Kale’s 56, but his 5 wickets for 46 was not enough to avoid Taradale getting the required runs.
Another of Andy Nola’s prodigies was Ray Sullivan. Ray had been coached and nurtured through the Hastings Intermediate teams, but left Hastings High School as a fifteen-year-old. Ray’s ex teacher quickly had him playing for the Havelock North 3rd XI and the good faith was rewarded in Ray’s sparkling century in a total of 162 against Rugby. Master and pupil wrapped up the Rugby innings with Nola taking 6 for 32, and Sullivan 4 for 28 to win the game by 59 runs.
There was certainly plenty of raw talent playing in the Havelock 3rd XI, with youngsters such as Sullivan, Morley, Littlewood, Lindsay, who took 3 wickets for 9 runs twice in a game, Harrison, Apperley, Makris and Hope.
1955/56 Season
Havelock North maintained its two lower grade teams for the 1955/56 season. The second XI playing Inter-town two-day cricket, while the 3rd XI was more than content to play in the Hastings Sub Association’s Junior grade with its one-day cricket.
There was definitely a relaxed attitude among the players of these two grades who played their cricket just for the love of the game. So when it came to availability of players to go up or come down a grade for one Saturday because of job or family commitments on a Saturday there was no apparent hassle.
In the 2nd XI’s first game of the season Bill Nichol, one of the club’s most loyal players turned out. Bill had earned his stripes playing for the senior Rugby team after the War. He then transferred to the Havelock club to be part of those splendid years 1951, 1952 and 1953, when Havelock held and defended the senior championship. In the first game of the season against Hastings High School, Bill scored 62 and took 3 wickets for 14 runs.
The 2nd XI had quite a successful run in this season, mainly due to the superlative cricketing skills of Max Kale. Max played a good hand in the 41-run victory over Midland by scoring 59 runs in a total of 100 and then capturing 7 wickets for 22 in Midlands’ innings of 59.
Godfrey Rogers who spent much of his playing time moving between the senior side and the 2nd XI had a fine run of scores in the middle part of the season. This culminated in a fine half century in the win against Taradale in early December. Godfrey’s score of 52 followed by a top score of 22 in the second innings set up the victory, but it was the bowling of Bill Nichol, Apperley, Max Kale and Ted Lincoln who sealed the exciting three run outright victory.
In the first game of the new year against St John’s College, Max Kale took 8 wickets in the match, for 57 runs. He shared the bowling honours with Bill Nichol who had a match analysis of 7 wickets for 60 runs. Kale then rounded off his good bowling performance with top scoring with 38 runs, to bring Havelock home.
Page 73
After the Christmas break, Bill Nichol really found his straps, with his tantalising flight and the spin, which he extracted from his wristy leg breaks. His figures in four consecutive innings of the two games played, in the month of February, 1956, were 4 for 32, 3 for 28, 5 for 38 and 6 for 29 against St John’s College and Hastings High School respectively.
Throughout the season there seemed to develop a competitive affiliation leading to a match winning partnership between the two spin bowlers of the team, Nichol and Kale. In the Havelock victories of this season they always figured prominently when bowling in tandem – off spin one end and leg spin at the other. Kale finished up the season with the fine figures of 6 for 13 versus Midland and 3 for 18 versus Napier Boys’ High School.
In a simply remarkable season the 2nd XI succeeded in achieving seven outright victories, one outright loss and one first innings win
Although the 3rd XI, playing in the Hastings Sub Association’s draw did not match this quite unique set of results it had a fairly good season as well.
It began with a resounding victory over Whakatu-Mahora. In the following game, another prominent player in those early years, Morrie Taylor scored a well hit 66 runs. He partnered fellow Hastings Intermediate staff member, Andy Nola in a match winning partnership of which Nola scored 24.
1956/57 Season
The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association changed the names of the grades over the winter break. The Inter-town Junior B grade now became the third grade. So now the Havelock 2nd XI became third graders.
The season’s opener was against Rugby. It was highlighted by a fine bowling performance by Roberts who collected 11 wickets in the match for just 79 runs. ‘Hughie’ Fair playing his first game in the lower grades for a season or two, made 38 runs in Havelock`s outright victory by the narrow margin of six runs.
In the December game against Artillery United the versatility of the selection policy of the Havelock club over the past few years was again in evidence. Max Liley, who had just returned from his teaching stint in Central Hawke’s Bay, played a major role in both bowling and batting. He made 31 runs and excelled at the bowling crease, taking 5 for 14 in Artillery United’s first innings and 6 for 56 in the second. However in spite of his efforts, along with Max Kale, who scored a brace of 30s in Havelock`s two innings, Artillery United ran out the winners by two wickets.
In the first game of their season the 3rd XI were off to a good start against Whakatu-Mahora with young Ray Sullivan (50), Morrie Taylor ( 37) and Andy Nola (35) scoring almost 80% of the side’s runs in a total of 155. Whakatu-Mahora valiantly attempted to reach this good total but fell just 14 runs short with Nola, (4 for 26) and Ward (3 for 21) being the main obstacles.
In spite of losing to Lindisfarne in mid November by 29 runs, Taylor and Nola continued to score runs fluently against this team. In a fine partnership the two of them scored almost 70 % of the team’s runs, Taylor with 66 and Nola, 24 saved the side’s blushes against the schoolboys.
Neale, as a newcomer to the club excelled in his first game which was against Rugby. He scored 38 not out in a total of 82 and then captured 5 Rugby wickets for 30 runs.
In a remarkable game played on February 11th 1956 against Whakatu-Mahora, four innings were completed in a day’s play with the end result being an astonishing tie. Havelock were behind on the first innings by 63 runs. However in their second innings caution was thrown to the winds as Andy Nola, Norman Oliver and
Page 74
Panckhurst careered towards 112 when the 10th wicket fell with just under an hour to play – the lead being a meagre 49 runs. Nola and Panckhurst in a superb spell of bowling ensured that this total, was all the Whakatu-Mahora team was going to make so snatching a most unlikely tie.
1956/57 season
The 3rd XI playing in the Hastings Sub Associations junior competition, was a real morale booster for the club. This team playing one-day cricket gave young Havelock North cricketers who possessed plenty of enthusiasm and raw ability the opportunity to enjoy themselves in a non-pressure situation.
The second XI was hoping to re-capture a bit of the magic that was so apparent in the 1954/ 55 season. And in the first two games, re capture it they did, with two outright victories. A seven wicket win over Tech Old Boys in the first game, which was a dress rehearsal for the outright victory over Rugby. In this low-scoring match, the batsmen to shine were John Smillie, ‘Hughie’ Fair and Roberts. The bowling was spearheaded by Roberts who took 11 wickets for 69 runs, ably supported by Max Liley with 4 for 27, in Rugby’s second innings. Both these bowlers had to be on their mettle after the skipper, Max Kale had declared the Havelock innings closed at tea on the second day, setting Rugby 125 runs to get in even time. Tight bowling and good fielding carried the side through to a very close and exciting five run victory.
The side carried on this good form into the next two games, just prior to Christmas. The win against Napier Old Boys by eight wickets could be put down to the splendid bowling of Max Liley (6 for 15) and Roberts (5 for 29) in Napier Old Boys second innings. Thus allowing the top order batsmen to get the required 88 runs with only 2 wickets down.
Up to the Christmas break three players were dominant in this string of good performances. Max Kale, Max Liley and Roberts. In the game against Artillery United in January this trio, again performed well in the first innings win, which was achieved on the first day. Liley had two sets of excellent bowling figures – 5 for 14 and 6 for 56. He then joined Kale and Roberts with the bat and all three scored in the thirties in a game which Artillery United with an ounce of luck could have won outright. They were just two runs short with eight wickets down at stumps.
However the team’s fortunes subsided after Christmas. The two games in January against Rugby and Tech old Boys were lost outright. In the next game the bowling of Roberts who took eight wickets in the match for the cost of 82 runs ignited a comeback, enhanced by ‘Morrie’ Miller’s half century which carried the side onto a worthy first innings win.
The two further losses in January were however dotted with some good performances. Alan Berry’s 60 not out against Rugby. Max Kale and Sandy Coombes taking 4 wickets a piece in the same game. In the second game against Rugby within a month – such were the vagaries of the draw – Roberts and Kale bowled well and ‘Morrie’ Miller scored another half century to continue his good run with the bat.
In order to overcome a huge first innings deficit of 134 runs the Havelock North middle order played well against Napier Old Boys to avoid an innings defeat. Sandy Coombes, (48), Alan Berry (26) and Max Kale (23) held out the Napier Old Boys bowlers to gain an overall lead of 63. However on a good batting strip this was never going to be enough. With plenty of time to spare Napier Old Boys hit off the winning runs to score the victory.
The season finished off on a good note for the 2nd XI. The penultimate game against Artillery United resulted in a comprehensive outright victory by 6 wickets. The final game against Rugby went right down to the wire, with Havelock North achieving a first innings victory by just two runs. Players to feature in these two victories were Giles 3 wickets for 4 runs and Roberts 4 for 19 who were the pick of the bowlers. The batsmen to do well were John Smillie 46, Terry Taaffe 27, Max Kale 35, Giles 46 and Murray 26.
Page 75
In this season the 3rd XI played all its games on just two venues. Windsor Park, on the corner of Grove and Sylvan roads just adjacent to where Splash Planet is now situated, and on one of the five wickets on Hastings Boys’ High School grounds.
An indication of just how strong and competitive this Hastings Sub Association grade was, is borne out in the first game between Havelock North and Whakatu-Mahora. Both teams produced some quality cricket. Even though Havelock North lost by 5 wickets, players such as Nola, Taylor, Apperley, Panckhurst and Wyatt provided plenty of evidence of better things to come.
It was in the next game, against Baptist in which the nine-wicket outright win was set up by the batting of Apperley (30) and ‘Morrie’ Taylor (29). But it was the bowling of ‘Mossie’ Apperley, 5 for 21, and Miller 3 for 16 in the first innings and Norman Oliver with his well flighted leg breaks in the second innings which clinched the win.
This good form was carried on in the game against the Lindisfarne College 1st XI. ‘Morrie’ Miller made 47 in Havelock North’s first innings of 105 and Norman Oliver took another 6-wicket bag in dismissing Lindisfarne for 75.
However, the team’s bête noir for the season, Whakatu-Mahora scored a good competitive total in their first innings to declare at 9 wickets down for 102. Neale managed to contain the Whakatu-Mahora batsmen, better than the bowling attack did in the first game, in taking 5 for 50. Havelock North were struggling in their second innings having been dismissed for just 55 in the first innings. Kennedy (26), Neale (14) and Michael Mohi (14) managed to bat out time get the total up to 76 and thus stave off the outright loss.
1957/58 Season
A somewhat humbling loss to Rugby 1 at the start of the season, in which Rugby’s total of 244 just seemed too insurmountable. A virtual turnaround of fortunes against Rugby 2 saw a remarkable comparison of first innings totals. This time it was Havelock North who scored 244 runs. Mitchell was the hero of the innings being 2 runs short of his century when he was dismissed. In Rugby 2’s turn to bat it was Dudley Hawkes who wreaked havoc in both innings. Capturing 4 wickets for 13 runs in Rugby’s first innings and 6 for 51 in the second to set up the outright win.
Dudley Hawkes was one of the heroes of Havelock North’s senior championship winning teams of the 1953/54 and 54/55 seasons. Now, because of work commitments as the Civil Engineer for the Hawke’s Bay County Council he had to restrict the amount of time in which he could play cricket. He was just as keen as ever on the game, and in playing for Havelock North second XI he felt that he could contribute more to the club. He was still a young man in his late 20s so his aggressive batting and sharp medium paced bowling was a real bonus for Max Kale’s team.
The two games prior to the Christmas break were decided on the first innings – a loss and a win. In the game against Midland the first innings total scored by Havelock of 190 should have been enough for a comfortable first innings lead. But Midland had other ideas and piled on 255 runs. The only Havelock North bowler to trouble the Midland batsmen was Dudley Hawkes who took a five-wicket bag for 88 runs. In the middle of the second day, the match took a somewhat bizarre twist. The two Havelock batsmen, Sandy Coombes (56) and Peter Sugden (35 not out) hammered the Midland attack and piled on the runs at more than six runs an over. The skipper Max Kale, ever the adventurer, declared with Havelock just 79 runs ahead and threw the new ball to Ted Lincoln. In an inspired spell Lincoln took 2 wickets for 5 runs. He and Dudley Hawkes had Midland reeling at 5 down for 27 at stumps,
The momentum created in this sterling performance, carried the second XI on to a great finish to wind up the season. In the two games remaining, Artillery United suffered an outright loss to a rampant Havelock side with good performances coming from the batsmen, especially Terry Taaffe, Max Kale and Murray. Again it
Page 76
was the bowlers who secured the outright win, with Giles (4 for 3) in the first innings and Apperley (4 for 7) in the second.
It was fitting that the final game should be against archrivals, Rugby and that the game should produce the closest finish of the season. Havelock made 156 with Smillie (46) and Giles (36) being the main scorers. Rugby set out after this total in earnest, confident that they could achieve it. They were just two runs shy when Havelock’s bowlers spearheaded by Max Kale (4 for 38) and Roberts (4 for 17) wrapped up the innings.
1958/59 Season
After the loss to the Rugby 1 side in the first match of the season the next game against Rugby 2 proved to be an exciting game which was brought alive when Max Kale declared the Havelock second innings closed when he reached his half century. This left Rugby 2 the target of 114 in just on two hours. Rugby 2 accepted the challenge and with 5 wickets down needed just a boundary off the last ball of the match to clinch an outright win. The swipe missed and Havelock were lucky to escape with a first innings loss.
The two further games prior to the Christmas break resulted in two losses. A six-wicket defeat against Artillery United, and a further first innings loss against Whakatu-Mahora.
So the gilt edge performances of the previous seasons were paling somewhat in this quite disappointing season. The bright spots were that Terry Taaffe was amongst the runs with a couple of good 30s. Nichol, Slade and Sugden were among the wicket-takers and Parker was showing up as a promising all rounder and the veteran ‘Hughie’ Fair turned out for the game just prior to Christmas.
After Christmas the status quo was upheld with a dismal performance against Rugby 1. The outright loss by seven wickets was not the start to the second round which the team was looking for. But it had just the one redeeming feature – the five-wicket bag of Bill Nichol.
The only thing which could be taken for granted with Max Kale’s men was that things can change. The next two games were won convincingly.
In the January 1959 game against Midland, a fine 94 runs by ‘Hughie’ Fair, which featured two partnerships of over 50 runs with Garry Mackenzie (53) and Peter Sugden (42), set the scene for an innings victory. Bill Nichol picked up the initiative from there with two bowling performances, which ensured the win. His 5 for 19 in the Midlands second innings was the coup de grace.
In the next game, in February against Rugby 2 it was the batting John Smillie (80) Garry Mackenzie (60) and John Beaumont (40) in Havelock’s first innings of 261 which set up the eight-wicket outright win. It was Peter Sugden, this time whose bowling ensured the win. His 5 wickets for 6 runs completely dismantled the Rugby second innings, leaving just 30 runs for Havelock to finish the game.
The season wound down with an exciting game against Artillery United. A tie was the parting shot to what had been a fairly unique season. Peter Sugden’s bowling restricted Artillery to 122 and the batting of Max Kale in scoring 51 brought the scores level.
1959/1960 Season
One of the finer characteristics of the Havelock North Cricket Club is a staunchness and fidelity to the finer traditions of the game and an awareness that there is a whole village behind all the teams, no matter what grade in which they play. This loyalty is manifested in the stability of all the teams and the subsequent enthusiasm and willingness of all individual players to perform well for their side.
Page 77
In this 2nd XI the familiar faces kept on returning each year, and the bonds created, generated a morale and a subsequent esprit de corps which led to good cricket performance, and camaraderie. Players such as John Smillie, ‘Hughie Fair’, Murray, John Beaumont, Max Kale, Kenny Slade, Roberts, Peter Sugden, Terry Taaffe, Teddy Lincoln, Bill Nichol, all of whom were to be joined towards the end of this season by Bill Hill and Bob MacInnes. This certainly made up a unique band of players. Havelock men all. Win or lose – it mattered little. What mattered was pitting their skills against others of similar ilk, and coming away at the end of each game, tacitly acknowledging that the game and the comradeship, which is inevitably generated, is everything.
The first game of the season against Whakatu-Mahora ended in a first innings loss, but it was the stalwart performances of Beaumont, Smillie, Roberts and Murray who kept their side in the game. In the next game in the mid-November 1959 saw the pendulum swing back with a fine win against Napier Old Boys by 50 runs on the first innings. In a good all round team effort, it was Kale, Slade, Roberts, Sugden and Beaumont who featured in the win.
The old adversaries Rugby 1 were the next up. Rugby 1 were a pretty good side which had not lost to Havelock for over three seasons. They were consistent in posting a big total in their first innings, which always set up their wins. In this game Rugby batted first. John Beaumont with his medium paced, nagging length and sound knowledge of the opposition’s weaknesses, was mainly responsible for bowling them out for 87 – taking 5 wickets for 20. Havelock replied with a first innings lead of 58. It was on the second day that Rugby, whose pride was badly hurt, launched into a second innings which allowed them to declare at 175 for 7. John Beaumont again bowled well to capture 9 wickets for the match. With 117 to get in 100 minutes to score an unlikely outright victory Havelock set out after the target. The top and middle order’s impatience showed and Havelock with still 10 minutes to play had lost 9 wickets. Solid, stoic defence saw the side through, avoiding the outright loss and thus the team was able to savour the first innings win.
In the game against Midland, leading up to the Christmas break, the Havelock North second XI had another first innings win, in a high-scoring game. Midland must have felt that they had the game won when they concluded their first innings on the quite exceptional score of 231. It may well have been higher had not Max Kale tied one end up with his off spinners in taking 5 wickets for 35. It was the batsmen who were the heroes in this game as they inched their way towards the big Midland total. John Smillie led the troops with a fine 62, Terry Taaffe joined in with 59 and Bob MacInnes in his first game for the 2nd XI was not out at stumps on 35.
At the beginning of the new decade in the January 1960 game, Havelock were never really in the hunt as they struggled in their first innings to pass the Artillery United total of 140. Max Kale decided that a declaration was warranted when the side had reached the century mark, with the hope of getting some quick wickets in the half hour before stumps. Even though Ted Lincoln bowled well on the second day, Artillery United managed a tidy 143. No declaration was forthcoming so the first innings win was enough for the Napier team. Havelock batted out time until stumps with Beaumont on 43 not out.
The two, innings losses, which followed against Whakatu-Mahora and Rugby was not a good way to begin the new decade. However this was reversed in the February game against Rugby where Roberts, Beaumont and Nichol with the ball and Murray with the bat secured an innings victory.
The impetus from this win was to carry the side into a good performance in the final game of the season. John Beaumont scored an unbeaten century in the first innings win against Artillery United. This was just the tonic the side required after the poor start to the year.
This performance may well have encouraged other aspiring village cricketers to don the flannels and join in because at the beginning of the 1960/61 season the Havelock North club was fielding three teams in the Saturday competitions. The senior and third grade sides were now joined by a fourth-grade team.
Page 78
The third-grade team – the second XI began the season with an outright loss to Marist due to an inexplicable collapse in their second innings where they were dismissed for just 58 runs This took the shine off Bill Nicholls’s fine bowling spells in both of the Marist innings where he took 9 wickets for 100 runs.
Rain played a major role in the next three games with Havelock poised for a win, suffered a loss and held out for a draw being 9 wickets down when the rain arrived.
The draw was against one of the teams made up from the new amalgamation of the Rugby and Midland clubs. This union of these two old clubs was both unexpected and inopportune. Both clubs had proud records in Hawke’s Bay cricket, especially Rugby which had a very successful run just prior to and after the Second World War.
1961 began with an outright win over Taradale by eight wickets. John Beaumont took his fourth 5 wicket bag for the 2nd XI in snatching 5 for 23, while Wynn Goodall scored 70 runs in Havelock North’s second innings.
In the outright loss to Colenso United in February Terry Taaffe top scored in both innings. His scores of 38 and 63 were just under half of the side’s runs for the game.
The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune had this to say:-
“The Havelock North third grade cricket team was busy on Saturday. Only seven players turned up. Two were batting, two were umpiring, two were scoring and one was padding up.
Although beaten outright the contest was much closer than the score indicates with Terry Taaffe, Bob MacInnes and Max Kale being in the thick of it, with Terry Taaffe not getting much of a turn with the score book.”
The Club’s 3rd XI playing in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s fourth grade inter town competition had a good start to their venture. Players of the calibre of Giffney, Harrison, Wright, Berney, Hollis, Boyes and Gray brought plenty of cricketing knowledge and experience to the fledgling side.
A couple of outright wins by an innings were achieved during the season. One against Combined at the very start of the season and later in January against Colenso United, served to give this team credibility and status within the club even if they did lose the final game of the season in a most unusual fashion against Tech Old Boys.
The bizarre nature of the game began with Havelock North being routed in their first inning for 19 runs. Amid the debris of the 19 runs, Andrew Giffney scored 14, some 74% of the Havelock total. One is left to ponder whether this is some kind of unlikely club record.
Sniffing the likelihood of a clear-cut outright win, Tech Old Boys replied with 95 for 4 declared. Havelock’s second innings of 112 was a creditable performance as was the dismissal of six batsmen for 39 runs in Tech Old Boys second innings. The result of the game pales into insignificance when considered against the debacle of Havelock’s first innings and the ‘Horatius at the bridge’ innings of the young Giffney.
1961/62 season
The 1961/62 season was the most successful season for Max Kale’s second XI since it began playing in the third-grade competition. The remarkable season began with a string of outright victories prior to Christmas but it was towards the end of the season that remarkable turned to extraordinary with an unparalleled series of three games where the total scored by both teams in each of the three games exceeded 600 runs.
The Havelock North batsmen compiled in these three fixtures a total of 1,170 runs and lost just 23 wickets in doing so at an average per wicket of 51 runs.
Page 79
They won all three games the first of which was against Colenso United. In the win which was by seven wickets, Bob MacInnes (65), Bill Hill (57 n.o) and Bob Thorpe (78 n.o) were the major contributors to the first innings total of 241 for 4 declared. In the second innings Hill and MacInnes along with Peter Sugden eased the score along to the eventual 7 wickets victory – all reaching the 30s.
In the February game against Taradale. Bill Hill and Bob Thorpe made 91 and 80 respectively and John Nelson hit the winning run in the four-wicket outright victory when he was on 73 n.o.
The final game of the 1961/62 season saw Havelock set the record for the highest total made by a lower grade team playing for Havelock North. 360 runs were made before the skipper Max Kale decided that it was time to declare. The scoreboard reflected the contribution that the entire team has made to the success of this season. The highlights being Thorpe (62), Kale (51), Keong (49), MacInnes (42), Beaumont (37), Ernie Boyes (31), Field (29).
The fourth-grade team on the other hand did not have the best of seasons. They had a poor start against Colenso United by not responding to Colenso’s first innings of 214. With scores of 64 and 55 a loss by an innings and 95 runs was completed halfway through the second day’s play. In the first innings loss against Clive, Harrison batted well for 41 n.o. in Havelock’s second innings.
In the subsequent games against these two clubs later in the season it was three players who held the side together, Paul Makris in taking 6 for 68 in Clive’s first innings and Ernie Boyes with an accomplished 52 n.o. in Havelock’s second innings. John Nelson’s treble against Colenso United In early February 1962 of 5 for 19 and two innings of over 30 runs pointed to a possible rejuvenation in the latter part of the season.
This indeed eventuated with two first innings wins. The first against Whakatu-Mahora by 26 runs with Harrison (54) and Mahar (29) leading the way with the bat and Nelson with the fine figures of 8 for 56 bowled unchanged to be responsible for dismissing Whakatu for just 110 runs.
Harrison again featured in the second of these wins with an innings of 48 against Clive. Boyes had a cameo of 30 runs in the second innings. It was the bowling of Jones (6 for 57) and McQuade (3 for 24) who sealed the win and a satisfying conclusion to the 1961/62 season.
1962/63 season
For the fourth grade the winning surge at the conclusion of the previous season did not follow through into the new season and in a rather disastrous run this Havelock North 3rd XI could not muster up one victory. Six first innings losses were recorded, the two at the start of the season were by very narrow margins and a recovery could have been predicted. But the four further first innings losses and four outright losses should have been enough to dispirit any team.
But there were players of the ilk of Harrison who consistently scored in the 30s; Paul Makris a consistent wicket-taker with one five wicket bag and a couple of fours, as well as his good batting; Cooper, the all-rounder who took wickets and scored runs throughout the entire season. Terry Taaffe who played when his job permitted was prominent mid season. Others to make a good contribution were Burtenshaw, Webster who scored a half century early in the season, and Malcolm Dixon coming into the team after Christmas. There were enough good performances without achieving the results which boded well for the next season.
The third grade – the second XI – on the other hand had a great start to their 1962/63 season, with an outright win over Whakatu-Mahora. Ernie Boyes featured in a neat little double of 6 for 21 and 30 runs. Max Kale’s first innings of 60 kept the team well in the game and Peter Sugden’s 4 wickets for 20 contributed to Whakatu-Mahora’s collapse in their second innings for 60 runs. Havelock North needing 71 runs for the outright did it in style with just five wickets down.
Page 80
This good performance was followed by another outright win against Taradale by 7 wickets. Peter Sugden was the main destroyer for Havelock North with 5 for 42, in Taradale’s first innings. Nelson (60) and Bob MacInnes in his third season of playing for the second XI were mainly responsible for the comfortable lead of 49 in the first innings. Taradale found the pace of Wynn Goodall and the spin of Max Kale too much in their second innings and succumbed for 118. The number 71 came up again which was the Havelock run chase for the outright. This they achieved, for three wickets down.
Bill Hill, who four years ago joined up with the second XI along with Bob MacInnes, was responsible for holding the batting together in this first innings loss to the strong Tech Old Boys team. His scores of 46 and 29 were not enough to peg back the big first innings total of 205 in which John Nelson bowled his medium pacers, manfully to capture 5 for 48.
In the low-scoring game against Colenso United it was Nelson and Hill, with the ball, capturing 14 wickets between them, with Nelson picking up a five-wicket bag in Colenso United’s second innings of 62. Bill Hill (39) top scored with the bat in this outright win to bring the first part of the season to a very satisfying conclusion.
That part of 1963 year which consisted of the 12 weeks of the cricket season was not particularly rewarding for the Second XI. Two losses to Marist the first by 10 wickets. And then due to some mysterious vagary of the draw in a game played just two weeks later a further loss by 46 runs on the first innings. In both games Hill, MacInnes, Smillie, Slade and Nelson had good scores in the 20s or 30s and Grant, Newport, Slade and Hill bowled well, Slade capturing 5 wickets for 40 runs in the second game.
This trend continued with the loss to Artillery United by 35 runs on the first innings in spite of a fine double of 47 and 25 not out from Sandy Coombes and in the conclusion to the season to bow out on a 9-wicket loss to Tech Old Boys was not the best finish to what should have been a much better season.
So ended a decade of lower grade cricket for the club. A decade which I am sure could be emulated in any of the following decades in the Club’s history. But it was the decade in which the author had the keenest interest and the one which could be covered as accurately as was possible.
Page 81
Chapter 10
1955/1956 SEASON
“Yesterday’s just a memory,
Tomorrow is never what it’s supposed to be”
Bob Dylan from “Don’t fall apart”.
The memory of the previous two seasons was still with the Havelock side as they confidently faced the new season. Could they make it a hat trick of championship wins? They certainly had the players, as was proven mid way through the 1954/55 season. But there were rather ominous signs in the results of the games after Christmas.
Frank Cane’s somewhat judicious prediction of last year, that Havelock, after their outstanding start to the season would not have it all their own way in the latter part of the season was perhaps the spectre which could return to haunt this side.
However thoughts of this were pushed aside as the season began, with an innings victory and a sound, first innings win. Thus evoking images of a further triumphal march through the season to the ultimate prize, once again.
Was it any wonder that after such a great start to the season that the Havelock village residents were speculating, with very good reason, that their local team could clinch the hat trick of championship victories.
The men from Havelock who had dominated the senior competition in the previous two seasons had now in just two matches of this season raced to the front in points scored, and were playing as if there was no tomorrow. The future of the club was guaranteed and the respect which all players had from the cricket public, within the village was secure.
However as the season wore on Bob Dylan’s ‘yesterday’ was indeed a fading memory. And the tomorrow that promised so much, certainly turned out not as it was supposed to be. The men of Havelock North lost direction and form, in a series of drastic losses.
In the two months from November 12th 1955 until January 14th 1956, two outright losses and a first innings loss together with a match drawn, because of rain was a huge reality check.
The team for the first game was Bob MacInnes (Captain) Ray Gurran, Bill Hill, Noel Fulford, Keith Fulford, Bob Thorpe, Max Liley, Maurice Miller, Hughie Fair, John Beaumont, Harry Hawthorn. Others to join later were Jim Blane, Bob Simms, Godfrey Rogers and Ray Sullivan.
October 15th 1955
The new Season started with one-day practice fixture.
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys.
Havelock North lost
Score card:
Havelock North: 136 for 9. M. Liley 49, M. Miller 28, R. Gurran 22
Tech Old Boys: 157. N. Fulford 4 for 32, Liley 3 for 38.
October 22nd and 24th Labour weekend.
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Outright win to Havelock North by an innings
Page 82
This was the first match ever to be played over Labour Weekend. The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association had kept this family weekend free in the past, but through pressure of the draw and the days lost through rain in the previous season it was decided to go for the extra day on the Monday. The match was played on the Cornwall Park No 3 wicket. The state of this wicket posed the question as to whether the Hastings Parks and Reserves Department had sufficient time to prepare the wicket adequately for a senior match.
Havelock batted first and in losing the first three batsmen cheaply which included the number 3 batsman, N.G. Fulford, for a rare “duck”. One presumes that the answer to the above question was a distinct negative. As with all winning teams, Havelock recovered from this position with the middle order, led by Bob Thorpe, top scoring in his first game for Havelock North and looking very stylish and compact, thus allowing Bob MacInnes to declare and have a go at the opposition on the unpredictable pitch.
It is almost a ritual with Noel Fulford, that he performs at his brilliant best in the first game of the season. And this game was no exception (apart from the inglorious duck).
The usually sober and austere Frank Cane described Fulford’s performance with the ball as ‘sensational’. At one stage, Fulford had captured nine Napier Old Boys wickets for 9 runs, including the hat trick. Seven of his scalps were clean bowled. He also top-scored in the second innings, being not out when Bob MacInnes made the declaration. The timing of which clinched the game for the villagers. The team was already functioning as a winning combination. Max Liley, Dudley Hawkes and Bob Sims all made good contributions.
Score card:
Havelock North 139 for 9 Thorpe 34, Liley 25, Sims 18, Hawke’s 17, Miller 12.
and 61 for 3 declared: N. Fulford 35 n.o.
Napier Old Boys 43 N. Fulford 9 for 12, K. Fulford 1 for 24
and 78 Hawke’s 5 for 14, Liley 2 for 20, K. Fulford 2 for 21
October 29th and November 5th 1955
Havelock North versus Napier Boys High School
Havelock won on the first innings.
Napier Boys High School 1st XI had been victorious in winning the Intermediate Grade in the previous season, thus under the Promotion/ Relegation ruling, justly deserved to be playing Senior cricket. The Schoolboys’ promotion meant that just two Hastings teams were playing senior cricket, with Whakatu-Mahora being relegated to the Intermediate grade. This very proud team smarting from the shock of the down grading were soon to become the scourge of the lower grade as they began a season, complete with all their top players along with a very quick and hostile bowler, new to the district in Doug Hallet. [The author was one of many who was on the receiving end of some of his thunderbolts]. The Whakatu-Mahora side cut a swathe through the lower grade, being practically unbeatable and thus regained their senior status, as expected, at season’s end.
The school team played with plenty of spirit in the first innings which may have been the reason why Bob MacInnes delayed the declaration until the game was safe for his side. It is of interest to note, that in this Napier Boys High School side there were many players who became well known in both Hawke’s Bay club and Central Districts cricket over the next few years:- David Devine, Brian Heibner, Alex ‘Lucky’ Roberts, Bob Husheer, Robin Schofield and Roy Clements.
Score card:
Havelock North 193
and 94 for 2, Sims 40 Liley 55 n.o.
Napier Boys High School 137, N. Fulford 6 for 46
and 46 or 4 at stumps
Page 83
November 12th and 19th 1955
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost outright
This was the turning point of the entire season. The moment of truth. The defining moment which distinguished the whole season.
The outcome of this game is what the teams playing in the senior competition were seeking, for two whole seasons. To put the ‘upstarts’ from the village in their place and bring the competition back to some semblance of sanity.
Tech Old Boys were well equipped in this season to do just this. Their new import from the Hutt Valley was Bob Blair who had already played two games for the Napier club so he was getting used to the Nelson Park wickets with the long boundaries and sea breeze of a late Saturday afternoon which enhanced a swing bowler’s stock ball.
Blair was selected into the Wellington Plunket Shield side as a 19-year-old fast medium bowler. He had toured South Africa with the New Zealand side in 1953, so in 1955 at the age of 25 he was nearing the peak of his bowling powers and he certainly came to Hawke’s Bay with a huge reputation.
Blair had a distinctive final stride which involved a long back foot drag. In the year 1955 a “no ball” was called when the back foot landed in front of the bowling crease, therefore it mattered little as to where the front foot landed. Blair’s drag took him to about a whole yard in front of the batting crease before he delivered the ball, so ostensibly a batsman was facing a pretty sharp medium fast bowler from a distance of often just 21 yards.
But in this match it was not Robert Blair who wrecked Havelock’s chances but a young off spinner, Dave Dine, who took 11 wickets for 13 runs in the match. Blair took 4 for 29 in Havelock’s second innings to seal the match for Tech Old Boys, ensuring the innings defeat.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys 142 N. Fulford 3 for 46,
and 133 for 8 declared. K. Fulford 5 for 39
Havelock North 99 Hill 34, N. Fulford 21, Lilley -Liley] 15,
and 62.
This loss meant that Havelock North lost the lead in the championship.
November 26th and December 3rd 1955
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost outright by 5 wickets
The value of scoring heavily in the first innings was perfectly illustrated in this game, with Old Boys Hastings virtually winning the game after they had romped ahead of Havelock North to lead by 96 runs. Mediocre batting from the villagers with no substantial partnerships sealed their fate. Two outright losses in succession, one by an innings, seemed so much out of character for this Havelock side. The batsmen had not seemed able to get going. The failure of Noel Fulford with the bat certainly was also a major factor.
Score card:
Havelock North 108 Thorpe 32
and 126 Gurran 48
Old Boys Hastings 204
and 31 for 5 N. Fulford 3 for 7
Page 84
December 10th and 17th 1955
Havelock North versus Marist.
Match drawn
In a somewhat nondescript drawn match against Marist, rain interrupted play on day one. Keith Fulford was the only Havelock bowler to feature, in taking 4 wickets. The rain came in earnest on the second day to give the villagers some little respite after the disappointments of the two previous games. So now they could possibly look forward to the new year with renewed enthusiasm.
Score card:
Marist 178 K. Fulford 4 for 50
Rain on the second day
The team for the first game after Christmas:- Bob MacInnes (Captain), Bill Hill, Ray Gurran, ‘Hughie’ Fair, Noel Fulford, Jim Blane, John Balfour, Keith Fulford, Ray Baker, Max Liley, Dudley Hawkes.
Nine of these players were in the victorious eleven which lifted the Championship for the first time two seasons ago.
January 7th and 14th 1956
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
The batting partnerships, which had been lacking over the past weeks, finally came to fruition with N. Fulford, Hill, Gurran, Liley, Beaumont and Miller, all contributing with good partnerships to make a very competitive total. However the ill luck which seemed to dog the team during this season resulted in this good performance being surpassed by Napier Old Boys.
The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune of 16th January continues the story.
“On the first day of this match Havelock North lost two of their key players through injury. Had it not been for these mishaps they looked favourably placed for a first innings lead. The first injury was to Noel Fulford which happened soon after play began. He was moving in to bowl with his usual smooth action when he inadvertently tripped and fell heavily damaging his left ankle. The immediate diagnosis was that the ankle had been broken and Noel was taken straight to the Hastings Memorial Hospital. When the swelling receded it was found that the ankle was severely sprained.
“Only a few minutes later Bob MacInnes in his usual wicket keeping role chased a mis-hit hook shot. The chase for the catch, ended in a head-on collision with the player at square leg as the two players were both frantically chasing the high ball. Deeply unconscious, MacInnes was carried from the field with head injuries and was taken straight to hospital where he had a total of six stitches to close the wound. He was discharged from the hospital later in the evening. Keith Fulford in the absence of his brother bowled an inspired spell to take 5 wickets for 53 to almost snatch an unlikely victory.”
Score card:
Havelock North 203 N. Fulford 58, Hill 38, Gurran 29, Liley 28, Beaumont 16, Miller 10
Napier Old Boys 230 K. Fulford 5 for 53
January 21st and 28th 1956
Havelock North versus Napier Boys’ High School.
Havelock won on the first innings
Was this game to be the resurgence of a proud team? It certainly appeared to be the case as the 300 mark was passed before the declaration came. Bob Thorpe’s stylish century, full of splendid timing and flourishing
Page 85
off drives was the about turn which Havelock had been seeking since November of last year. Bob Thorpe and Bob Sims certainly saw it as such, as each swung into action against the Napier Boy’s High School attack. Sims being particularly dominant in a partnership which exceeded the century mark.
The total of 301 was the highest yet recorded by the team since the promotion into the senior grade. The previous highest was 282 in February of 1954. (The side when playing in the Intermediate grade had scored 349 for 9).
Noel Fulford’s propensity for rapid recovery from injury was again in evidence in his remarkable comeback from the injury of the previous game. Noel recorded the match analysis of 8 for 45. An outright victory was on the cards, until the Napier Boys High School lower order displayed defensive qualities which were obviously well coached, to hold out the eight Havelock bowlers who were used in order to attempt to break the deadlock.
This game was the final match of a real stalwart of the club, Ray Gurran. He was transferred to Whakatane. He played his first game for the Club in 1956, when he was attending Hastings High School. Such was his promise as a young schoolboy that he kept his position in the senior team as a middle-order batsman with a highest score of 71.
Score card:
Havelock North 301 for 7 declared, Thorpe 102, Sims 58
Napier Boys High 113, K. Fulford 4 for 29, K. Fulford 4 for 27, Hawke’s 2 for 14,
and 97 for 6 N. Fulford 4 for 18
In the final three matches of this disappointing season, the game against Tech. Old Boys was abandoned and thus drawn on the second day because of rain.
This was followed by two losses on the first innings. The first to Old Boys Hastings by a mere 22 runs in which Bob Thorpe top scored with 43 runs in a total of 157, with the Fulfords and Max Liley taking all ten wickets between them.
The second loss against Marist was equally as close – 25 this time. Noel Fulford finishing with a flourish to score a half century, and as a bonus, to feature in a good partnership with brother Keith, which almost won the match for Havelock.
Havelock North finished 5th out of 6 in the competition. But a highlight for the season was Noel Fulford being awarded the Hanlon Cup for the best senior bowling average in the Hawke’s Bay senior competition.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: M. Kale
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: R. C. Thorpe
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved Senior XI batsman: R. C. Thorpe
Page 86
Chapter 11
1956/1957 SEASON
“The use of saliva,
That great ball reviver
So relished by Roger D. Twose
Can hardly be placed
At the forefront of taste
But, dam it what else could he use?”
Paul Weston from the poem ‘Kiwi Juice’ 1991
Max Liley was an inveterate chewing gum user. He said it was to get the saliva going so he could revive the ball after the Fulfords had finished with it.
In the two newspapers’ previews for the coming season it was significantly noted that Max Liley, of his own choice, will be playing his cricket in the second grade. Noel Fulfords chronic struggle with his back may restrict his performance. Spinner Bill Nichol is expected to return after being off the scene for two seasons. Don Murray – a fast medium left arm bowler who played for Kilbirnie seniors in Wellington last season and Malcolm Campbell from Massey University will join the senior team. Apart from that there is little change as the team for the first game against Marist shows.
The Team for the opening game: Bob MacInnes, Bill Hill, Noel Fulford, Keith Fulford, Bob Thorpe, Don Murray, Harry Hawthorn, Max Liley, Bill Nichol, Malcolm Campbell, Dudley Hawkes
27th October and 3rd November 1956
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Noel Fulford was unable to bowl because of his troublesome back problem. But it did not deter his run making ability. He and brother Keith put Havelock North into a good position at the end of the first day’s play.
Frank Cane of the Daily Telegraph paints the picture.
“The star attraction at Hastings was the clash between Marist, last year’s champions and Havelock North, who had claimed the honours in the preceding two years. The game was still anybody’s at the first day’s close. And here we were presented with a highly novel and surprising spectacle. Since Havelock’s promotion to senior ranks in 1952 we have become accustomed to prodigious feats of dual wicket taking by the Fulford brothers. Time without number they have shared the wickets between them. But to suggest that together they could similarly dominate the scene in a run making role would have appeared as just a fantasy a year ago. Yet on Saturday the pair was responsible for no fewer than 114 runs of the 194 which came from the composite Havelock blade. We all know that Noel Fulford is a very competent, often brilliant, batsman and one of the best all rounders in the district, but what we did not realise is that Keith is beginning to emulate him in the accumulation of runs off the bat.
Noel topped the individual totals on Saturday with a splendidly aggressive innings of 80, which included 2 sixes and 10 fours, and the effort was all the more praiseworthy because of medical advice he should not have been playing at all. Promoted to number 5 in the batting order, Keith came to the rescue when later wickets were falling fast with a sound and resolute contribution of 36. Without the Fulfords on this occasion the side would have been in dire straits.”
Score card:
Havelock North 204 N. Fulford 80, K. Fulford 36.
Marist 294 K. Fulford 5 for 74
Page 87
The third senior grade century against Havelock North: Keith Smith
K. F. H. Smith b, K. Fulford 109
Bowlers used: K. Fulford, Noel Fulford not bowling, Hawke’s 0 for 25, Liley 2 for 54, Nichol 3 for 95
The Daily Telegraph, F.F. Cane
“On the second day K. F. H. Smith cemented his place in this season’s Central Districts side with a fine century. Noel Fulford had always expressed the opinion that he knew how to get Keith Smith out. He was not exactly Fulford’s bunny but he was pretty close to that. So without Noel in the attack K. F. H. Smith took ‘fortune by the forelock’ and plundered a century off the Havelock attack. This ostensibly swung the game Marist’s way and on to a deserved first innings win.”
Keith Smith played five matches for Wellington, scoring 141 not out, in his debut against Central Districts. In transferring to Napier in the 1955/56 season he was immediately selected for Central Districts. He played 33 games for them and scored 2 centuries.
November 10th and 17th 1956
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won outright by 50 runs
Daily Telegraph Thursday 15th November 1956 F.F. Cane.
“Difficult wicket conditions made good cricket impossible at Cornwall Park where 20 wickets fell for the sum total of 202 runs. Such circumstance tend to reduce all to the same level and it is far from easy to sift the dross from the gold. A pleasing event was the return of Noel Fulford to his wicket-taking role without injury or mishap. His complete recovery would be of estimable value to the representative side in all the important matches ahead.
“Havelock North won the game outright by 50 runs – quite a considerable margin it will be agreed when the limited scoring of both sides is taken into account; but the advantage of batting first each Saturday on a freshly prepared area which on each occasion deteriorated considerably as the afternoon advanced took away rather, from the merit of the performance. Had the position been reversed and Napier Old Boys had batted first then it quite conceivably have been a vastly different story.”
Score card:
Havelock North 57 N. Fulford 10 H. Hawthorn 10
and 152 Hill 52, Hawthorn 38
Napier Old Boys 67 K. Fulford 5 for 27, Hawke’s 4 for 25
and 92 N. Fulford 3 for 8, K. Fulford 3 for 31, Hawke’s 2 for 13
November 24th and December 1st 1956
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock North lost narrowly on the first innings
The sequence of narrow first innings losses which had been the team’s bête noir at the end of the previous season returned in this game against Tech. Old Boys. A fifteen-run loss on the first innings was cause for some disenchantment, especially as Havelock went on to play themselves into a winning position on day two.
Score card:
Havelock North 119
and 141 N. Fulford 32, Hawke’s 35 n.o.
Tech Old Boys 134 for 9 decl. N. Fulford 5 for 36, K. Fulford 3 for 53
and 71 for 3
Page 88
December 8th and 15th 1956
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
Whakatu-Mahora were on a shaky pedestal and almost on the verge of collapse after losing 6 wickets for 60 runs to the opening spell of Noel Fulford. With little success coming from his supporting bowlers he achieved a notable 6 wicket bag for an unusually large number of runs for him – 83. A good recovery by Mock Marsden and Ron Pierce two of Whakatu-Mahora’s stalwarts saw them reach the respectable total of 214.
In Havelock’s innings it was déjà vu, with the villagers being down 6 wickets for 86 at stumps on the first day. A likely opening batsman, Godfrey Rogers in his first match out of Hastings High School who has had limited match experience revealed possibilities, in compiling 40. On the rain-affected second day it was just a matter of Whakatu holding on to what spoils they had gained on the first day and Havelock had to settle for a second consecutive first innings loss.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 214 N. Fulford 6/83
and 90 for 6 declared
Havelock North 145 Rogers 40,
and 51 for 0. Rogers and Hill both scored in the 20 s
The team for the first game after the Christmas break: Bob MacInnes (Capt), Bill Hill, Bill Nichol, Noel Fulford, Keith Fulford, John Beaumont, Bob Thorpe, David Natusch, Jim Parker, Godfrey Rogers, Dudley Hawkes.
January 12th and 19th 1956
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Playing in his first game for the club was Jim Parker, who had represented Wellington at Rugby. He had decided to move to Hawke’s Bay to seek employment in the rural sector which he hoped would then lead on to owning his own farm. His right arm thunderbolts of varying length and direction were a very good foil for the accuracy of the two Fulfords. Also playing his first game for the club was David Natusch who was in his final year at Lindisfarne College. As it was the school holidays the trip in from Maraekakaho meant for him a pleasant baptism into the team. He was a free scoring stroke-maker with a powerful off drive and plenty of speed around the field and between the wickets.
The team had a new ring about it after the Christmas break but it was still the two Fulford brothers who kept Havelock in the game. It was through no fault of theirs that Havelock crashed to a dismal loss on the first innings
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 117 N. Fulford 4 for 21, K. Fulford 4 for 45. Parker 2 for 29.
and 135. N. Fulford 4 for 51, K. Fulford 4 for 15.
Havelock North: 76 N. Fulford 22, Thorpe 22.
and 131 for 8, Hill 34
January 26th and February 2nd 1957
Havelock North versus Marist Brothers’ Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Page 89
At the end of the first day’s play Havelock North were in a spot of bother. They had lost 2 wickets for 54 in reply to 178. However Noel Fulford was still there on 22 and much depended on him on the second day.
Once again Noel proved more than equal to the task. In an entertaining partnership with Bill Hill, who unleashed some delightful off drives, the pair drew ever closer to the Marist total. But when the partnership was broken it was left to the two Fulfords to take Havelock to the well deserved first innings win. Keith held up one end while Noel cut, hooked and pulled the ball with rare skill once the goal of 178 was passed.
John Beaumont relates the story of the Fulford ‘flat 6’ in this game.
“The game was played on Cornwall Park Number 3 wicket, just by the tea kiosk. Noel Fulford was facing ‘Bonnie’ Newton, Marist’s very capable medium-fast bowler who was bowling from the northern or Pavilion end. After a bit of verbal jostling between the two of them it seemed that Newton had the better of Fulford. However after a couple of overs of this, Newton bowled a short pitched ball outside the off stump and Fulford always up to the challenge, stepped straight back towards his leg stump and struck the ball a thunderous, baseball-style blow at a height of just over six feet. The altitude of the ball hardly varied as it whistled close to the heads of the batsmen and close fielders playing on the Number 2 wicket at the northwest far corner of the Park. The hurtling ball finished up clipping the lower branches of the oak trees and smashing into the gutter on the other side of Tomoana Road, rebounding into Cornwall Road to be fetched by the rather relieved fine leg fielder playing on the No 2 wicket. From whence it was relayed back to the Marist fielders and onto a rather chastened Mr Newton”.
Score card:
Marist: 178 K. Fulford 4 for 44, Nichol 3 for 31, N. Fulford 3 for 50.
Havelock North 274 N. Fulford 114, Hill 55, K. Fulford 30.
February 9th and 16th 1957
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings.
This was the author’s first game, and these were the days of the two-piece ball and the non-restriction of fielders on the leg side, especially behind square leg. Both teams in this game, possessed a lethal in-swing bowler. Napier Old Boys had Russell Blewden, who had played many games for Hawke’s Bay. Havelock North had Keith Fulford. Both of them were tall men who extracted prodigious swing and lift from the Number one wicket at Nelson Park, Napier. Both bowlers used the freshening sea breeze to good effect and both, in this match, bowled from the Marewa School end.
The field that these two quite outstanding bowlers preferred was – one slip; two leg slips; two leg gullies; a deep fine leg and deep backward square leg. What remained was mid wicket halfway to the boundary and a roaming off side sweeper just for the one that slipped.
This type of field was difficult to penetrate especially when the ball was unerringly directed at the leg stump by both the aforementioned, whose unbridled target was obvious – to have the batsman caught anywhere in this wide-ranging leg side trap.
Such was the venom with which Blewden bowled, that he had Havelock North scrambling to even get to the three-figure mark in their first innings. Napier Old Boys practically doubled the villagers’ total, which left a reasonable slice of the second day for the Havelock team to salvage just a first innings loss against the in-swing of Blewden and the accurate away-swing of Graeme Buist, an Old Boy of Napier Boys’ High School, and a very fine cricketer, who had played some games for Otago while attending Medical School and was selected for Central District to play the touring Australian side. Havelock were five wickets down at stumps on the second day having salvaged some pride in their backs-to-the wall effort.
Page 90
Score card:
Havelock North: 103
and 114 for 5, Smith 33 n.o., Thorpe 28
Napier Old Boys: 203, N. Fulford 5/67, Parker 3/ 52
February 23rd and March 2nd 1957
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Noel Fulford, having started the season under a bit of a cloud with the diagnosis of his bad back, put all the doctors’ advice and precautionary words aside, as he chose to bat at number 6. When he sauntered out to the middle Havelock had lost four wickets for very few runs.
Beyond all medical and human logic, Noel in one of the best of his many fine innings proceeded to blast the fastest century of the season, which he scored in just 80 minutes.
Coming in so low in the batting order, Noel needed players to hold up one end. The lower order responded magnificently as Keith Fulford (15) Bob MacInnes (12) Dudley Hawkes (10) and ‘Hughie’ Fair (14) built the partnerships which saw Noel through to his century and Havelock to a well deserved first inning victory.
Noel’s 108 earned for the Havelock talisman, the Fulton Cup at the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Prizegiving.
The leg spinner Bill Nichol had his best game for Havelock North since transferring from the Rugby club. The Napier batsmen found his accurate leg spinners difficult to deal with. The fact that a number of his wickets were out, caught by either cover or extra cover, gave testament to the amount of turn he was extracting from the helpful pitch.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 199 Nichol 6 for 39, N. Fulford 3 for 66.
and 73 for 5 Nichol 3/21
Havelock North: 217 N. Fulford 108, Fair 14, MacInnes 12, Hawke’s 10
March 9th 1957
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings.
A game which seemed to go nowhere. It was played on the Cornwall Park No 2 wicket. There were periodic interruptions because of the light rain that continually fell. The No 2 wicket possessed no shelter from the weather. Temporary shelter was sought under the dripping oak trees which did nothing to alleviate the discomfort of the players. All in all a pretty unpleasant two days of cricket.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 132, K. Fulford 4/27
Havelock North: 106, N. Fulford 37
March 16th and 23rd 1957
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
The lack of good results from the Havelock North team towards the latter part of the season was reflected in the lack of Press coverage given to the side. In this game the reporters concentrated on Old Boys’ Hastings’ performance and disregarded both Keith Fulford’s 5 wicket haul and Bob Thorpe’s stylish 40 runs. This begs
Page 91
the question – have the fourth estate run out of original things to write when reporting on Havelock North’s performances?
Old Boys Hastings performance was indeed dominant. The Hastings side was in control throughout the game. This was emphasised when the Old Boys skipper, Ted Baker opened the batting in the second innings with the two opening bowlers, Newbigin and Henderson with Henderson rather grandiloquently hitting the winning run.
At this late stage in the season the Promotion/Relegation system was still operating. With Havelock’s position on the bottom of the table, things did not look very promising for the villagers with the first innings total being close to their nadir for the season.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 157 K. Fulford 5/51
and 51 for 2 J. Parker 2 for 8
Havelock North: 57 N. Fulford 18, H. Hawthorn 10
The final two games of the season were against the two Hastings clubs. Both resulted in first innings losses.
The game against Whakatu-Mahora was played over one day. The two Fulfords again contributed – Keith with 4 wickets and Noel with 37 in a total of 106.
Against Old Boys Hastings the loss was by exactly 100 runs in a low-scoring game. An Old Boys Hastings second innings of 41 and the two Fulfords taking the majority of the wickets again, brought some respectability to the end of a poor season for Havelock North.
In spite of never losing outright, the team finished bottom of the competition with 34 points from one outright win, two first innings wins and seven first innings losses. Both Keith Fulford and Bob Thorpe represented Hawke’s Bay.
Final Championship points:- MBOB 66; OBH 62; WM 56; TOB 52; NOB 43; HN 34.
As to the matter of Promotion/Relegation the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association decided that all six teams were worthy of remaining in the top division for the next season. The wise heads of the Association were no doubt mindful of the mayhem caused when Whakatu-Mahora were relegated just two seasons ago and considered that the Havelock North opening attack could have a similar effect on the two School boys XI’s and the young colts playing for the clubs. As well as Noel Fulford winning the Fulton Cup – the Club won the Hastings Sub Association’s Morrison Cup for most wickets from the field.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: J. Roberts
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: R. Giles
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: H. W. Hill
Page 92
Chapter 12
1957/1958 SEASON
The Great Escape
“No matter though good fortune dogs
The other fellows’ wildest slogs,
And in your comrades buttered fingers
The simplest sitter never lingers;
If every hour that’s lost through wet
Fills you with anguish and regret,
And every interval for tea
With scorn, disgust and misery;
If every – but enough! Why then …”
E. V. Lucas (1922). A member of J.M. Barrie’s team “The Allakbaris” along with Arthur Conan Doyle and other literary figures.
Why then indeed? Finishing bottom of the table in the previous season and beginning this season so drastically, E.V. Lucas’s gremlins must have been biting deep into the psyche of the team that so gallantly fought its way to a brace of Championship wins just a couple of years ago.
However let us not get too far ahead of ourselves. There may be some little solace in what Cover Point in his Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune column had to say.
Friday, November 1st 1957.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune ‘Cover point’
“Havelock North had a lean season last season but with the versatile all-rounder Noel Fulford fully recovered from his back injury, the team can be expected to make a bolder showing this season. His brother Keith, who with Noel forms a formidable opening attack might not be available until after Christmas – this loss would be formidable. Left arm bowler and useful batsman, Max Liley is back again after a season in the lower grade, and the young Midland player Wynn Goodall should assist the attack with his quicker deliveries. Batting success will depend heavily on the form shown by Noel Fulford and the left handers, Bill Hill and Bob Thorpe. Harry Hawthorn will turn out when required – his bold batting has often swung the fortunes of a game. Bob Mc Innes will again captain the side”.
The team for the first game:- Bob MacInnes, (Capt), Bill Hill, Alan Berry, Bob Thorpe, Noel Fulford, Keith Fulford, Harry Hawthorn, Jim Parker, Peter Sugden, Dudley Hawkes, Bill Nichol.
November 2nd and 9th 1957
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost outright by an innings.
The first day’s play was dominated by one Whakatu-Mahora player, Keith Baker who happened to be one of the four Rugby Club team members who joined the Havelock team in 1950, and played for the village over two seasons. The first in the Intermediate grade and the second, in 1951/52 in Havelock North’s first season in the Senior grade. During his time with Havelock, Keith hit two centuries for the villagers. At the conclusion of the season he decided to head for Nelson, where he quickly made the Nelson side and had a couple of trials for Central Districts. He recently returned to Hawke’s Bay. As his brother, Ray was in the Whakatu-Mahora side Keith decided to join up with him.
Page 93
In this game Keith Baker scored a fine century which consisted of 60% of Whakatu-Mahora’s runs. Only 86 runs came from the other 10 Whakatu-Mahora batsmen. Baker achieved the rare distinction of an opening batsman in carrying his bat through the innings.
Daily Telegraph: Thursday 7th 1957, F. F. Cane
“Havelock North received an early blow when Noel Fulford was unable to take his place in the team for the second day against Whakatu-Mahora because of his recurring back injury. Noel had a lengthy spell at the bowling crease on the opening day and this no doubt aggravated his old injury.
Noel Fulford is expected to be out for several weeks and his absence will have a serious effect on Havelock’s prospects. It is hoped that his absence will not be for too long. It seems fairly certain that when he does return he will not be bowling.
However the one bright aspect of this game was the manner in which captain Bob MacInnes and Bill Nichol kept Whakatu-Mahora’s attack at bay for some time in the first innings. Their 47 runs for the last wicket were invaluable. However Havelock’s second innings of three score and ten was even more disastrous than the first innings of just over the three figure mark. The result being a defeat by an innings and 32 runs.”
Century scored in senior grade against Havelock North
K. Baker 125 Not out
Bowlers used: N. Fulford 1 for 40, K. Fulford, J. Parker, W. Nichol
Keith Baker is quite an enigma in the annuls of the Havelock North Cricket Club. He transferred from Rugby in 1952 and played successfully for his new Club, being selected in the Hawke’s Bay side. In 1954 he moved to Nelson where he and Dave Spence of Whakatu-Mahora worked in the hops and tobacco fields surrounding Motueka. They were both quickly selected for the Nelson Hawke Cup side and Spence went on to play for and eventually captain Central Districts.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 211, K. Fulford 3 for 51, W. Nichol 3 for 42, J. Parker 3 for 66
Havelock North: 109, R.C. MacInnes 33, Parker 16, Hawke’s 12.
and 70, Berry 18, Parker 12, MacInnes 33.
November 16th and 23rd 1957
Havelock North versus Marist.
Havelock lost outright by 65 runs
Team for this game: Bob MacInnes (Capt), Bill Hill, Alan Berry, Noel Fulford, Bob Thorpe, Graham Smith, Keith Fulford, Jim Parker, Peter Sugden, Wynn Goodall, Bill Nichol.
The second outright defeat in a row! The vulture had begun to circle and the comments were coming thick and fast. “Flash in the pan”, “at a loss”, “need for discipline”, “lost without Fulford” and “better shot selection.” All the clichés which defeat seems to attract were being bandied about.
Having taken stock over the week after these two hidings, thoughts of a repetition of the previous season, and Havelock’s place in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s senior grade must have been very much to the fore. The club was indeed relieved that promotion/relegation was disbanded last season.
Score card:
Marist: 79 Parker 5/29, Goodall 3/22
and 191 for 6 declared K. Fulford 3/47
Havelock North: 108 Hill 28, J. Parker 26, Smith 18
and 96
Page 94
November 30th and December 7th 1957
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost outright by 10 wickets.
All the soul searching, remorse and good intentions which were articulated at the two practice sessions during the week were all for nothing as the side plunged to an even greater defeat in this game. Three consecutive outright losses. This was new territory for the young club. Such a disaster had not occurred before. The hole was getting deeper and steeper and a way out did not appear to be imminent.
The most positive performance was K. Fulford’s success with the ball in the first innings. An innings which was dominated by the Old Boys Hastings batsmen. Noel Fulford, Wynn Goodall, Jim Parker and Bill Nichol were all tried by skipper Bob MacInnes but went wicket-less.
Old Boys Hastings inflicted a comprehensive defeat and the deep hole had become a chasm.
All credit must go to the good performances by the buoyant Old Boys Hastings team which included Jim Newbigin’s 7 for 41 in Havelock’s second innings. Ted Baker, Richard Small, Toomey, Newman and Don Brian – all strong players cheerfully contributed to Havelock’s woes. In fact Ted Baker and Richard Small, the two openers had overtaken Havelock’s total in their opening partnership of 116 runs.
Score card:
Havelock North: 112, K. Fulford, 24, Hawthorn 21, Smith 21, Parker 11
and 127. N. Fulford 27, K. Fulford 21, Parker 15, Hill 10.
Old Boys Hastings: 232 for 4 declared, K Fulford 4 for 50
and 8 for 0
December 14th and 21st 1957
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Some consolation now with only a first innings loss. Such was the low morale of the side that this result was seen as some sort of a compensatory victory. This game was Gary Jamieson’s first for the club. Any thoughts of a messianic debut from the very talented and confident schoolboy were quickly flushed away with the rain on the second day. Gary was the first of the Hereworth Old Boys to join the club and thus begin a string of Wanganui Collegiate and Christ College Old Boys to join up with the club. Gary was straight out of the Christ’s College 1st XI and came with a reputation of being a brilliant sportsman in both cricket and rugby. His partnerships with both Harry Hawthorn and Graham Smith were hopefully the harbinger of things to come.
Noel Fulford wheeled his arm over for the first time after being warned by his doctor to not bowl this season. His three wickets were sorely needed by a side which was in quite considerable trouble.
Score card:
Havelock North: 125, Smith 32, Jamieson 28, Hawthorn 20 n.o.
NHSOB: 216, K. Fulford 4/91, N. Fulford 3/37 (Rain-affected)
Havelock North were bottom of the table at this point, with just 8 points – 3 outright losses and 1 first innings loss. NHSOB were not much better being on 14 points. Old Boys Hastings were well clear at the top on 42, TOB on 32 were second with Whakatu-Mahora on 26
Page 95
The team for the first game in the new year: Bob MacInnes (Captain and Wicket keeper), Noel Fulford, Gary Jamieson, Graham Smith, Tom Gowen, Harry Hawthorn, Bob Thorpe, John Beaumont, Jim Parker, Ray Sullivan, Max Liley, Wynn Goodall
January 11th and 18th 1958
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings.
At last a win! After six consecutive losses there was an aura of desperation about the players as they entered this game. Wynn Goodall proved his mettle with the outstanding match figures of nine wickets for 95. After Bob MacInness’s well calculated declaration just before tea on the second day the young fast bowler could have won the game outright for his new side with a little more luck as the Tech Old Boys tailenders clung on tenaciously in the dying stages of the game.
Score card:
Havelock North: 158, N. Fulford 27, Jamieson 26, Smith 18
and 135 for 8 declared
Tech Old Boys: 109 for 8 declared, Goodall 5/32,
and 132 for 7 Goodall 4/43, Smith 2/42
January 25th and February 1st 1958
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 4 wickets
What happened from this game onwards could well go down in the annals as ‘The Great Escape’.
Havelock North scored an exciting outright victory over Whakatu-Mahora after trailing by 27 runs on the first innings. This was Havelock’s first outright of the season and was achieved in a most exciting finish with just two minutes to spare and resulted in Havelock lifting themselves off the bottom of the table.
To say that the victory was unexpected may well be very true. At stumps on the first day Havelock seemed to be well out of the game in spite of John Beaumont’s defiant half century. He was heard to murmur that he was fed up with all these losses. Whakatu-Mahora’s substantial total looked insurmountable. Sensible batting by Beaumont and K. Fulford and a Whakatu-Mahora collapse in their second innings left the door to victory slightly ajar. A door which seemed to shut abruptly when two Havelock wickets fell, and 120 runs were still needed for the outright in just over one hour’s play.
Noel Fulford and Bill Hill with their profitable partnership of aggressive batting and some sweet running between the wickets threw the door wide open again. After their dismissals, Keith Fulford batting at Number 5 hit the winnings runs with an over and two minutes to spare.
There is an old Chinese proverb: “When you fall into a pit you either die or get out”.
The deep dark pit, into which the side had floundered aimlessly from game to game prior to Christmas, suddenly became filled with light and the steep sides took on a more gradual slope. After this game the demise of the team was merely a figment in a newspaper reporter’s imagination.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 231, Parker 4/45, Goodall 2 for 30,
and 92 N. Fulford 3 for 19, Parker 3 for 19, Smith 2 for 9, Goodall 2 for 12
Havelock North: 204 for 3 decl. Beaumont 56, K. Fulford 40
and 123 for 4, N. Fulford 51, Hill 36, K. Fulford 11
Page 96
February 8th and 15th 1958
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Played on Cornwall Park No 3, with light rain falling at intervals during the first day and dull overhead conditions prevailing. The moisture made the outfield slow and the wet ball did not help the swing of the Fulfords. Marist struggled through to a good score considering the conditions.
On the second day the sun was shining and the wicket perfect for batting. Havelock North’s chances of scoring a first innings win look pretty remote until Graham Smith, dropped by wicket-keeper Ron Payne before scoring and Bob Thorpe figured in a fine stand for the 8th wicket supported by W. Goodall batting at No 11.
Score card:
Marist: 212, N. Fulford 3 for 46, Smith 2 for 24, K. Fulford 2 for 44
and 115 for 6 Beaumont 2/20, K. Fulford 2/23
Havelock North: 235, Smith 71, Thorpe 41, N. Fulford 29, Jamieson 29, Goodall 22.
February 22nd and March 1st 1958
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost outright by 7 wickets.
The series of losses to Old Boys Hastings continued in this game. In a low-scoring game Havelock’s abysmal first innings total looked surprisingly adequate when Old Boys Hastings had lost their first six wickets cheaply. Again Henderson and Newbigin proved to be Havelock North’s bête noir as the two of them carried Old Boys past the Villagers’ total and so on to the ultimate outright victory.
Score card:
Havelock North: 78, N. Fulford 26
and 95, Smith 34
Old Boys Hastings: 139. N. Fulford 4 for 37, K. Fulford 4 for 39
and 35 for 3
Table at this point OBH 80, TOB 46, WM 40, NHSOB 40, M.B.O.B 34, HN 32.
The position of Havelock North on the table needs to be noted at this point in the season. Even though the team had scored an outright win two games previously, it seemed as though the wooden spoon was destined for display in the Havelock Trophy cabinet once more.
March 8th and 15th 1958
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys.
Havelock won outright
In direct contrast to the previous game Havelock, batting first, started well with the first three wickets down for just under the hundred runs. There was however a symptomatic collapse and a further paltry 50 runs were added by the remaining seven batsmen.
However in the period up to stumps the wrath of the Havelock bowlers, led by Goodall and the older Fulford, was vented on the hapless Napier Old Boys side, who were six wickets down for just over 40 runs. This period of play, together with the gritty partnership between Jamieson and Liley in Havelock’s second innings, paved the way for the outright win.
Page 97
A feature of the second day was the keen, enthusiastic and accurate fielding which complemented the immaculate length, flight and guile in the strong gusty conditions, of the spinner, Max Liley, who captured his first six wicket bag for the Senior team.
Score card:
Havelock North: 147, N. Fulford 37
and 75, Jamieson 28. Liley 20
Napier Old Boys: 82, Goodall 5 for 40, Liley 2 for 12, N. Fulford 2 for 20
and 105, Liley 6/38, Goodall 2 for 24
March 22nd and 29th 1958
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright
A feature of this outright victory was the relative absence of the Fulford name from the Score card. Noel’s two wickets were equally matched by Dudley Hawkes who bowled with quite a head of steam at the Tech Old Boys lower order.
With two outrights in a row, and without the usual dominance of the Fulfords which triggered past victories, one is left pondering just what was the driving force behind this renaissance where the ethos of winning, once again became a habit.
The contribution of the skipper over the past two seasons, can never be underestimated. Bob MacInnes as always kept a steady hand on the tiller. His calm demeanour and constructive captaincy inspired the team, who admired his emphasis on the basics of the game, his no-nonsense leadership and his clarity of thought when the big crises occurred.
He had the happy knack of moulding the newcomers of the team into the culture and ethos engendered by the older and more experienced members of the side.
Bob’s competitive drive never left him. This was illustrated by his confident decision making on the field – sometimes subtle, often shrewd, never without the weighing up of all options.
His position as captain had been made that much easier in the halcyon days of Championship winning teams, but in the past two seasons his cricketing brain was in full overdrive, and it was the authority and charisma which he brought to the team that saw it through the hard times and onto the success enjoyed over the past four playing days of this season.
Score card:
Havelock North: 126, Berry 44
and 156 for 8, Hawthorn 35, Goodall 37
Tech Old Boys: 92, Hawke’s 4/18
and 71, N. Fulford 2/10, Hawke’s 2/10
Havelock rose from the bottom of the table at Christmas to snatch three outright wins and two first innings wins in the second half of the season to finish up, second on the table.
The factors resulting in this Houdini performance were many and varied. Those which should be mentioned were:
* the leadership of Bob MacInnes.
Page 98
* the emergence of the young colt Wynn Goodall as a match-winning fast bowler and solid, aggressive lower order batsman
* the continued inspirational presence of the brothers Fulford.
* the return of stalwarts Dudley Hawkes and Max Liley after more than a season’s absence.
* the indomitable presence of the cricket-savvy, old stager Harry Hawthorn who was in his mid forties but whose love for the game and his loyalty to his new Club never waned.
Table at the end of the season: OBH 92, HN. 56, WM. 52, MBOB 52, TOB 48, NHSOB 42.
Hawke’s Bay Representatives: G. Jamieson, G. Smith
Hawke’s Bay Colts: G. Jamieson
G. Jamieson won the Hastings Sub Association’s cup for best fielder.
Batting Averages for the 1957/58 season
Havelock names only and place on the table:
Qualification: an average of 10 plus
Place Name Innings N.O. Runs Highest score Average
17 N.G. Fulford 18 1 301 51 17.7
20 J. Parker 11 2 147 32* 16.3
25 K.A. Fulford 14 3 171 40 15.5
26 G. Jamieson 22 2 307 48 15.3
32 G. Smith 16 0 233 71 14.5
32 H.M. Hawthorn 11 1 145 35 14.5
36 J.G. Beaumont 13 0 18.7 56 14.3
37 H.W. Hill 19 0 267 36 14
47 R.C. Thorpe 18 3 174 41* 11.6
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: G. Smith
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: G. Jamieson
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: A.V. Berry
Page 99
Chapter 13
1958/1959 SEASON
The young brigade in the wings
“If the French Noblesse had been capable of playing cricket with their peasants, their chateaux would never had been burned, or their heads removed”.
G. M. Trevelyan: “English Social History”
Friday October 17th 1958: F.F. Cane’s preview of the new season in the Daily Telegraph.
“A forceful right-hand bat and a good field, Brian Jonasson who played last year for the Auckland University team should be an asset to Havelock North this season and the Championship runners-up of last year are confident that they will be able to field a team even stronger than last year’s. None of the club’s regulars will be absentees and the team expects to have the competent bowling attack of Noel and Keith Fulford, Max Liley and Wynn Goodall”.
The team for the opening game: Bob MacInnes (Captain), Bill Hill, Bob Mitchell, Alan Berry, Keith Fulford, Noel Fulford, Brian Jonason, Gary Jamieson, Bob Thorpe, Max Liley, Wynn Goodall
There has always been an on-going debate among cricketers and cricket administrators in Hawke’s Bay as to the best time to begin the season. The example of Wellington club cricket, which starts in early October, is often cited. A major problem in these years of the forty-hour week, is that the majority of the Napier / Hastings population is tied in very closely to the maritime, agricultural, pastoral and horticultural industries. Wattie’s canneries, and the two freezing works at Tomoana and Whakatu were the major employers of Hastings. The port of Napier and the industries which emanated from it, was where most of Napier’s citizens picked up their weekly wage. So any public holiday was seen as sacrosanct to the working man in Hawke’s Bay, many of whom played cricket in one of the teams from senior down to the fourth grade. The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association and its attendant committee, responsible for the playing draw, therefore had a major conundrum as to how to circumvent the Hawke’s Bay Show festivities in which many of the population were involved, in some way and also to honour the spirit of Labour Day which was a family holiday.
The solution for cricketers was often to open the season on the first Saturday after Labour Day. Even this was, at times, too early as the October rains often fell to the detriment of the best laid plans of the HBCA. However this year the management committee of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association decided that the season should begin on the Saturday of the long Show weekend when many families were on holiday and that the second day should be the Saturday just prior to Labour Day.
Another factor may well have been the difficulty of having the practice wickets ready in time for use before the season’s start. This problem for Havelock North was exacerbated, with Havelock moving to Anderson Park and setting up practice facilities there. The best that could be provided was a fairly smooth part of the outfield near the changing sheds which could be watered and rolled by the club members. This grass wicket was not very satisfactory as the batsmen really struggled to find any rhythm when facing their own bowlers especially the pace attack of the Fulfords and Wynn Goodall. But beggars can’t be choosers and the dicey wicket certainly sharpened up the reflexes of the batsmen.
October 19th and 26th 1958
Bob Mitchell was playing his first game for the club in this match. Bob, on returning home from Wellington College where he had played alongside Brian Hastings in the 1st XI had already played a season for the Havelock North Rugby team. With the new cricket season under way, he joined the cricket XI as a promising middle-order batsman who brought with him a reputation of a no-nonsense approach to the game, which often lead to him going after the bowling and hitting the ball hard and fiercely when required. Bob was to
Page 100
become a stalwart of the club over the next four decades both on the field and as an administrator for the club, so this game, historically is a most notable one for the Havelock North Cricket Club.
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
‘Cover’ in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune:
“For the future Havelock North must lose their representative Graham Smith to Teacher’s College. In recompense they have Brian Jonasson who played senior university cricket in Auckland. Havelock North will practice at Anderson Park this year and the emphasis should be on catching after their effort against Marist”.
Score card:
Marist: 221, Goodall 6/77
Havelock North: 209, N. Fulford 53, W. Hill 42, R. Thorpe 34
November 8th 1958
A one-day game after rain on the first day
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost
The one-day games played during this time were solely the result of a rain-affected season and the Draw committee of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association took the most logical and expedient course of nominating one of the days of a two-day fixture as the means of keeping to schedule. There was no limit on the number of overs bowled, so the team batting first could, if it so decided, bat for as long into the afternoon as they liked and then declare. The team batting first controlled the game and in most fixtures made a declaration to set up a good finish. However in this game the Havelock batting collapsed, only to be saved by a partnership between Noel Fulford and Gary Jamieson, who between them produced 70% of the eventual total. The dismal performance of the remaining nine batsmen allowed Napier Old Boys to waltz through to an easy victory.
Score card:
Havelock North: 117 N. Fulford 50, G. Jamieson 30
NHSOB: 134 for 5 Goodall 2 for 38
November 15th and 22nd 1958
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
In a match which held all the elements of a likely win to Havelock, it was again the lower order batsmen of the opposition who put paid to this conjecture and ensured that Old Boys Hastings secured the win on the first innings. Bob MacInnes gave the Old Boys batsmen ample time to get the 143 runs required for victory but after losing quick wickets, the door to the shop was barred shut tight, and the game fizzled out ‘not with a bang but a whimper’.
Score card:
Havelock North: 136, Jonason 36, Smith 16
and 151, Hill 54, Smith 26
Old Boys Hastings: 154, K. Fulford 3/46
and 59 for 6, Goodall 2/17
The Daily Telegraph Friday 21st November 1958, F.F. Cane
“Hawke’s Bay double by young sportsman.
Page 101
Hawke’s Bay Rugby representative, 18-year-old Gary Jamieson has been selected for the Hawke’s Bay Representative Cricket XI to play Manawatu and Poverty Bay. Jamieson is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, sportsmen to gain the double honours in Hawke’s Bay.
Noel Fulford is also in the selection and Wynn Goodall is playing in a Central Districts trial game at Palmerston North”.
November 29th and December 6th 1958
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Brian Jonasson fulfilled all the promise that he had exhibited in the nets and in the first two games of the season in scoring a superlative century sprinkled with severe hook shots, hard hit drives on both sides of the wicket, lofted boundaries through the long off/mid wicket region, and scorching cover drives. Jonasson’s partnership of over a century with Bill Hill was the game’s highlight as the two of them rushed towards the 300 mark and the inevitable declaration, which gave Havelock North the first innings win.
Score card:
Havelock North: 300 for 5 decl. Jonasson 110, Hill 89, Smith 16
and 86 for 5, Mitchell 15
Tech Old Boys: 206, Smith 3/27
December 13th and 20th 1958
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
This game reflected a symptom suffered by the team over the last couple of seasons. The prognosis being that the rub of the green, or “fortune’s favour” to use a “Frank Cane ism”, had been with the opposition in the close games. And so it was in this fixture. Whakatu-Mahora were struggling to preserve their innings and so avoid the outright loss as Noel Fulford commenced the final over of the day with Havelock requiring just the one wicket. With nine wickets in the match already against Fulford’s name it was odds on that he would work the oracle and win the match. But Whakatu-Mahora’s last two batsmen held on grimly and thus deprived the better team on the day of a well-deserved outright victory.
Score card:
Havelock North: 86, K. Fulford 20, Smith 13
and 174 for 6 declared. Hill 72, Smith 44 n.o.
Whakatu-Mahora: 91, N. Fulford 4/20 Goodall 4 /33
and 106 for 9, N. Fulford 5/34
The team for the first game of the second round:- Bill Hill (Captain), Alan Berry, Godfrey Rogers, Noel Fulford, Gary Jamieson, Graham Smith, Brian Jonason, Keith Fulford, Bob Mitchell, Bob Thorpe, Garry Mackenzie (Wicket keeper)
In this game there was a major shift in the structure of the team. Bob MacInnes who had led the side with distinction right from the time it entered the senior ranks stood down from the captaincy. It passed on to his deputy at arms, Bill Hill, who was somewhat reluctant to take on the responsibility but acquiesced, recognising Bob’s reason for standing down – his work load Chairing the H.B.C.A’s Management Committee
January 10th and 17th 1959
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Page 102
This was Garry Mackenzie’s first game for the senior team and was to herald a most significant trend in the club’s history. Garry was the second of the Hereworth Old Boys to turn out for the club but the first of the Wanganui Collegiate contingent.
Old Boys of the Prep school began to join up in significant numbers after him. They all contributed a well coached, mature and positive character to the team, bringing with them all the elements of fair play and good sportsmanship which were hallmarks of his alma mater. Garry had a most successful debut as wicket keeper, with a polished display of sharp, uncompromising keeping which was rewarded in catching both openers off the Fulford brothers and a fine stumping off Havelock’s slow off spin bowler.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 170: K. Fulford 7/45 N. Fulford 2/49
and 111 for 3 declared
Havelock North: 146, Jamieson 74
and 100 for 3, Hill 34, N. Fulford 22.
January 24th and 31st 1959
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Wynn Goodall who was considered by both Press and players alike to be the quickest bowler in the competition, had performed well with the ball in the previous three fixtures, having taken one, 6 wicket bag and was top wicket-taker for Havelock on two occasions.
In this game, Wynn showed just what talent, as a cricketer he possessed, by top scoring in a second innings run-fest where he combined with Bob Mitchell in a splendid partnership to round off Havelock’s innings in style. Wynn bowled right-handed and batted left handed and he put the Marist bowlers to the sword in a fine display of aggressive batting. He then turned around and snatched four of the six wickets to fall in Marist’s second innings.
Score card:
Marist: 204: K. Fulford 4/30, N. Fulford 3/73, Smith 2/38
and 99 for 6: Goodall 4/20
Havelock North: 241, Goodall 64, N. Fulford 56, Hill 41, Mitchell 21
At this vital time in the season Havelock North were languishing in fifth place on the Points Table.
Table: WM 51, OBH 44, NHSOB 38, Marist 32, HN 22 (2 first innings wins and 3 first innings losses) TOB 8.
February 7th and 14th 1959
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost outright by 9 wickets
In spite of continuing his good run of form, Wynn Goodall was unable to save a rather ineffective and despondent Havelock team from suffering yet another outright defeat to the old nemesis Old Boys Hastings.
Score card:
Havelock North: 85: Goodall 28
and 69
Old Boys Hastings: 121, Liley 3/27 Goodall 3/42
and 38 for 1
Page 103
February 21st and 28th 1959
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Bob Mitchell recalls his encounter with Harry Hawthorn in this game. Bob had not had the experience of playing alongside Harry, prior to this game and happened to be at the crease when it was Harry’s turn to bat. Harry, now in his late 40s had been having trouble with his knees and his walk to the wicket was somewhat slower than in his early days.
Havelock were in real trouble, with Greg Fifield bowling his express deliveries with plenty of purpose. The grizzled veteran still chirpy, and enjoying his recall to the team said to Bob, “How do you want to approach this?”
Bob said, “Well, there are two balls left in the over so can you see Fifield off and then maybe we can take it easy for the next few overs – and no short singles!”
“O.K. by me”, was the reply and centre was duly taken.
The first of Fifield’s thunderbolts was smashed to the backward point boundary. The second scorched past cover point giving Mike Shrimpton no chance and a long jog to the other side of Nelson Park to retrieve the ball.
Score card:
Havelock North: 114, Goodall 22, Hawthorn 21
and 129, Mitchell 49, Jamieson 36.
Tech Old Boys: 195, Goodall 3/41 Liley 3/53
and 41 for 1.
March 7th and 14th 1959
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
With one outright loss and five first innings losses compensated by three first innings wins the season was somewhat reminiscent of two years ago with Havelock North finishing up second to bottom. The strength of the Havelock Junior teams was well represented in this game with young Colin Slade being given the new ball and excelling.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 121, Slade 6/55
and 160, N. Fulford 4/15, Smith 2/24
Havelock North: 141, Mc Innes [MacInnes] 24, Smith 23
End of Season table: WM 68, NHSOB 62, OBH 60, Marist 58, HN 30, TOB 23.
Representative honours: Hawke’s Bay senior: K.A. Fulford, N. G. Fulford, G. Jamieson, W. Goodall, B. Jonason
Hawke’s Bay Colts: D Natusch, G. Smith
Trophies:- Hastings Sub Association Waitemata Cup for best fielder: G. Jamieson
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder G. W. Goodall
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding G. Jamieson
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman H. W Hill
Page 104
Chapter 14
1959/1960 SEASON
“To survey the raw split second of what actually happens when a batter executes a shot is to wonder how anyone survives more than one delivery”
Bob Woolmer
Wednesday October 15th 1959 in the Herald-Tribune by ‘Cover’
“Havelock North have one or two problems, The two Fulfords will be on hand to help Goodall with the bowling. Wynn Goodall is the most talented and most promising of all the young cricketers in the area. His potential is enormous. If this year, Goodall can increase his control then he will be a menace to all batsmen in the competition. Graham Smith is back from Teachers’ College and will be a regular Saturday player.
Havelock North could use his off spin as well as his batting. Mackenzie, the young wicketkeeper will be available as will the opening batsman, Godfrey Rogers. Havelock North need new blood – not as raw material but as a transfusion especially now that Jonasson, after his success of last year is not available.”
Perhaps the one omission from Herald-Tribune’s introductory notes on the start of season was the omission to mention that Eric Fisher was welcomed into the club on the eve of the side’s first game. This was quite understandable as Fisher was of a nomadic predilection and played his cricket where he was comfortable and settled.
The 1958 New Zealand Cricket Almanac had this to say:-
“Eric Fisher’s main claim to fame was his selection in the New Zealand side to play against South Africa in the First Test at the Basin Reserve. Although New Zealand lost by an innings, Eric did not disgrace himself, bowling well, without capturing a wicket and was given the thankless task of ‘night watchman’, coming in at number 3 when the opening batsman was out early. He met this task with a dogged determination which characterised his batting and succeeded in steadying the ship in putting on 20 runs with Bert Sutcliffe. Dropped for the Second Test, he played in the final trial for the selection of the touring side to go to South Africa but missed selection.”
This elevation to national status was because of his outstanding bowling for the Wellington Plunket Shield team. The New Zealand Cricket Almanac named him its ‘Bowler of the Year’ and described him as a “left arm medium paced swing bowler”. Fisher attacked the leg pin with the ability to move the ball either way. The Wellington Plunket Shield captain was able to place and maintain a close cordon of fielders to this accurate and steady bowler who at all times appeared to bowl with real hostility and to thrive on hard work. He bats right-handed, is solid and watchful, but willing to hit anything loose very hard.
To many observers it appeared that he could, with advantage been included in the New Zealand team to tour South Africa as no other bowler of his type was available and his performances had clearly indicated that, in ability and temperament he was well fitted to prove a valuable member of the side. When in July the New Zealand Cricket Council announced its award of the Winsor [Windsor] Cup to G. O. Rabone and not to Fisher, there was considerable disagreement and a conviction that a gross injustice had been done to a fine sportsman, as he was without doubt the pre-eminent bowler in New Zealand cricket during the 1957/58 season.
The first game of the 1959/60 season was on the 17th and 24th October 1959 – there were no available press reports but the following appeared on Thursday October 29th 1959 in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune on Havelock North’s match with Old Boys Hastings:
“Four hours of exhilarating cricket
This game was confined to four hours play. Havelock North collected 6 points for a first innings win. Havelock North were put in to bat by the Old Boys Hastings skipper, Ted Baker, and soon Bill Hill was playing a superb
Page 105
captain’s knock, to score 49, with all his old flair on the leg side and a little magic-wand play on and around the off stump. Noel Fulford joined him and soon the big right hander was driving David Keys massively through the covers to make light work of the slow outfield.
Eric Fisher who should be a fine asset to the villagers, dabbled his first run of the season in pontifical manner. Mitchell found the boundary to his liking but whereas Fisher used his feet constructively to play the spinners, Mitchell stood four square and smashed two soaring sixes. One against the medium quick pace of Don Brian. Hill declared when Mitchell and Henderson were in the squaring up stage.
Apart from Don Brian the Old Boys Hastings innings was a saddish affair … with a strong but warmish wind at their disposal the Fulford brothers were swinging like pendulums at this stage possibly Keith Fulford was getting too much swing as he often beat both the bat and the wicket.”
Eric Fisher added to Old Boys Hastings’s woes with his accurate medium pacers. He gathered in a rather neatly contrived hat trick in capturing the wickets of Nott, Newman and Henderson. So when stumps were finally pulled as the clock wound on to 5pm, the four hours of cricket had been exhilarating for the villagers.
This performance, short but glorious that it was, may well have put paid to the extraordinary run of failures against Old Boys Hastings.
Over the past five seasons, the sequence of Havelock North’s poor performances against Old Boys Hastings was most extraordinary. This string of defeats began on the 19th February 1955, with a first innings loss. This was followed in December of that same year with an outright loss.
From that game until the 14th February 1959, a run of three and a half seasons of cricket there were five subsequent first innings losses, and two further outright defeats. In this somewhat abysmal record against Old Boys Hastings there were six first innings and three outright losses in the nine games played.
October 31st November 7th 1959
Havelock North versus Marist.
Havelock won on the first innings
The team for this game was:- Bill Hill (Capt), Bob MacInnes, Godfrey Rogers, Noel Fulford, Bob Mitchell, Colin Slade, Eric Fisher, Bob Thorpe, Garry Mackenzie, Keith Fulford, Anthony McQuade.
‘Cover’ in the Herald-Tribune on Thursday 5th November, reporting on the first day’s play:
“This match was like some modern theatre drama. It had a grand opening act, no middle to speak of and an excellent last act.
The beginning was played by the new opener Bob Mitchell and the captain, Bill Hill. Mitchell treated the opening bowlers with scant respect, slamming a huge six over long on and Hill was comfortable in running up his second good score in as many games.
Suddenly wickets began to fall when J. O’Shaughnessy found that there was sharp turn in the wicket. Havelock applied the brakes.
Then came the final Act spread between tea and early evening. Keith Fulford and Bob McInness [MacInnes] batted sensibly and with increasing command to add 46 for the 8th wicket. When Marist began their innings, Dudley Hawkes, the Havelock scorer revealed that he had made a complete chart of all the Havelock batsmen’s scoring shots. In this period Hill used the Fulford brothers exclusively and quite rightly claimed the extra time to which he was entitled. Keith Fulford started the landslide by bowling Troy with a big dipper which whipped through and then Noel took four wickets in sharp order. Both bowlers were swinging mightily at this stage –
Page 106
more than can be said of the batsmen. The two bowlers finished with nine wickets between them in an inspired session of out swing and in swing bowling.”
Marist being asked to follow-on batted out the second day to be 203 for 4 wickets, when the Captains called the game off.
Score card:
Havelock North: 199, Hill 58, Mitchell 43, K. Fulford 35
Marist: 41, K. Fulford 5/12 N. Fulford 4/10
and 203 for 4
November 14th and 21st 1959
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost outright by 6 wickets.
Even though this game was recorded as an outright loss, this margin was not a true representation of the margin which separated the sides. The Fulfords and Eric Fisher bowled exceptionally well. As in most games this season, teams batting against the very strong Napier Old Boys attack have to bat right through and this Havelock did, but not very well. Hill hit a six and a single then dismissed himself.
Noel Fulford fell to an excellent ball from McKenzie. “It would have bowled Jack Hobbes,” was Noel’s comment. Godfrey Rogers was taken by a humdinger of a catch at first slip by Tom Reaney and suddenly Havelock North were short of batsman. Fisher stayed the pace, run out on 22 and K Fulford, Goodall and Mackenzie all faded.
Eric Fisher in this game proved just what a valuable acquisition he was for the Havelock club. In his introductory column to the new season, the Herald-Tribune reporter, ‘Cover’ is quoted as follows:- “Havelock need new blood not as raw material but as a transfusion. This game showed that Eric Fisher is at least on the drip feed with the promise of better days to come.”
The one bright light in Havelock’s second innings, was the resistance offered by David Natusch. The youngster put his head down and grafted against the fire of the Old Boys attack. He helped to carry the Havelock North total passed the 70 needed to make Napier Old Boys bat again.
Napier Old Boys required just the 19 runs for the outright win. Bill Hill the captain with his wonderfully altruistic nature ignored his spearhead bowlers and tossed the new ball to, firstly Bob Mitchell who opened the bowling for the first and only time in his Havelock career, and then to Gary Jamieson. The pair responded famously well and between them had the Napier team 4 down for not many, in which was included a brilliant Jamieson run out.
With Napier tottering, Mitchell recalls that the body language of skipper Hill which seemed to translate as “Will I bring the Fulfords back and keep Fisher on hold, or let these two youngsters carry on.” The inevitable happened of course but one can ponder on what might have been, with more runs in the bank, and the same two bowlers allowed to keep going.
Score card:
Havelock North: 95, Fisher 40 n.o., Jamieson 17, N. Fulford 14, Hill 10
and 88, Fisher 23, Natusch 14, Rogers 13.
Napier Old Boys: 165 for 7 declared: K. Fulford 3 for 19, Fisher 2 for 28
and 19 for 4, Mitchell 2 for 5, Jamieson 1 for 12.
Page 107
November 28th and December 5th 1959
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Report Herald-Tribune: Thursday 30th November 1959:
“Graham Smith comes to mind in the Havelock versus Tech game at Nelson Park Hastings, where the wicket was good and the outfield terrible. Tech struck swiftly with their pace attack and Fisher, Noel Fulford and Hill had all gone with the score at 28 for 4 when Smith came to the wicket. Smith himself was not happy at the start. He was dropped deep at mid wicket, but the young man hit back against the Tech attack, loaded with Representative bowlers. Neal, Fifield, Dunning, Owen, Burns and Haynes all had a spell. Smith managed them all. He hit cleanly against Burns and later Owen. No one else bothered him. Drives, cuts and hooks were all there in this innings which lasted till well after tea and shored up the tottering total. Natusch and Goodall helped Smith to carry on the good work.
Smith hits the ball with a power which is disproportionate to his build and he does use his feet to spinners. With Tech. 73 for 3 wickets it is still anybody’s game.”
Report Herald-Tribune on Monday 7th December 1959
“Tech Old Boys and Havelock North photo-finished on Saturday with Havelock North getting the verdict by three runs. Havelock North played well. Their bowling was sensible and they did all they could and should to gain the 6 points.
Tech Old Boys were asked to score at more than two runs a minute to win the game outright but after N. Fulford had claimed 3 wickets in his first over it was time to shut up an early shop”.
Score card:
Havelock North: 158, Smith 70, Goodall 22, Natusch 18, K. Fulford 14.
and 113 for 6 decl. Hill 34, Rogers 31
Tech Old Boys: 155, N Fulford 3/2
and 71 for 5
December 12th and 19th 1959
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune 17th December ‘Cover’
“Noel Fulford who has not had that good a run of form this season was quickly into his stride on Saturday. Very soon he was in full flow – playing something like the Fulford we know. Steam-roller drives dispatched magnificently to the boundary and square cuts, left late enough to fool the keeper were sent sizzling past point.”
Havelock’s innings was enhanced by the partnerships between Noel Fulford and the two youngsters Natusch and Jamieson. The three of them were responsible for taking the score beyond the 200 mark and setting the scene for at least a good first innings victory.
Score card:
Havelock North: 234, N Fulford 68, Jamieson 46, Natusch 41, Hill 30
Whakatu-Mahora: 150, K. Fulford 4/17, E. Fisher 3/23, N. Fulford 3/47
and 168 for 8, Smith 2/9, Goodall 2/30, K. Fulford 2/31.
January 9th and 16th 1960
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright by 144 runs
Page 108
Team for the first game of the second round:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Godfrey Rogers, Noel Fulford, Eric Fisher, Gary Jamieson, Graham Smith, David Natusch, Bill Stevens, Dave Ritchie, Keith Fulford, Garry Mackenzie (Wicket keeper)
This was Bob Mitchell’s first game as captain. Bob was the third to captain the senior side – a worthy successor to both Bob MacInnes and Bill Hill.
In a scene worthy of a Georges Faydeau farce, Bill Hill voiced his intention to stand down as captain, just prior to the start of this game. With no skipper to lead the team onto the Cornwall Park No 3 wicket, it was left to a hastily assembled forum of eleven to arrange themselves into a huddle in front of the old stone building. There was a preliminary discussion about captaincy, led by the outgoing captain. This was awkwardly followed by a long pause. The sagacity and experience of Noel Fulford saved the day. His verbal proposal for the new captain was short, logical and to the point. Brother Keith’s seconding of the nomination was followed by a show of hands, which saw the young 21-year-old Bob Mitchell unanimously elected.
As it turned out this moment in time proved to be of considerable importance to the well being of the club, as it signalled the beginning of a new phase in the club’s history. Gone were the halcyon days of the early 1950s when the team won its brace of championships. The team now consisted of just two players of that time – the Fulford brothers. Gone were Hawthorn, Nichol, Fair, Blane, Baker and MacInnes and in their place were the experienced quartet of the Fulfords, Fisher and Stevens backed up by the youth of Mitchell, Jamieson, Natusch, Smith, Ritchie and Mackenzie. This new era still had the Fulfords as its talisman but Mitchell quickly placed his stamp very firmly on the Saturday game plan, the policy and structure of the team. The quality of Bob’s astute leadership was all too evident as the debutant skipper lead his side to a meritorious outright victory in his very first outing.
After five seasons of nine consecutive losses against Old Boys Hastings, the senior team finally scored a well-deserved outright victory against the old adversary. Appropriately it was the Fulford brothers who led the charge, which clinched the win. Noel, with bat and Keith, with ball.
These two proud cricketers who, more than most, took all the jibes and invective of the Old Boys celebrations, during those nine defeats, may well have had a quiet chuckle between themselves at the outrageous manner in which the team snatched the outright victory on the second day.
The skies were overcast with a bit of drizzle in the air, the wind was blowing from the south and the light was not the best. The pitch was bowler friendly and the overgrown outfield, as provided by the Hastings City Council at the headquarters of Rugby football in Hastings, Nelson Park, made runs hard to come by.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday 21st 1960 – ‘Cover’:
“After a first innings rough and tumble Havelock North took matters seriously, and produced 54 for the first wicket. This was good but better was to follow. Mitchell was caught just when he looked about to break out, but Noel Fulford and Graham Smith added 99 for the next wicket before Mitchell declared.
Smith and Fulford, now there’s a contrast. In build, temperament and stroke play they are as alike as apples and algebra. Noel Fulford launching into the bowlers attempting to hit a six in the enormous Park. He had to content himself with fours, some of them all run.
Smith concentrated more on the wristy shots and between them they raced the total into the 170s. By then Havelock were over 200 ahead and there was little need to discuss bowling averages.
When Old Boys Hastings batted they were spineless. Almost it seemed that they did not care. This is ridiculous of course but they must be careful not to give this impression.
Page 109
What can anyone say about that batting? Nothing! The only subject is the bowling and the fielding. Smith for instance took two supremely fine catches at leg slip off Keith Fulford’s bowling. One of them was from a cover drive by Don Brian, which came off the inside edge. Not the simplest of catches”.
Then Eric Fisher trundled himself into action and the wickets wheeled down at about one an over. Garry Mackenzie had an impressive day with his keeping, standing up to the stumps to take the bowling of Noel Fulford. A feat never attempted before by a Havelock keeper.
Jim Newbigin provided a little light relief when he came into bat. Noel Fulford was bowling. Jim pedantically took centre then proceeded to walk down the middle of the pitch meticulously patting down the apparent divots, worm casts and blemishes. He then returned to his crease, took guard and stared down at the approaching Fulford.
Noel fired the ball in short of a length, and the ball fizzed over the Newbigin head. Noel, being as ‘helpful’ as ever, walked down the pitch with a chuckle and pointed to the spot where the ball had landed and stood there waiting for a response. Jim seemed to be interested and slowly walked down to where Fulford was standing, pointing at the pitch. The crafty Newbigin reached that point – paused – while the amused fielding side were all watching with considerable interest.
Jim totally ignored the antics of the gesticulating bowler, walked eight or nine yards further down the track and patted the pitch down firmly. Standing to his full height, chin out and a twinkle in his eye, Jim sauntered back to his crease past the increasing blushes of the bowler.
Daily Telegraph Friday 22nd January F.F. Cane.
“A perfectly good bowling performance by Keith Fulford who, in 15.3 overs, actually claimed 7 wickets for 24 to bring his season’s tally of wickets to 25. Here was merit indeed!”
Score card:
Havelock North: 99, Fisher 28
and 178 for 2 decl. N. Fulford 74 n.o. Mitchell 38, Smith 31 n.o.
Old Boys Hastings: 71, K. Fulford 7/24
and 60, Fisher 5/21.
Table:- NHSOB 45, Havelock North 36, TOB 34, Marist 22, WM 18, OBH 16
January 23rd and 30th 1960
Havelock North versus Marist.
Havelock won on the first innings
The school holidays have come around again and another very promising colt from Wanganui Collegiate has joined Havelock’s senior ranks. John Cullwick’s reputation preceded him. His medium paced out swingers were bowled with considerable accuracy. His fielding was tidy but it was his strong throw that was the downfall of many an unsuspecting batsman as a risky single or tight second run was unwisely attempted.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Monday 30th 1960.
“Marist were ‘Fulfordised’ in their first innings. Both the brothers bowled 29 overs between them and both used the cross wind to real advantage.”
Daily Telegraph F.F. Cane:
“Marist’s improved batting display against Havelock North must have been encouraging to their supporters and it is to be hoped it will mark the end of their recent slump in form.
Page 110
It would be difficult indeed to find a pair of bowlers who have succeeded so consistently to carry everything before them as have the Fulford brothers. And it would be extremely interesting to determine how often they have accounted for all 10 wickets between them. In the game against Marist it was Keith who stole the limelight with 6 wickets for 66 with Noel in the minor role with 4 for 64. Just how Havelock would proceed without them it is difficult to contemplate.
Havelock failed to press home their advantage. G. Jamieson was top scorer for the day with an exemplary 77 n.o. He drove, pulled and cut with excellent timing and his partnership with Smith meant exemplary running between the wickets. Alan Ritchie one of the three Wanganui Collegiate Old Boys in the side along with G. Mackenzie and J. Cullwick put some of his promise into a neat 21.”
Score card:
Marist: 174, K. Fulford 6/66, N. Fulford 4/64
and 140, K. Fulford 4/38, Stevens 2 for 25
Havelock North: 237: Jamieson 77, N. Fulford 50, Mitchell 39, Smith 23, Ritchie 21.
Table:- Napier Old Boys 44, Havelock North 42, TOB 36, WM 30, Marist 24, OBH 22.
February 6th and 13th 1960
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings by 9 runs
The first day was rain-affected with the wicket and outfield being slow.
An interesting statistic from this game is the bowling figures of the two Fulfords. An examination of this confirms the value of the two brothers, and maybe the fact that there was a degree of benign presumption among the team, the club and the cricketing public that the Fulfords will come through no matter what.
In this game’s first innings loss, Noel nabbed a 5 wicket and 4 wicket bags, Keith a 4 and a 3 wicket return. No other bowlers featured.
The brothers always gave of their utmost and believed that every ball they bowled was a ‘wicket ball’. If one was to extrapolate the Fulford figures from this game alone and place it alongside their Havelock careers in total, one may well be impressed at the number of times and the number of wickets this dual performance was repeated.
If for a moment one was to put aside the 5 to 10 wicket bags and hone in on the ‘lesser’ performances of 4 wickets or even 3 wickets per innings throughout their Havelock playing days one may well be enlightened and thus appreciative by the number of times that this occurred.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 173, N. Fulford 4/58, K. Fulford 3/44
and 76 for 9 decl. N. Fulford 5/27, K. Fulford 4/42
Havelock North: 134, Hill 31, Stevens 21, Mitchell 17, Jamieson 13, H. Hawthorn 13.
and 74 for 5, Mitchell 30
February 20th and 27th 1960
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost outright by an innings
In another rain-affected game, Tech had the clear advantage of batting first on day one under clear skies and sunny conditions. The rain came; Tech declared; Havelock were left to flounder around on a ‘sticky dog’.
Page 111
An interesting outcome of this game was the early dismissal of Mike Shrimpton – caught Mackenzie bowled K. Fulford for 16. Shrimpton holds the record for the highest run scorer in Hawke’s Bay cricket over his career but never appeared comfortable against the Havelock attack. Both Fulfords seemed to limit the stroke play of this highly skilful player, who had faced the cream of New Zealand and International bowlers. He never seemed settled against the two brothers. When Shrimpton was coming out to bat for Tech Old Boy’s, Noel from his position at first slip would often make the comment to Bob MacInnes at keeper. “This fellow loves to drive doesn’t he. You may need to give me another slip.”
In fact, in the five innings that Shrimpton played against Havelock North from this game, where he was dismissed for 16 caught Mackenzie at wicketkeeper bowled Keith Fulford, until March 1963 he succeeded in scoring just 40 runs with a top score of 16. However as with all good batsmen he did find a way through this bad patch and in later years showed just what a class player he was. His top score against Havelock was 79 – he never reached three figures.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 171 for 8 declared: K. Fulford 3/34, Fisher 2/43
Havelock North: 47, Jamieson 10
and 60, Fisher 18, Hill 16, Mitchell 14, (B. Heibner 7 for 19)
March 5th and 12th 1960
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 40 runs.
This game was played at Cornwall Park No 3 on a very dry and dusty wicket. This assisted the quicker bowlers of both sides because of the lift which was gained. Indeed when Whakatu-Mahora batted in their first innings the pitch had become quite fiercesome. The Fulfords were able to make the ball rear and Noel in particular was able to benefit from this. It appeared that on such a pitch the best form of defence for the batsmen is all out attack.
As it was the final game of the season, and much was hanging on it, with Championship glory being part of that, The Herald-Tribune’s ‘Cover’ wrote extensively on the action. The author was never able to uncover this writer’s identity. On this occasion ‘Cover’ excelled himself in describing the suspenseful and exciting action of this crucial match for Havelock North that it is worth printing in full.
Herald-Tribune Thursday March 8th 1960: ‘Cover’:
“March 5th First day’s play:
A dry wicket at Cornwall Park gave the bowlers all the lift they wanted and Havelock had lost 5 wickets for 50 runs. And after Eric Fisher departed it seemed that batsmen were lacking.
Once or twice a year, however Wynn Goodall gets going. He seems to like the Whakatu bowling. Last year he made 60 against Marsden, Love, the Martins, Totty et al and in this game he scored an unbeaten 44 including two 6s – one to long on and the other over square leg.
When it came Whakatu-Mahora’s turn to bat, the pitch was even more lively. Both Fulfords made the ball bite and rear from a good length and Noel encouraged by this, took 7 wickets in a sustained and accurate spell of bowling.
March 12th Second day’s play:
In the early afternoon against a blanket grey sky Whakatu-Mahora required 15 runs for the first innings lead with two wickets standing. The first innings lead was an absolute priority as this meant that they had a good chance of winning the Championship from either Napier Old Boys or Tech Old Boys both of whom were
Page 112
playing in Napier. Whakatu-Mahora’s aim was to get the points first and then it all depended on what happened in Napier.
However Noel Fulford had his own ideas about this, as he swung himself into action. Jimmy Martin striking boldly at the first ball took a single to cover. Gary Jamieson almost made it into a miraculous catch as he dived well to get his hand to the ball travelling well to his right and inches from the turf.
Keith Fulford whirling away at the other end, gave four runs away off his first ball, and then only 11 were needed. Noel bowled a maiden and singles were the sole means of runs as Jimmy Martin grafted as only he can. A four from Ron Martin was driven to relieve the pressure and close the gap.
In the next over Ron Martin appeared to touch one and the Havelock fielders all went up as Mackenzie went for the catch. All that shouting must have put the keeper off as he tensed and dropped the catch. The Martins took a run and the signal from the umpire was for a leg bye. The ball had just faintly nicked the pad strap.
Whakatu-Mahora batting sensibly in the tense atmosphere edged closer and closer until they were level. No wicket had fallen as Jimmy Martin faced up, saw that the ball was on a good length and right on the wicket pushed forward and ran as he played the shot, and Whakatu-Mahora had 6 points for a first innings win. Then it was a case of what news from Napier. While both batsmen hit joyously and effectively until a Goodall catch prompted a declaration.
Havelock North had to be dismissed quickly in the second innings and at no stage did Whakatu-Mahora look capable of this. Rain came and went and one of the umpires entering into the spirit of the tense situation stayed out in the middle, standing like Horatius at the bridge – umbrella at the ready. Havelock scored rapidly and easily. By tea, Eric Fisher had made 60 of his most deliberate and best runs. After the break Ron Martin took 3 wickets in an over. Bill Hill saw this as the cue for the declaration, which gave Whakatu-Mahora 95 minutes to score 140.
“They did not look like it. Noel Fulford took his second swag of wickets for the match, which gave him the impressive figures of 13 for 104 at an average of 8 runs per wicket. Not bad for the final game of a very long and arduous season. Roger Spencer drove prodigiously and Fisher’s wickets included a superb stumping by Garry Mackenzie.
In this game which was a vital one for championship points, Havelock North played the best cricket and dominated all the sessions in the two days play to convincingly win outright which brought them just four points behind Whakatu-Mahora, the eventual champions. These were the four points which separated the top four teams and Havelock and had to be content with 4th in the final points tally.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 130, Goodall 44 n.o. Fisher 24, N. Fulford 15.
and 157 for 7 decl. Fisher 62, Jamieson 26, Hill 20, Mitchell 16, N. Fulford 13.
Whakatu-Mahora: 143 for 9 declared, N. Fulford 8/67
and 109, N. Fulford 5/37, Fisher 4/24.
Throughout the whole of this exciting season Havelock North won outright twice and on the first innings four times, losing only twice – once on the first innings and once outright
Table at end of season WM 60 (two outright wins and the first innings lead over HN), NHSOB 58, TOB 58, HN 56, M.B.O.B. 34, OBH 30.
Page 113
Representative honours: Hawke’s Bay Seniors: K.A. Fulford, G. Jamieson
Hawke’s Bay Colts: D. Natusch, G. Smith
Trophies:
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association: Most wickets senior: N. G. Fulford (57 wickets)
|Hastings Sub Association: Best Fielder Waitemata Cup: Jamieson
Morrison Cup for most wickets from the field: Havelock Seniors
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder, J. Beaumont
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding, G. Jamieson
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman, R. W. Mitchell
Page 114
Chapter 15
Anderson Park
“One of the most idyllic grounds in the country. With the Havelock Hills as a backdrop and the tree lined stream running past the playing area – ideal for playing cricket.”
Artie Dick: Wellington Invitation XI playing Havelock: March 1963
Such was the high standard of the newly sown pitch and lush outfield of Anderson Park in 1963, that the Havelock North Cricket Club invited a Wellington Invitation XI to play a post season game. Included in the capital’s line-up were past Internationals, including the New Zealand Wicket keeper, Artie Dick, who is credited with the above quote.
Anderson Park has been at the heart of Havelock North Cricket ever since the first club practice was held there in 1958. This first gathering on the new and untried Reserve, concluded eleven years, beginning in 1947, of Havelock North cricketers spending their mid week practice sessions under the chestnut trees of the Hereworth School’s grounds. During those eleven years the club players were always, without exception, most appreciative of the generosity of the Hereworth School Board and Staff, especially Syd Grant and Laurence Rickard.
The first game of senior cricket was played at Anderson Park on December 18th 1961. Surprisingly this did not involve a Havelock North XI. The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association under the guidance of Bob MacInnes sought permission to conduct an open wicket practice for the Hawke’s Bay XI in preparation for its game against the touring MCC side. Bob with the full knowledge of the quality of the part time groundsman, Wally Boyle, and his meticulous preparation of both the pitch and the outfield had the confidence to approach the Havelock North Borough Council to request permission to use the Park. The state of the wicket and the ground evoked much favourable comment from the players. The wicket played perfectly and the outfield was lush, green and level. Keith Fulford was the sole Havelock North representative in the Hawke’s Bay side. In the Rest team, the Havelock players were Bob Mitchell, Godfrey Rogers, John Beaumont and Wynn Goodall.
In September of 1962 the Hastings Cricket Sub-Association, responsible for Lower Grade cricket in Hastings, applied for the use of one wicket at Anderson Park. The first official game, played on November 3rd 1962 featured the Havelock North 3rd Grade side, effectively the club’s 2nd XI. The game against Whakatu-Mahora resulted in an outright victory to the villagers in which the club stalwarts, Max Kale, Peter Sugden and Ernie Boyes appropriately featured.
In the September of the following year, The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association applied for use of the ground for Senior and Representative cricket. On November 30th 1963 the first game of Senior club cricket was played against Old Boys Hastings. Havelock won outright by two runs in an exhilarating game of cricket thus emulating the Third grade team’s performance of the previous season.
To begin to appreciate the success of the Anderson Park project it is necessary to travel back in time to just after the conclusion of the Second World War, when the demographics of the small hamlet of Havelock North were dominated by quite an influx of population. Sports clubs were now beginning to organise teams with Rugby leading the way.
The Havelock Domain, which had served the village well, prior to the War, with many locals remembering that both Cricket and Rugby were played there, was considered too small.
There was an obvious need for a much larger playing field to replace the Domain. This playing field would require to be located close to the heart of the village. As early as October 1947, just prior to the beginning of the new cricket season, a group of interested men, met to discuss the need for a large area of flat land to be put aside for the purpose of sport and recreation. This delegation included two men, who were to have a
Page 115
substantial influence in leading the eventual search, purchase and development of a suitable piece of land. Both were ardent cricket followers and both were determined that such a project should go ahead – Dr A. W. Reeve and Mr Gordon Small.
The quest for this elusive acreage soon gained momentum. The good doctor and Gordon Small were soon joined by P.J. Sefton, G. Duigan, Richard Nimon, E.F. (Ted) Leicester, who were all devoted to progress and improvement within the village. P.J. Sefton had retired from his position as Havelock North School headmaster. During his time as Principal he had fostered and encouraged cricket within the school and thus became an enthusiastic member of this group.
These seven men had settled on a plot of land, owned by the redoubtable Mr E. G. McDuff, the proprietor of the historic Exchange Hotel, which graced the corner of Middle and Havelock Roads. Mr Mc Duff had acquired an allotment of considerable acreage which stretched along the Western side of Te Aute Road, just in behind the permanent houses which were constructed in the 1860s and then along Havelock Road up to the bridge across the Karamu Stream. The advantage of this area was that it was close to the centre of the village and was easily accessible off Havelock Road. The disadvantage was the unkempt and slipshod state of the site which had been mismanaged and neglected. The area would require considerable modification and concerted hard work to bring it up to the required standard for its role as a sporting arena.
Mr McDuff was approached by the Town Board to sell some 12 acres of his block for 120 pound per acre ($8,403 in today’s currency. The total sum that Mr Duff would have banked was 1,440 pounds (itc = $100,836). Mr McDuff flatly refused. Negotiations began but were met with some classic stonewalling by McDuff who was adamant in his demand for more money. He was very difficult to deal with and bargaining became non-existent.
After all reasonable measures to negotiate the sale and purchase of the land had failed, the Town Board which had warmed to the concept of an extensive Park so close to the village centre was still dead set on purchasing the property.
The Board decided to apply to the Government to acquire the land under the National Public Works Act. It notified the ratepayers that it was going to raise a loan which would buy the McDuff property. The ratepayers were called to lodge their objections. In spite of the objections of 25 ratepayers including Mr McDuff, the Town Board went ahead and took over 12 acres of the Mc Duff allotment.
2,050 pounds ($143,565 itc) was raised in the loan. Mr McDuff claimed 6,000 pounds ($420,192 itc) but had to settle for 3,000 pounds ($210,096 itc).
After the purchase of the McDuff property, the opportunity arose to purchase a similarly sized block on the western side of the Mangarau stream for a lesser amount due to a deep gully running through the middle of it, which was prone to flooding after heavy rain.
The whole of this newly acquired land block so close to the village centre was aptly named Anderson Park in honour of Bert Anderson who as Town Clerk had worked so hard and diligently on behalf of all the people of Havelock North.
Now that the land was in the hands of the Havelock Town Board, the crux of the matter was to find the personnel and resources to convert a rundown piece of territory of difficult contour into pristine and level playing fields.
The year 1952, saw the first moves in the constructive development of the Park. The report to the Havelock North Borough Council presented by Mr J.G. McKenzie stated that the site consisted of two distinct sections divided by the Mangarau stream. The Report affirmed that on the western side of the stream the most prominent feature was an extensive dry water gully which covered approximately 30% of the area on that
Page 116
side. On the eastern side it was comparatively level and large enough to provide two rugby fields, an athletics track and two cricket fields. The Report concluded with the suggested realigning and straightening of the Mangarau stream to give more length to the rugby fields which would run east-west. The Report noted the enigma of the four-metre-deep gully which extended from where the edge of the tennis courts are now, right down to the Mangarau Stream which flows into the adjacent Karamu Stream, which formed the northern boundary of the Park.
The outcome of the Report was that the land needed considerable earthworks, particularly on the western side of the stream. The gully on that side was deep, extensive and steep, with the sides being quite unstable.
The solution to rectifying this great gash across the landscape was left to Gordon Small who saw that in creating a village ‘land fill’, where everything from car chassis to oil drums; to garden and domestic waste; to derelict farm machinery and building site detritus; to orchard prunings, and disused furniture were all acceptable.
Villagers were invited to get rid of all their trash and pour it into the gully. Such was the volume of response, that the massive scar across the proposed playing area on the western side of the Park took just a year to fill. The landfill then needed compacting, followed by the application of yards and yards of a stabilising material – soil, clay, sand and shingle from building sites were all applied to the top of all the debris to ensure that no slumping, sinking or potholing occurred at a later time. Many a back yard or front paddock in Havelock North and surrounds had a good tidy-up, due to Gordon Small’s zeal, good sense and initiative.
By 1954, most of the eastern 12 acres along the Hastings/Havelock Road, having been broken-in and cleared was now lying vacant, innocuous and somewhat benign. Gordon Small and Richard Nimon applied to the Havelock North Borough Council for a licence to occupy Anderson Park and to farm, cultivate and manage the whole area. As astute farmers they saw real possibilities in the intensive cropping of the area. Both had access to the machinery and cultivators to get the work done.
In the Spring of 1954, peas and barley were sown along with other crops which did not require too many man-hours. All the nett profits from this venture went directly into the to the Havelock North Borough Council coffers, with the proviso that they would be channelled into a Park Development Fund.
After three consecutive years of such activity the two men made a handy little profit for the Havelock Council, but not sufficient to allow a major Contractor to move in to begin work. The committee organised two Gala Days. 1,000 pounds ($70,000 itc) was made off the first and 850 pounds ($59,527 itc) was made off the second. This was the signal to commence work.
Gordon Small, ever the one to push progress and to get things done, now applied to the Department of Agriculture for advice on how to grass the entire area. The Council in response to this initiative set about hiring a firm to undertake the levelling of the whole area which included the land filled gully on the west of the stream, as well as the area which had been cultivated on the eastern side. The cost of this was 1,000 pounds. ($70, 000 itc).
In the autumn of 1958 the Havelock North Borough Council, taking the lead from Gordon Small, set about sowing the whole area in grass, which it did successfully with a mixture of ryegrass browntop and fescue. At this stage the pitch area had not been decided upon which meant that the work consisted of a blanket sowing of the entire playing area with an eye more to rugby than cricket.
Later in the year with the cricket season underway the first request to use Anderson Park for a cricket match came from the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board for its annual match with the Gisborne Board. A section of the lush grass near the centre of the Eastern block was mowed by men from the Power Board and used as a pitch.
Page 117
From here things began to move fairly rapidly. The Hastings City Council made contact with Havelock to discuss present and future use of Anderson Park. In September the Havelock North Cricket Club applied for permission to use the Park for its mid week practices. This was granted and the Club was directed specifically to use the corner by the entrance, off Havelock Road, near the tap to the artesian well. The Club itself, was to prepare the practice area and was to water, mow and roll the pitch.
In 1959 the question of access on to the Park was the main item on the agenda. The access off Havelock Road was a limestone, pot holed driveway in the extreme eastern corner of the Park. Such was the nature of traffic and parking in this part of the village that consideration was given to creating a more convenient access off Te Aute Road. The House section at Number 37 was purchased and work proceeded with the removal of the house and the construction of an entrance way. Many felt that this entrance was still too narrow so the Council set about purchasing the house at No 36. The sole occupant was Mrs Mayhill who, when asked to consider selling part of her property so as to enable better access, was not interested. She gave the Council a short shrift with a vehement “No!” Mrs Mayhill’s property was seen as an essential element in the overall plan for the Park. After months of wrangling, bargaining and haggling with a very intractable and determined lady, a compromise was reached and the sale went through.
The adjacent house on the southeastern side of the access-way belonged to Max Liley, who when often asked of the saga concerning Mrs Mayhill, would give a wry smile and comment on the fact that even though his house had increased in value, he had no intention of selling, because all the things that he loved most in life were within easy walking distance from where he lived.
At this stage in the development, the Havelock North Borough Council made it clear that it had no intention of employing a full-time groundsman and in the same breath gave permission to the Havelock North Cricket Club to go ahead and improve the standard of the practice wicket through topdressing and over-sowing.
This one-way traffic continued throughout the cricket season, with the Borough Council sitting back and the Club doing all the work in order to create a home for Havelock North cricket. The Council did however agree to mow the new playing wicket established by Wally Boyle but the Club was responsible for the rolling and maintenance of the mown pitch.
In 1960 the whole 22 acres of Anderson Park was declared a Recreational Reserve. This included the entire area bounded by the houses on Pankhurst Street, Lipscombe and Mangarau crescents, Te Aute and Havelock Roads. Approval was sought from the HNBC for the building of a changing sheds facility.
The vision, resoluteness and enterprise of the seven men who, some fifteen years ago had a dream of providing the village of Havelock North with an area where sport could be played in both summer and winter, finally manifested itself in September of 1962 when the Hastings Cricket Sub Association applied for permission to play cricket on the Park.
Page 118
Chapter 16
1950-1961 SEASON
Brothers top both batting and bowling averages
“Brothers don’t necessarily need to say anything to each other. They can sit in a room, play in the same team together, succeed equally and just be completely comfortable with each other”.
Adapted from … Leonardo di Caprio
October 15th and 22nd 1960
Team for the first game of the season: Bob Mitchell (Capt), Bill Hill, Gary Jamieson, Keith Fulford, Bob Thorpe, Dave Ritchie, Alan Ritchie, Wynn Goodall, Bill Stevens, Garry Mackenzie, Godfrey Rogers
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Outright win to Havelock by an innings and 27 runs.
Havelock North had a good afternoon at the wicket against last year’s title holders Whakatu-Mahora. The Villagers knocked up 209 runs of which Gary Jamieson scored 70 before being run out, which was a rarity as he is so fleet between the wickets.
Whakatu made a poor start to their innings and were three down for 27 at stumps. This was due to an inspired spell of bowling from Keith Fulford who bowled seven overs all of which were maidens and in the process picked up two wickets.
Fulford’s tantalising in swingers continued to reap wickets on the second day with Whakatu-Mahora being asked by skipper, Bob Mitchell to follow-on.
In the second innings it was the sharp off spin on young Alan Ritchie which wreaked havoc among the Whakatu-Mahora batsmen, thus clinching the outright. Of the twenty wickets that fell in Whakatu-Mahora’s two innings sixteen were caught, four, of which went to Bob Thorpe in the slips. Both the youngsters Alan Ritchie and Wynn Goodall enhanced their growing reputations as match winning bowlers.
Score card:
Havelock North: 209, G. Jamieson 70, K. Fulford 40, W. Hill 37, G. Rogers 21.
Whakatu-Mahora: 80, K. Fulford 6 for 11, W. Goodall 3 for 37.
and 92. A. Ritchie 4 for 7, W. Goodall 3 for 41, W. Stevens 3 for 21.
October 29th and November 6th 1960
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys:
A Tie
Daily Telegraph, November 8th 1960 F.F. Cane:
“Score book dispute.
Because the scorebooks did not agree, the match between Napier Old Boys and Havelock North was tentatively set down as a tie. After an exciting finish it appeared as though Havelock North’s 215 runs – two more than Napier Old Boys had sealed the first inning victory. But after the books were twice checked, the match was put down as a tie, 213 runs each. The HBCA is to hold an inquiry into the position. It seemed that there was a discrepancy in the bowling figures of one run.
Page 119
Subsequently the result of the match was announced as a tie at 213, though a check up of the bowling figures still revealed a discrepancy of one run.
Curiously enough, the position could have been quite different. The last two Havelock batsmen were at the wicket and W. McKenzie bowled a “no-ball” to G. Mackenzie and bowled him. At that stage Havelock North were still 6 runs short of Napier Old Boys total. G. Mackenzie as the last man in, scored what was thought to be the winning run and then for good measure he added another run before he was out thus presumably ensuring the win.
Napier Old Boys collapsed in their second innings in the face of some accurate bowling and at 6 p.m. had scored 76 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Noel Fulford took 3 wickets at the cost of just over 10 a wicket and Keith Fulford took 5 for 22.”
The tie still had Havelock North top of the competition with 16 points.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 213, K. Fulford 5 for 62, A. Ritchie 3 for 26
and 76 for 9
Havelock North: 213, K. Fulford 76, W. Stevens 31, W. Hill 17, Mitchell 16, G. Rogers 19.
November 12th and 19th 1960
Havelock North versus Marist
Draw.
With just the one day being played due to heavy rain on the second day, Havelock North can consider themselves somewhat unlucky. Having put themselves into a very strong position where the result could well have been an outright, the villagers had to be satisfied with an unsatisfactory draw.
After losing both openers, Godfrey Rogers and Bill Hill along with the No 3 Terry Taaffe very early, to be three down for 21, the prospects of a good score seemed remote. However Gary Jamieson and Bill Stevens steadied the ship, which led to a fine recovery and the side’s best total for some time. Their fifth wicket partnership of 133 was scored at a fast clip and helped with the recovery.
Jamieson scored at a breezy pace and Stevens was, as ever, steady and sure. He made a good foil for the ebullient, young Jamieson. 17 boundaries were scored in the partnership with Jamieson smiting 10 of them. He was particularly severe on the spinners, Keith Smith and George Bishop who between them bowled an astonishing 60 overs in the heat of that afternoon. The lower order batsmen continued the onslaught at better than a run a minute to carry the side past the 300 mark when the skipper declared overnight.
All was to no avail as the second day was washed out through heavy rain.
Score card:
Havelock North: 328 for 9 decl.: Jamieson 91, Stevens 70, Mitchell 35, K. Fulford 31, D. Natusch 28, W. Goodall 19.
November 26th and December 3rd 1960
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings.
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: “Keeper”, Thursday December 1st 1960:
“Havelock North, the competition leaders, had a real collapse.
The fall of wickets were as follows 1/0, 2/0. 3/1, 4/3, 5/8, 6/8, 7/33, 8/46, 9/51, 10/51”.
Old Boys Hastings used just two bowlers. The old-seasoned campaigner and the bane of many a previous Havelock innings, Don Brian was at his destructive best with 4 wickets for 23. But it was the young Hastings
Page 120
Boys’ High School’s product, in young Cummings who caused the bulk of the mayhem with 5 for 20. Bob Thorpe who batted for most of the innings found it hard to fathom what was going on down at the other end.
The false dawn of the previous match in early January between the two sides when Havelock scored a resounding outright victory has quickly faded to disillusionment in spite of the sterling performances of Havelock’s two opening bowlers, and batsman Thorpe.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 112, K. Fulford 5/33, Goodall 5/19
Havelock North: 51, Thorpe 24 run out.
Rain on the second day could have saved Havelock from more embarrassment.
Table after first round: OBH 28, HN 24 (1 o.r win, 2 f.i. losses, 2 draws.), TOB 22, Marist 20, NHSOB 20, WM 14.
December 10th and 17th 1960
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings.
A continuation of the rain, which had interrupted the previous game, still persisted into the first day of this game. In both of the one-day games which resulted from the inclement weather, Havelock suffered rather badly. The hope was for a better run of weather in the new year so that cricketers could settle down to playing some decent cricket.
An interesting point to note in this game was that in the Tech Old Boys batting line up, Mike Shrimpton who was playing for Central Districts and was yet to be selected for the New Zealand team, scored only 10, bowled by Noel Fulford. Shrimpton throughout his early club career struggled against the Havelock attack and Noel Fulford seemed to have had this stylish right hander’s measure. Noel’s comment about Shrimpton’s batting was, “He doesn’t square cut but he loves to drive off the front foot doesn’t he!” and so adapted his away swingers to successfully meet this observation.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 155, N. Fulford 5/69
Havelock North: 147, Berry 55, Hill 26, K. Fulford 19.
1961
The team for the start of the second round:- Bill Hill (Captain), Godfrey Rogers, Graham Smith, Bob Mitchell, Bob Thorpe, Keith Fulford, Dave Ritchie, Wynn Goodall, Alan Ritchie, Jon Neilson, Garry Mackenzie (Wicket keeper).
With Bob Mitchell’s transference to Wellington through his job, the position of captaincy became a concern. Rather than play in Wellington, Bob chose to commute to Hawke’s Bay on the Friday night in order to be available for cricket with the team on Saturday. A most loyal and noble action which was appreciated by the Club. However as he would not be present at practice, or available to fill the selector’s role during the week, Bill Hill who had captained the side for a year during the 1959/60 season stood in as skipper for the young Mitchell.
This situation lasted until January 1962 when Bob was transferred back to Hawke’s Bay and was voted in as captain once again.
Page 121
January 7th and 14th 1961
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings.
This game was played at Anderson Park. This is the first senior game to be played at the new Havelock North Sport’s ground. Wally Boyle, who actively played for the Havelock North Junior A team, as groundsman had put a lot of work into the centre square. His effort and his work ethic were clearly on display as this game progressed, especially on the second day when the run chase was on and things became quite exciting.
One factor that was overlooked in the preparation of the ground for this game was the dense growth of blackberry, hemlock, and weeds which covered the northern bank of the Mangarau stream. Apart from this it was a perfect arena for cricket.
On the second day, the day of the chase, Whakatu-Mahora declared at tea. Havelock North were left 135 minutes to get 189 runs. Hill and Rogers put on a brisk 75. Mitchell banged on 54, which included seven 4s and two 6s. In one over from J. Martin he pummelled 18 runs. Frank Cane writing in the Daily Telegraph considered that this onslaught may well have robbed Havelock of victory:
“Three balls were lost on the banks of the stream which meanders through the ground and ten valuable minutes were sacrificed in consequence.”
At 5.15 p.m. Havelock North still needed 90 runs in 45 minutes and in the two overs that followed, whacked 24 runs which gave them a scent of the victory which just eluded them by the barest of margins – 15 runs. The 174 runs in just over two hours was still a worthy effort and may well have been the harbinger of things to come.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 164, K. Fulford 4/57, Goodall 2/58, J. Neilson 4/36
and 124 for 8 declared. K. Fulford 5/36, J. Neilson 2/20
Havelock North: 100, Rogers 27, K. Fulford 27
and 173 for 5, Mitchell 54, Hill 45, Rogers 28.
January 21st and January 28th 1961
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boy
Havelock lost on the first innings by one run.
Rain cancelled play on the first day.
Justice and a fair go were sadly lacking for the villagers in this season’s games against Napier Old Boys. The questionable tie of earlier in the season must still have been in the minds of the Havelock team as in another close encounter, the match was decided 15 minutes before stumps on the second day. At one stage Napier Old Boys were 81 for 8 and the 9th wicket fell with the score on 96.
Score card:
Havelock North: 102, Rogers 25
Napier Old Boys: 103, K. Fulford 5/42, Goodall 4/27
February 4th and February 11th 1961
Havelock North versus Marist.
Havelock won on the first innings by 73 runs.
Page 122
This was Murray Bartle’s first game for the club. He followed the traditional method of joining the team for a youngster from Hastings Boys’ High School, that of playing for the School team in the holidays and then joining a club once the new year’s School XI was selected. He had been scouted by the club in his last year at school as a fast bowler of much promise.
Havelock North won the toss and batted for the greater part of the day. After an indifferent start it was not until Bob Mitchell joined David Natusch that a decent partnership was put together which lifted the side’s total towards respectability. Bob Mitchell was in fine form. He hit the ball all over the paddock and included ten 4s in his tally.
Marist in their first innings were 4/25 at stumps. K. Fulford 3/9, all taken in his second over.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune February 6th:
“Graham Smith, fielding in slips took the first three catches, one off Goodall and two off K. Fulford to have Marist 3 for 2 at one stage. Fulford had another scalp when Goodall this time took a good catch and Marist were four wickets down for four runs. They recovered from that disaster but were still 73 runs adrift on the first innings.”
Mitchell again featured with the bat in the second innings, getting quick runs to enable Bill Hill to make made a good declaration. Marist needed close to two runs a ball the win and 85 minutes later were just 22 runs short with 5 wickets in hand, in another close game.
Score card:
Havelock North: 214, Mitchell 75, Natusch 43, Stevens 26.
and 81 for 5 decl. Mitchell 27, Smith 18.
Marist: 141, K. Fulford 3 for 43, Goodall 3 for 43, Bartle 2 for 26.
February 18th and 25th 1961
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings.
Havelock lost outright by one run
The season of narrow losses continues!
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, 20th February:
“It seemed surprising that neither team could score 100 runs in their first innings with Old Boys Hastings being the Championship leaders and Havelock who consistently score well, even if beaten.”
The result could well have been reversed had Havelock capitalised on the poor start which Old Boys Hastings had in its first innings, being 6 wickets down for 53 runs with the possibility that the youngsters, Jamieson and Wright may well have been able to extend their promising partnership in the second innings.
This was Marcus Wright’s first game for Havelock. He was one of the most naturally gifted of Cricket protégés to emerge from that Cricket academy of the time – Wanganui Collegiate. He gave the team a glimpse of what he was capable in a very sound debut.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 96, K. Fulford 5/26, Goodall 4/54
and 98 for 7 decl. N. Fulford 2/15, Goodall 2 for 22.
Havelock North: 79, G. Mackenzie 20, N. Fulford 13, K. Fulford 12, Wright 10.
and 114, Jamieson 29, Wright 22, Goodall 16, Mitchell 13.
March 4th and 11th 1961
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Page 123
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune on Thursday, March 16th, ‘Keeper’:
“The main cause of Tech Old Boys failure in the first innings, when they were dismissed for 99 was the relatively new man to the Intercity scene, Marcus Wright. He is a former Wanganui Collegiate 1st XI player who has now completed just two games for Havelock North. He took 6 /32 with his leg spinners and then promptly opened the innings to score a splendid 76. Noel Fulford in scoring his 71 appears to have overcome his back injury from early in the season and has struck good form again. Havelock North`s fielding was excellent especially in the one instance when Mitchell threw Shrimpton’s wicket down from a distance of 20 yards to run him out on just 2 runs”.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 99, M. Wright 6/33, K. Fulford 3/23.
and 80, Ritchie 3/26, Goodall 2/25
Havelock North: 227, Wright 76, N. Fulford 71, Ritchie 20, Stevens 18, Mackenzie 12.
Table at the end of the season:
Old Boys Hastings 66, Marist 56, Havelock North 46 (2 o.r. wins, 1 o.r. loss, 1 f.i. win 4 f.i. losses and 2 draws). Napier Old Boys 36, Tech Old Boys 34, Whakatu-Mahora 30.
Averages for the 1960/61 Cricket season compiled by the official record-keeper F.F. Cane.
Headline in Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune March 23rd 1961:
Havelock brothers top cricket averages
“Noel Fulford topped the batting with an average of 41, scored in just 4 innings. His brother Keith took 95 wickets for an average of just 10 runs a wicket. Last season Keith took 55 wickets. Two Havelock North batsmen were second and third in the averages. Gary Jamieson was second with an average of 40.2 from 5 innings and Gordon Pryde was third with an average of 36.2 from 6 innings.
In the bowling averages another Havelock North player was second. Alan Ritchie with 11 wickets for an average of 10.1 runs per wicket.”
Averages: Havelock Names only together with position on the table
Batting Innings Not outs Runs Highest score Average
1st N.G. Fulford 4 0 164 76 41.0
2nd G. Jamieson 5 0 201 91 40.2
3rd A.G. Pryde 6 1 181 58 36.2
25th R.W. Mitchell 16 0 293 75 18.3
Bowling Runs Wickets Average
1st K. A. Fulford 958 95 10.0
2nd A. Ritchie 111 11 10.1
13th G. W. Goodall 491 31 15.8
Trophies:
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association: Best Senior Bowling Average, Hanlon Cup: K. A. Fulford (95 wickets)
Hastings Sub Association: Morrison Cup for most wickets from the field Morrison Cup: Havelock North Seniors
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay Senior: K. Fulford (6 for 29 against Manawatu)
Hawke’s Bay Colts: G. Mackenzie, G. Smith
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: K. A. Fulford
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: G. Mackenzie
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: W. F. Stevens
Page 124
Chapter 17
1961/1962 SEASON
The Golden 10,000
“I’ll let the racquet do the talking” – John McEnroe.
Noel Fulford was a force on and off the field. On the field he let the bat do the talking. Off the field, such was his persona, that people in many walks of life were likely to remember him for a long, long time.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 3rd October: ‘Keeper’.
“Two members of Havelock North have left between seasons. Wynn Goodall has transferred to Whakatu-Mahora and Terry Taaffe has moved to Auckland. Offsetting this, Noel Fulford is back after missing most of last season with an injured back.”
The team for the first game of the season: Bill Hill (Captain), Godfrey Rogers, Marcus Wright, Noel Fulford, Bill Stevens, Graham Smith, David Natusch, Bob Mitchell, Keith Fulford, Bob Thorpe, Alan Ritchie.
October 28th and November 4th 1961
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora.
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 9th November: ‘Keeper’
“Noel Fulford batted stylishly at a run a minute to set the foundation for a good consistent team batting performance. He has not lost any of his old touch. His bowling has not suffered either and his good figures were a fine return for his consistent accuracy and swing.
Solid middle-order batting was responsible for the Havelock skipper Bob Mitchell being able to declare. Alan Ritchie batted confidently and was moving his feet well and hitting the ball hard. He looked set for a few good runs when Havelock declared.
The Fulford brothers proved what a valuable pair they are for Havelock North. Noel with his 70 plus runs and Keith with 3 wickets show how indispensable the two of them are to the team”.
It has become almost a seasonal ritual of Noel Fulford’s to succeed beyond the call of duty in the first game of the season.
Score card:
Havelock North: 215 for 9 decl. N. Fulford 73, Mitchell 32, A. Ritchie 24, D. Ritchie 32, Stevens and Hill 19 each.
and 100 for 4 decl. Hill 46
Whakatu-Mahora: 183, N. Fulford 5 for 50, K. Fulford 3 for 77
November 11th and 18th 1961
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 16th November
Century by Noel Fulford. Highlight of senior cricket
“At Nelson Park, Napier, Noel Fulford gave the spectators a treat, in scoring a century at better than a run a minute. Fulford’s was a sparkling century. He was at the wicket with one thing in mind and that was to attack
Page 125
the bowling by going after it and hitting the ball with power and precision. And this he did with alacrity. Apart for the period when he was approaching his century he showed little or no respect for any of the bowlers. One could say that it was symbolic of his knock that he reached his century by smashing the ball high over the Nelson Park Grandstand for a huge six. At the start of his innings he was virtually the sole scorer. He was on 93 when the total was 103. His innings consisted of five 6s and fourteen 4s”.
Marist, well led by George Bishop, chased the Havelock total with plenty of confidence but were to be denied a first innings lead by the two Fulfords. Keith sent down 31 overs for his five wickets, scoring a very rare century in doing so. Noel picked up 4 wickets for a half century at the other end. Having combined so well in the first innings Bob Mitchell and Noel Fulford both went after the Marist bowling in the second, enabling Havelock to declare, giving Marist the entire final session to get 180 runs. Havelock looked the winners when Marist were 4 for 33 but the middle order stiffened the resistance and the game ended rather tamely.
Score card:
Havelock North: 263, N. Fulford 124, Mitchell 40, Thorpe 20, Smith 12
and 118 for 4 decl. Mitchell 50 n.o., N. Fulford 40
Marist: 222, K. Fulford 5/100, N. Fulford 4/56
and 120 for 4
November 25th and December 3rd 1961
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
After the heroics of young Marcus Wright in Napier Old Boys first innings it was a disappointing outcome to lose by the narrow margin of just two runs on a pitch which was well suited to batting.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune November 27th
“The Napier Old Boys batsmen did not seem to be able to handle the acute leg spin of this promising young cricketer, Marcus Wright. At one stage Wright had a spell of 9 overs when the only scoring shot off him was a nudge for 2.”
As there was no chance of an outright win, Mitchell used 9 bowlers including the wicket keeper G. Mackenzie in Napier Old Boys second innings. Mackenzie was also promoted ten places up the batting order in Havelock’s second dig, opening with Dave Ritchie with Murray Bartle at first drop.
Although the game was narrowly lost, both teams enjoyed the easy-going spirit in which the game concluded.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 179, Wright 7/53, G. Smith 2/60
and 156. All bowlers used: N. Fulford 1 for 18, Bartle 0 for 16, G. Smith 1 for 31, Wright 2 for 28, Natusch 1 for 13, Mitchell 1 for 6, Stevens 0 for 12, Ritchie 0 for 4, Mackenzie 1 for 13. Mitchell took over the wicket keeping duties while Mackenzie trundled down his off breaks.
Havelock North: 177, N. Fulford 51, Natusch 34, Taaffe 16, Smith 15.
15 for 2.
Table at this stage: OBH 20, NHSOB, 18, Marist 16, H.N. 14, (2 f.i. wins 1 f.i loss), Tech old Boys 8, Whakatu-Mahora 4.
9th and 16th December 1961
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
Page 126
This game was played at Anderson Park. Such was the perfect condition of the wicket, that Noel Fulford’s career-highest score was a testament to, not only his remarkable batsmanship but to the quality of the groundsman’s meticulous preparation of the playing surface.
Wally Boyle, the thoroughly consummate and ubiquitous Anderson Park Groundsman, who was employed on a part-time basis because of a lack of funds in the Havelock North Town Council, prepared the perfect wicket for batting. He was to be seen toiling throughout the week in order to produce his pride and joy. His success benefitted both sides and produced a game worthy of Wally’s immaculate preparation of the pitch.
A splendid 189 by Noel Fulford was the highlight of the last day of the fourth series of games. It was Fulford’s second century of the season. This knock, which the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune considered to be “one of his greatest innings, which also brought victory to his team”, highlights the outstanding qualities of Noel Fulford – the cricketer.
Havelock North lost their three top order batsmen for zero runs, Rogers, Stevens and Natusch, all scoring ducks with Johnny Henderson, Old Boys opening bowler, in full cry and thirsting for more wickets, when Noel strode to the crease as the last hour approached. Both Noel and Bob Mitchell dug in to reach stumps with 42 on the board with Noel on 27 and Bob on 13.
Little did Old Boys Hastings realise that this was to be a harbinger of the feast of runs on the second days play on a batsman’s wicket at Havelock’s fortress – Anderson Park.
Noel hit the ball with immense power. One shot which went for six was well clear of the ground and out towards the Hastings/Havelock Road – legend has it – endangering the ‘Hortop Joinery’ sign across the road.
The 189 was the highest score by Noel Fulford for his club. In fact it was the highest total reached by any Havelock North batsman in the three decades up to 1980.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday December 14th ‘Keeper’:
“If one was to take away the Fulford brothers from Havelock North they would have real trouble in dismissing teams. The Honours Board seems to have one or the other of the two brothers on it week after week. They are a pair of truly competent cricketers who had they had a little bit of luck may well have gone on to higher representative honours. They both get every bit of enjoyment out of the game while giving their all, when on the field be it batting, fielding or bowling”.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 173, N. Fulford 4/30, K. Fulford 3/61, Smith 2/11
and 175 for 3
Havelock North: 304 for 9 declared. Fulford 189, Smith 32, Mitchell 31, Bartle 23, K. Fulford 21.
Points table: NOB 24, OBH 22, Marist 22, HN 20 (3 f.i. wins, 1 f.i. loss), TOB 10, WM 6.
1962
The team for the start of the second round:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Terry Taaffe, David Natusch, Noel Fulford, Graham Smith, John Beaumont, Murray Bartle, Keith Fulford, John Smillie, Bryan Britten, Garry Mackenzie (Wicket keeper).
Bill Hill’s gracious retirement from the senior team to ply his craft in the lower grade side was a significant loss to the team. Bill was the ultimate club opening batsman whose classic off drives brought much delight to his lower order batsmen and much anguish to the opposition bowlers. This was his main attacking stroke and reflected his character as he marched down the wicket to the speed merchants of the opposition and stroked their deliveries disdainfully between long on and cover point. In full flow he was a delight to watch. Bill was a totally loyal and positive contributor to the fortunes of the team right from the day he joined in 1952 until this year. His strengths were his pleasant easy nature, a loud chuckle when he ever noticed
Page 127
anything amusing, which was quite often, and a quality of leadership which saw him appointed on two occasions as captain of the senior side.
Bob Mitchell was reappointed to his old position of captain and so continued the form that he displayed in his earlier leadership role. From this point on he was to lead the team for over a decade during which time the traditions, the culture and the ethos of the Havelock North senior team were established and firmly fixed.
January 6th and 13th 1962.
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
This game was played at Nelson Park, Napier on the well prepared No 1 wicket just out from the grandstand.
Havelock would have been in dire straits had it not been for three sturdy knocks by Noel Fulford, Bob Mitchell and John Beaumont.
Although he did not let on, it appeared as though Noel Fulford’s old injury may have been troubling him. But in spite of this he still launched an attack on the Tech Old Boys medium pacers until he was unluckily caught. Once the three mainstays were gone the innings folded quite quickly.
With just over an hour’s batting left on the first day, Tech Old Boys, led by Don Burns unleashed a barrage against the Havelock attack to be 121 for 3 at stumps.
On the second day Havelock North playing with one man short had to defend desperately during the final stages of the game to avoid losing outright. The life saver for them was Keith Fulford, who was not out on 23 in 64 minutes. He held up one end when it looked as though the Tech Old Boys bowlers, Dunning and Fifield, would finish the innings quickly.
Score card:
Havelock North 188: N. Fulford 48, J. Beaumont 47, Mitchell 33, K. Fulford 20, Natusch 16.
and 100 for 7, Beaumont 26, Taaffe 25, K. Fulford 23.
Tech Old Boys: 312, Bartle 3/74, N. Fulford 2/66, Fulford 2 for 104
Table at the end of Round 1: NHSOB 30, MBOB 28, OBH 24, HN 22 (3 f.i. wins, 2 f.i. losses), TOB 16, WM 8.
January 20th and 27th 1962
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings.
The two declarations by the opposing captains were not enough to save this game for the villagers. After being 57 for 7 on the first day, the Havelock tail wagged to double the score. Whakatu-Mahora raced along to lead by 72 runs before declaring.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday, February 1st, ‘Keeper’:
“The batting highlight of the first series in the second round was in Havelock’s second innings. Noel Fulford’s unbeaten 121. The innings was magnificent in two ways. First it saved Havelock North from the prospect of an embarrassing outright loss against a team which has not had a win all season and secondly 100 of the 121 was scored in boundaries Fulford whacked ten 6s and ten 4s.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 120, Smith 34, Neilson 32, Natusch 16, Mitchell 15, Stevens 10
and 192 for 6 decl. N. Fulford 121, Taaffe 20, Natusch 19, K. Fulford 18.
Whakatu-Mahora: 187 for 9 declared. K. Fulford 4 for 47, N. Fulford 2 for 49
and 102 for 3.
Page 128
At this stage in the season Noel Fulford’s batting average was:
8 innings; 1 n.o., runs 523; highest score 189: average 74.7.
February 3rd and 10th 1962
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys.
Havelock won on the first innings
Havelock inflicted on Napier Old Boys, their first defeat of the season.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 15th November. ‘Keeper’:
“Havelock North’s declaration left Napier Old Boys, the only unbeaten team of the competition, seventy-one minutes to get 146 runs. At the start they were optimistic and stationed players and supporters around the boundary to retrieve the expected rush of 4s and 6s. With the loss of quick wickets they found themselves well behind the clock and at stumps were in real trouble at 7 down for 81. Noel Fulford took two wickets without conceding a run. In one over he bowled two consecutive wides, which drew jeers from the Napier supporters, but he retaliated by bowling the number 5 batsman with his next delivery. Best performance was without doubt Keith Fulford’s, with the top score in both innings and his seven wickets at an average of 11. This excellent performance has been recognised with his inclusion into the Hawke’s Bay representative side.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 158, K. Fulford 40, N. Fulford 28
and 121 for 5 decl. K. Fulford 45
Napier Old Boys: 133, K. Fulford 4/43, Bartle 3/44, N. Fulford 2/15
and 81 for 7
February 17th and 24th 1962
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost outright.
Jon Neilson came of age with a soundly constructed innings which gave the Havelock score some respectability. It was not until the second innings that the side began to show its true colours with, N. G. Fulford, the talisman, again leading the way.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, ‘Keeper’: February 26th:
“Havelock North were helped in reaching a good second innings total of 214 by a typical Noel Fulford innings, worth 89. Fulford raced along to his total in 74 minutes. He hit a number of 6s and 4. One of the 6s landed on the Cornwall Park kiosk’s roof and had to be retrieved by the hapless Old Boys fielders.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 140, Neilson 42 n.o.
and 214, N. Fulford 89, Stevens 41, Mitchell 20.
Old Boys Hastings: 240 for 8 decl. G. Smith 3/41
and 117 for 3
March 3rd and 10th 1962
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 8th March: ‘Keeper’:
“The Fulford brothers returned the best performances in both batting and bowling yet again”.
Page 129
Havelock North and the Fulfords are almost synonymous. Last Saturday it was the Fulford brothers that kept Havelock in the game. Looking back over the season the Fulfords have almost been solely responsible for carrying the side – either by saving it or by putting it in a winning situation. Big hitting innings by Noel and steady batting by Keith and bowling spells by both brothers which reaped a harvest of wickets have given games more equality than the team deserves. Garry Mackenzie had a field day behind the wickets taking three catches in quick succession off three of Tech Old Boys’ form batsmen.”
Tech Old Boys were given 132 to score in even time for outright victory. Unfortunately for them rain stopped play for half an hour and when they resumed the wicket was a real ‘sticky dog’, favouring the bowlers. Tech Old Boys could not handle the lift and cut that the Fulford brothers were getting and collapsed to be 34 all out.
There was an unfortunate incident in this game, in which the laws of the game were appropriately applied. This was an incident which was to initiate a long-standing animosity between the two teams.
At the stage in the game when Tech were chasing runs, prior to the rain coming, and time was of the essence for them, Keith Fulford was bowling and Doug Peat blocked a booming in-swinger for it to fall at his feet. As the Havelock first slip was slow to respond to fielding the ball, Peat stooped over and hurriedly threw the idle ball back to the somewhat bemused Fulford who after a somewhat pregnant pause looked at his skipper and in unison the two of them appealed to the umpire Ed Singleton for “handled ball”. It seemed as though it was indeed Peat’s intention to get the ball as quickly as possible back into the hands of the bowler so that he could continue the chase for quick runs. But in so doing he may well not have realised that he could possibly have breached the letter of the law.
Ed. Singleton, the umpire was well known as a stickler for the rules of the game and his pedantry was now given the green light to make a legally sustained if somewhat controversial decision. He flourished his index finger, almost in glee, as he gave one his most well remembered decisions. G. Peat – out – handled ball.
Amid the howls of protest coming from the Cornwall Park pavilion from both Tech Old Boys supporters and players, both Bill Stevens and Noel Fulford went up to Greg Fifield and asked to be disassociated from the appeal.
On a lighter note, Godfrey Rogers batting at No 3 for Havelock, was all defence and he found that he had Mike Shrimpton just about sitting on the edge of his bat at one stage. Godfrey had the answer though. He complained to the Tech Old Boys skipper Greg Fifield, that Shrimpton was so close he was fogging up the batsman’s glasses.
Score card:
Havelock North: 109, N. Fulford 48, K. Fulford 20
and 141
Tech Old Boys: 117, N. Fulford 7/65, K. Fulford 3/53
and 32 for 5
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday March 15th. ‘Keeper’
“Tech Old Boys could claim half the reason for their collapse was the sticky wicket but the other half was clearly resting on the batsmen’s shoulders. With 132 to get Tech started off poorly even before the rain arrived losing 2 wickets for 4 runs and then never recovering from that after the break for rain.
March 17th and 24th 1962
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
Page 130
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: March 26th 1962, ‘Keeper’:
“Fulford takes score to 1,000 runs as the season ends
The 36-year-old Fulford, who began playing Senior cricket for the Rugby Club at the age of 16 just after the conclusion of the Second World War, scored his fourth century of the season against Marist. He hit three 6s and eleven 4s. As the game was winding down to a tame first innings win to Marist it was discovered fortuitously that Noel Fulford had scored 982 for the season and required just another 18 to pass the magical 1000 run mark. He and keeper Garry Mackenzie padded up and Noel quickly reached 27 giving him his goal with a small bonus.”
One of the main protagonists in this rather delightful end to the season was Frank Cane the ever alert and articulate statistician for Hawke’s Bay cricket.
It has been intimated that Frank happened to be watching the game and with his past knowledge of Noel’s self-effacing nature and his shunning of all form of statistics, approached Ron Payne, the Marist skipper, at the tea interval, to enquire as to whether Noel knew how near he was to the 1,000 run mark. It was discovered that the man himself had no idea.
Having passed the Havelock total Ron Payne declared Marist’s innings closed. The Marist skipper was happy to hurry things along and suggested that Noel quickly pad up and Marist would continue with the game until the milestone had been reached. Garry Mackenzie, as the padded-up wicketkeeper was quickly assigned to open the batting with Noel.
Ron Payne was a most popular member of the Marist side. His support of Noel in this case certainly enhanced the positive approach which he always brought to the game. So, Payne, a wicket keeper and Mahoney, the opening batsman opened the bowling. Neither of them capturing a wicket when Havelock declared their second innings closed. Mission accomplished.
The rarity of Noel’s feat is that it was scored from club games only – no extra Representative matches to bolster up the number of innings.
Marist also had plenty to celebrate as well. George Bishop batting at number 8 scored a century. Bishop, as a left-handed batsman, seemed to be one of the few local batsmen who had the some sort measure of Keith Fulford and scored off him by the simple technique of hitting straight through the swinging ball into the leg side field.
His innings is even more note worthy because he arrived at the crease when Marist were reeling at 6 for 29. The two Fulfords were completely in charge of the game at that stage.
Score card:
Havelock North: 193, N. Fulford 107, Ritchie 22
and 32 for 0, N. Fulford 27
Marist: 221 for 7 decl. (G. Bishop 104), K. Fulford 5/79, N. Fulford 2/68
Thursday March 29th 1962, Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune:
“Fulford’s feat a real rarity
Noel Fulford will be at the top of the batting averages again this season as he was at the end of last season. Keith will be top of the bowling.
In scoring 1000 runs in a season resulted in Noel’s shout for his team and colleagues. The cost was 2 pounds and 5 shillings showing that such a feat can be quite an expensive business.”
Page 131
Century scored against Havelock North
G. Bishop 104 not out
Bowling: N. Fulford, K. Fulford, Ritchie 0 for 13, Stevens 0 for 33, Neilson 0 for 2
George Bishop began his Senior cricketing career as a young 17-year-old playing for Maurice Tremlett’s Colts XI, which won the Championship in 1952/53 season. He then played for Marist at the start of the 1953/54 season in the Intermediate grade, and was a major influence in Marist’s promotion to senior status in the 1954/55 season. He was first selected for Hawke’s Bay in 1955 and continued to be a regular selection during the whole of the next decade.
Frank Cane:
“The surprising aspect of George Bishop’s century was that in spite of being one of the more consistent batsman in the competition, this was the first time he had passed the three figure mark. When in the mood, Bishop can be an entertaining batsman to watch and on Saturday there was no doubt that he was in his element as he strode towards his hundred with well timed and vigorous strokeplay.”
Daily Telegraph April 1962:
“Noel Fulford top batsman in Hawke’s Bay cricket
Havelock North all-rounder Noel Fulford topped the batting averages for Hawke’s Bay for the second season in succession. During the season he scored 4 centuries. The statistics were compiled by Mr F.F. Cane”.
Innings Not outs Runs Highest Score Average
1. N.G. Fulford HN 18 3 1009 189 67.2
2. I.D. Woon WM 9 1 346 84* 43.2
3. D.G. Burns TOB 22 0 772 88 35.0
Other Havelock North names and position on table were
Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Score Average
20th J.G. Neilson 7 1 132 42 22.0
29th R.W. Mitchell 22 1 421 58 20.00
To be 24 runs ahead in the averages in twice the number of innings to the second placed Ian Woon speaks volumes as to how Noel Fulford dominated all bowling attacks this season. Not one Club bowling attack escaped a Fulford onslaught.
In the Bowling averages Noel was third with 37 wickets at 15.5 runs per wicket. Keith Fulford was No 16 with 51 wickets at 19.6; Murray Bartle at No 21 took 27 wickets at 20.2.
That Noel as an individual could be so authoritative in dominating such a strong Provincial competition as the Hasting/Napier Inter town, begs the question: How is it that Havelock struggled to make just 3rd place in the Competition?
The answer could well in the fact that this was the season of the first innings games where Havelock North won four and lost five games on the first innings.
So it was a golden season for N.G. Fulford who compiled 1009 runs scoring three centuries at an average of 61.2. Two of the first innings losses could have gone Havelock’s way, the two-run loss to Napier Old Boys on December 3rd and the eight run loss to Tech Old Boys on March 10th.
Points Table at end of season: OBH 68, Marist 52, NHSOB 52, HN 44 (1 o.r. win, 1 o.r. loss, 4 f.i. wins 5 f.i. losses), TOB 32, WM 26.
Page 132
Mr Gordon Small and the ladies of Anderson Park received a mention in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Annual Report for their continued assistance when Hawke’s Bay play on the Havelock North ground.
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay Seniors: K.A. Fulford.
Hawke’s Bay Colts: D.F.S Natusch, W.G. Smith, R. W. Mitchell.
Trophies: Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association: Villiers Cup top batting average: N.G. Fulford
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: J. Beaumont
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: G.I. Maher
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: J. G. Neilson
Page 133
Chapter 18
1962/1963 SEASON
Bob Mitchell begins a decade as captain.
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you:
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too…”
– Rudyard Kipling
“Captaincy is 90% luck and 10% skill but don’t try it without that 10%.”
– Richie Benaud
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday October 25th 1962. ‘Leg Glance’
Daily Telegraph, October 26th 1962. F.F. Cane.
“A large number of new faces will join the Havelock North line up this season. The Club has acquired two ex Hastings Boys High School bowlers – spinner Jim Smith, and paceman Murray Bartle. These two University students will start playing after the first game. Max Liley who has been in Central Hawke’s Bay for the past two seasons will play again this year. Liley played Senior cricket in Palmerston North last year. John Cullwick who also played senior cricket for the club a few seasons ago and Bob Thorpe, a third-grade player last year are the other new inclusions in the senior side.
Last year Havelock North leaned on Noel Fulford for their runs and the veteran never let them down. He hit just over 1000 runs in the season, and will be turning out again this summer. With him will be brother Keith and among others of last season’s players will be Hawke’s Bay wicket keeper Garry Mackenzie, Godfrey Rogers, and Bob Mitchell.
David Natusch who began playing for the team in 1958 as a youngster straight out of Lindisfarne College will not be re joining the side this year. He has won a Rhodes Scholarship and will travel to Cambridge University at the beginning of the English academic year to continue his post graduate studies.”
David Natusch was one of only two New Zealanders to receive the coveted Rhodes Scholarship award last year. He was selected by a committee under the chairmanship of the Governor General, Sir Bernard Fergusson. At Oxford he played for the University XI while studying for his Doctorate in a branch of Physical Chemistry.
He went on to become an emeritus professor from Colorado State University, University of Antwerp and the University of Dortmund (Germany).
Team for the first game of the season: Bob Mitchell (Captain?), Noel Fulford, Keith Fulford, Max Liley, John Cullwick, Jonathan Nelson, Godfrey Rogers, Bill Stevens, Bob Thorpe, Bill Duff, Garry Mackenzie.
October 27th and November 3rd 1962
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Daily Telegraph, October 29th
“Wet start to new Hawke’s Bay Club season”
Page 134
This was Bill Duff’s first game for the senior team. A couple of years ago he had arrived in Hawke’s Bay on transfer as a teacher from Dunedin where he had a very successful time playing Club cricket. Last season he had been playing rather unsuccessfully for Old Boys Hastings as a batsman but this season decided to join the villagers.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday November 1st 1962, ‘Leg Glance’:
“Rain marred the start of the Cricket season. The rain began to fall at about 3 p.m. and though some teams braved the elements all fields were deserted by 5 p.m.
The surprise of the day was the unbelievable collapse of Marist at Anderson Park, Havelock North. At the beginning the Fulford brothers were not over impressive on a slow and unresponsive wicket. But once John Cullwick came on he completely dominated the batsmen who went into their collective shell. He swung the ball quite appreciably and his three wickets cost a mere 23 runs. Max Liley celebrated his return to the club by also capturing 3 wickets.”
Score card:
Marist: 167, N. Fulford 3/36, Liley 3/43, Cullwick 4/47
Havelock North: 104, Liley 26
November 10th and 17th 1962
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday November 15th: ‘Leg Glance’:
“John Cullwick who has bowled well this season, went better than ever, moving the ball both ways to finish with 6/36 while K. Fulford collected the other 4 wickets for 24. As has been the case many times in the past, when Noel Fulford fails Havelock north fails but this time Noel excelled. He hit the ball to all parts of the ground in his grand innings of 69 which put Havelock North well on the way to the eventual outright win.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 59, Mitchell 21, (Brian Spooner 7 for 20 on a “helpful pitch”)
and 165, N. Fulford 632, Stevens 29, Mitchell 27
Napier Old Boys: 61, Cullwick 6/36, K. Fulford 4/24
and 142, N. Fulford 4/32, K. Fulford 3/5, Liley 2/21.
November 24th and December 1st 1962
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 6th December: ‘Leg Glance’:
“Old Boys Hastings knew at the start of the second days play that they would need to get Noel Fulford out if they had any chance on capitalising on their good total of 249. Fulford had hammered the Old Boys’ attack all over the paddock to reach 45 at stumps. At the start of the second day Noel was not in the devastating mood of the previous week. He was a little more subdued possibly he had a first innings lead for Havelock in his sights. So when he left on 91, Havelock North had no real chance of reaching the required runs for a first innings lead, being 32 runs shy.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 249, N. Fulford 3/48, Liley 3/67, Cullwick 2/46.
and 112 for 7 declared, Bartle 3/39, Liley 2/35, N. Fulford 2/41
Havelock North: 217, N. Fulford 91, Stevens 37, Mitchell 27, Wright 19
and 17 for 2.
Page 135
The sixth senior grade against Havelock North: Tim Ormond
T. Ormond b. Liley 110
Bowlers used: Cullwick, Bartle 1 for 21, N. Fulford, Liley, J. Smith 0 for 25, Wright 0 for 21
N.B [&]. K. Fulford not bowling.
Tim Ormond had successfully captained the Christ’s College 1st XI in his final year at school and he brought that promise and ability with him on his return to Hastings. His century was the first of the season.
December 8th and 15th 1962
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright
Havelock North in gaining 13 points in this game established a one-point lead in the Competition over Napier Old Boys. K. Fulford’s 9 wickets in the match sealed the outright win for Havelock North. It is Keith’s ability to consistently swing the ball abruptly into the right-hand batsman and then to attain sharp lift that makes him such a difficult bowler to face. This allied with his consistent accuracy and variation in pace, only exacerbates the batsman’s perplexity and doubt. However a brilliant piece of fielding from John Cullwick who ran out Peter Coutts with a bullet-like throw from the boundary to shatter the wicket could well have been the defining moment in the victory.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 98, K. Fulford 3/17, Liley 2/16, N. Fulford 3/22
and 119, K. Fulford 627, Bartle 2/21
Havelock North: 165, K. Fulford 48, Duff 41
and 55 for 1, N. Fulford 28 n.o.
Points Table: HN 23 (2 o.r. wins, 2 f.i. losses), NHSOB 22, TOB 19, WM 13, Marist 6, OBH 3.
January 5th and 12th 1963
Team for the start of the second round:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Noel Fulford, Graham Smith, Bob Thorpe, Keith Fulford, Bill Duff, Murray Bartle, Max Liley, John Cullwick, Jim Smith, Garry Mackenzie (Wicket keeper)
Havelock North Versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 10th January: ‘Leg Glance’:
“How much Havelock North depend on Noel Fulford was again most apparent when in 90 minutes he collared both Fifield and Dunning to such an extent that he finished up with 83 a good deal more than half the Havelock total. Only Thorpe and Smith reached double figures. When Mitchell was out and G. Smith came to the wicket he was all defence and was struggling to survive against the two seamers, while Fulford was blazing away at the other end and cracking the ball with almost frightening power to all parts of the paddock. It is true that he gave a few chances but Noel would just give that impish grin and set about hammering the bowling again. He played some glorious shots, particularly a late cut which simply just flew to the fence. He hit Dunning out of the attack by taking 20 off two overs including a towering six over long on.
The game from this point see sawed. Bob Mitchell who had opened the innings on the previous week put an end to any aspirations which Tech had on an outright victory. He made an attractive 59 which enabled him to declare, giving Tech 152 runs to get in the final session of play. If it had not been for an innings of 20 stoical runs by Don Burns, Havelock may well have snatched an unlikely victory”.
Page 136
Score card:
Havelock North: 159, N. Fulford 83, Thorpe 17, G. Smith 13.
and 171 for 6 decl. Mitchell 59, Duff 24 n.o., K. Fulford 20, Bartle 17
Tech Old Boys: 178, Liley 528, K. Fulford 3/37.
and 43 for 7, Liley 2/7
January 19th to 26th 1963
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 31st January: ‘Leg Glance’:
“K. Fulford looked anything like a lower order batsman hitting the ball with much concentration in his innings of 36. He kept his head down and waited for the bad ball which he hit with much power. N. Fulford was again all aggression cracking 55 before he was out stumped by Payne.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 107, Bartle 39, Cullwick 18 n.o.
and 147, N. Fulford 55, K. Fulford 36, Liley 19, Bartle 18.
Marist: 169, K. Fulford 3/33
and 64 for 2
February 2nd and 9th 1963
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
The game was played at Anderson Park and was remarkable in the fact that in a score of over 200 runs the highest individual total in the Havelock innings was just 37; the talisman Noel Fulford was dismissed without scoring; seven batsmen scored in the 20s.
When Havelock North declared on the second day this left Napier Old Boys 90 minutes to get 145 runs and were only 33 short at stumps.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday February 14th ‘Leg Glance’:
“K. Fulford bowled really well in NHSOB innings. Moving the ball in the air quite appreciably as well as varying his pace. Noel Fulford and the two Smith brothers claimed two apiece with Jim Smith, although the most expensive of the two siblings perhaps looked the better of them. Bowling his left arm slows he flighted the ball exceedingly well. He continued to bowl well in the second innings and was rewarded with the good figures of 4 for 44.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 210, K. Fulford 37, Thorpe 28, Mitchell 27, Hill 27, Duff 25, Stevens 22, Ritchie 23.
and 53 for 3 declared. N. Fulford 33 n.o.
Napier Old Boys: 113, K. Fulford 4/33, G. Smith 2/11, N. Fulford 2/31, J. Smith 2/33
and 118 for 6, J. Smith 4/44
February 16th and 23rd 1963
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
After the disastrous run against Old Boys from 1955 to 1962 this was a most welcome turn around. In fact it was a massive reversal because Havelock proceeded to dominate the next three games against their arch rivals winning them all outright. This good run of form was continued into the 1964/65 season with both
Page 137
games being won by the villagers on the first innings, thus putting to rest the quite inexplicable bogey of Hastings Old Boys invincibility.
However, the win may well have not happened because of Havelock’s second innings catastrophe. Purposeless batting and the resultant embarrassing collapse was only stemmed by Max Liley and Garry Mackenzie, fighting hard and holding out the Old Boy’ attack to avoid another Old Boys Hastings outright victory. When stumps were drawn Havelock required 37 more runs. Old Boys Hastings were aggressively desperate in seeking the final wicket. No batsman scored over double figures. The two main protagonists at the death were Liley on 2 not out and Mackenzie on 0 not out.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 141, K. Fulford 3/28, Liley 3/29, Cullwick 2/1
and 129. K. Fulford 3/36, N. Fulford 3/34
Havelock North: 178, N. Fulford 63, Thorpe 37, Duff 24
and 43 for 9
March 2nd and 9th 1963
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost outright.
After the dismal performance on the first day when the Havelock innings was wrecked by Wynn Goodall, who had recently moved to Whakatu-Mahora from Havelock. In taking 5 for 8 he put paid to any thoughts that Havelock North had of winning this game. The absence of Noel Fulford in the batting line up may well have exacerbated an already dire situation, however a splendid rally in the second innings led by Dave Ritchie 37 saw the score through to 168 and Whakatu-Mahora having to bat again to claim the outright win.
Score card:
Havelock North: 53, K. Fulford 16
and 168. Ritchie 37, Liley 23, Neilson 19, Thorpe 17
Whakatu-Mahora: 158 for 7 decl. Liley 3/33, K. Fulford 3/55
and 64 for 2
March 16th and 23rd 1963
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings by 44 runs.
Max Liley, who re-joined the Club this season achieved his best performance of the season which ensured that Havelock would finish the season with a win. His 5 for 27 was achieved, in Tech Old Boys first innings working in tandem with Noel Fulford who took 3 for 26.
Bob Mitchell’s declaration mid afternoon gave Tech Old Boys a real chance of scoring the outright victory win, which would have lifted them off the bottom of the table. So their batsmen went after the carrot and were just 12 runs short at the closure. Havelock were just two wickets short of their outright win. It was a very good game to conclude the season.
Score card:
Havelock North: 120, Mitchell 30, Thorpe 29
and 148 for 8 declared, K. Fulford 45, N. Fulford 39, Ritchie 38
Tech Old Boys: 76, Liley 5/27, N. Fulford 3/26
and 180 for 8, K. Fulford 3/44
Page 138
At this stage, at the end of the season Havelock North had three teams: Senior, 3rd Grade and 4th Grade.
March 30th 1963
Such was the excellent condition and growing reputation of the Anderson Park wicket and outfield that the Havelock North Cricket Club had organised an Invitation game against a Wellington side which included a number of past New Zealand representatives – McMahon, Sinclair, Artie Dick, Leggatt and J. St J. Parson.
Points Table: NHSOB 44, H.N. (2 o.r. wins, 1 o.r. loss, 4 f.i. wins, 3 f.i. losses) 35, WM 32, Marist 31, OBH 29, TOB 25.
Season’s averages: Havelock North ranking and names only. Batting average 15 innings runs and above.
Bowling average 15 runs per wicket and below
Batting Innings N.O. Runs Highest score Average
4th N.G. Fulford 18 1 493 91 29.0
21st K.A. Fulford 21 1 66 48 18.3
23rd R.W. Mitchell 19 2 302 59 17.7
Bowling Runs Wickets Average
2nd K.A. Fulford 616 57 10.8
8th G.W. Goodall 359 29 12.4
13th M.H. Liley 452 33 13.6
15th N.G. Fulford 438 31 14.1
19th J. Cullwick 345 21 16.42
With two outright wins in the earlier part of the season, things were looking rosy for the Havelock team however a series of first innings losses and an outright loss brought the team back to reality. Three first innings wins gave a degree of respectability to the season and to be nine points behind the eventual winners was a sterling effort.
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay Senior were the two Fulford brothers, Noel and Keith, Murray Bartle, Bob Mitchell and Garry Mackenzie.
Trophies: Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association Hanlon Cup for Senior Bowling Average: K.A. Fulford
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: D. Cooper
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: D.W. Ritchie
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: K. A. Fulford
Page 139
Chapter 19
1963/1964 SEASON 1963
The Lay of the Fast Bowler
“Hurtling them down in a dancing light-skip and a dancing run –
Seeing the batsmen come and go – bowled out one by one –
Driving the leg stump out of the ground – knocking the middle flat –
Catching the sound of a click in the wind – yelling a frenzied “Howzat?”
Basil MacDonald-Hastings, 1881-1928. Author, Journalist, Playwright.
During the winter months a new concrete practice wicket was built by volunteer labour from the club. Its design and content were similar to the one which Napier Tech Old Boys had constructed at Whitmore Park. The site for it was about halfway down the Park alongside the Mangarau Stream.
As with the Tech Old Boys practice block, this one was overlaid with standard household linoleum. The Tech players intimated that the surface was smooth and fast and that it worked quite well for them, favouring the quicker bowlers but giving the spinners no grip at all.
As with laying any large area, such as linoleum, care had to be taken to ensure that it was absolutely airtight and not the slightest bubble was allowed to remain. The club in its wisdom employed an expert tradesman to do the job in the week before practices started for the new season.
However, ‘aye here’s the rub’, when the teams assembled for their first practice session the linoleum surface exhibited some quite substantial bubbles at key points – on, and short of, a length. If the ball landed on the upward curve of the convex side of the bubble it flew past the batsman’s head and on the downside it skidded through at ankle height. The batsman’s skills were sorely tested and quickness of eye and movement was rapidly required.
The quicker bowlers tended to not bowl at full pace because of this zip off the linoleum and the frequent sharp angle of the good length ball.
Often at the end of the practice session having had little bowling, Noel Fulford would place three stumps about a foot apart and challenge any one to hit them. He seemed most capable of not only ‘driving the leg stump out of the ground’ but also the off and middle, with the first ball that he bowled at them, while the less accurate amongst us would gaze in awe, try our luck and end up skulking away to trudge across to the changing sheds to ponder on it all.
Points for the new season:- Outright win 10; Outright tie 5; first innings win 3; first innings loss 1; first innings tie 1 and a half; 3 bonus points for a lead on the first innings on the first day.
Havelock North have again 3 teams: Senior, third grade and fourth grade
November 2nd and 9th 1963
The Senior team for the first match of the season:- Bob Mitchell (Capt.), Keith Fulford, Noel Fulford, Gordon Pryde, Eric Fisher, Ray Baker, Jon Neilson, Dave Ritchie, Mark Howard, John Cullwick, Max Liley.
An interesting addition to the Havelock North team was the selection of Eric Fisher. Eric had been ‘around the block’ on more than one occasion. This nomadic all-rounder had played for Havelock in the 1959/1960 and 1960/61 seasons. He then popped up in the Southern Hawke’s Bay competition. He was next sighted in Gisborne playing for Poverty Bay from whence he re-alighted in Hawke’s Bay playing for Tech Old Boys. He then spanned the miles from Napier to Havelock North and re-settled with the team. To have such an experienced cricketer, who played one test for New Zealand, was certainly a bonus for the village club.
Page 140
Another newcomer was Mark Howard who continued the pattern of Hereworth Old Boys joining the club.
He arrived having had a successful season for Lindisfarne College as a wicket keeper-batsman.
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 13th November: ‘Leg Glance’
“The new season for Havelock North has only just started but again the question must be asked, what would Havelock do without Noel Fulford? At times it seems that he is the Havelock North side. His 67 scored in typical Fulford fashion was in fact more than the total of the rest of the side put together. One has only to look at the remaining contributions to realise the Fulford dominance. Only G. Pryde of all the other batsmen scored in double figures.”
One also need only peruse the bowling figures to note that Noel Fulford opened the bowling for Havelock, bowled practically unchanged and captured half of the Napier Old Boys wickets. In Havelock’s second innings, the ‘new’ boy Eric Fisher stroked the ball crisply and cleanly in a compact cameo performance. Here may well be the man who will be able to assist the club to a better season than last”.
Noel Fulford: ever since he began playing for Havelock North always began the season well. His name invariably appeared on the Honours Board published by both Newspapers for each season’s opening game.
Score card:
Havelock North: 131, N. Fulford 67, Pryde 11
and 73 for 4, Fisher 32 n.o.
Napier Old Boys 179, N. Fulford 5/50, Liley 2/27.
November 16th and 23rd 1963
Havelock North versus Marist Brothers Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday, November 21st 1963: ‘Leg Glance’.
“It must have given Havelock North great heart to have passed the 200 mark against Marist.
“What was more, the total was not based around one man, although it must be said that Keith Fulford’s half century did have a distinct bearing on the final total. Looking back from many angles it was a fine display. Strangely enough it was the two Fulfords who opened the batting and it was even more strange to see that Noel was the first to go. But that did not seem to matter as Keith continued in great style.
The arrival of Eric Fisher seems likely to mean a good deal to Havelock North. Already he has made his arrival felt and his 44 after Noel Fulford’s dismissal could have saved the innings. Scores in the teens do not seem all that impressive by themselves but when 4 out of the last 5 batsmen can get past the 13 mark it means a solid bolster to the final total.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 204, K. Fulford 71, E. Fisher 44, Pryde 16, Howard 19, Mitchell 14
and 42 for 4
Marist: 210, N. Fulford 4/53, K. Fulford 2/33
November 30th and December 6th 1963
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright by 2 runs
Page 141
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 2nd December 1963: ‘Leg Glance’
“Havelock scored only 77 on a wicket that was slightly affected by rain but at the end of the day came off the ground with an outright win, being a real possibility. The strange thing about the game was that the bowlers were in complete control throughout the entire day’s play. At stumps there was the intriguing situation of Havelock being 6 wickets down for 33 but with the two Fulfords at the wicket, next Saturday could be an intriguing day. Get one of the Fulfords cheaply and Old Boys have the win to let them off the hook.”
It was because of the inconsistency in the wicket that Bob Mitchell, the skipper intuitively held the two Fulfords back in order that they be at the crease when play began on the second day. The two brothers did not let the skipper down and their partnership on the second day was the winning of the match.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday December 8th 1963:
“Havelock forge to the top with 13 points
Havelock have rocketed from the bottom of the competition to the top of the ladder as a result of securing the maximum points from their game against Old Boys Hastings, in yet another dramatic finish – the winning margin, being two runs gave Havelock a total points tally of 3 bonus points and 10 for the outright.”
Noel Fulford made this victory possible in the first instance when at the start of day two, with his side 6 for 33 he took 50 runs off the bowling in the first 30 minutes with some thunderous power hitting. At the other end, brother Keith went solidly along to 38 and with Mark Howard chiming in with 23, Havelock North reached 159 in rather quick time. In the chase for the outright Old Boys Hastings lost wickets at a steady rate and when Jim Newbigin, Havelock’s age-old nemesis, and batting at Number 11, arrived at the crease Old Boys needed 28 runs to win. A couple of missed catches did not help Havelock’s chances and the score began to grow in singles and twos. With just 2 runs required Jim Newbigin decided on a death or glory swing at a Keith Fulford in-swinger and heard his stumps shatter behind him, to end a close and intensely gripping game of cricket.
So after gaining only two points in the first two games Havelock North are now on top of the competition.
Score card:
Havelock North: 79, D. Ritchie 27
and 159, K. Fulford 59, N. Fulford 38, M. Howard 29
Old Boys Hastings: 59, K. Fulford 7/26, N. Fulford 2/22
and 177, M. Bartle 6/37, K. Fulford 2/81
December 14th and 21st 1963
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
This game was played on the Nelson Park, Hastings wicket. Contrary to previous games played here, the pitch was well prepared. The Hastings City Council Parks and Reserves Department had spent considerable time in the preparation of the actual pitch. The outfield had been for once, cut to suit cricket rather than rugby.
During the first day on a hard and fast wicket conducive to scoring runs, 284 runs were scored for the loss of 11 wickets. Whakatu-Mahora made 255, a score that they would never have reached by a long shot had Havelock North held only half of the eleven catches spilled during the afternoon. The strong wind that blew across the ground from third man to long on helped both Murray Bartle and Eric Fisher at one end and Keith Fulford at the other. The three bowlers making the ball swerve quite prodigiously at times. Bartle, who is
Page 142
now bowling with plenty of pace and consistency is getting plenty of lift from a combination of his height and perfectly high action. He was subsequently selected in the New Zealand Universities’ side to tour the Country.
On the second day. Whakatu-Mahora continued their domination to comfortably win the game.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 255 for 9 declared, K. Fulford 2/39, Fisher 3/35, 3/67.
and 52 for 0 wickets decl.
Havelock North: 187, D. Ritchie 67, G. Pryde 50, Fisher 18, Mitchell 13
and 37 for 5
1964
Team for the start of the second round:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Keith Fulford, Gordon Pryde, Dave Ritchie, Noel Fulford, Bill Duff, Graham Smith, Murray Bartle, Max Liley, John Cullwick, Alan Ritchie.
January 11th 1964
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock North lost on the first innings.
This was a one-day game which started at 10 30 a.m. and went through to 6 30 p.m. This was to take advantage of the long summer hours in order to balance the Draw. It was remarkable for the amount of runs scored in the day – 472.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 241 for 5 decl. K. Fulford 3/56, N. Fulford 2/43
Havelock North 85, Duff 43, Bartle 11
and 146 for 5, Pryde 39, K. Fulford 27, D. Ritchie 25, G. Smith 14 n.o.
January 18th and 25th 1964:
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
This game was played at Anderson Park Havelock North and the locals were privy to a fine exhibition of cricket with their team scoring the top aggregate of the day.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday January 23rd 1964: ‘Leg Glance’
“Prolific run scoring opens second round
In every Hawke’s Bay cricket season Noel Fulford takes great delight in hitting everything that the Club bowlers – good, fair and representative – have to offer, and against Napier High School Old Boys he hammered their attack mercilessly. Havelock have at last made a score which is more than useful and Noel Fulford as is often the case in almost all of Havelock’s good scores was the dominant figure. His century took 130 minutes and the other 35 just a few more minutes.
This was indeed an encouraging match for Havelock North and it cannot be said that their first innings was a flash in the pan, led by the inimitable Noel Fulford. In the past a good total has not been followed through, often much to Noel’s chagrin, but in this game it showed that there are batsmen capable of scoring runs.
If this team can get away to a god start more often, then they could cause some sides a real headache. In Noel Fulford coming in at Number four, they have a batsman who can cut an attack to ribbons and when in full flight there would not be a more devastating batsman around the district.”
Page 143
An interesting aspect of this game was that there were three Reaneys playing in the Napier Old Boys ranks. The ageless father, Tom who was in his 55th year, and his two sons, Steve and Richard. The two sons were responsible for the solid batting in the lower order which avoided the follow-on and the possibility of an outright win to Havelock.
Score card
Havelock North: 285 for 7 declared. N. Fulford 135, Pryde 43, Duff 35, Mitchell 16.
and 52 for 0, Mitchell 33
Napier Old Boys: 188, K. Fulford 4/64, N. Fulford 2/35, M. Bartle 2/52
At this stage Havelock North had a team in the Second grade which included Bob Mc Innes, Godfrey Rogers, Terry Taaffe, Bill Hill, and a 4th Grade team Cooper, Ormond, Webster, Lincoln, Makris and Donaldson being some of the players.
February 1st and February 8th 1964
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
In spite of scoring a most creditable score with Dave Ritchie and Eric Fisher both getting their half centuries and Bill Duff almost scoring one, the team were unable to dislodge the Marist batsmen on a Nelson Park wicket which was well prepared and made for runs. In fact the two sides scored a combined total of 502 in their first innings.
Score card:
Havelock North: 237, Ritchie 63, Fisher 61, Duff 46, Pryde 24.
and 57 for 3, R. Mitchell 38
Marist: 265, N. Fulford 4/50, Bartle 2/40, Fisher 2/45
February 15th and 22nd 1964
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright.
This game marked the side’s second outright win against Old Boys Hasting in one season – a feat never accomplished previously.
It was also Paul Makris’s first game for the senior team. Paul had been a successful member of the club’s 4th grade team for a couple of seasons and it was in this game that his loyalty and good performances in that lower grade were rewarded in his promotion to the senior side.
The thorn in the flesh, that was Old Boys Hastings in the years 1960 to 1962 seasons now seems to have been extracted and a willing Havelock North team is beginning to turn the tables. At the vanguard of this rejuvenated side is a bowling attack of much substance with the two Fulfords now being joined most effectively by the youngsters Murray Bartle and John Cullwick.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: February 24th 1964:
“Havelock turn tables on leaders
The surprise on Saturday was the downfall of Old Boys Hastings, the competition leaders. After the first day’s play they required a mere 15 runs to acquire a first innings lead and this they accomplished admirably with some 16 runs to spare thanks to a good last wicket partnership.
Havelock North lost no time in knocking up 194 runs for the loss of just 4 wickets to make the declaration. The Fulford brothers again featured in a brilliant partnership with Noel finishing up just short of another
Page 144
century and Keith accomplishing his half century. Old Boys Hastings took up the challenge but failed dismally against the fired-up bowling of M. Bartle and the Fulford brothers and Havelock North collected 10 Championship points.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 129, N. Fulford 30, Duff 22, Pryde 22, Mitchell 19, Makris 14
and 194 for 4 declared, N. Fulford 90, K. Fulford 53, Duff 25
Old Boys Hastings: 145, Cullwick 3/26, Bartle 3/29
and 115. Bartle 5/45, N. Fulford 2/15, K. Fulford 2/38.
Points Table
OBH 41, Marist 35, HN 31 (2 o.r. wins, 1 f.i. win, 5 f.i. losses – bonus points 3), WM18, NOB 13
February 29th and March 7th 1964
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 24 runs
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 2nd March: ‘Leg Glance’:
“Fulford again in fine batting form”
“Noel Fulford of Havelock North is at it again with a mammoth score – this time to the sorrow of Whakatu-Mahora, and once again his tremendous power as a forceful batsman was evident to all. Runs simply flowed off his bat as he hammered the bowlers on a good Cornwall Park wicket in dull overcast condition with rain threatening for most of the afternoon. If the weather was dull, Noel Fulford’s innings was not.
His century came up in just under 80 minutes. He had a double life when John Nott one of the best keepers in the competition failed to take an easy catch as Noel having made 20 runs, moved down the wicket to drive a ball from Roger Spencer. With the batsman still well out of his ground Nott fumbled the ball as he attempted to effect a stumping and allowed Fulford to stroll back into his ground. A very expensive, botched double play.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday March 12th, ‘Leg Glance’:
“Havelock North completely demolished Whakatu-Mahora due to the superb feats of two their team – Noel Fulford for his extraordinary batting and John Cullwick for his scintillating bowling.
On past performances both Havelock North and Old Boys Hastings deserve to win this year’s competition. Both have played bright cricket, both have been prepared to take risks, sometimes quite unreasonable but often they have come off.
Lately Havelock North have improved out of sight. Runs have flowed thanks mainly to the brilliant strokeplay of Noel Fulford, being backed up by quite unique consistency of Fisher, Cullwick, Pryde, Duff and Ritchie.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 198 for 3 decl. N. Fulford 141, D. Ritchie 26, Pryde 21
and 49 for 2. N. Fulford 24, Duff 22
Whakatu-Mahora: 151, N. Fulford 3/13, Fisher 3/42, Liley 2/34
and 72. J. Cullwick 7/33
Points Table – prior to the final game: OBH 45, TOB 44, HN 41 (3 o.r. wins, 1 f.i. win, 5 f.i losses, 3 bonus points). A win against Tech could well clinch the Competition.
Page 145
March 14th and 21st 1964
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings by 29 runs
When one has a gifted batsman of Noel Fulford’s ilk in the side, the captain’s decision making becomes somewhat simplified. Noel’s 96 in quick time in Havelock’s second innings opened up a number of avenues which a captain could explore. Bob Mitchell’s declaration was made possible by Fulford’s innings. The timing of the declaration was well thought through and well weighted because it gave Tech Old Boys the chance of an outright. A chance which they took as they set out after the victory.
However wickets began to fall with the two Fulfords and Fisher operating at full effectiveness. The final Tech wicket required to gain the outright was controversially preserved when, with ten minutes still to play, the umpires called the game off because of the bad light. So the skipper’s bold decision and the tantalisingly near victory which would have given Havelock the outright victory and 12 valuable points were not to be and Havelock North had to be satisfied with third place on the Championship ladder.
Score card:
Havelock North: 93, R. Mitchell 33, Rogers 17, Fisher 13
and 215 for 6 decl. N. Fulford 96, Duff 38, R. Mitchell 33
Tech Old Boys: 122, Fisher 3/32, N. Fulford 3/40, K. Fulford 2/32
and 157 for 9, Fisher 3/29, K. Fulford 3/36, N. Fulford 2/43.
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Averages for 1963/64 Season
Havelock North players only with position on table listed:
Batting Innings N.O. Highest Score Runs Average
1st N. G. Fulford 15 1 141 672 48.0
19th R. W. Mitchell 18 7 38* 245 22.2
25th D. W. Ritchie 14 2 67 240 20.0
36th W. M. Duff 16 0 46 289 18.0
44th A. G. Pryde 18 1 50 278 16.3
47th K. A. Fulford 17 0 71 268 15.7
Bowling Runs Wickets Average
6th N. G. Fulford 200 30 13.3
9th M. Bartle 339 22 15.4
11th F. E. Fisher 364 22 16.5
16th F. J. S. Cullwick 562 30 18.7
25th K. A. Fulford 566 28 20.2
35th G. W. Goodall 5614 12 42.8
In spite of the heroics of the Fulford brothers with 940 runs and 60 wickets between them Havelock could only finish in mid table, again in third place. A season of three outright wins and two first innings wins was somewhat nullified by five first innings losses.
Representative Honours
Hawke’s Bay: E. Fisher.
Hawke’s Bay Colts: J. Cullwick. J.R. Smith
Page 146
Trophies: Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association: Senior Batting Villiers Cup: N.G. Fulford.
L.D. Carter Memorial Cup, for the club gaining most points in all grades: Havelock North
The Carter Cup is a newly introduced trophy aimed at club performance – A most worthy cause and one which the Havelock North Club with
its consistently performing teams should do well in the future.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: S. Makris
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: J. Cullwick
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: W. Duff
Page 147
Chapter 20
1964/1965 SEASON 1
“To be a wicket keeper is to accept an enormous responsibility. If you are a bowler or a batter, there is always somebody else to do your job, if you have an off day.
A wicket keeper gets only two views of the play. One from this end, and the other from the other end, looking back. The ball is either coming straight at you or straightaway from you”.
Ian Smith, 1991.
* Championship lost by one point
* Zero points in the game against Whakatu-Mahora after two full days of cricket.
All is forgiven as Havelock North cricket salutes its wicket-keeper par excellence, who had a season to remember.
“The drummer in the band”
The somewhat esoteric title of Ian Smith life’s story as told to Rodger Brittenham.
‘Smithy’ asks the question: “Who is behind all the great Rock bands of the 1960s and 70s, who holds them together? The drummer in the band – the wicket keeper. The Ringo Starr of cricket. The quiet one, never the pretty one. Whose job it is to keep the rhythm going – never allowed to miss a beat.”
During this season the Havelock North wicket keeper, Garry Mackenzie was responsible for some outstanding exploits behind the stumps. He was particularly adept in his keeping to the Fulford brothers for whom he gained many a wicket, often tacitly acknowledged by either or both, through his quite outstanding skills as a keeper. Indeed all Havelock bowlers whether fast, medium or slow – whether swing or spin, acknowledge the wicket keeping prowess of their ‘drummer in the band’.
Hardly a bye was recorded or a catch or stumping missed.
The young Mackenzie was the only keeper who decided he would be even more effective by standing up to the stumps when Noel Fulford was bowling. On the first occasion, Noel, as he was running in, stopped mid way though his run up, gave a chuckle and asked the question of the young teenaged keeper, “Are you sure you are in the right place?”
Garry took some blinding catches. His dismissals of Peter Coutts and Selwyn Cushing off the bowling of Fulford senior, after both had scored centuries, in this season, were quite remarkable. They were affected by using “the Mackenzie method”. A characteristically rapid lateral movement of the feet and thus the body, to position himself for the catch or stumping and then taking the ball in both hands to accomplish the deed.
His excellent form during this 1964/65 season was highlighted in the game against Whakatu-Mahora, in Mid January when he dismissed half the side with three catches, two stumpings and a run out.
Seeking perfection in the “art of the Keeper”, Garry seldom dived or took the ball in one hand. He was always, without fail, in the correct position to take the ball from both the quicker bowlers or the spinners and to either take the catch or complete the stumping, perfectly balanced, feet astride, low centre of gravity followed with a polite appeal.
The Mackenzie homestead was Gruinard Station on Mackenzie Road which runs off the Elsthorpe Road, some 45 kilometres south of Hastings. The station’s eastern boundary is the Tuki Tuki river, as it flows alongside Middle Road. Garry’s Saturday transport problem to get to where Havelock were playing, was solved by his
Page 148
saddling up of his favourite horse, putting his cricket gear over the saddle and riding across country to the Tuki Tuki river. The horse would pick its way across the many braided streams, of the Tuki Tuki, canter up the hill to Middle Road and then continue the 40 kilometres to Chrystal Road at Pukahu, where Garry’s 1935 Model T Ford was resting in the shed. After a short break, Garry would get the crank handle out, start the somewhat blustering engine and set out, amid clouds of exhaust fumes, intermittently back firing as it went, to where Havelock were playing on that day. After the game this whole process was reversed, with the tireless wicketkeeper often reaching home well after dark.
All the Havelock bowlers, not many of whom were aware of any of the above, enjoyed bowling with Mackenzie behind the stumps and, as is always the case with a top keeper, the fielders lifted their ground fielding. The ball was consistently returned over the top of the stumps from the outfield and some outstanding run saves and run outs were part and parcel of the fielding ethos of the Havelock team during the Mackenzie years.
Garry was selected to play in the Hawke’s Bay team in the 1960/61 season, where he maintained his number 11 position in the batting order, never prepared to give his wicket lightly.
While all this was going on Don Burns transferred to Havelock from the Tech Old Boys team. He turned up to a couple of the pre-season practice sessions and enquired about a place in the side. He didn’t give a reason for wanting to play for Havelock, but with his reputation as a class batsman who had played for the Province he was seen as a real asset.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday, October 15th 1964: ‘Centurion’:
“Gordon Pryde has left for Britain and the all-rounder and International Eric Fisher is a doubtful starter, as he is considering shifting to Central Hawke’s Bay. The redoubtable Fulford brothers will be back, along with other established villagers like Bill Duff, Dave Ritchie and Bob Mitchell. Murray Bartle will be available after the second game to open the bowling with Keith Fulford and then to follow this is the accurate pace and guile of Noel Fulford. Also certain to win a regular place and to provide the spin with his left armers is the Hawke’s Bay Colt, Jim Smith”.
October 31st and November 7th 1964
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Team for this game: Bob Mitchell (Captain), Keith Fulford, Godfrey Rogers, Dave Ritchie, Noel Fulford, Don Burns, Bill Duff, Bill Hill, John Cullwick, Max Liley, Terry Taaffe.
This was Don Burns’s first game for Havelock North. He had been a remarkably consistent batsman and bowler for Tech Old Boys.
As a highly regarded and successful house builder and consultant he found that much of his working day was indeed within the Havelock North environs so the move, although somewhat unpopular with his former Club was a rational one for him to take, as practice sessions at Anderson Park could be attended prior to his drive back home to Napier.
This game was emblazoned with headlines in both the local newspapers about Havelock’s performance.
The Daily Telegraph on Monday the 2nd November:
“Havelock North thrash Tech Old Boys on the opening day”
and again on Friday 6th, the edition following Guy Fawkes Night:
“Batsman Fulford turns on the fireworks.”
Page 149
The Herald-Tribune had its turn on Friday the 5th
“Fulford double too much for Tech Old Boys”
and on Monday the 9th:
“Noel Fulford slams 125 in 70 minutes.”
So what was behind all this excitement? It was the first game of the season and journalists by nature, are seeking a good story with banner headlines. The early games of the season are usually dominated by the ball, often due to the lack of preparation and the soft nature of the wickets brought about by the spring showers.
A batting triumph is worth plenty of copy in the Newspapers and in addition to the intrigue that this match engendered was that, at the conclusion of the previous season Noel Fulford was just 217 runs short of his 10,000 runs in Hawke’s Bay cricket. His century in this game left him with just 92 runs to get with a whole season ahead of him.
Frank Cane, delighted in this opportunity to highlight his undoubted literary talent, wrote:
“Going in after a quiet period of batting by the Havelock openers, Noel took two glorious fours from the first two balls he received from pace bowler Ware. Now, by way of variety the next over that Noel faced was bowled by the shrewd leg spinner Murray Baker who from my position on the sideline appeared to do everything, bowling his sharp, good length spinners, but get Noel’s wicket.
Then it was all glory. Noel having obviously decided that in the circumstances attack was the best means of defence, began to swing his bat as only he can, and there seemed to be a growing concern, which grew to chaos in the Tech bowling ranks. In Baker’s next over Noel took two successive sixes off the first two balls and a couple of twos off his third and fifth deliveries and finally a full blooded 4 from the last ball, making it a total of 20 off the over – and this was his theme song for the rest of his innings. Later he took two successive sixes off both Ware and Shrimpton, the latter’s first 4 overs cost 41 runs – no fewer than 38 of those runs coming from Fulford’s blade.
The plain statistics of his innings almost reads like a fairy tale. He reached his 100 in 63 minutes and when he was finally dismissed, bowled by Fifield, he had scored 125 in 75 minutes. Altogether the 10 sixes and 10 fours carried his total to 100 in boundaries alone.
Coming so early in the season it was certainly a surprise and a thrill for the crowd, with Don Burns helping to create more mayhem with his 71 n.o.”
Mr Cane, always one to assess and give balance to his reporting, then turned to Keith Fulford’s contribution to Havelock’s first innings win in Monday’s Daily Telegraph.
Daily Telegraph: November 9th Monday, F. F. Cane:
“If it is not one Fulford it is usually the other. As Noel dominated the scene with a whirlwind century the previous week, it was brother Keith who held the stage on Saturday. Bowling for a lengthy spell he finished with 8 Technical wickets for 86.”
The match was not as one sided as the Newspapers possibly made it appear as Tech Old Boys in chasing the huge Havelock total had its own hero in Peter Coutts. The total runs scored in both teams’ first innings was 559 for the loss of just 15 wickets. Coutts’s event was just the sixth scored against Havelock North in the thirteen years of the club playing senior cricket.
Score card:
Havelock North: 298 for 7: N. Fulford 125, Burns 71, D. Ritchie 27, K. Fulford 24, Rogers 22.
Tech Old Boys: 259 (P. Coutts 149), K. Fulford 8/86
Century scored against Havelock North: Peter Coutts
P.J.C. Coutts: Ct Mackenzie b. N. Fulford, 149
Page 150
Bowlers: K. Fulford 0 for 43, Ritchie 1 for 42, Liley 0 for 28, Mitchell 0 for 10, Duff 1 for 65, Campbell 3 for 27, Makris 2 for 10.
F. F. Cane: “The Anderson Park wicket was both firm and fine and the close-cut outfield winged the ball to the boundary from the most modest of carpet drives.”
This was an innings of quality from Peter Coutts, which carried Tech Old Boys to within 40 runs of an unlikely first innings win for the Napier side.
Peter made his debut for Central Districts in 1958 at the age of 21, and played 29 games with 152 being his best score. He played 41 games for Hawke’s Bay, made 1,783 runs and scored three centuries.
And so ended a decade where at least 50 games were played and just 8 centuries were scored against the Havelock North bowling attack.
Mike Shrimpton tells a good story against himself, recalling part of his strategy as captain, during this game. If Tech were to win, they needed to capture the wicket of Noel Fulford early. Noel, in his last two encounters with Tech Old Boys, had hit two consecutive centuries. In October 1964 – 125, and in the same season on March 23rd – 146.
In this game, with Havelock one wicket down, Mike observed the figure of Noel Fulford emerging from the old Nelson Park pavilion, as he slowly wended his way out to the wicket as was his custom. Mike quickly gathered the team around him, and especially eyeballing Tech’s medium pacer, Peter Ware made the tactics absolutely crystal clear as to how to get Noel early.
“This chap likes to talk to you, to exchange pleasantries along with a bit of banter – all pretty friendly stuff. But the reason he does this, to all teams, is that he is notoriously nervous at the start of his innings – and this is his defence mechanism to calm his nerves. OK! Right – now if he begins to talk to you, just simply turn your back on him and walk away. Got it – ignore him – don’t talk to him!”
One hour later, almost to the minute, at the end of a Peter Ware over, in which Noel had completed his century. Peter walked over to his skipper and suggested:
“Hey Mike! Can we talk to him now? Somehow, it just hasn’t worked!”
November 14th and 21st 1964
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright by 13 runs.
This was the third consecutive outright win against Old Boys Hastings. The bogey has surely been put to rest!
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 16th November.
Havelock North’s Fulford brothers dominate cricket
“The Fulford brothers, Noel and Keith again stole the show in Club Cricket on Saturday. They bowled right through an inning, Noel finishing with 6 for 41 and Keith 4 for 33 to have Old Boys Hastings back in the pavilion for a meagre total of 82. It is just as well they bowled so extraordinarily well as Havelock North were only able to get to 97 in their innings, thanks to a solid partnership between Mitchell and Ritchie”.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 23rd November 1964.
“The margin was indeed narrow but Havelock North’s 13 run victory over Old Boys Hastings was enough to take them to the top of the competition.
Page 151
It probably goes without saying that the two players responsible for this win were Noel and Keith Fulford – the pair who are the dominant figures in the competition at the moment.
This was perhaps Keith’s day, however – he was on the field right from the start of the second day’s play, stoically defending with his broad bat, until the last act of the game when a huge in-swinging alism from him, took Bixley’s wicket to win the game for his side. In that time he made 56 runs and for good measure took 6 for 64. At the other end was Noel who finished with 3 for 59 to give the Fulford family a total of 19 wickets for the match – the other wicket was a run out”.
This was a truly dramatic win in a game which deserved far greater public support. It left Havelock North the only undefeated team in the competition only after just 2 games.
Score card:
Havelock North: 97, Mitchell 39, Ritchie 21, Hill 15, Bunny 12
and 146, K. Fulford 56, Mitchell 30, N. Fulford 24, Hill 10
Old Boys Hastings: 82, N. Fulford 6 for 41, K. Fulford 4 for 33
and 146, K. Fulford 6/64, N. Fulford 3/59
November 28th December 5th 1964
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday, November 30th 1964
”Once again it was Noel Fulford, who was largely responsible for placing Havelock North in such a strong position. His 56 means that he has now completed 9,988 runs. A couple of lusty hits next Saturday will mean that he will become the second Hawke’s Bay cricketer to have passed the 10,000 runs mark. On Saturday Fulford was again devastating. Anything that could be hit was hit, but hard! In one over bowled from the fifty-five-year-old Tom Reaney, Noel hit 4 sixes and 2 fours – 32 runs out of his total of 56 from one over. He was given good support by Don Burns who made a well compiled 47”.
Score card:
Havelock North: 213, N. Fulford 56, D. Burns 47, Bartle 27, Rogers 23, Hill 15, Mitchell 14
and 117 for 4. Mitchell 52, Ritchie 20, N. Fulford 20
Fulford’s 20 runs in the second innings saw him pass the 10,000 runs milestone.
Napier Old Boys: 132, N. Fulford 4/59, G. Smith 2/19
and 54, N. Fulford 4/27
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: December 7th 1964
N. Fulford the second Hawke’s Bay batsman to score 10,000 career runs.
“Havelock’s Noel Fulford became the second cricketer in Hawke’s Bay to pass the 10,000-run mark. Requiring 12 at the start of the day Fulford hit 14 against Napier Old Boys before being out.
At the start of the season Fulford required 217 to reach the target. A hurricane innings of 125 on the first day of club cricket reduced the amount by over half.”
This exceptional career began in the first year of cricket after the conclusion of the Second World War. An extract from a report in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune of December 1946, of a Representative game between Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa gives a nostalgic and somewhat enlightening glimpse of just how exciting this prolific run scorer was from an early age.
Page 152
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday December 10th 1946, ‘Keeper’:
“A record partnership for Hawke’s Bay for the 4th wicket was established by Tom Reaney and Harry Hawthorn of 391. Harry scored 166 and then on his dismissal, a young player named Noel Fulford came in and flogged the Wairarapa attack in making 55”.
December 12th and 19th 1964
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
After the comprehensive victory in the previous game, Havelock’s performance in this game was innocuous and right out of character. Havelock, as the form team in the competition, should have performed better. The fact that Noel Fulford was under the doctor’s knife having a cartilage removed during this game, may have had some bearing on the poor performance.
Score card:
Havelock North: 103, Mitchell 30, Rogers 17
And 91 for 8 wickets. K. Fulford 33, Ritchie 39
Marist: 227 for 7 decl., K. Fulford 2/50
Century scored against Havelock North: Pat O’Shaughnessy
P. O’Shaughnessy – 100 not out
Bowlers: (N. Fulford absent), K. Fulford, Bartle 1 for 26, J. Smith 1 for 57, Duff 1 for 39, G. Smith 1 for 19, Cullwick 1 for 34.
Pat O’Shaughnessy was selected in the Hawke’s Bay Colts XI for the Central Districts tournament in 1959/60. He had just left St John’s College and was considered to be a most promising all-rounder. He also represented Hawke’s Bay.
On Saturday O’Shaughnessy took hold of the Havelock attack and hammered his way to the century before Marist declared. Not being content with the century, the now somewhat weary O’Shaughnessy displayed another side to his usual unpretentious, candid good nature to fire up, take the new ball, turn on the aggression and all but skittle the Havelock line up to nearly snatch a dramatic outright win.
F. Cane: “A splendid display of elegant stroke making marred only by one difficult chance on 80. Altogether he fetched the boundary on no fewer than ten occasions. His runs were made in the excellent time of 122 minutes “
January 8th and 16th 1965
The team for the start of the second round:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Keith Fulford, Godfrey Rogers, Noel Fulford, Bill Duff, Bill Hill, Marcus Wright, Graham Smith, Murray Bartle, Dave Ritchie, Jim Smith.
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
(BUT – no points were gained by either side)
School holiday time often results in Havelock North recruiting at least one promising cricketer who has just left his old school. In this case it was Marcus Wright an Old Boy of Wanganui Collegiate School who had been a major player in the Collegiate side which had won the Wanganui Senior grade competition in successive seasons.
Monday’s Daily Telegraph: 10th January 1965.
“The Havelock North first innings was full of entertaining enterprise, with the openers, Keith Fulford 42 and Godfrey Rogers 38, setting the tone for the innings which ended at 339 for 7 declared. After a quiet period
Page 153
Bill Hill, Marcus Wright and then Graham Smith took to the bowling with Smith and later Bartle hammering the Whakatu-Mahora attack.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 18th January 1965:
Fiasco after high scores in club cricket
“Havelock North and Whakatu-Mahora between them scored 613 runs but all the good it did was to give the batsmen in both teams some batting practice. This all came about after Havelock North had made 339 for 7 declared on the first day. Whakatu-Mahora was 274 for 9 at stumps on the second day. However according to the rules of the HBCA – if two first innings are not completed at the conclusion of the match no points are awarded to either side. If Whakatu had lost that final wicket they would have picked up one valuable point for a first innings loss. But at the time the players of both teams were under the impression that two points were awarded for a draw. The HBCA will need to take a long hard look at this somewhat archaic rule very soon”.
Score card:
Havelock North: 339 for 7 decl. G. Smith 100 n.o., Wright 43, K. Fulford 42, Rogers 38, Bartle 36, Hill 33, Mitchell 12.
Whakatu-Mahora: 274 for 9, N. Fulford 4/57, J. Smith 2/28, Bartle 2/55.
Garry Mackenzie effected five dismissals two-stumped and three caught.
Century scored against Havelock North – Selwyn Cushing.
S.J.C. Cushing, ct Mackenzie, b Bartle 117.
Bowlers used: K. Fulford 1 for 52, N. Fulford, Bartle, J. Smith 2 for 28, Wright 0 for 47, G. Smith 0 for 8, Duff 0 for 6, Mitchell 0 for 3.
F. F. Cane: “Cushing opened the batting and was 7 not out at stumps on the first day. On day two he settled down and began his slow but concentrated pursuit of the coveted century. His innings was more thorough and meticulous than spectacular. But it provided the backbone of the Whakatu-Mahora effort to stave off the first innings defeat”.
Selwyn Cushing played six Hawke Cup games for Hawke’s Bay. He opened the batting for both Whakatu and Hawke’s Bay. He was probably one of the hardest batsmen to dismiss in the local competition.
Table: Marist 27, HN 23 (2 o.r. wins, 1 f.i. win, 1 f.i. loss, and 3 bonus points.) OBH 16, HSOB 9, WM 7, TOB 6.
January 23rd and 30th 1965
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday January 25th 1965 ‘Leg Glance’:
“Havelock North’s prolific run scorer N. Fulford, hit 13 sixes in his hurricane innings of 146. This is Noel Fulford’s fastest century this season. In the first match he made 125 in even time but this hundred was accomplished in just 63 minutes.
In one over he took 28 runs from P. Boggs, who in bowling his right arm chinaman deliveries, suffered the worst from the Fulford onslaught acceding 61 runs in 4 overs.”
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 92, n. Fulford 3 for 19, Duff 2 for 15, Bartle 2 for 20
And 253. G. Smith 4 for 58, N. Fulford 3 for 59.
Havelock North: 220 for 3 decl. N. Fulford 146, Burns 36 n.o., Mitchell 35
And 85 for 3, Mitchell 39, Bartle 20, N. Fulford 18.
Page 154
February 6th and 13th 1965
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday, February 8th 1965
Havelock North increase cricket competition lead
“Normally 115 runs would not be sufficient for a first innings lead but it was on Saturday when Havelock North turned around and bundled Old Boys Hastings out for 113. And what is more Havelock collected three valuable bonus points to increase their lead in the competition. Young Warner Wilder the 18-year-old playing his third game for Old Boys collected 7 Havelock wickets for 36 runs on a sharply turning Cornwall Park No 3 wicket.
For once N. Fulford failed with the bat but he more than compensated with his 7-wicket haul to wreck Old Boys Hastings chase for first innings points. At the other end brother Keith helped himself to the remaining 3 wickets and Old Boys seemingly simple task of attaining first innings points suddenly disappeared.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 115, Burns 33, G. Smith 12, Ritchie 10
and 139, Mitchell 44, Duff 24 n.o., G. Smith 17, Hill 15, J. Smith 12
Old Boys Hastings: 113, N. Fulford 7/45, K. Fulford 3/63
and 21 for 1
Table: HN 35 (2 o.r. wins, 3 f.i. wins, 1 f.i. loss, bonus points 9), OBH 28, Marist 28, WM 16, NHOB 12, TOB 10.
February 20th and 27th 1965
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings by 4 runs.
Napier Old Boys seemed to be content to play for the first innings points at this stage of the season. They have won four games on the first innings and have yet to register an outright victory. This fifth win did not come without some anxious moments for them as Don Burns stroked his way to a fighting century which almost spoiled their party.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 199, K. Fulford 5/61, W. Duff 3/28, J. Smith 2/50
And 93 for 8, K. Fulford 2/22 (plus 8 other bowlers)
Havelock North: 195, Burns 105, N. Fulford 39, K. Fulford 16.
March 6th and 13th 1965
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost outright
Following the slow scoring of the first day when only 188 runs were scored at about three runs an over,
Frank Cane – ever the alert investigative reporter – had this to say in his column on Friday, March 12th 1965, just prior to the second day’s play:
Wickets not conducive to scoring
“The wickets prepared for the two senior matches at Nelson Park were in a disgraceful condition.
Having heard rumours that all was not well, I made a special trip to the ground on Saturday morning and was appalled by the sight which met my gaze. For one who has been so intimately connected to the ground in the last fifty years – first as a player and then as a spectator it was a bitter experience.
Page 155
Worm casts studded the wickets in profusion. It was evident that both had received a cutting over the past week but there was no sign that either had been watered or rolled during the week.
Indeed it was quite clear from the rubble that neither essential had been performed.”
An outcome of the difficult conditions was that neither side was able to score bonus points.
Score card:
Havelock North: 116, N. Fulford 21, Rogers 20, Ritchie 17, Mitchell 14, K. Fulford 14
and 95, Burns 22, Hill 19, Rogers 12
Marist: 156 for 6 decl. K. Fulford 3 for 51, N. Fulford 2 for 50
and 58 for 2.
March 20th and 27th 1965
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 15 runs
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday March 29th:
“Although only 139 runs were on the board for six wickets, Havelock North declared in the hope of getting Whakatu all out before the close of play on the first day. They almost succeeded with Whakatu 8 down for 118. Had Havelock North gained the sought-after bonus points they would have been well set for a charge at winning the championship. However all was not lost as in the second innings. Whakatu-Mahora were left 152 to get in 133 minutes. And with one minute remaining the last wicket fell – an exciting game to finish the season but a disappointing second placing by one point in the championship for Havelock North.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 139 for 6 decl. Burns 55, Duff 22, Hill 20
and 138 for 9 decl. Duff 37, N. Fulford 23, K. Fulford 23.
Whakatu-Mahora: 125, N. Fulford 4/39, K. Fulford 3/48
and 137, K. Fulford 5/27, N. Fulford 2/60
While these heroics were going on at Nelson Park there was an even more exciting game being played at Cornwall Park 15 kilometres away in Hastings on the shorter boundaries of the Number three wicket, as Frank Cane reported:-
The Daily Telegraph: March 29th 1965
Cricket title: Blanket finish
“Marist took the honours by one point from Havelock North, which had been in first position at the start of the final series. Up to this point the lead had been shared by Old Boys Hastings and Havelock North. Marist had started the season well and had held the lead after the first two matches until the start of the second round when Havelock North dominated the scene.
In the final series, the race was on. Set the almost impossible task of scoring 124 runs in just over an hour the Marist batsmen set about the Old Boys Hastings bowling. Led by the ebullient Ron Payne at his swashbuckling best, he scored 49 quick fire runs as opening batsman. On his dismissal the pace hardly slackened and the Marist batsmen with their eye on the prize continued scoring at better than two runs a minute to finally win outright and snatch the championship away from Havelock by the narrowest of margins – one point with seven minutes to spare”.
Up to this game the title had been either Old Boys Hastings or Havelock North’s for the taking, as the lead had see-sawed between these two teams with Old Boys Hastings leading the way going into this game.
Page 156
Table: Marist 45, HN 44 (3 o.r wins, 1 o.r. loss, 3 f.i wins, 2 f.i, losses 9 bonus points), OBH 42, WM 27, TOB 22, NHSOB 18.
Season’s Averages for 1964/ 65 Season
Havelock names only – with position on table
Batting Innings Not Out Runs Highest Score Average
3rd W.G. Smith 6 2 143 100* 35.7
5th N.G. Fulford 15 0 503 146 33.5
10th D.G. Burns 19 4 451 105 30.0
14th M. Bartle 5 1 94 36* 23.5
28th R.W. Mitchell 17 0 335 52 19.7
34th H.W. Hill 12 2 186 33 16.8
35th K.A. Fulford 19 0 318 56 16.7
50th G.W. Goodall 15 3 164 40 13.6
55th D.W. Ritchie 15 3 153 29 12.7
58th G.A. Rogers 15 0 177 37 11.8
Bowling Runs Wickets Average
5th N.G. Fulford 645 46 14.0
12th K.A. Fulford 852 49 17.3
30th G.W. Goodall 359 10 35.9
Noel and Keith Fulford were second and third in the number of wickets taken. Keith’s 49 and Noel’s 46 placed them just behind Blair Furlong on 59.
It was a big disappointment to the side to be second by one point to Marist in a season which was dominated by the record number of four outright wins for the team.
In a rather cruel twist the Whakatu-Mahora match prior to Christmas yielded no points because the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association ruled that because Whakatu-Mahora had not completed their first innings, being nine wickets down, the game was declared a no-match and no points were gained. Both teams were certain that the result was a draw and that two points would be deservedly earned by both sides thus the Championship should have been Havelock North’s.
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay Senior K.A. Fulford
Hawke’s Bay Colts: J. Cullwick, J. R. Smith
Trophies: Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association:
Fulton Cup for the fastest century: N. G. Fulford
L. D. Carter Memorial Cup for most points scored by a club: Havelock North
Trophies: Hastings Sub Association:
The Top Hastings club in Senior, Second and Fourth Grade competitions: Havelock North
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: A Lincoln
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: G. A. Rogers
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: D. G. Burns
Page 157
Chapter 21
1965/1966 SEASON
The Indian summer of a brilliant career.
“If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone…”
– Rudyard Kipling
This is the season when Noel Fulford finished his illustrious career for Havelock North and maybe Kipling’s musings about inner strength and sheer guts portray that part of Noel of which few or any of us, playing and administrating at the time, had any knowledge. We took his magnificent bowling and batting for granted, seldom realising that the battle with his chronic spinal discomfort was being overcome by – in Kipling’s words – “heart and nerve and sinew”.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday October 14th 1965:
“Havelock North have practically the same side as last year, Bill Hill one of the ‘originals’ has retired. The Fulford brothers will be turning out. The side will be again led by Bob Mitchell. Max Liley another of the ‘originals’ returns after spending a year in Central Hawke’s Bay. Batsman, Graham Smith who enjoyed considerable success last season will be back during the school holidays. Jim Smith and Murray Bartle will return after the University exams”
Daily Telegraph: F.F. Cane October 1965
“With the Fulford brothers in form, Havelock North is always a force to be reckoned with and last season there was no suggestion that they were declining. Actually the pair accounted for no fewer than 805 runs out of a total of 2,673 scored by the rest of the team while their bag of wickets reached 91 – leaving only 50 to be divided among the rest of the side.
This unprecedented domination led me into doing a little research into their past and I find that during the 13 seasons that Havelock have been in the Senior grade the team has recorded 30,420 runs of which the Fulfords have gathered up no fewer than 8,610 or 25% of the total.
But their bowling record puts this record completely to shame. Here the pair have actually claimed 1,147 of the 1,789 wickets that have fallen to the side to produce no less a percentage than 64.1% -almost 2/3s of all wickets taken – a mighty effort indeed and taken with the batting – surely a record which would prove unique wherever cricket is played.”
Saturday October 16th and 23rd 1965
The team for the first game: Bob Mitchell (Capt), Keith Fulford, Godfrey Rogers, Noel Fulford, Don Burns, Dave Ritchie, Max Liley, Bill Duff, M. Campbell, Paul Makris, Garry Mackenzie.
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
There is a well held maxim among the cricketers of Hawke’s Bay, that the early part of the season is the domain of the bowlers. However Wally Boyle, the groundsman at Anderson Park, completely disregards this somewhat clichéd truism as he goes about his calling, as custodian of the Cricket club’s fortunes of providing the best wicket possible, no matter what the state of the outside ingredients.
And so it was for this first game of the 1965 season. Such was the pristine state of the wicket that almost 400 runs were scored on the first day and almost 300 on the second. Peter Coutts led the charge for Tech Old
Page 158
Boys on the first day with his superb century. Just the seventh century to be scored against Havelock in thirteen seasons and Coutt’s second against the villagers. His first was in November 1964.
Noel Fulford’s reply had to wait until the second innings after an unfortunate Havelock first innings.
The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune had this to say:-
“Noel Fulford coming in at Number 3 in Havelock’s second innings indulged in an orgy of run making. He mastered the Tech attack by dominating every one of their bowlers. He hit 6 beautifully timed sixes and ran his tally up to 120 out of 196 when stumps were drawn.”
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 380 for 9 declared (P. Coutts 140), Makris 2 for 10, N. Fulford 2 for 72
Havelock North: 96, K. Fulford 20, Burns 18, Makris 14, Rogers 11
and 196 for 3, N. Fulford 120 n.o., Mitchell 20, K. Fulford 17 n.o., Burns 16.
Century scored against Havelock North.
P.J.C. Coutts, not out 149.
Bowlers: Makris, N. Fulford, K. Fulford 0 for 43, Burns 1 for 45, Ritchie 1 for 42, Liley 0 for 28, Mitchell 0 for 10, Duff 1 for 63, Campbell 2 for 37.
The remarkable statistic on Coutts’ innings is that he has been the only batsman to score the coveted century twice against the Fulfords. To have done it in such style was a credit to his skill and ability against swing bowling.
Coutts ventured down to Wellington after this season and played well enough to make the Wellington Plunket Shield side, for which he played five games in the 1969/70 season. He then returned to Napier and played a further season for Tech Old Boys, Hawke’s Bay and Central Districts in 1972/73.
October 30th and 6th November 1965
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
For the second consecutive match a Havelock cricketer passed the hundred mark. This time it was a glorious century scored by Don Burns. In spite of the quality of the run making in passing the three-figure mark, it had little effect on the outcome of the match. There seems to be an unwanted penchant within the Havelock side of playing the best cricket in the second innings when their best performances are of little consequence, the game having been decided on the first day.
Score card:
Havelock North: 115, N. Fulford 24, K. Fulford 23, Ritchie 20, Burns 17, Makris 15
and 221 for 6, Burns 119, Pryde 37, N. Fulford 23, Duff 12, K. Fulford 12
Whakatu-Mahora: 229, N. Fulford 5/73, K. Fulford 2/56, Liley 2/52
November 13th and 20th 1965
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
This is the third first innings loss in as many games. Marist have always been a tough team to beat at the best of times. With a bevy of left handers making up their top and middle order the effectiveness of Keith Fulford’s prodigious in-swing could well be somewhat dulled. Keith’s line to a left hander was aimed at leg stump thus a skilful left hander could cover the swing quite comfortably by playing through the line, out towards the mid-on/mid wicket area.
Page 159
Score card:
Havelock North: 135, Duff 37, K. Fulford 22, Burns 21, Pryde 17, Mitchell 12
and 83, Duff 26, Burns 18, Liley 14, Pryde 10.
Marist: 186 for 7 decl. K. Fulford 5/44
and 15 for 0
November 27th and December 4th 1965
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
This is the sixth consecutive win over Old Boys Hastings going back to February 1963. Three of the wins were outright victories, which illustrated the dominance that Havelock had over its city rivals, during the past three seasons.
This authority is in no small measure due to the aura which the two Fulfords seemed to exercise over the Old Boys top order batsmen. In the five games, Old Boys highest score in an innings was 207 for 4. Old Boys lowest innings total was 59. Their lowest total score in two completed innings in one game was 228 during which the Fulfords took all ten wickets in the first innings, and nine in the second. Old Boys Hastings have always prided themselves on their competiveness and ability to win games, but the Fulford factor seems to have been a stumbling block, which for three seasons had been almost insurmountable.
Score card:
Havelock North: 281 for 8 decl. Burns 83, N. Fulford 44, K. Fulford 37, Duff 26, Pryde 18, J. Smith 16 n.o.
Old Boys Hastings: 131, K. Fulford 6/50, N. Fulford 3/47
and 207 for 4.
December 11th and 18th 1965
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings.
This was Andrew Giffney’s first game for the senior team. Giffney had been achieving considerable success in the lower grades for the club with his booming away swingers and consistent batting.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: December 13th 1965
Another century to Noel Fulford
“Noel Fulford dominated the Havelock North innings and routed the Napier Old Boys bowling attack. His was a bright and enterprising knock with the runs coming freely. Along the way he featured in two good partnerships one with Dave Ritchie and later with the young Andrew Giffney, who held his wicket intact while Fulford raced on to and beyond his century, to be 28 n.o.”
An interesting aspect of this game was that Kel Tremain who had just recently moved to Hawke’s Bay had a turn at the bowling crease. His figures of no wickets for 51 were an indication that he may have had a few overs at Noel Fulford.
Bob Mitchell tells an amusing story of a dear old lady who lived in the house just behind the Nelson Park grandstand.
Noel Fulford’s first six of many, landed on the asphalt of the circular roadway just to the right of the old wooden grandstand. In one bounce it had cleared one of the neighbouring property’s pittosporum hedge and ended up, seemingly lost in the old pensioner’s garden.
Page 160
She happened to be tending her roses and flower beds at the time. Andrew Giffney was dispatched from the grandstand to go find the ball. Having jumped the hedge Andrew was confronted by the old lady who was firmly holding on to the ball. In throwing it back to the somewhat bemused retriever she enquired as to who was batting. Andrew rather proudly, in his standard friendly manner, informed her that it was Noel Fulford.
“Who did you say young man?” she enquired.
“Noel Fulford”.
“Good God! I’m going inside, it’s safer in there!” was the reply.
She need not have worried too much after this game, because this century was the final one that Noel made for his beloved Havelock North team.
Score card:
Havelock North: 255, N. Fulford 138, Ritchie 30, Giffney 28 n.o. Mackenzie 13.
Napier Old Boys: 161, N. Fulford 3 for 43, K. Fulford 2 for 42, Duff 2 for 19
And 93 for 5, N. Fulford 3/31
Table at the end of the first round: NOB 35, TOB 31, HN 13 (2 f.i. wins 3 f.i. losses), OBH 12, Marist 12, W.M.12.
January 8th and 15th 1966
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Team for the first game of Round 2: Bob Mitchell (Capt), Keith Fulford, Don Burns, Noel Fulford, Graham Smith, Godfrey Rogers, Andrew Giffney, Max Liley, Garry Mackenzie, John Cullwick, M. Campbell.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 20th January 1966, ‘Outfield’
“The Havelock North skipper did not accept the challenge offered him by Tech Old Boys ‘early declaration’. This took a good deal of pleasure from what promised to be a very interesting tussle up to this point. Admittedly Noel Fulford’s illness made the decision to offer odds a difficult one.
Havelock North’s recovery in the first innings was due to the splendid aggression from the New Zealand Hockey representative, Graham Smith and solidity from Bob Mitchell both of whom carried this good form into the second innings.
The afternoon honours belong to Don Burns who so convincingly carried on the penchant of that the Havelock team have, for taking runs off the Tech attack – but again it was in the second innings which counted for little.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 167, G. Smith 80, Mitchell 40, K. Fulford 11
and 249 for 3 declared. Burns 122 n.o., Mitchell 53, G, Smith 38.
Tech Old Boys: 170 for 5 declared, N. Fulford 2 for 33, K. Fulford 2 for 33
This was Noel Fulford’s final appearance for Havelock North. Sadly it came midway through his fifteenth season. But the discomfort of the chronic back pain was getting too much, and for once Noel adhered to his doctor’s demands. This quite extraordinary, loyal to a fault and remarkable man, decided that enough was enough. A cricketer who excelled in his game, played it with the cavalier joire d’vivre, who gave his all, who piloted the Havelock team to its most extraordinary success in the first decade of its existence and then at times guided it through the periods of hardship and lack of success.
Enough superlatives have been launched in this book about Noel by journalists, scribes and others, so that anything written about his performances would be superfluous repetition. But when placing Noel into the historic era, when cricket was played at a more leisurely pace with few of the modern accoutrements, his
Page 161
deeds do indeed shine like a beacon, at a time when batsmen batted minus helmet, chest pad, arm guard, thigh pad; when gloves were cotton and contained hard rubber spikes for the protection of the batsman’s hand and wrists; when boots were leather soled and had canvas tops, and sprigs had to be individually screwed in, where cream Viyella shirts and white cotton trousers were the sole sartorial choice. English imported bats were used and the kookaburra two-piece ball was the main weapon.
Noel’s trusty bat was heaviest of any in the club with its nine-grain blade, heavily bound from the splice to the toe with a double layer of tape. The sweet centre, being the most worn of the entire surface face. The great carver of centuries and near hundreds was very proud of his bat and indeed quite sentimental. He plundered thousands of runs with it in his epic career. No one ever asked to borrow it or even to use it for a few throw downs.
Indeed, he finished his Havelock senior career almost as he had started with two outstanding exhibitions of the cricketer’s art. In 1952 he scored 110 not out and took 5 for 22. In 1966 he scored 138 in 125 minutes and took 6 wickets for the match. Carpe Diem – if anybody seized the day this man surely did!
In fact Noel turned out for only one further game for his Club which really meant that this season was the final one for this great cricketer.
January 22nd and 29th 1966
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
Rain curtailed play, with only an hour’s play possible on the first day and the second day became somewhat of an anticlimax with just an average performance by the team which was minus its talisman.
Score card:
Havelock North: 152, Rogers 38, Duff 23, G. Smith 23, Mitchell 21, Giffney 12.
Whakatu-Mahora: 173 for 7, Liley 3 for 36, K. Fulford 2 for 66.
February 5th and 11th 1966
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won outright
Daily Telegraph: Monday February 13th 1966, F. Cane:
“A well-timed closure by Marist led to an exciting finish against Havelock North with the latter side surprisingly taking the laurels. For the Marist skipper, Dave Dine to give Havelock 143 runs to make in 105 minutes was a perfectly safe proposition within the context of a match which Marist had dominated up to this point. The turn-around was surprising and Havelock`s success was due to the changed attitude of the batsmen. Instead of allowing the ball to hit the bat they reversed the procedure and found that it paid off well.
The first step towards victory was a very fine attacking partnership between Bob Mitchell and Don Burns which placed 72 runs on the board for the second wicket.
But the eventual outlook became clouded because subsequent batsmen had allowed the side to get behind the clock and it was not until Godfrey Rogers, batting at number 7, arrived at the wicket and took 18 runs off two successive overs by Dine and Bishop that victory was assured. Havelock sailed home with 6 minutes to spare.”
Page 162
Score card:
Marist: 142, Liley 5 for 45, Duff 3 for 31, K. Fulford 2 for 27
and 95 for 2 decl.
Havelock North: 95, Burns 24, Giffney 16, Liley 16, Smith 10.
and 144 for 6, Burns 53, Mitchell 37, Smith 20 n.o., Rogers 18
February 18th and 25th 1966
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock North lost on the first innings
The run of seven consecutive victories over the past three seasons against Havelock North’s bête noire from the city, Old Boys Hastings, finally came to an end in this game. Havelock North’s record over the four seasons was indeed impressive with three outright wins, and four conclusive first innings victories.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday March 3rd 1966. ‘Outfield’:
“Keith Fulford’s return to wicket-taking, marks the end of a remarkable set-back in form for one so talented. He last took more than two wickets in an innings in early December 1965. His return to the immaculate length and late in-swing of old was a welcome relief for Havelock North and which caused near panic in the Old Boys Hastings ranks, who were sent reeling at 56 for 7 on the first day, Fulford having claimed 5 wickets of his 7 overs for 72 at this stage.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 128, Duff 5 for 35, Liley 2 for 14, K. Fulford 2 for 29
and 150, K. Fulford 7 for 62, Milne 3 for 72.
Havelock North: 65, Ritchie 20, K. Fulford 14
and 91 for 8, Smith 31, Pryde 17, Mitchell 13.
March 5th and 12th 1966
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday March 17th: ‘Outfield’
“In the NHSOB versus Havelock game it was vital that NHSOB grabbed an outright win to ensure the winning of the championship and they had set themselves a perfect platform on which to achieve this and in Havelock’s second innings with time running out – still with 4 wickets to capture Napier Old Boys two speedsters, Howell and Beuth thundered ball after ball into Graham Smith and Godfrey Rogers, while Brian Spooner bowled quick fire overs at the other end. The batsmen however both of whom gained much credit from the match stood defiant and robbed Napier Old Boys of the championship which they have drawn with Tech Old Boys.
Old Boys Hastings as the wooden spooners will now play Taradale in a Promotion Relegation game.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 146, K. Fulford 4 for 37, Ritchie 2 for 22
133 for 4 decl. Ritchie 3/71
Havelock North: 128, G. Smith 32, Rogers 22, K. Fulford 18, Neilson 15, Pryde 13
And 175 for 6, Pryde 29, Burns 28, G. Smith 24 n.o., Rogers 15 n.o.
Championship Table: NOB 48, Tech Old Boys 48, W.M. 32, HN 23 (1 o.r. win, 2 f.i. wins 7 f.i. losses), OBH 21.
The one outright win was the saving grace of an otherwise mediocre season in which Havelock North finished fifth. The seven first innings losses, three of which could have resulted in wins, were a crucial factor in that fifth placing.
Page 163
In the world of speculation, if Havelock had won the close games against Napier Old Boys, Whakatu-Mahora and Tech Old Boys, especially the game against Tech Old Boys where the margin was just three runs, an interesting situation could have developed.
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay: D.G. Burns
Trophies: Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association Cup for the fastest century: N.G. Fulford
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: R. Grant
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: K. Carran
A.W. Reeve Cup for most improved senior XI batsman: W. G. Smith
Page 164
Chapter 22
1966/1967 SEASON
Coping with just the one Fulford
“But none who can whittle
The truth from one’s spittle
Will ponder its influence lightly:
The ball told the story of gloom and of glory
One side shining much the more brightly”
Paul Weston – Kiwi Juice
Keith Fulford was never responsible for shining the ball in this way, but he worked hard on keeping the shine on one side, particularly when the two-piece ball was used and many of his days of glory were definitely due to how brightly, indeed one side of the two piece was shining.
Daily Telegraph: Friday October 21st 1966, F.F. Cane
“Havelock North’s fall from grace last season when the side slid to fifth position after the eminence of finishing only one point behind the leaders in 1965, can be attributed largely to the unfortunate illness of Noel Fulford which kept him out of the game from Christmas onwards.
Upon the very eve from the opening of the season comes the sad news that Noel entered hospital last Saturday for a cartilage operation which in all probability will mean that Havelock North will be again without his services for the greater part of the season. Nor it seems is this to be the end of the side’s troubles.
Bill Duff leaves for Honiara in January to take up a teaching position there, while Graham Smith who batted so effectively during Noel’s absence last season with an average of 43 and a highest score of 80, is now teaching in Hamilton
These defections will inevitably have the effect of still further reducing Havelock North’s run making potential.
In these circumstances it may indeed seem comical to find that Havelock North’s only acquisition is Kevin Milne, a right arm medium paced bowler of some merit, who was prominently associated with the Midland seniors in Wellington in 1964/65.”
Some months later, F.F. Cane was to refer to Kevin Milne as a ‘medium paced bowler who takes an exorbitant run-up and unfortunately has the all-too prevalent habit of failing to use body whip in his delivery action.
But as matters stand the cheap dismissal of their opponents is more than ever an essential to their success. May he therefore prove a valuable addition to their attack’.
October 22nd and 24th 1966
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock North lost outright.
The team for this game:- Bob Mitchell, Godfrey Rogers, Dave Ritchie, Don Burns, Bill Duff, Keith Fulford, Paul Makris, Andrew Giffney, Max Liley, John Cullwick. Kevin Milne
Daily Telegraph Friday October 28th 1966. F. F. Cane
“The first real touch of summer greeted cricketers last Saturday when the ball was set rolling in the initial series of matches in the A and B sections of the Senior grade. On the whole the wickets played better than their appearance would have led one to expect, and it was seldom indeed that the ball rose unduly in either city, although in Hastings the outfield was appreciably faster.”
Page 165
Max Liley in Old Boys Hasting first innings kept most of the Old Boys Hastings batsmen at bay with his unrelenting persistence. In 12.2 overs, Max claimed 6 wickets for 38 in a splendid exhibition of well controlled flight and spin. In the second innings Keith Fulford made good use of the inconsistent bounce and livelier pace of the wicket after overnight rain, to dismiss the formidable Old Boys Hastings batting array, taking 7 for 25 whilst Bob Lamberg who was to join up with the Havelock North club in October 1973 responded valiantly with 5 for 17 for Old Boys Hastings, in the course of twelve overs.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 169, Duff 2 for 48, Liley 6 for 38
and 65, K. Fulford 7 for 25, Ritchie 2 for 35.
Havelock North: 84, Rogers 25, Makris 13, Duff 12, Liley 10
and 51, Makris 11, K. Fulford 10
October 29th November 5th 1966
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
In a game that was spoiled by rain on the second day Havelock North did not really get into the action in this rather disappointing loss to the old rivals, Whakatu-Mahora, who had won the previous two games of the previous season on the first innings. Havelock North saw this game as a good chance to regain some ground and perhaps repeat their good form of the 1964/ 65 season. Rain and a sodden pitch on the second day put an end to that.
After leaving Havelock North in December 1963. Wynn Goodall returned his best figures against his old club of 3 for 37
Score card:
Havelock North: 112, Mitchell 40, Duff 20, Rogers 17, Burns 12
Whakatu-Mahora: 153 for 8, Duff 3 for 29, Milne 2 for 40
Daily Telegraph, Friday November 4th 1966. Sports Review; F. F. Cane
“Cricket lovers everywhere will be delighted to hear that Noel Fulford is back home after having a cartilage in his back removed and should be in harness again within six weeks.
Whether or not it will be advisable for him to return to the cricket field this season is to be decided by his doctor at the end of this period. Haste is definitely not favoured in these circumstances and it may well be next season before we see him in action again.
The slipped disc which has hampered his activities since 1956 is now almost mended so hopes are high that he will return to the game completely rejuvenated.
Noel Fulford shares with Tom Reaney the distinction of being the only Hawke’s Bay batsman over the years who has succeeded in taking their career aggregate of runs into five figures and a comparison of their respective records makes extremely interesting reading.
There is of course quite a disparity in their ages but their achievements both in batting and bowling are remarkably similar.
* Tom took the equivalent of ten full seasons to reach 4,713 runs at 31.8. Noel brought his aggregate to 4,930 runs at 34.4 at the conclusion of his eighth season.
Page 166
* Tom passed the 5000 mark at the end of his eleventh season, Noel early in his ninth. At this stage both had registered six centuries.
* Coming to the 10,000 mark we find Tom with 9,882 runs at 33.1 including 15 centuries at the conclusion of his 19th full season and actually claiming the distinction early in his 20th season.
* Noel reached 9783 runs including 14 centuries after 17 full seasons and the 10,000 runs mid way through his 18th season.
* At first glance one would feel that Noel is out-stepping Tom in their progress but this is more apparent real, and to some extent is accounted for, by the extended programme of matches in recent years.
* To prove this, I figured out their respective records when each had completed 250 innings. Tom had an aggregate of 6,979 runs at an average of 31.4 while at that same stage he had captured 479 wickets at 15.3.
*In comparison Noel’s aggregate was 7,062 at 30.9 and 595 wickets at 14.1. Not a vast difference.”
But a difference all the same, which places the crown squarely on the head of Noel Fulford, the Havelock talisman, as the Greatest of all Time, in Hawke’s Bay cricket, up to this point in time.
November 12th and 19th 1966
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Loss on the first innings by 136 runs
Rain again disrupted play on the second day. Tech Old Boys had by far, the pick of the playing conditions with the fine weather and true wicket on the first day when Murray Baker continued his remarkable run of form with the bat to score 108 runs. The ninth century recorded against Havelock North since joining the senior ranks, way back in 1952. It was significant that only one Fulford was in the Havelock team. Keith opened the bowling with Dave Ritchie in this game.
It was probably just as well that the intermittent showers of the second day restricted the time of Havelock batsmen at the crease. If it had not been for the obstinate perseverance of the lower order Havelock batsmen, Allan Ritchie and Keith Fulford, Tech Old Boys would have clinched a remarkable outright victory.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 202, (M.P. Baker 108 not out) Duff 5 for 66
Havelock North: 66, Burns 17, Pryde 13
and 93 for 7, K. Fulford 23 A. Ritchie 19, Pryde 10, Rogers 15
Century against Havelock North: Murray Baker
M. P. Baker 108 not out
Bowlers: K. Fulford 0 for 42, Ritchie 1 for 54, Duff 5 for 66, Liley 1 for 28
F.F.Cane: “Baker was at the crease for 127 minutes and once again showed his ability to handle all bowling with his superb footwork. With remarkably quick reactions he even met K. Fulford’s deliveries, yards down the track and with a turn of the wrist deftly placed them between fielders.”
Murray Baker was a highly accomplished right-hand batsman and played seventeen matches for Central Districts spanning the years 1966 to 1975. He scored one century. He played his first game for Hawke’s Bay in 1963, played in 22 matches and scored four centuries.
Baker spent a year in England in 1968 playing as the professional for the world renowned Baildon team in the Bradford Cricket League.
As an accomplished Rugby player playing first five eighths for the Tech Old Boys Club, Murray was selected in the Napier Sub Union side for the Sub Union Day Competition.
Murray is now a highly successful thoroughbred horse trainer. His horses have won four A.J.C. Derbies and the Caulfield Cup.
Page 167
It is at this point that the author will cease to record opposition centuries, having proved a point that during the Fulfords’ reign, centuries were indeed a scarce commodity – 14 seasons = 9 centuries.
November 26th and December 3rd 1966
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
First innings loss by 103 runs
Havelock batted first on a fairly placid Cornwall Park No 3 wicket. The afternoon began disastrously with both opening batsmen being out, caught behind without scoring by Bob Husheer, the stand-in Old Boys Keeper. However a determined batting display by Don Burns rallied the troops, so that Havelock managed to reach 157. Burns was at the wicket 110 minutes and hit 11 fours and was mainly responsible for steering Havelock on to their highest innings total of the season.
This served them little purpose as Napier Old Boys who were 75 for 2 at stumps went on to amass 260 runs, a total which took up most of the second day’s play, at the end of which Havelock were 23 runs ahead with 5 wickets intact so neither captain worried about claiming the extra time.
Score card:
Havelock North: 157, Burns 74, Liley 18, Pryde 16, Ritchie 17, Makris 14,
and 126 for 5, Makris 33 Ritchie 25 not out, Rogers 14 Mitchell 13
Napier Old Boys: 260, K. Fulford 3 for 67, Milne 2 for 53, Ritchie 3 for 54.
December 10th and 17th 1966
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Havelock recorded its first win of the season. Frank Cane in his Daily Telegraph column indicated that this could have been the result of Marist spilling a dozen catches in the field.
This was James Francis’ first game for the club. He moved straight into the Senior team as befitted his fine record at Lindisfarne College, where he had led the 1st XI through an unbeaten season. Even at this early stage, James was considered to be one of Hawke’s Bay’s most promising and versatile young sportsmen.
Score card:
Marist: 104, Liley 3 for 20, Milne 3 for 26, Makris 2 for 8
and 142 for 4 decl. Milne, Makris, Liley and Duff all one wicket
Havelock North: 146, Burns 26, Mitchell 32, Liley 28, K. Fulford 19, Francis 12.
and 21 for 2
January 7 and 14th 1967
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Lost on the first innings
The team for this game: Bob Mitchell (captain), Dave Ritchie, Keith Fulford, Don Burns, Tim Paterson, James Francis, Gordon Pryde, J. Eaton, Paul Makris, Allan Ritchie, Andrew Giffney.
This game was Tim Paterson’s debut. He came to the team with a big reputation as a free flowing, attacking batsman. His timing could not have been better as the side was definitely missing the influence of Noel Fulford and needed a hard-hitting middle-order batsman.
Another game disrupted by rain!
Page 168
At Cornwall Park the early afternoon of the first day, was ideal for run making and the Havelock North batsmen took full advantage of the brief interlude of sunshine. Both Burns and Ritchie were in complete control from the outset in a good partnership which carried the team past the hundred mark. But then, down came the rain in sheets.
On the second day, these two in-form batsmen for Havelock, combined in a second innings partnership of 89 for the second wicket. Together, the two of them dominated the bowling for the second time in the match with Ritchie surpassing his previous highest score made in 1963 by just one run.
However the noble efforts of these two batsmen were not enough to ward off the first innings defeat.
Score card:
Havelock North: 128, Burns 42, Ritchie 33,
and 149 for 5, Ritchie 66, Burns 44
Old Boys Hastings: 154 for 8 decl. K. Fulford 3 for 42, Makris 2 for 20, A. Ritchie 2 for 28
Havelock’s position on the senior points table reflected their poor season so far.
Tech Old Boys 40, Napier Old Boys 29, Whakatu-Mahora 26, Marist 17, Havelock North 13.
January 21st and 28th 1967
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
Over the past two or three seasons Havelock seemed to have had a mortgage on the occurrence of nail-biting finishes which went right down to the wire and could have finished up with a win for either side. This game was no exception.
Frank Cane in his Friday, February 3rd column in the Daily Telegraph takes up the story:
“Whakatu-Mahora and Havelock North persisted unreservedly in their efforts to produce a grandstand finish. At the conclusion of the game with the last pair at the wicket no more than 4 runs separated Whakatu-Mahora from outright victory and one wicket would have given Havelock North the match. Literally to the final ball it was anybody`s game. The crowd had certainly had its money’s worth.
The highlight of the race against the clock was Whakatu-Mahora`s Roger Spencer’s 17 runs off Milne’s last over. In the next over, had Spencer survived Burn’s confident appeal for l.b.w. when his total stood at 27 then it could have been a different story.”
It was a splendid game tempered only by Havelock North`s failure to bowl the last ball at the stumps.
Score card:
Havelock North: 161, Keith Fulford 39, D. Burns 27, G Pryde 24, R. Mitchell 16.
and 84 for 2, D. Burns 55
Whakatu-Mahora: 80, K. Milne 7 for 38, N. Fulford 2 for 28
and 161 for 9, N. Fulford 4 for 44, D. Burns 2 for 20, K. Milne 2 for 52
This one-off game was Noel Fulford’s last one for Havelock North. He left behind a huge legacy not just in his playing but in his team ethos. His standing in the club as somewhat of a folk hero at the time – brought many a follower, young and old, to the green fields of Anderson, Cornwall and Nelson Parks, where his deeds took on the stuff of legend, when recalled by those who had the privilege to watch him or better still, to play alongside of him, and thus soak up the skill and charisma of this once-in-a-lifetime cricketer.
Noel, when not at the crease, made an effort to acknowledge his loyal supporters who turned up at Cornwall and Anderson Parks to see the team in action. At Cornwall Park, after the tea adjournment a HBCA collection
Page 169
box was traditionally taken round the perimeter of the ground. If Havelock were batting and Noel had finished his innings he would always be the one to remember to take the box, and with the likes of Morrie Millar or Bill Nichol would saunter around the seated congregation, jovially chatting and joking with each one as they dropped the half crown or florin into the wooden container, and then moving on to the next until the circuit was complete.
When the new colts were being introduced into the side Noel would regularly suggest, “Today’s the day you get the 100”. This was often chided by Bob MacInnes, the captain, who was more the realist – often having to combat the idealistic musings of his star player.
So the bemused youngster on getting this advice from the talisman may well have paused and thought, “Well possibly – but I will need to graft out the first ten runs and then get to 30 with a couple a drives and with a bit of luck move on to the half century which Noel always said is the hardest fifty. Then maybe, just maybe.”
But this was seldom the case. Once, when Bob Mitchell was batting with him and Noel having notched his century, Noel wandered down the wicket and quite seriously said, “Now it’s your turn young fellah”, Bob was on 35 at the time. What was so normal and easy for Noel was often such a struggle for the rest of the batsmen in the team.
February 4th and February 11th 1967
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock North won on the first innings.
The first day was rained off so the second day virtually became a one-day game. This was Neil Murley’s first game for Havelock. Having had a successful career in the Hastings Boys’ High School 1st XI, Neil followed the traditional procedure set down some years ago by the coach of the Hastings Boys High School 1st XI, Pat Whelan, whereby the senior players who had finished their school days in December, continued to play for the School 1st XI throughout the Christmas holidays.
Whelan – an accomplished cricketer himself insisted on this practice as quid pro quo for the time and effort he gave the team during the practice sessions on Tuesday and Thursday and also while playing for the team as Captain/coach.
Daily Telegraph February 13th 1967: F.F. Cane
Havelock North, bottom – beat Tech Old Boys, top.
“In this one-day game, Bob Mitchell won the toss and in near perfect conditions at Nelson Park, Napier, asked Tech Old Boys to bat. They responded by racing to 84 in just over an hour at the crease. But Havelock did not seem to be too disconcerted. Their ground fielding was splendid some difficult catches were taken and the score slipped to 191 for 9 when the skipper, Peter Coutts decided that it was time to declare.
If Tech Old Boys had opened brightly, Havelock North went one better so far as time was concerned. In 53 minutes Keith Fulford and Dave Ritchie had produced 74 runs for the first wicket and there were oceans of time left for young Neil Murley to carry on with the good work and eventually take the side to victory with some 15 minutes to spare.
Altogether, Murley was at the wicket for 109 minutes to top the individual tallies in all games on the day. His very impressive batting produced no fewer than eleven fours. He gave a couple of difficult chances early on, but then settled down to display sound concentration and a wide variety of scoring shots executed with power and flair. For one so young and inexperienced it was a heroic effort”.
Page 170
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 191 for 9 declared. Liley 3 for 55, Burns 2 for 32.
Havelock North: 222 for 9. Murley 69, Ritchie 36, K. Fulford 34, Liley 19 Rogers 10.
February 18th and 25th 1967
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Win on the first innings
Dave Ritchie who had been promoted from the middle order to open the batting certainly found his niche after the Christmas break with a series of good scores and positive participation in healthy partnerships for the first wicket with Don Burns. The valuable runs which he scored in this game allied with the fertile partnerships in the top order, set the stage for the win.
In the reverse of what was seen as an unfortunate Havelock trend of scoring well in the second innings when the result of the game had already been decided, this game saw the villagers comfortably ahead on the first innings only to fold inexplicably in the second but still thankfully win the game.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 115, Milne 4 for 21, Ritchie 2 for 23, Liley 2 for 28
and 186 for 5 decl. Liley 2 for 40, K. Fulford 2 for 52
Havelock North: 185, Ritchie 39, K. Fulford 27, Francis 32, Burns 26, Liley 21, Giffney 12,
and 29 for 6, Paterson 11, Rogers 10.
March 4th and 11th 1967
Havelock North versus Marist
Marist won on the first innings.
This game, featuring the two bottom teams in the competition, Havelock North and Marist will decide which team is to defend its right to senior status in a promotion relegation match against Taradale, the winners of the senior B competition. Taradale will certainly be a stiff proposition this year with a commanding 41 point lead in their competition.
After the first innings debacle whereby the Havelock batsmen seemed incapable of playing the pace of the Marist opening attack or the spin and guile of the captain, George Bishop it seemed that it was inevitable that the team would be playing one extra game this season
Score card:
Marist: 140, Liley 5 for 37, Ritchie 2 for 31
and 172 for 7 decl. Liley 6 for 53, Milne 2 for 45.
Havelock North: 85, Paterson 33, Liley 17
and 43 for 4, Ritchie 24 not out.
March 20th and 27th 1967
Daily Telegraph: Monday March 29th 1967, F. F. Cane
“Havelock North hold tight to senior status”
“Havelock North exposed the gulf between the Senior A and Senior B grades by soundly beating Taradale by and innings and 36 runs in the promotion/relegation match.
The game was virtually over at stumps on the first day after Milne, Ritchie and Liley had wrecked the Taradale innings. At 7 wickets down for 67 runs there seemed little likelihood of a recovery from this point. The remaining three wickets were snatched up in a matter of minutes on the second day.”
Page 171
Score card:
Havelock North: 196, Ritchie 38, Murley 34, Paterson 34, Burns 23, Liley 17 n.o.
Taradale: 81, Liley 4 for 20, Milne 3 for 21, Ritchie 2 for 13
and 79, K. Fulford 5 for 26, Milne 4 for 27.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: M. Liley
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: M. Webb
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: D. Ritchie
Page 172
Chapter 23
1967/1968 SEASON
The championship missed by a thread
‘Cricket is a funny game’. “How is it possible to describe a match without using that odious remark, or to discuss a match without dragging it in.”
J.C. Masterman: ‘Best Cricket Stories’, edited by E. W. Swanton
After the ignominy of the wooden spoon and having to contest the promotion/relegation play-off against Taradale last season, and not use the above phrase, it still appeared as though the road back would be of a pretty steep gradient. But the strength of the side was to be seen in its band of young players who were all a year older and rearing to go. The infusion of outside blood in Lee Elder and John Worley made for a good balance which carried the team to the brink of winning the title.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 19th October, ‘Centurion’:
“Havelock are very keen this year and, with all of last year’s players available, should be in for a very good season. To the trio of promising youngsters, Murley, Francis and Paterson can be added the name of John Worley a left arm medium pace bowler who represented Southern Hawke’s Bay last year winning a place in the Hawke’s Bay Colts team and the award for bowler of the Tournament. He is also a useful bat, as is Lee Elder formerly a Taranaki player and a Hawke’s Bay representative golfer to boot.
Veteran, Max Liley is available after a successful leg operation and skipper Bob Mitchell will be jotting down the names of Keith Fulford, Donald Burns, Dave Ritchie, Godfrey Rogers, Gordon Pryde, and Kevin Milne again. Also Bill Duff will be back from Honiara after Christmas.”
October 21st and 23rd 1967
Havelock North: versus Whakatu-Mahora
Match drawn
Team for this first match of the season: Bob Mitchell (Capt), Keith Fulford, Dave Ritchie, Don Burns, John Worley, Neil Murley, Tim Paterson, Gordon Pryde, James Francis, Max Liley, Kevin Milne.
The match was played over Labour weekend and as is so often the case with the Hawke’s Bay Spring weather at this particular time – if it is fine for the Hawke’s A&P Show it often rains on Labour Day. This is exactly what occurred this year thus wrecking the heroics of day 1 for Havelock, resulting in a somewhat unsatisfactory draw.
Hawke Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday 26th October 1967:
“46 minutes of batting fury by Bob Mitchell”
“Havelock North skipper Bob Mitchell magnificently celebrated the opening of the Napier Hastings inter club competition with a powerful and effortless display of big hitting at Cornwall Park on Saturday. He pummelled the Whakatu-Mahora attack for 46 furious minutes to produce 5 sixes and 6 fours in an innings which heralded both the new season and the important part his enthusiastic young side is liable to play in the competition.
Mitchell is that rare bird, a student of the game and he would have known only too well the damage a No 9 could do to tiring bowlers and fielders after three hours play, especially so early in the season. It was fast bowler Wynn Goodall whom he singled out in particular and in two overs he took 35 runs to send the Havelock North total of 164 for 7 rocketing through to the 200 mark.
Page 173
Two sixes, one to square leg, the other over mid wicket served merely as an appetiser in the first over for Mitchell really let go in the next from Goodall, to swing first a full toss over mid wicket then to pick up a good length ball to put it in much the same place and finally to add his fifth six by hooking a short ball hard and handsomely over square leg. For good measure he threw in a single and a four to take 23 off the over to cap an exhibition seldom performed before in local club cricket.
Mitchell continued to dominate proceedings in the hectic 85 run partnership with Don Burns and although he was dropped twice after passing 50 his was a memorable display for spectators and players alike. But Mitchell would be the first to admit that he could not have achieved all this if it had not been for the manner in which Don Burns had prepared the way.
After a typically hesitant start Burns soon assumed control of the Whakatu-Mahora attack and relentlessly marched on to his century, patiently waiting for the loose ball and seldom lifting it when it came.
Perhaps more than anybody in the competition Burns has the ability to dedicate himself to the big innings if he survives the initial early part, and there is no doubt that a continuation of this form must place him high on the list again for a place in the Representative side.”
Match abandoned because of rain on the second day.
Score card:
Havelock North: 252 for 9 declared, Burns 115, Mitchell, 68, Paterson, 13.
Whakatu-Mahora: 18 for 0.
At the start of the season the HBCA merged the third and fourth grades – now to be known as the third grade. Havelock North have one team in this grade.
October 28th and November 4th 1967
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Lee Elder batting at number 7 transformed the Havelock innings from being mediocre to a possible match winning status. In 91 active minutes he was largely responsible for the addition of 110 valuable runs in a partnership of which his share was 80, in what was a very commendable debut. Elder who played for Taranaki in 1964 and 1965, scored most of his runs on the leg side. Gordon Pryde was an excellent support – his steadiness provided the basis of the fine 7th wicket partnership of 107 runs.
As the first day’s play was nearing the close, Bill Simkin the Tech number 3 batsman was out to a sharp catch in the slips. As he trudged his way back to the pavilion he heard his name called by the two umpires who were standing at the bowler’s end. At this late stage in the day’s play they were beckoning him to return to the wicket in order to resume his innings.
The square leg umpire had noticed that at the time of the fatal delivery the Havelock North wicket keeper, Bob Mitchell had contravened law 43, which states that “the wicket keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket until the ball delivered by the bowler, touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket, or until the striker attempts a run”.
The peak of Bob’s cap was protruding in front of the stumps at the moment that Max Liley delivered the ball. In a somewhat comical paradox, Simkin couldn’t find his glasses on the following Friday – the result – bowled by a straight ball having just added 3 runs.
Page 174
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday November 9th, ‘Outfield’
“Marist appeared as though they were going to pass the Havelock total when they reached 110 for 2 and were going strong. But then Max Liley was introduced into the attack and all that changed in his 20 excellent overs.
By claiming six middle and late order wickets for 44, he single-handedly ensured the first innings lead for Havelock North. After his good season last year there is no doubt that he is going to carry much of the responsibility in what is only an average bowling attack. He will not lack for steadiness of support as Dave Ritchie showed on Saturday with 21 consecutive overs for 24 runs and 2 wickets. But on attack, Havelock North do sometimes have difficulty in getting other sides out cheaply.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 261, Elder 80, Pryde 42, Burns 41, Worley 23, K. Fulford 20
and 37 for 5
Marist: 172, Liley 6 for 44, K. Fulford 3 for 39, Milne 2 for 37
and 87 for 4, Ritchie 2/24.
November 11th and 18th 1967
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Another rain interrupted game on the second day which took away the chance of a possible outright win.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 16th November, ‘Outfield’
“The Havelock North youngsters Murley and Paterson batted competently against the bowling might of the playing through champions Napier Old Boys. Neither gave a chance and it is ample testimony to their ability that they should contribute all but 45 of the runs on the Havelock scoreboard. Both saw the side recover from a precarious situation after Burns was out first ball LBW. Tim Paterson totally disregarded Howell’s reputation and clubbed him for some memorable off drives. Young Paterson joined Havelock North with a fine reputation, for he had followed up an excellent schoolboy career with a sparkling century in his debut season in Central Hawke’s Bay. His innings on Saturday certainly confirmed his promise and the confidence that this innings will no doubt give him will be of great value to his newly adopted club.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 23rd November 1967, ‘Outfield’
“Milne’s pace sends Napier Old Boys reeling”
“After the wet weather of the Friday and the showers of Saturday morning it was a wonder that Milne should bowl with much pace at all. With the approaches to the bowling crease being badly affected, this didn’t seem to deter him as he steamed in and bowled with venom and accuracy to sweep Napier Old Boys away with figures on the day of 8 for 38 having bowled a spell the previous Saturday of 0/12.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 160, Paterson 63, Murley 41, K. Fulford 14
and 4 for 0
NHSOB: 130, Milne 8/50 Liley 2/83.
November 25th and December 2nd 1967
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings.
The old adage of a good opening stand being the key to a good total, held firm in this match. Keith Fulford and Peter Worley set the firm foundation at the conclusion of day one which brought within range the
Page 175
respectable total posted by Old Boys Hastings. It was left to the youngsters Neil Murley, Tim Paterson and Lee Elder to carry the total beyond the Old Boy’s score and clinch the first innings win.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 203, Liley 5/63, Milne 3/63, K. Fulford 2/32
Havelock North: 222 for 6, Paterson 53, K. Fulford 46, Murley 44, Worley 27, Elder 20.
December 9th and 16th 1967
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
A consistent batting performance by the Havelock North team with eight batsmen scoring over 14 runs gave the side a comfortable first innings lead. The village team has really hit its straps in the first part of this season and it was this consistency which sealed the victory over Tech Old Boys. Havelock after this game are unbeaten with four first innings victories.
Score card:
Havelock North: 252 for 9, K. Fulford 58, Mitchell 40, Burns 32, Liley 29, Milne 20 n.o, Paterson 15, Pryde 15, Worley 14
Tech Old Boys: 122, K. Fulford 3 for 49, Milne 2 for38, Liley 2 for 12, Ritchie 2 for20
Table at the end of Round 1: NOB 23, HN 22 (4 f.i. wins), TOB 18, WM 10, Marist 9, OBH 6.
The three Havelock players who were selected in the Hawke’s Bay Colts to play in the Central Districts Colts tournament were Neil Murley (Capt), Tim Paterson, John Worley. Hawke’s Bay won the tournament with Tim Paterson winning the best batsman’s award. In the first game against Manawatu Colts, Paterson and John Worley featured in a partnership of 148 runs scored in 85 minutes.
Team for the first game of the second round: Bob Mitchell (Captain), Keith Fulford, John Worley, Neil Murley, Don Burns, Tim Paterson, Dave Ritchie, James Francis, Michael Mohi, Kevin Milne, Max Liley
January 13th and 20th 1968
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
In spite of two good knocks by Keith Fulford and James Francis, Havelock North were just five agonising runs short of avoiding the follow – on. In the second innings the side showed considerable fortitude led by the durable opening batsman, Keith Fulford who parried away, the Whakatu-Mahora bowlers, with either bat or pad. He was finally dismissed just five runs short of his half century. A good sixth wicket partnership in the second innings between Mitchell and Paterson ensured that the loss would be solely on the first innings. The 106 run first innings loss was Havelock’s first loss of the season.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 272 for 9 declared
Havelock North: 167, Francis 42 n.o., K. Fulford 36, Paterson 18, Murley 18
and 176 for 3, K. Fulford 45, Paterson 36, Mitchell 20 n.o. Francis 17, Ritchie 17, Murley 13.
January 27th and February 4th 1968
Havelock North versus Marist Brothers Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings.
Page 176
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday February 1st 1968. ‘Outfield’
“Keith Fulford is batting well this season and his 53 for this game follows up a good run of scores of 46, 58, 36, and 45. It is interesting to note the successful placing of Kevin Milne as an opening bat. Bob Mitchell’s premise seems to be that opening bowlers should know best how to bat against opening bowlers – a completely logical thought!”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 7th February 1968. ‘Outfield’
“That cricket is a good measure of character was clearly demonstrated on Saturday when at Nelson Park Napier, two senior matches became more than tussles for first innings points.
Rather it was a test for certain batsmen to do well among the debris of a broken team’s innings. Tech’s Murray Baker and the Havelock North skipper Bob Mitchell proved themselves men of character indeed with two brilliant fighting knocks against the odds. Mitchell, enjoying valuable support from Jamie Francis and later Max Liley, dragged the side from a gloomy 124 for 7 to triumphantly pass Marist’s 205, for the loss of only one further wicket.
So the depth of Havelock’s batting triumphed again and we now come to the crucial match for this Havelock side against Napier Old Boys with both Robin Schofield and John Howell away with Central Districts.”
Score card:
Marist: 205, K. Fulford 5 for 55 off 17 overs, M. Liley 4 for 37 off 20 overs
Havelock: 272 for 9 decl. Mitchell 87, K. Fulford 53, Liley 26, Milne 22, Elder 14.
February 10th and 17th 1968
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Monday, February 12th 1968
“Leadership strongly disputed but still open”.
“The match between championship leaders Napier Old Boys and second placed Havelock North was still wide open at the end of the first day’s play”.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 22nd February 1968. ‘Outfield’
“Havelock North leading by one point in the Championship table did indeed look like a championship winning side, by so decisively taking first innings points off Napier Old Boys. It is no mean feat to pin back the ears of Messrs Howell and Beuth, when they know how many runs they have to bowl to, and even for a side of Havelock’s remarkable batting strength it was a grand achievement to do this, and an even grander one when the target of 231 was passed with only 5 wickets down.
The major share of the credit for this sterling performance must go to Keith Fulford whose newfound application and consistency is fast becoming a major talking point among the Hawke’s Bay cricketing fraternity. Each opposing team in quick succession has felt the effects of the sound technique and intense concentration of this born-again opening batsman, bringing the rewards of batting success.
The transformation that Fulford has achieved is quite remarkable. Before his 46 against Old Boys Hastings way back in the first round of the season, Fulford had played 20 innings last season scoring an aggregate of 283 with an average of 14.5. Since then his 6 innings have netted him 281 at an average of 47 with a top score of only 58.
The reason for this transformation? A sudden awareness perhaps that he is no longer playing in the shadow of his very talented brother – but it is more likely to be the appreciation of the increasing difficulty and often frustration that any bowler has in capturing the wicket of a batsman who refuses to get himself out.
Page 177
A batsman who will limit himself to playing the scoring shots that he plays well, and then put a broad straight bat in front of everything else. Saturday’s 43 was just that!
It took Keith 143 minutes and he, Burns, Murley and Mitchell were subjected to a considerable test of personal courage as Beuth and Howell took what they could from the pitch. Fulford`s innings was the innings that carried the side to 143 for 4 and within sight of the Napier Old Boys’ total. Fulford was hit twice on the thumb, the second bouncer splitting it, while later Murley was felled twice in succession by body blows which led to Howell being cautioned by the umpire for consistent short-pitched deliveries.
Burns batted extremely well after taking 35 minutes to get off the mark. There is no doubt that he displays a greater determination to stay out in the middle and get a big score than anyone else in the competition. His was a fine knock, ably capitalised on by Dave Ritchie and Jamie Francis who added 81 for the 7th wicket in 55 minutes to take Havelock North through to their highest score of the season”.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 231, Liley 3 for 46, Ritchie 3 for 71, K. Fulford 2 for 37
Havelock North: 368 for 9, Burns 116, Ritchie 47, K. Fulford 43, Francis 36, Milne 29, Mitchell 18, Murley 17.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Headline. February 19th 1968:
“Havelock take narrow lead in Inter-Town cricket.”
The race for the championship was well and truly on from this game until the final countdown in a month’s time.
Havelock North up to this point was the dominant team in the competition. Having drawn the first game of the season against Whakatu the team went on a winning spree to record a remarkable string of four first innings victories.
The Championship table after this game was:
HN 33, NOB, 32. TOB, 29. WM, 25 OBH, 24. Marist 12.
After eight games only nine points separated five teams.
Any one of five teams were in line for the top slot but because of the winning record of Havelock North they were the odds-on favourites to take the coveted title. But one is wise not to predict anything to do with cricket. So the tension began to build and the need to continue the winning ways was paramount, in the thoughts and minds of the villagers.
February 24th and March 2nd 1968
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
In this game the competition could well have been sewn up in Havelock’s favour, but the lack of just two wickets in the Old Boys Hastings second innings meant that the outright win was denied the villagers who had to be content with first innings points. The extra 6 points for the outright would have placed Havelock in a practically unassailable position to win the coveted title.
Daily Telegraph: February 29th 1968, F.F. Cane:
“Inspired batting by Havelock North youngster”
“Havelock North had another good day against Old Boys Hastings. After early wickets had fallen which left them seven for 94 it was not without significance that the recovery which came was largely engineered by one of the youngest members of the side, James Francis.
Page 178
Havelock north appear to have recently collected quite a bunch of promising young cricketers which should prove a valuable asset in the years immediately ahead.
Going in at the fall of the fifth wicket a brave effort was required to save Havelock from disaster.
In the event Francis filled the role so well that he was still there undefeated at the end of the innings.
Altogether he was at the wicket 163 minutes for his 96, which included 12 fours.
With Mitchell, he placed 82 runs on the board for the eighth wicket in 77 minutes and with Max Liley, who had done such a great job in seeing Francis through from 58, to be just short of his century, the two adding 54 in 37 minutes for the last wicket.”
Scoreboard:
Havelock North: 239, Francis 96, Paterson 39, Mitchell 33, Burns 19, Liley 11.
and 44 for 6
Old Boys Hastings: 143, Milne 4 for 44 Ritchie 4 for 43
and 64 for 8, Milne 3 for 14, Ritchie 2 for 27
The race for the Championship table was certainly warming up:
Second placed Napier Old Boys were beaten on the first innings by bottom of the table Marist.
Whakatu-Mahora beat Tech Old Boys on the first innings.
Havelock North were victorious against their eternal rivals Old Boys Hastings. This win has put them five points ahead in the competition. But eight points now separate five teams.
The Championship Table as it stands with one match to go:
HN 38, NOB 33, TOB 30, WM 30, OBH 25, Marist 17.
March 9th and 16th 1968
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost outright by 3 wickets
Frank Cane was revelling in the drama surrounding the final games. This is what he penned after the first day’s play in the final and deciding game:
Daily Telegraph: Monday March 11th 1968. F.F. Cane:
“Senior cricket title in balance – one day left
The outcome of the Hawke’s Bay senior cricket competition still hung in the balance at the end of the first day`s play in the final series of matches on Saturday.
Once again Havelock – currently leading the competition by five points from Napier Old Boys – scored more than 200 runs. Technical were far from being out of the game at the end of the day’s play with the total standing at 80 for the loss of two wickets.
Havelock’s nearest rivals Napier Old Boys have a royal chance of securing a first innings lead against Whakatu-Mahora.
Neil Murley made a welcome return to form with his fine innings of 51, to follow up his 60 against Tech last year. The latter part of his innings featured some powerful off driving which is his strength. Keith Fulford made another tradesman-like start to the Havelock innings and there is no doubt about the debt that his side owes to him for his important efforts this season”.
Page 179
Everything changed on the second day when Napier Old Boys scored an outright victory over Whakatu-Mahora to enable them to overtake Havelock North by two points.
Havelock North who bravely went for the outright to secure the prize declared their second innings closed before tea giving Tech a target of 171 in 120 minutes. Even though Max Liley bowled quite magnificently to effect a middle-order collapse, his and Keith Fulford’s efforts were not enough to prevent the Tech batsmen, led by the inimitable Peter Coutts who scored a rapid fire 66, from reaching the target.
Havelock’s five points for the first innings lead enabled them to retain second place – one point ahead of Tech Old Boys.
This is Havelock North’s second loss of the season. The team’s progress up until now had been well nigh faultless but such is the fickle nature of this sport of cricket that the prize was not to be this year.
Scoreboard:
Havelock North: 242, Murley 51, Ritchie 26, Elder 26, Burns 25, Francis
and 75 for 2 declared, K. Fulford 44 n.o.
Tech Old Boys: 146, Ritchie 5/16 Liley 2/5
and 174 for 7, Liley 5/35
Final points table: NOB 45, HN 43 (1 o.r. loss, 8 f.i. wins, 1 f.i. loss, 1 draw), TOB 42, WM 30, OBH 30, Marist 28.
Havelock North rose from being bottom last year to almost taking the title this year.
1967/68 Season’s Averages
Havelock North names only – with position on the table.
Batting Innings Not Out Runs Highest Score Average
3rd R.W. Mitchell 12 3 300 87 33.3
6th K.A. Fulford 15 2 414 58 31.8
12th J.G. Francis 14 3 287 96* 26.0
14th T.A. Paterson 18 2 395 83 24.6
27th N.D. Murley 29 3 539 55 20.7
31st M.H. Liley 8 4 77 29* 19.2
51st D.W. Ritchie 10 1 118 46 13.1
59th K.D. Milne 15 2 141 29 10.8
Bowling Runs Wickets Average
1st M.H. Liley 384 31 12.3
10th D.W. Ritchie 304 18 16.8
20th K.D. Milne 736 37 19.8
22nd K.A. Fulford 414 18 23.0
The lift in spirit and esprit de corps after last year’s dismal performances was a huge positive for the side.
Page 180
Club Championship: Second to Napier Old Boys
Trophies: Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association: Senior Bowling Best average: M.H. Liley
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay: N. Murley
Hawke’s Bay Colts: N. Murley (Captain), T. Patterson
Centuries: D.G. Burns, 115 versus Whakatu-Mahora and 116 versus Napier Old Boys
Prize giving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: K. Milne
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: D. Fowler
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: J. G. Francis
Page 181
Chapter 24
1968/1969 SEASON
Top silverware comes Havelock’s way after thirteen long years.
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” – Vince Lombardi
To all intents and purposes this seemed like the season in which Havelock held all the trump cards. The team was stable, well motivated, possessed excellent team spirit, and possessed the will to win. The entire team held a fine reputation for fair play and, there was a good balance of youth and experience. The new recruits added spice to this seemingly successful recipe.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday 24th 1968: ‘Centurion’
“Havelock will field much the same side as last season, with Donald Burns, Bill Duff, Keith Fulford, James Francis, Max Liley, Neil Murley, Bob Mitchell, Kevin Milne, Tim Patterson, Gordon Pryde and Dave Ritchie all available. Unavailable from last season are John Worley who has returned to Wellington and Lee Elder who will be working in the summer weekends.
To date the only notable gain in the local Cricket scene is John Dougan. While Dougan may not claim as much fame on the cricket pitch as he does on the rugby field, he is none-the-less a very talented cricketer. He has displayed some fine innings as an opening bat for the Taita Club and has represented the Hutt Valley in the last two seasons, Dougan was also a Brabin Shield representative during the 1966/1967 season.
Dougan will strengthen Havelock’s batting at the top of the order. Another notable acquisition is I.W. Dee a right arm opening bat and wicket keeper from St Kevin’s College in Dunedin. Dee was a member of the victorious Otago Brabin Shield team last season. Howard Richardson who played for the Midland Club in Wellington from 1961 to 1963 will again play Senior cricket having devoted the last three seasons to soccer and mercantile league cricket. P. D. McDonald a Central Hawke’s Bay cricketer should benefit the Club as he is a useful batsman and a medium pace bowler.”
The eight-ball over will be introduced this season.
Howard Richardson relates this story against himself about his first experience of a Havelock North net practice.
“I had played all my serious cricket for Midland in the Wellington Senior competition. I had started a business in Havelock North and having experienced the lifestyle of the Havelock citizenry, through my pleasant dealings with them in my retail Drapery store I experienced some trepidation in musing about meeting the high standards, expected of me by a Havelock North cricket team at my first net practice.
So I left the shop before closing to go home in order to prepare for the test of meeting my team mates for the first time, muttering the adage to myself about first impressions. So decked out in my newly ironed creams with the white nugget fluid drying on my boots I delayed the drive down to Anderson Park so I wouldn’t be too obviously early. I may well have been a little too late as over half the team were milling around the nets, dressed in a motley combination of casual clothes, working boots, jeans and swandri shirts.
My car was capable of reversing quite rapidly and the U turn was completed without anyone noticing me. I sped home changed into my casual gear and arrived back with my still damp boots the only item of attire retained, to commence one of the most enjoyable net practices that I can remember in a long time.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Wednesday October 30th 1968
“Wickets in Hawke’s Bay Parks the best in years”
Page 182
“Wickets prepared by the Napier and Hastings City Councils and the Havelock Borough Council at Anderson Park are the best for many years,” said members of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association at its meeting last night. Speakers commended the Councils and their groundsmen.”
October 26th and 28th 1968
Team for this first game of the season:- Bob Mitchell (Capt), Keith Fulford, John Dougan, Tim Patterson, Don Burns, James Francis, Howard Richardson, Dave Ritchie, Bill Duff, Max Liley, Kevin Milne.
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings.
The equinoxial winds had arrived, and the teams were met with strong gusty conditions which seemed to please the swing bowlers of both sides. The further factor of a slow wicket indicated that this game was to be dominated by the bowlers over the two days of Labour Day weekend.
Old Boys Hastings have always been a tough nut to crack for Havelock sides in the past, so to get a win in this game was just the start which the team needed as it had its sights set on once again, challenging for the championship. Howard Richardson, in his first game set the tone and the other newcomer, John Dougan, who had already played a season of rugby for the Havelock North XV proved that he is versatile both in his driving and hooking skills as well as his loquacity. He was to become a very popular member of the side.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 124, Richardson 4 for 25, Liley 3 for 18, Milne 3 for 25, Ritchie 2 for 20
Havelock North: 177, Burns 39, Ritchie 33, Dougan 19, K. Fulford 19, Mitchell 17, Paterson 16.
November 2nd and 9th 1968
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost outright
The Napier Old Boys duo of John Howell and Don Beuth was a very effective combination as medium fast opening bowlers. John was a Central Districts representative and Don, a regular selection for the Hawke’s Bay side. Both were teachers and both were aggressively competitive as quick bowlers. On a helpful wicket they were difficult to play, let alone score from. This was the case in the second Havelock innings in this game where both bowlers took five wickets apiece to wreck the Havelock innings.
The final word on this fiasco is appropriately given over to the imperative prose of Frank Cane writing in the Daily Telegraph:
“What was supposed to be the star attraction, the clash between last season’s champions Napier Old Boys and the runners up Havelock North missed the mark.
When NHSOB were dismissed in their second innings Havelock North required only 73 runs to win with 70 minutes play remaining. Havelock held the upper hand in this match until the last hour. It was Havelock’s game to lose and should have been won by the Villagers. It was the classic scenario of ‘defeat snatched from the jaws of victory’. John Howell and Don Beuth extracted enough lift from the suspect pitch to initiate a procession of Havelock batsmen back to the pavilion.”
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 84, Ritchie 5/30, Liley 3/14, K. Fulford 2/22.
and 123, Liley 5/24, Richardson 3/26, Ritchie 2/40
Havelock North: 135, Murley 32, Patterson 29, Richardson 14, Dougan 13, Duff 13
and 50, K. Fulford run out 13
Page 183
November 16th and 23rd 1968
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
This game, the second consecutive loss, albeit a close one, on the first innings, put plenty of stress on the side which had begun the season so well.
The weather delays did not help Havelocks cause for a first innings win which seemed theirs for the taking right up to tea on the second day, especially when Keith Fulford removed the No 7 batsman with the last ball before the interval, and Max Liley the no 9 with the first ball after tea. A run out in the same over saw the last two batsmen at the crease with 11 runs required. However neither Fulford nor Liley were able to dislodge the two who carried Marist on to a deserved first innings win.
Score card:
Havelock North: 150, Burns 40, Dougan 35, Richardson 23, Ritchie 19, K. Fulford 10.
and 96 for 2, Murley 50 n.o. K. Fulford 25.
Marist: 160, K. Fulford, 2 for12, Liley, 2 for 25, Ritchie 2 for 57.
November 30th and December 6th 1968
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Draw
Another rain-affected game on the second day after a full day’s cricket on day one. Tech Old Boys had a very good batting line up including Mike Shrimpton and all their batsmen scored well.
The bowling honours were shared between Richardson and Ritchie which is unusual in an innings of over 200 runs. John Dougan and Keith Fulford strived manfully to take the total to just over 30, by stumps. Dougan was settling himself in so as to continue his innings next Saturday until he was bowled with the last ball of the day by Mike Shrimpton.
On the second day only a few overs were possible about mid afternoon until the dark clouds once again rolled in to cause a halt and confirm the result – a draw.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 201, Ritchie 5 for32, Richardson 4 for 61
Havelock North: 43 for 2, K. Fulford 12, Dougan 16
The second day was rained off with the game being declared a draw.
December 14th and 21st
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Lost on the first innings
A finely calculated declaration by captain, Bob Mitchell, set Whakatu the target of 101 runs in the final hour of play. In spite of a spirited attempt to get the runs Whakatu found it difficult to cope with the Liley left arm spinners and were just two runs from their target when Liley bowled a dot ball to finish the match.
Score card:
Havelock North: 178 for 8 declared, Paterson 45, Murley 33, Fulford 22, Mitchell 21, Ritchie 17, Richardson 17 n.o.
and 121 for 7 decl. Murley 37 n.o. Burns 32, Paterson 21, Richardson 15, Duff 11.
Whakatu-Mahora: 198, Liley 5 for 23, Ritchie 3 for 68, Richardson 2 for 47.
Page 184
and 99 for 7, Liley 3 for 6, Richardson 2 for 51.
With three losses a win and a draw, things did not auger too well for the remainder of the season. The bright side was the consistent batting of Neil Murley, Don Burns, Tim Paterson, Dave Ritchie, Keith Fulford and John Dougan all of whom had good starts but did not go on to score the half century so necessary in compiling a good score at club level.
Dave Ritchie with two five wicket bags, Max Liley with over 25 wickets, and Howard Richardson with a baker’s dozen, were looking forward to the season’s second half.
Daily Telegraph: Thursday 16th F.F. Cane.
“What Havelock would do without the wicket taking prowess of Max Liley it is very difficult to estimate.
Each week end he takes his full share of the Honours and on Saturday he had Whakatu-Mahora in real trouble with his well flighted slows. To take his club aggregate of wickets to 16 at the infinitesimal cost of just 7.6.”
Team for the first game of the second round:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), John Dougan, Don Burns, Tim Paterson, Neil Murley, Lee Elder, Howard Richardson, James Francis, Alan Parker, Kevin Milne, Max Liley.
January 11th and 18th 1969
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright.
This game was young Alan Parker’s first game for the Club. He had been a highly successful cricketer for the Hastings Boys’ High School team coached by Roy Dunningham.
Parker’s first game must have been for him an astonishing introduction to senior cricket. The game was packed with incident and displayed all the best qualities that abound in the game of cricket. Multiple declarations, attractive batting, accurate, skilful and subtle bowling, superb fielding, good spirit and two teams going all out for the win.
The game started off at a steady pace but it all changed when the Havelock North skipper declared his team’s first innings closed 92 runs in arrears of the Old Boys Hastings total. From this point the tempo increased and as it progressed through the hours into the second day it picked up momentum, pace, competiveness and intensity as it raced towards the final half hour of play.
Both captains, Bob Mitchell and Richard Small entered into the spirit, both desperately wanted the spoils of victory, both captains utilised the full resources at their disposal and neither side gave any quarter nor did they budge an inch in their determination.
The Daily Telegraph: Thursday January 23rd 1969: F.F. Cane
“Victory for the brave.”
“A big crowd gathered at Cornwall Park on Saturday to be rewarded with one of the brightest and most exciting finishes imaginable. It was the outcome of judicious declarations by a skipper who was audacious enough to take a risk while pursuing the major points. Most appropriately victory went to the brave and as a consequence the crowd was treated to cricket which glittered with incident. For sheer power cricket, with both sides bent on the outright win the Havelock North/Old Boys Hastings match took the honours. No fewer than 319 runs were scored in the afternoon’s play at just under 74 runs an hour with 35 fours, 1 five and 3 sixes as the chief scoring shots. And the beauty of it all was full participation of the players from both sides. It was certainly a team effort with not one batsman going past the half century.
Resuming at 4 wickets down for 50 runs in reply to Old Boys Hastings total of 192. Bob Mitchell took the unprecedented step of declaring his first innings closed at 100 for 9. With both Francis and Liley looking
Page 185
completely safe, he now presented Old Boys Hastings with a lead of 92. This was retaliated by Richard Small the Old Boys Hastings skipper who forcefully threw down the gauntlet by declaring at 88 for 7, to give his side exactly two hours in which to dispose of the opposition.
To everyone’s surprise Havelock North took up the challenge and embarked on the almost impossible task of collecting the 181 runs required for victory in the 120 minutes remaining. To achieve this they had to step up the scoring rate to just over 90 runs an hour, which in these days is looked on as a colossal effort. But to the glory of cricket they did it off the last delivery of the final over, for the loss of 7 wickets. It was indeed the perfect finish.
The thought processes of the victorious captain are worth contemplating as he pondered the strategy of his remarkable coup. He had stylish stoke-makers in his batting line-up who had the reputation of being fast scorers. He had two in particular, Murley and Paterson, who had just returned from 10 days of cricket success at the Central Districts Colts tournament. He realised that two of his bowlers Liley and Richardson were in top form. He had a youthful fielding side that was prepared to chase anything down and take the catches that came their way.
It was justice indeed that in that final fateful half hour it was Neil Murley who led the charge through to the final over where four runs were needed for the victory. Appropriately the youngster hit the winning runs with three balls to spare.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 92 for 9 decl. Liley 5/50, Richardson 3/80
and 88 for 7 decl. Liley 5/38, Richardson 2/26.
Havelock North: 100 for 9 decl. Francis 24, Murley 16, Richardson 16, Patterson 14.
and 181 for 7, Murley 49 n.o., Patterson 29, Francis 25, Elder 16 n.o., Mitchell 13, Milne 12, Burns 11, Dougan 10.
Table: WM 30, HN 26, MBOB 23, NOB 21, OBH 14, TOB 10.
Table for Second Grade: Havelock North on 42 are at the top
Fourth Grade: Havelock North are 9 points ahead at the top of the Table.
January 24th February 1st 1969
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings.
This was young Richard Cox’s first game. He followed in the footsteps of many previous all rounders, in that he heralded from Wanganui Collegiate, left after year 13, returned home to Waipawa and travelled up to Havelock for his cricket.
Frank Cane writing in The Daily Telegraph’s Sportsman’s Notebook page presents his views on where the sides stand after the first day of this series of matches:
“Intriguing cricket position.”
“With the closing in of the field, there now appears to be every prospect of a keenly contested race for Championship honours this season.
At the moment no more than ten points separate the first four on the championship table.
As the points stand at the moment Whakatu-Mahora are three points behind Napier Old Boys with Havelock North a further 4 points behind.
Page 186
But the position after the first day’s play in the current series of matches with very definite prospects of outright victories going to Havelock North and Marist, over Napier Old Boys and Whakatu-Mahora, respectively would very definitely bring Marist right into the picture – in that event Havelock North would replace Napier Old Boys at the top of the table with 36 points.
Napier Old Boys batting first against Havelock North, were all back in the pavilion for a paltry 163 at 4 40 p.m. In the 70 minutes remaining Havelock North had posted 92 in 70 minutes. From the outset it was only too evident that they were chasing the major award.
Havelock North’s main attacking agent was the young Richard Cox who won the Central Districts Colts Tournament Bowling Cup.
In two spells of aggressive medium-fast bowling he claimed 4 for 57. Swinging either way, he had most of the batsmen guessing. Max Liley in support flighted the ball well and dropped it consistently on the spot to take 3 for 26 in 16 overs.
To underline his tactics, skipper Bob Mitchell promoted himself from the lower order batting to open the innings with Francis, and off Tom Reaney’s initial over slammed a four off the 1st 4th 5th and 6th deliveries. In the same bowler’s second over he hit a six for good measure and then succumbed to the next delivery clean bowled. Tom had his revenge but not before Bob had sent his side off to a flying start.
The star turn of the Havelock batting was the partnership between Don Burns and Tim Paterson of 110 for the third wicket in 88 minutes. It was obvious from the outset that both batsmen were there to emulate their skippers heroics in opening the batting and both were bent on accelerating the scoring rate at every opportunity. And the result was a sparkling display of attractive stroke play. What I like about Tim is his eagerness to get down the track to deliver the goods.
Keith Lamason was bowling deliveries just short of a length but Tim with nimble feet was down the wicket to meet him on the half volley and the result was some flashing drives through the covers.
Nor did Don Burns suffer by comparison. He is particularly adept at dealing with the ball off his back foot and by way of variety to Tim’s approach Don peppered the boundary at both backward of point and square leg.
And this is to be the motif for next Saturday “
Second Day.
Rain halts play in Hawke’s Bay senior cricket
In Hastings matches were abandoned in the early afternoon. Marist and Havelock North both scored first innings points in their matches in Napier.
Results in Saturday’s matches did not change the position on the Championship table. Napier Old Boys still lead Havelock North and Whakatu-Mahora three points behind Napier Old Boys.
Havelock North resuming on 93 for 2 in replying to Napier Old Boys total of 163, went on to score 189 for 9 declared. Napier Old Boys were 25 for 2 when rain stopped play.
As a foot note to this quite remarkable match a further outstanding statistic is that Tom Reaney at the grand old age of three score was playing in his forty fourth season for Napier Old Boys.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 163, R. Cox 4/57, Liley 3/25
and 25 for 2, Richardson 2/12.
Page 187
Havelock North: 184 for 9 decl. Patterson 58, Burns 53, Mitchell 22, Richardson 17.
February 8th and 15th 1969
Havelock North versus Marist
Match drawn
The dismal fielding of the Napier Old Boys side on the adjacent Nelson Park wicket let Havelock off the hook as the villagers meandered their way to just up to the two hundred mark. The frustration for the Marist skipper, Blair Furlong, visibly increased as the day wore on as eleven catches were grounded. Frank Cane begged the question in his column: “How can any captain be expected to cope with a position like that? Now Marist must take first innings points next Saturday to remain in the picture.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 200 for 9 decl. Richardson 39, Burns 28, Elder 27, K. Fulford, Murley 18, Mitchell 18.
Marist: 16 for 2 at stumps
All the drama of the previous Saturday came to nothing as the match was abandoned because of rain. Play was only possible for a short time in Hastings but in Napier the rain stayed away long enough for Napier Old Boys to gain an outright victory against Tech Old Boys. Havelock North and Marist playing in Hastings drew their match.
Because of the inexorable inconsistencies of the weather and state of the grounds in the cricket venues of Napier and Hastings, Napier Old Boys raced to the lead in the championship being thirteen points clear of the rest of the field with just five points separating the next three teams.
Championship Table: NOB 46, WM 33, HN 33, Marist 28, OBH 19, M/R 11
Batting and Bowling Averages as compiled by Frank Cane and published in the Daily Telegraph on Thursday February 20th are as follows. Havelock North names only.
Batting: Innings N. O.s Runs H.S. Average
4th N. Murley 11 4 254 50 36.2
13th T. Paterson 9 0 218 58 24.2
18th H. Richardson 10 2 155 39 19.3
19th D. Burns 12 0 230 53 19.1
Bowling: Wickets Average
2nd M. Liley 34 8.0
14th H. Richardson 27 16.15
16th D. Ritchie 21 17.7
February 22nd and March 1st 1969
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, March 3rd 1969:
“Havelock closes in on leaders.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday, March 6th, ‘Leg Break’:
“Havelock North sets the stage for grand finale to the championship”.
“By beating Tech Old Boys by one run in a tremendous finish last Saturday Havelock North have set the stage for a grand Championship final. To capture the title Havelock must gain an outright win against Whakatu-
Page 188
Mahora while in turn Old Boys Hastings must deny Napier Old Boys maximum points. Havelock North attained an outright victory against Tech Old Boys due largely to a perfectly conceived declaration by Havelock North.”
At the end of the first day’s play, Havelock North, batting first had headed their opponents in a low-scoring match by 43 runs on the first innings. This was due mainly to two quite surprising spells of bowling from Havelock North.
Keith Fulford, at age 36, in a belated return to the bowling crease, produced an eleven over spell, that cast the memory back a decade or so, to snare four wickets at just under four runs a wicket.
John Dougan, having pestered the skipper for most of the season regarding his ability as a bowler was given his chance in this very tight situation. He surprised everyone apart from himself in claiming 3 wickets at just three runs per wicket, to send the Tech Old Boys tail back to the pavilion for a total of less than 100.
F.F. Cane takes up the story:
“Here indeed was a chance for Bob Mitchell, Havelock North’s skipper to display his flair and sound judgement when it comes to declaring an innings whenever there is the chance of victory.
Having instructed his batsmen to hit vigorously, Mitchell closed the innings after 21 minutes at 43 for 4, leaving Tech Old Boys 87 runs to get in 49 minutes.
Here indeed was a challenge. Brian Heibner opened with the hard-hitting Watten and 32 runs were on the board before Watten was run out, attempting to steal an impossible single. At this stage however they were well behind the clock.
Then Mike Shrimpton entered the arena, intent on accelerating the pace. He began to stroke the ball superbly. When 60 was hoisted at 5 42 p.m., 27 runs were still required in 18 minutes and with Brian Heibner and Shrimpton hitting the ball freely an outright win for Tech Old Boys was distinctly on the cards.
But then Havelock produced two superb bits of fielding. Heibner played a ball softly to mid off with Mike Shrimpton aggressively backing up, being well down the wicket. Heibner, whose call it was, yelled a loud “No!” sending Shrimpton back. In his scramble to return to the crease he slipped and Bill Duff sent in a perfect return from mid off to break the stumps with Shrimpton well out of his ground. To complement this fine piece of cricket John Dougan showed just what a talented fielder he is, in snatching at a full blooded, lofted drive which was on its way for four. He initially lost the ball in diving low but then with a huge effort and steadiness of mind retrieved the airborne cherry, and triumphantly held it aloft.
With the minutes slipping away, the last over was called. Bill Duff bowling his off spinners had already taken two wickets for an economical 10 runs, so was given the ball by Bob Mitchell. A slow off break spinner, bowling the final over added to the intrigue, tension and drama.
Tech Old Boys required just four runs for the outright from this ultimate eight-ball over and Bill Duff needed to take two wickets to clinch his side’s victory. Duff claimed a wicket off his fourth delivery. On his seventh, with desperation running riot in both camps, he removed the middle stump with a sharper delivery. Duff finished with 4 for 13 and this coupled with his brilliant run out of Shrimpton made him the star performer in a great afternoon’s cricket.
Score card:
Havelock North: 127, Burns 29, K. Fulford 26, Dee 21, Patterson 17
and 43 for 4 declared
Tech Old Boys: 84, K. Fulford 4/15, Dougan 3/9
and 85, Duff 4/13, Liley 2/16 ( 2 run outs)
Page 189
Havelock North are just 6 championship points behind the leaders Napier Old Boys. Therefore the Championship is still wide open at this stage. In the final game next Saturday an outright win is vital if the villagers are to rob Napier Old Boys of winning the title for their fourth consecutive year.
March 8th and 15th 1969
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 35 runs.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday March 20th 1969, ‘Leg Break’
“Liley, Duff and Dougan were stars in Havelock win.”
(Max Liley was named player of the year by ‘Leg Break’)
The Napier Hastings Cricket Championship went to Havelock North on Saturday after a break of fifteen years. The outright victory in this game was mainly due to the noble efforts of three of the Havelock team; the spin bowlers Max Liley and Bill Duff and the batting of John Dougan.
On the first day Havelock had been bundled out for the lowly score of 108 and Whakatu full of confidence declared their innings closed on 122 for 7, in the belief that an outright win was on the cards for them next Saturday.
So at the start of the second day, Havelock were given a great start by Don Burns and John Dougan launching an attack on the Whakatu-Mahora opening bowlers to take the score to 58 at a run a minute before Burns was out bowled for a tidy 30.
Neil Murley joined Dougan and the score advanced to 80 before spin was introduced into the Whakatu-Mahora attack – and this set the pattern for the rest of the match, because now that the wicket was indeed taking spin it was becoming quite unpredictable with sharp turn and uneven bounce and when Dougan was last out for a remarkably courageous innings of 58 the Havelock score was a mere 137.
Whakatu-Mahora opened their innings requiring 134 to win with 150 minutes remaining and with Howard Richardson gaining a wicket with his second delivery the stage was set for a real battle of wits between the two teams. After two further overs Bob Mitchell threw the ball to Max Liley, with Bill Duff joining Liley at the bowling crease, and now the battle really began in earnest. With the score on 38 Liley was on a hat trick and with the ball lifting off a good length he was unlucky not to achieve that prize. Liley’s figures for this innings were: 12.7 overs, 1 maiden, 24 runs, 8 wickets.
With the score at 58, Duff captured the important wicket of Lee Totty, often a stumbling block for opposition bowlers. The game was wrapped up by a brilliant piece of fielding by Lee Elder at mid wicket, who pounced on a firm stroke to mid wicket as the batsmen called for a quick single and snapped in a return which made the run out a mere formality.
Score card:
Havelock North: 108, Elder 23, Murley 20, Duff 14, M. Natusch 10
and 137, Dougan 58, Burns 30, Murley 10
Whakatu-Mahora: 122 for 7 decl. Liley 3 for 19, Duff 2 for 22
and 88, Liley 6/24, Duff 2/25.
Frank Cane on Max Liley, March 15th 1969:
“I made the proviso at the start of the season that if Havelock were to win the championship much would depend on the bowling of Max Liley. If Max was to regain the immaculate bowling form of the previous season, which had in fact been mainly responsible for the villager’s dramatic rise from being bottom place on the ladder at Christmas 1967 to getting to within two points of becoming champions. He increased his
Page 190
wicket-take for Havelock North alone from 31 to 46 and reduced the cost per wicket from 12.3 to 7.9, really a remarkable achievement for a veteran of some 40 years.
Liley is certainly a master of flight. He varies his trajectory acutely. Floats the ball into the right hander and brings it back off the pitch almost the equivalent of a right arm leg break. His large hands and strong gnarled workman’s fingers give him great purchase on the ball and as he tweaks the seam and brings his left arm down, bowling off the wrong foot give him extra leverage as his whole body swings through the line in which the missile is directed.”
Never one to waste time, one of Max’s pet hates was batsmen taking too long in between balls. Max would wait until the procrastinating batsman was about to take his guard again after having pedantically looked round the field, adjusted his pads and checked his box.
Max would then choose that moment to stoop down undo the shoelaces on both boots and meticulously re-tie them while the batsman was now patiently waiting. Rising to his full height he would enquire of the somewhat bemused batsman in his best basso-profundo voice, “Are you ready? Cause I am.” And then fizz one past the outstretched bat and give his characteristic chuckle as the ball thumped into the Mackenzie gloves.
Countless number of balls that Max bowled were patted back down the wicket to him to do his own fielding. It was no wonder that sometimes he became a little impatient as the overcautious batsman applied himself to keeping his wicket intact. It was always at the end of a maiden over in which he had fielded all the deliveries that Max would enquire of the batsman, “Is this game just between the two of us or can anyone play?”
Havelock’s championship which broke a winning streak of four by Napier High School Old Boys comes as a just reward after their disappointing one-point defeat in last season’s competition.
Havelock North in winning the Championship, after lying fourth at the end of the first round finished strongly with three outright wins to clinch the title for the first time since the 1954/55 season. The games were peppered with some exciting finishes and some brilliant individual performances. The success of the newcomers and the consistent performances of the younger members of the side, bodes well for a continuation of the same into the future.
Max Liley has given Havelock North tremendous service this season with a total of 46 wickets for 343 runs at just under 8 runs a wicket – quite extraordinary statistics.
Club Championship: Havelock North 174 points first, Taradale was second with 136 points
Trophies: L.D. Carter Cup for club scoring most points in all grades: Havelock North
Senior Bowling, best average Hanlon Cup: M.H. Liley.
Most promising senior player, Ransford bat: T. Paterson
Hastings Sub Association trophies Senior Championship Old Orkney: Havelock North
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay Seniors: H.V. Richardson
Hawke’s Bay Colts: N. Murley (Captain), T. Paterson.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: B. N. Donaldson
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: J. Dougan
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: N. D. Murley
WINNERS: HAWKE’S BAY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: 1968/69
Back Row: l to r: Howard Richardson, Don Burns, Bill Duff, Max Liley, Kevin Milne, Keith Fulford.
Front row: l to r: Lee Elder, Dave Ritchie, Bob Mitchell (Capt), John Dougan, Neil Murley, Mike Natusch.
Page 191
Chapter 25
1969/1970 SEASON
“It’s like déjà vu all over again.”
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan
With Havelock North well prepared to defend their title this season, one’s thoughts are prompted towards the conclusion that within the side is a plethora of talent. But if one is to extrapolate on Michael Jordan’s premise, then one needs to ponder the manner in which the team went about delivering the goods in the second half of the previous season. The whole team, led by the experience, the cricket knowledge and astuteness of the senior players, together with the talent and enthusiasm of the younger brigade set the tone from which resulted the ultimate gaining of the coveted prize.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday October 16th 1969:
“One-day cricket will be introduced into the Hawke’s Bay Cricket competition this season. It will be played on the basis of 35 eight-ball overs per innings. The number of overs to be bowled by one bowler will be limited to eight. Points will be 10 points for a win – none for a loss.
The usual two-day points are as follows.
12 points, for an outright win. 5 for a first innings win, and 1, for a first innings loss.
There will be eight teams in the Senior competition this season with Taradale and Midland Rugby the two top terms in last year’s Senior B grade joining the six incumbent teams.”
Havelock North has a team in the second grade.
Teams will play a full round of 2-day cricket then each will divide into two divisions of 4 teams for a further round of 2-day matches.
October 25th and 27th 1969
The team for this opening game:- Bob Mitchell (Capt), John Dougan, Mike Natusch, Neil Murley, Don Burns, Howard Richardson, Alan Parker, Max Liley, Bill Duff, Dave Ritchie, Peter Johnston, Lee Elder.
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Monday 27th October.
“The season was ushered in by the Hawke’s Bay rugby representative Mike Natusch’s century against Taradale. The Havelock North openers Natusch and John Dougan, who combined in the Havelock North rugby team as first and second five eights were in great form. Natusch brought up his hundred with 2 consecutive sixes, the first over long on, and the next well over the mid wicket fence. In all he hit 4 sixes and 7 fours.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 30th October, ‘Outfield’:
“The Havelock North innings revolved around Natusch and Dougan. These two actually passing the Taradale total before being separated. For Natusch to move from 88 to 100 in two successive sixes shows a boldness and confidence that could be of immeasurable benefit to the Havelock team this season.
The poor standard of fielding by Havelock North in Taradale’s innings which leaked runs and wickets must be disturbing for the bowlers and a vast improvement will be needed if the championship title is to remain in the village.”
Page 192
Score card:
Taradale: 25, Liley 4 for 38, Ritchie 3 for 8, Duff 2 for 21
and 78 for 3, Liley 2/29
Havelock North: 229 for 5, M. Natusch 113, J Dougan 60, N. Murley 25.
November 1st and 8th 1969
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Havelock needing 121 to win in 20 overs, made a brave attempt but fell 43 short, still with five wickets remaining and both Dougan and Murley each on 33 n.o. An extra half hour would have been helpful!
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday November 14th: ‘Outfield’
“Liley bowled splendidly and was able to claim the two valuable wickets of Mike Shrimpton and Peter McGregor both clean bowled. It would appear by this performance that the experienced left armer is destined to stay at the top, or near to it for the third successive season when the bowling averages and aggregates are published in March of next year.”
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 147, Ritchie 6 for 65, Richardson 2 for 15, Liley 2 for 36
and 88, Liley 5 for 19, Duff 3 for 34
Havelock North: 115, Richardson 49, Duff 12, Dougan 10
and 77 for 3, Dougan 33 n.o., Murley 33 n.o.
November 15th and 22nd 1969
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won outright
Marist won the toss and batted on the poorly prepared Cornwall Park No 2 wicket and were all out for a paltry 65. The Havelock openers Natusch and Dougan for the second time this season almost single handedly eclipsed the opposition’s total before their opening stand was broken.
With the wicket taking copious spin, Marist were then dismissed through the combination of the two spinners, Liley and Duff. Through their efforts, Havelock were left with plenty of time to secure the outright win.
Blair Furlong of Marist remembers the innings well and related a story similar to the one below –
Mike Natusch and John Dougan had Havelock off to a good start chasing the 90 runs for the outright victory with a good opening partnership of 30 runs Don Burns and Neil Murley steered the team closer to the seemingly inevitable win when Murley was out.
Howard Richardson entered the fray with just a couple of runs required. The two player umpires, Natusch and Dougan had been out in the middle for most of the day. Both were pretty tired and were looking forward to the winning runs coming so they could rest their weary legs.
The conclusion of what was to be the penultimate over with just two runs required for the Havelock outright win was the signal for both the padded up, incoming batsmen, to doff their pads and assist the gear monitor to help with the packing away of wickets, bails, balls and all that extraneous cricketing flotsam which seems to accumulate around the stone seat in that corner of Cornwall Park by Tomoana Road.
Page 193
With everyone packed up and ready to leave, Blair Furlong who had taken 0 for 11 took the ball, for the final over, looking for a couple of wickets with which to finish off Marist’s day on a good note. His off spinners tied Burns down for three balls then a single was taken off the fourth ball. The game was tied with two balls to go in the over with Havelock just three wickets down. With some verbal encouragement from umpires Natusch and Dougan after the completion of the run, Howard Richardson – decided it was time to have a go. Furlong sensing that something was up, bowled a slower, well flighted delivery, as he sensed Richardson coming at him. The batsman’s head was up, the bat whistled through full circle. No contact had been made, and the bails were removed. The subsequent appeal was loud and clear. The batsman recovered his balance and a vestige of dignity where he was, the stentorian intonation from Mike Natusch at square leg ‘NOT OUT!’
Player protests in those days were rare, but the absurdity of the situation from Marist’s point of view demanded that the skipper enquire as to why the ‘not out’ call from the resolute umpire could not be reversed, particularly as the appeal was now, not just for a stumping but a run out as well. The laconic reply reflecting the clear logic of an inveterate Maraekakaho farmer was, “No one is padded up, half the team are already headed for the clubrooms, I have been on my bloody feet since 5 o’clock this morning, just get on with it!” The next ball yielded a boundary through the covers. Scowls and smiles were there in equal proportion.
Score card:
Marist: 65, Duff 4 for 8, Richardson 3 for 22, Johnston 2 for 14.
and 125, Liley 5 for 35, Duff 2 for 43.
Havelock North: 100 for 7 decl. Natusch 53, Dougan 21, Elder 13
and 93 for 3, Burns 29 n.o., Dougan 20, Natusch 15
Competition points: WM 22, HN 18, TOB 15, OBH 14, Marist 13, Taradale 7, NOB 7, Midland Rugby 0.
Max Liley already with 19 wickets is the season’s top wicket-taker at this stage of the season
November 29th and December 6th 1969
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Havelock won outright
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Thursday December 4th ‘Outfield’
“After winning the toss Havelock North had no hesitation in asking Midland Rugby to bat. Howard Richardson and Peter Johnston soon had them in trouble but sensible batting by young Billy Richmond soon settled things down somewhat. Richardson captured the last three wickets – all clean bowled in four deliveries and was unfortunate not to achieve his hat trick when Neil Murley spilled a hard chance at short square leg off the third delivery. Perhaps the highlight of the innings was the tremendous catch which Mike Natusch took to dismiss the Midland Rugby skipper who in attempting a sweep shot skied the ball high over leg slip where Natusch turned and sprinted 25 yards to dive full length to take the ball over his shoulder, inches off the ground.”
Headline Daily Telegraph December 8th 1969:
“Havelock again Competition leaders”
“Havelock North, last year’s competition winners regained the lead in the 1969/70 season when they beat Midland Rugby outright on Saturday.”
Score card:
Midland Rugby: 77, Richardson 5 for 15, Liley 3 for 13
and 83, Richardson 4 for 15, Liley 2 for 18, Johnston 2 for 15
Havelock North: 87 for 3 decl. Murley 41 n.o., Dougan 31.
and 76 for 7, Murley 22, Dougan 12, Natusch 10
Page 194
December 13th and 20th 1969
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Any significance that could be attached to this dull, rain-affected match is that it coincided with a Hawke’s Bay Representative match. The two players from Napier Old Boys; Robin Schofield and Don Beuth were exceeded by the Havelock contingent of Max Liley, Neil Murley, Howard Richardson and John Dougan. This situation meant that four players needed to be sought from the Junior grades much to the detriment of the Havelock 2nd XI, thus weakening that team. Craig Person was an obvious promotion after his fine century of the previous weekend. Teams such as Havelock North and Taradale with limited playing resources at their disposal suffer badly from the timing of the Representative calendar.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 142 for 7, at the end of a rain-affected first day went on to make 198.
Ritchie 5/69, Johnston 2/39, Duff 2/40.
Havelock North: 121, Parker 33, Ritchie 18, Mitchell 16, Elder 10.
Tech Old Boys took over the lead from Havelock North on the Competition Points Table.TOB 33, HN 31, WM 28, Marist 23, Taradale 20,
NOB 17, OBH 15, M/R 0.
1970
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), John Dougan, Neil Murley, James Francis, Richard Cox, Don Burns, Lee Elder, Alan Parker, Bill Duff, Howard Richardson, Max Liley.
January 10th and 17th 1970
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright
Young Richard Cox, at the tender age of 19, produced a sustained spell of consummate and accurate fast bowling to completely demolish the Old Boys batting line up. This game was his first for some time, his previous game being his very first for the team – almost a year ago in February, 1969. The youngster took 10 wickets for the match. Two five wicket bags to ensure the victory for his new club.
On the first day, Havelock was struck with an early misfortune when Howard Richardson had to withdraw from the attack with only one over bowled with a damaged hamstring. Duff and Liley however filled the breach, until Richard Cox was recalled for his second spell.
Cox, a Wellington Brabin Shield representative, completely demolished the Old Boys Hastings first innings. He returned the excellent figures of 5 for 12 off 3 overs in his spell, three of his wickets being clean bowled.
Chasing a first innings win, Havelock North started briskly and reached 54 for 2 but Bob Lamberg, the durable Old Boys Hastings medium pacer tore the heart out of the Havelock innings and Bob Mitchell decided to declare at stumps with 9 wickets down, still 28 runs in arrears in order to gain time next Saturday.
Once again the skipper’s sound judgement of the quality of his players’ ability, especially his newly acquired young speedster, gave him the confidence to accept the first innings loss and go for the ultimate prize.
The side did not let him down and in quite a unique spell of bowling from Cox and Liley backed up by assured fielding nine wickets fell for just 30 runs. The indomitable Max Liley bowled five overs for five maidens.
The result was never in doubt as the Havelock openers – a fully recovered Richardson and John Dougan set about ensuring an early finish.
Page 195
Dougan in setting Havelock on the way to victory, again exhibited all the soundness of an in-form opener, while Richardson played his most impressive innings since joining the Havelock Club last season. A feature of their very good partnership was the well-judged running between the wickets of both men.
As this was the first Senior match to be played at Anderson Park, Havelock North, for some seasons it is worthy of note that the quality of the pitch, the outfield and the surroundings was still maintained in this, quite idyllic setting for a cricket ground.
However the one unsatisfactory feature of the ground as was found in previous seasons is the proximity of the Mangarau stream which runs very close to the southern boundary. It is not unusual to have several interruptions during a day’s play while players search for lost balls.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 32, Cox 5 for 43, Duff 2 for 28, Liley 2 for 35
and 64, Cox 5 for 30, Liley 4 for 10
Havelock North: 105 for 9 decl. Dougan 30, Mitchell 16, Elder 16, Francis 15
and 95 for 2, Dougan 41, Richardson 25 n.o.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune January 19th 1970:
“Havelock keep hopes of championship alive”
“Reigning Inter-City champions Havelock North kept alive their hopes of winning the championship, again this season when they turned a clear first innings loss into a convincing outright victory on Saturday. But despite their exceptional win they are still seven points behind Tech Old Boys on the table.”
TOB 50, HN 43, WM 33, Marist 24, NOB 22, Taradale 21, OBH 20, Marist 0
January 24th and 31st 1970
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright by 8 wickets
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday January 29th 1970 ‘Outfield’:
“Havelock North had no hesitation in asking Whakatu-Mahora to bat on a wicket that had been adversely affected by morning rain. Richard Cox and Howard Richardson relished the conditions and all the Whakatu-Mahora batsmen were in difficulty with balls that rose sharply and cut viciously off a good length.
In spite of Cox’s fiery opening, where he had the top order in all sorts of trouble it was Richardson who actually claimed the first 6 wickets – all of which were taken behind the wicket. Havelock fared little better being 4 down for 27 but when Cox joined Natusch the two ex Wanganui Collegiate skippers fought through the storm and took the total on to relative safety. Then Lee Elder took Havelock past the Whakatu-Mahora total before wicket keeper Alan Parker joined him in a free scoring partnership which posted 54 quick and valuable runs.
Parker, for the first time in the Senior ranks fulfilled the promise that he had shown during the years with the Hastings Boys’ High School 1st XI. In compiling 55, Parker showed a complete range of strokes which has placed his team in a very commanding position.”
This fourth outright win has put Havelock on top of the competition.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 84, Richardson 6/43, Cox 3/35
and 144, Liley 4/41, Richardson 3/17
Page 196
Havelock North: 177 for 9 decl. Parker 55, Cox 26, Elder 25, Natusch 18, Johnston 12, Mitchell 11
and 54 for 2, Murley 18 n.o., Richardson 17 n.o., Cox 11
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday February 5th 1970
“$150* Lease of life for Hawke’s Bay cricket.”
“The Napier Hastings Senior Cricket competition has been given a new lease of life with the announcement that J. Wattie’s Canneries will award cash prizes totalling $150 to the two top Clubs in the 7 rounds of the One-day Cricket Competition which begins on February 7th.
(*$150 in 1970 equals $2,250 in 2017)
February 7th 1970. The first one-day game
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock won
Score card:
Taradale: 133, Cox 5 for 36, Liley 2 for 29
Havelock North: 137 for 6, Murley 56 n.o., Natusch 25, Mitchell 25.
February 14th 1970. The second one-day game
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Match abandoned because of rain
February 21st 1970. The third one-day game
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost – neither innings was completed because of rain
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday February 26th 1970 ‘Outfield’
“By far the most exciting match of the day was the clash between Marist and Havelock North – a grand advertisement for one-day cricket.
Batting first Havelock North were painfully slow, the scoreboard reading 54 for three with half of the overs bowled. At this point John Dougan and Lee Elder joined forces and embarked on a magnificent partnership. Together they added 75 runs in ten overs before Elder was dismissed. Then Dougan took over and completely dominated the Marist bowlers with a succession of cuts and pulls as he raced towards 96.
Havelock’s score of 173 seemed to be completely beyond Marist who were tied down by the Havelock bowlers. But in a complete turnaround their batsmen went for their shots and this resurgence left Dave Ritchie to bowl the final over of 8 balls with Marist requiring three runs for victory – so it was still anyone’s game. Two singles and a run out off the first 4 balls left the teams tied. The batsmen then negotiated a hazardous leg bye which brought Marist victory with two balls to spare.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 173 for 7, Dougan 96, Elder 30, Burns 21.
Marist: 174 for 8, Johnston 2 for 31, McDonald 2 for 30.
February 28th 1970
One-dayer
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Thursday, March 5th 1970
“The tempo increased in both the Wattie’s One-Day competition and the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Inter City Championship, as 4 teams had outright victories. Havelock North have opened up a 10-point lead
Page 197
over Tech Old Boys in the Championship while Old Boys Hastings hold a slender lead in the Wattie’s One-Day Competition.
Havelock North in the game against Midland Rugby were faced with the task of scoring 99 to win, Keith Fulford, Burns and Ritchie took the total to 79 for 3 before Mike Natusch ended the match with a spectacular assault on Billy Richmond’s leg spin bowling which ended the game in the tenth over.”
Score card:
Midland Rugby: 98, Johnston 4 for 22, Burns 3 for 20, Duff 2 for 12
Havelock North: 99 for 3, Natusch 27 n.o., K. Fulford 19, Burns 19, Ritchie 15.
March 7th 1970
One-dayer
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Win to Havelock
Thursday 12th March 1970 ‘Outfield’
“Havelock North had to battle all the way to get to 98 required to win the match with the Napier trio of Howell, Beuth and Spooner all bowling at their superb best. It took a great fighting partnership between Mike Natusch and Leigh Elder to see the Championship leaders through to the win.”
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 97, Liley 6 for 25, Ritchie 2 for 18
Havelock North: 99 for 7, Elder 35, Natusch 21.
Headline March 9th 1970 Daily Telegraph.
“Havelock North retain lead in Hawke’s Bay senior cricket”
“Havelock North have played 12 won 7.”
March 14th 1970
One-dayer
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Win to Havelock
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 102, Liley 3 for 13, Richardson 3 for 23, Duff 2 for 25.
Havelock North: 103 for 6. Burns 41, Elder 14, Richardson 14.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Monday March 16th 1970
“Havelock North retain intercity title: leads one-day cricket.”
“With one round to go Havelock North have won the Inter city Competition for the second consecutive year and are leading in the Wattie’s One-Day competition. On Saturday they beat Old Boys Hastings so now have an unassailable ten-point lead in the Championship
The special one-day competition is still undecided with Havelock holding their lead four points ahead of Old Boys Hastings with Tech Old Boys 2 points further back.”
Senior Points Table: HN 81, TOB 71, OBH 50, Marist 49, WM 46, NOB 43, Taradale 32, MR 4
One-day Points Table: HN 26, OBH 22, TOB 20, Marist 14, NOB 10, Taradale 10, MR 4.
Havelock retained their Championship title on Saturday. A study of the seasons statistics and records leaves no doubt as to the true worthiness of Havelock North as the true champions.
Page 198
While it is apparent that their greatest strength is in their bowling it is interesting to note that only one side Whakatu-Mahora scored runs at a better rate per wicket during the season.
* An analysis of the Havelock North bowling reveals that only one team, Taradale were able to avoid registering at least one sub century total against the champions during the season.
* The main destroying agents with the ball were the left arm spinner Max Liley – 45 wickets at 7.8 and Howard Richardson with 29 wickets at 8.15. Liley’s figures represent both the highest aggregate and the best average in the competition.
* When one adds to these the figures of Bill Duff, 20 wickets at 14.6; Richard Cox, 21 at 11.86; David Ritchie, 20 at 15.70; Peter Johnston, 16 at 16.69; the strength and depth of the attack is fully illustrated.
* In a season where representative fixtures often clashed with club matches, Havelock North provide no fewer than five to the Hawke’s Bay team, but were nevertheless able to hold their place at or near the top of the table.
Two significant headlines appeared in the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune in the following week.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday March 22nd 1970
“John Dougan returns to Wellington”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Wednesday March 25th 1970
“Liley tops intercity bowling averages”
The first headline emphasises the transient nature of participating in sport in the 1970s. John had spent two full seasons with Havelock North and shone as a batsman of rare talent and a team man par excellence. He was a brilliant fielder, a hard-hitting opening bat and a bowler of some merit. His batting was seen at its best in his rapid fire 96 against Marist in the third one-day fixture in February of this season.
The second, emphasises the importance of Max Liley to the success of the Havelock North team. His career was as durable as it was outstanding for the club. It was only after the Fulfords had retired when he was given more of a bowl, that he came into his own as the best spinner in the club’s history up to this year.
Championship points: HN 81, TOB 71, OBH 50, Marist 49, WM 48, NOB 43, Tara 32, M/R 4.
Wattie’s One-day Competition: HN 26, OBH 22, TOB 20, Marist 14, WM 14, NOB 10, Tara 10, MR 4.
Centuries: M.R. S. Natusch 115 versus Taradale.
Six or more wickets in an innings: M. Liley 6 for 25 versus NHSOB, H. Richardson 6 for 43 versus Whakatu-Mahora.
D. Ritchie 6 for 65 versus Tech Old Boys.
Club Bowling Averages: Runs Wickets Average
1st M. Liley 351 45 7.80
2nd H. Richardson 242 29 8.34
13th R. Cox 249 21 11.86
18th W. Duff 292 20 14.69
26th D. Ritchie 303 19 15.95
29th P. Johnston 267 16 16.69
Batting Averages Innings Not outs Runs Average
5th J. Dougan 12 1 358 32.55
7th N. Murley 13 5 228 28.50
12th M. Natusch 14 1 311 23.92
13th H. Richardson 11 5 141 23.50
Page 199
25th A Parker 10 3 129 18.43
33rd L. Elder 11 1 166 16.60
Final points in Lower grade Cricket
Second Grade: Havelock North: bottom of the second division with 34 points
Fourth grade: Havelock North: Third with 61 points.
The season saw the introduction of two new teams into the Senior Competition, Taradale and Midland Rugby. The Competition took on a new look as well. The usual two-day competition was played out over 14 weeks, concluding on January 31st. Havelock North handsomely won this competition recording a club record of four outright wins. This feat was even more extraordinary in that the traditional two-day games concluded after the normal duration of the first round. The four outrights were interspersed with 3 first innings wins – which meant that Havelock were unbeaten in this two-day competition. On February 7th the first one-day competition to be played under the jurisdiction of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association began with eight teams being entered, concluding on March 14th. Havelock continued their supreme season with an unbeaten run throughout the Watties One-day competition to go through the season undefeated in all games.
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association Senior, Two-day Competition: Havelock North 81 points, Tech Old Boys 71, Marist 49
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association One-Day ‘Watties’ Competition: Havelock North
Representative Honours: Hawke’s Bay Senior representatives: M. Liley, J. Dougan, N. Murley, R. Cox, H. Richardson. The greatest number of Havelock North players in the club’s history.
Hawke’s Bay Colts N. Murley (Captain), J. Francis. N. Murley was selected to play in the Central Districts Colts XI
Centuries: M. Natusch 115 versus Taradale
Trophies:
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association:
Senior Championship Challenge Cup: Havelock North
Senior Bowling Average Hanlon Cup: M.H. Liley
Most outstanding player Under 23: N. Murley
Most wickets – Senior: The Barry Mason Cup: M.H. Liley
Wattie’s One-Day Championship: Havelock North
Hastings Sub Association:
Senior Championship: The Old Orkney Cup: Havelock North
Best All-Round Fieldsman: The Waitemata Cup: M. Natusch
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: A. Parker
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: G. Jones
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved Senior XI batsman: M. R. Natusch.
Page 200
Chapter 2
1970/1971 SEASON
Second in the Championship – first in One-Day Competition.
“There are three things you can do in a game of cricket;
You can win, you can lose, or it can rain.” – Adapted from Stacey Stengel
Stacey Stengel’s words regarding his beloved baseball, could not have been more appropriate as regards this very season. The first game was interrupted by heavy rain. In the second half of the season a match was played on a rain-affected pitch, another was washed out and a further game was abandoned.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday October 15th 1970. ‘Outfield’
“Last year’s dual champions Havelock North, seem to be even a little stronger than last season. Their biggest gain is Doug Morland, who was captain of the Auckland B side and the Eden-Roskill Club last season. Morland, who was in the final trial for the Auckland Plunket Shield side bowls medium pacers and will be opening the innings.
Also back with the Club after a season’s absence in Christchurch, playing for the St Alban’s Club is former Central Districts Under 23 representative, Tim Paterson. Another batsman pressing for a place in the Senior XI is Craig Person, who scored heavily in the Second Grade last season. Richard Cox is in Canada at the moment but should be available prior to the Christmas break.”
The Havelock Club teams have had two weeks practice on their new Concrete surface at Anderson Park and the Senior team has had a two day warm up match against Taita, the Hutt Valley Champions, as a prelude to this year’s competition.
The Senior squad is: Bob Mitchell (Capt), Doug Morland, Tim Paterson, Richard Cox, Craig Person, Mike Natusch, Don Burns, Neil Murley, David Ritchie, Howard Richardson, Lee Elder, Max Liley, Peter Johnston, Bill Duff and Alan Parker.
17th October 1970
Storm hits first Hasting matches
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings.
Max Liley, with the two HBCA bowling trophies firmly in his grasp (Hanlon Cup best average and Barry Mason Cup – most wickets), began his spell rather erratically. But the skipper, knowing full well the old ‘war horse’s’ match winning potential, kept his left arm spinner on until he had settled into his old rhythm and accuracy. The result was a four-wicket bag and a restriction of the Tech Old Boys total to less than 200.
After a shaky start to the Havelock innings with only Don Burns looking capable of scoring runs, the newly promoted youngster Craig Person, together with his captain, Bob Mitchell brought Havelock`s total up to 137. When Mitchell was dismissed the side still needed 42 runs to snatch a first innings win. Person was joined by Dave Ritchie and with both batting sensibly the runs for the first innings win seemed possible. When Person was dismissed it was the experience of Max Liley which shone through. He and Ritchie hit off the runs to grab the lead. But it was Person’s steady match-winning innings which carried the villagers through to a deserved first innings win.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 179, M. Liley 4 for 58, Morland 2 for 22, Burns 2 for 35.
and 69 for 5
Page 201
Havelock North: 193, Burns 42, Person 39, Mitchell 19, Ritchie 18, Richardson 16, Liley 16.
October 31st November 6th 1970
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Havelock won on the first innings
Midland Rugby made 95 runs in a full day’s play. Whether this could be attributed to the pace of the newly arrived, Richard Cox or the guile of Max Liley the Midland Rugby’s total for a full day at the crease was abysmal. It equated to about one run an over.
On the second day, Havelock finally dismissed Rugby who added just a further 36 to their first day’s tally. With little chance of an outright it was interesting to see that the openers Natusch and Patterson did in fact go after the bowling, with some sparkling batting. But when Burns and Cox came together the innings settled down with a good dose of batting practice after the Midland Rugby total had been passed. Burns batted sensibly and his 59 n.o when added to his 42 of last game against Tech Old Boys could mean that on this form he seems set for a season the like of which he had three years ago. Cox played some scintillating shots one memorable hook shot skimmed over square leg for a “horizontal six”.
Score card:
Midland Rugby: 131, Cox 4 for 36, M. Liley 2 for 46
Havelock North: 182 for 6, Burns 59 n.o., Cox 53 n.o. Patterson 23, Natusch 22, Murley 12
November 14th and 21st 1970
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday 19th November, ‘Outfield’
“Morland completely bemused the Marist batsmen with variations of flight, pace and spin to which the Marist batsmen seemed to have no answer.
Morland’s final figures read; 14.2 overs, 6 maidens, 19 runs, 6 wickets, to which he added two catches in the field, to cap off a magnificent afternoon’s work in the field and on which he was about to improve upon later.
With 100 minutes remaining for Havelock to bat and with three men Morland, Cox and Murley away with the Hawke’s Bay team next weekend, Havelock gave the three of them a chance to contribute. They did not disappoint. Morland and Murley embarked on a vigorous assault on the bowling which resulted in 67 runs coming in the final 30 minutes of play, with Morland racing past his half century.”
On day two, with the Representatives away, the priority was to gain the first innings lead and then secure the match. A task impeccably achieved.
Score card:
Marist: 123, Morland 6 for 19, Richardson 2 for 29
and 110 for 4, Ritchie 3 for 27
Havelock North: 182 for 8, Morland 52, Richardson 29, Murley 22, Person 21, Burns 16.
Points Table: NOB 22, HN 15 (3 f.i. wins), OBH 15, WM 11, TOB 7, Marist 3, Taradale 3, MR 2
November 28th and December 5th 1970
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock won on the first innings
Page 202
It was the second spells of the opening bowlers Cox and Richardson, that wrecked the Taradale first innings. Their figures for this spell make interesting reading. Cox 6 overs, 1 maiden, 13 runs 4 wickets and Richardson 4.3 overs, 3 maidens, 2 runs 3 wickets.
This match-winning blitz certainly put Havelock North on the front foot for the remainder of the game. Murray Chapple, the Taradale skipper, kept the game alive with his brave declaration in the second innings. But from there it seemed to go all awry for the Havelock team as the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune so succinctly noted in its Thursday Sports column.
“Havelock spurns chance to share top rung in cricket”
“Havelock North let themselves down when they failed to take up the challenge offered them by Taradale.
After both captains had approached the game with a most positive attitude, Havelock North eventually squandered a great chance to gain outright points. Havelock declared on the second day two runs ahead of Taradale, having moved their overnight score from 62 for 3, to 132 for 5. The bulk of the scoring came from the bat of Don Burns who moved his overnight score from 29 to 70 with a fine range of shots.
Taradale scored 111 at almost a run a minute and when Murray Chapple declared, Havelock needed just 110 runs in 14 overs – about an hour’s play.
With only 11 runs coming from the first 4 overs the run rate required, moved upwards from the original 8 an over, to 11 and the task at this early stage looked beyond them.
This was a most unimaginative approach by the reigning champions, who fell only 28 runs off their target with 8 wickets intact.
Such opportunities come so rarely in the season and the competition is either won or lost by their acceptance of refusal.”
Score card:
Taradale: 130, Cox 5 for 39, Richardson 3 for 20, Liley 2 for 38
and 111 for 5 decl. Liley 2 for 22, Patterson 2 for 45
Havelock North: 132 for 5 decl. Burns 70, Person 17, Cox 13, Murley 12
and 82 for 2. Burns 40 n.o. Person 34.
December 12th and 19th 1970
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Monday December 14th
“H. Richardson and Havelock North shoot out Napier Old Boys for 56.”
“Havelock North pace bowler Howard Richardson rocked Napier Old Boys with a fiery spell of bowling. Both teams were without their Hawke’s Bay representative players and Napier Old Boys suffered the greatest disadvantage. Richardson’s fine bowling was backed up with some fine fielding which yielded five catches and two run outs.”
Howard Richardson’s fine run of form continued in this match against the competition leaders Napier Old Boys.
Page 203
Right from the very first over it became apparent that there was a great deal more life in the pitch than at any other time this season. But Richardson used the conditions perfectly to yield his best performance since joining Havelock. His figures were particularly impressive:- 11 overs, 5 maidens, 26 runs 6 wickets.
Keith Fulford was having his first outing of the season and he was particularly impressive in opening the innings. Having bowled on the sparring pitch he was well aware of the methods needed to get his side off to a good start. So the veteran put his head down, foot well forward and displayed all his old patience and solidity on the awkward pitch to get his side away to a good start.
The first innings win meant that Havelock took the lead in the competition.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 56, Richardson 6 for 26, Ritchie 2 for 13
and 173, Richardson 3 for 24, Ritchie 2 for 12, Cox 2 for 69
Havelock North: 128 for 9 decl. Fulford 38, Burns 35, Richardson 20, Ritchie 14.
and 47 for 5, Cox 18 n.o., Patterson 13.
Points Table: HN 25 (4 f.i. wins and 1 outright), OBH 25, NOB 20, WM 17, TOB 9, Marist 9, Taradale 9, MR 4.
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Doug Morland, Don Burns, Tim Patterson, Richard Cox, Neil Murley, Mike Natusch, Howard Richardson, Craig Person, James Francis, Max Liley.
January 9th and 16th 1971
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
A Draw
Rain washed out the first day’s play. Havelock with sensible batting on day two, eked out a creditable draw from what was a tricky situation with the top order all going cheaply.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 156, Richardson 3 for 38, Cox 2 for 24, Liley 2 for 33
Havelock North: 126 for 8, Patterson 24, Murley 24, Burns 23, Cox 18, Mitchell 15, Morland 14.
January 23rd and 30th 1971
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
Up to this point in the season Havelock North had not lost a game. Their thoughts must surely have been focussed on a third consecutive Championship victory. The team was going along well with all team members, collectively involved in the successes.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday February 4th 1971. ‘Outfield ‘
“This match lost all interest by the afternoon tea break on the second day, with Whakatu-Mahora continuing to bat on and with the result being decided, two Havelock players decided to record their best performances of the season.
Don Burns, in 2.4 overs of his slow left arm spinners recorded the fine analysis of 4 for 9 and Tim Patterson scored a free-flowing innings of 50 as Havelock reached 86 for 3 before stumps were drawn on the second day.
There was much ill feeling amongst the two teams over the two days and it does seem strange that official umpires were not appointed to a game which could have a direct bearing on the outcome of the championship.”
Page 204
Score card:
Havelock North: 139, Murley 38 n.o. Cox 20, Patterson 18, Morland 14, Francis 13
and 86 for 3, Patterson 50, Burns 24.
Whakatu-Mahora: 169, Burns 4 for 9, Morland 2 for 47.
February 6th 1971
First game of the One-Day Competition – 35 overs per innings
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Win for Havelock
This game was the debut of two fine cricketers one of whom would become a true stalwart of the club in the future. Colin Atkinson travelled up from Central Hawke’s Bay where he was working. His reputation preceded him as a prolific run scoring right hand batsman. He played many games for Hawke’s Bay and scored one century for his Province. Colin as a batsman certainly enhanced an already strong batting line up.
Monty Penman, a Primary School teacher, was appointed to Mahora School. He had spent some time in Wanganui and played representative cricket for that province. He also played representative cricket for Rangitikei while teaching at the Ohakune School. In 1965, he made 41 in a Hawke Cup elimination match against Hawke’s Bay.
Both of the newcomers proved their worth in this, their very first game for their new Club.
A significant characteristic of Bob Mitchell’s captaincy is that he throws any newcomers in to the fray very abruptly. If the new recruit is a batsman, Mitchell invariably invites the somewhat nervous new boy to open the batting. In this case he informed both Atkinson and Penman that they were to open the innings. They cracked the scoring along in fine style.
Frank Cane takes up the story:
Daily Telegraph Monday February 8th 1971:
“Opening stand paves the way for Havelock North”
“A 74-run opening partnership in 55 minutes at almost 6 runs an over, paved the way for a Havelock North victory against Tech Old Boys in Napier/Hastings senior cricket on Saturday.
It was the Havelock openers of Colin Atkinson and Monty Penman who paved the way for victory. Atkinson who has played his cricket in Central Hawke’s Bay before joining Havelock North drove strongly in his innings.
Atkinson’s arrival on the scene could not have been better timed for Havelock North because Neil Murley will not be available for the next three weeks because of National Service commitments. Murley had one of his best performances of the season by scoring 29 with the bat and then taking three wickets for 29.
It was Murley’s medium paced outswingers, which gave Havelock North its final break-through in Tech Old Boys innings. Murley who was getting some movement off the wicket took his three wickets in quick succession.”
Colin Atkinson after his fine innings of 60 was immediately drafted into the Hawke’s Bay squad.
Score card:
Havelock North: 190 for 7, Atkinson 60, M. Penman 26, Murley 29, Patterson 21, Mitchell 19, Natusch 17, Burns 12.
Tech Old Boys: 88, Murley 3 for 10, Liley 2 for 8, Burns 2.9, Richardson 2 for 21
Page 205
February 13th 1971
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Win for Havelock
With a victory on the previous Saturday in the very first game of this sponsored, One-day competition, Havelock sensed that much could be gained if they continued on their winning ways.
Score card:
Midland Rugby: 86, Liley 4 for 24, Morland 3 for 6, Cox 2 for 16
Havelock North: 88 for 2, Atkinson 30 Penman 17
February 20th 1971
Havelock North versus Marist.
Win for Havelock
With rain falling late in the week, there was little that the groundsman at Anderson Park, could do to maintain the high standards of pitch preparation for which the Havelock North field became well known, under the custodianship of Wally Boyle. The game which should have been abandoned went ahead with disastrous results for the Marist batsmen.
Thursday February 25th 1971 ‘Outfield’
“On an Anderson Park pitch which played badly from the very first ball, Marist crashed to a sensational 36 with Howard Richardson and Dave Ritchie relishing the dicey conditions by making excellent use of seam and swing. But one must ponder that at Anderson Park with the excellent setting and good facilities it is indeed a pity that the wickets which have been prepared for the last three games are sub standard and nowhere near the standard required for Senior games.”
Score card:
Marist: 36, Ritchie 4 for 15, Richardson 3 for 18, Morland 2 for 0
Havelock North: 38 for 3, Burns 17, Morland 11
Points Tables
Championship: NOB 48, HN 46, Taradale 37, WM 37, OBH 345[?], TOB 25, MR 17, Marist 11
Watties One-Day: HN 18, Taradale 18, NOB 12, WM 12, OBH 6, TOB 6, Marist 0, MR 0.
February 27th 1971
Havelock North versus Taradale
Win for Havelock
March 1st 1971 Daily Telegraph
Thursday March 4th 1971
“Morland’s excellent figures of 5/21 off 8 overs brought his return in the Wattie’s One-day round to 10 wickets for 27 off 17 overs.”
Score card:
Taradale: 92, Morland 5 for 21, Richardson 3 for 24.
Havelock North: 93 for 2, Penman 41 n.o., Atkinson 26, Morland 13
March 6th 1971
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
A tie
A one-day game.
Page 206
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 8th March
“Sensational tie by leaders in inter city cricket”“A tie saw the two leaders Havelock North and Napier Old Boys at the top of the two Competitions. With 3 points from the tie – Napier Old Boys retain a 2-point lead over Havelock North in the Championship. But Havelock North remain 6 points ahead in the Wattie’s one-day series.”
The remarkable team effort by Havelock began with Howard Richardson’s extraordinary contribution with the ball. He must surely have set some sort of a record with his amazing figures of 8 overs 4 runs 1 wicket. Included in these 4 runs was an overthrow. An economy rate of one run every two overs put Havelock in command and the latter Napier batsmen in somewhat of a panic. They began to swing wildly after Richardson’s quota of 8 overs was completed. Thus the other three bowlers reaped a handsome reward in dismissing Napier Old Boys for a meagre total. Here was a team reaping the harvest of good teamwork and subtle cooperation among the bowlers and in the field.
However the top order batsmen Havelock North hardly played their part as six of them were dismissed cheaply. This capitulation seemed to sound the knell of an ignominious defeat.
With Havelock’s batting in disarray, enter Don Burns who played one of his hallmark innings to again save the day. In his chanceless knock, the left hander hit 11 boundaries before being the eighth batsman to be dismissed when the Havelock score was 99, eight runs behind.
Teamwork and cooperation again were thrust forward, and McDonald featured in a match saving partnership of 35, nine runs short of victory, when Don Burns was out LBW. Eight runs were scored in the final over and the scores were tied.
‘Outfield’ in the Hawke’s Bay Herald Tribute rated this innings by Don Burns as being one of the best ever played in the Napier Hastings competition when he was dismissed with the total on 99.
“Burns featured in two match saving partnerships. The first, with wicket keeper Collie Henderson who in fact failed to score but helped Burns add 19 for the 7th wicket. The second and most important was with D. McDonald. The two of them taking the score from 64 for 7 to 99 for 8. After Burns had gone Max Liley and McDonald joined forces and advanced the total to 105 amid great tension and excitement. At the start of the last over of the match three runs were still required for the win.
The crucial first ball from Colin Eagle popped a little, but Liley hit it for a well timed two runs to level the scores. With time running out and the light rapidly failing, Liley nudged the next ball out in front of the square leg umpire and headed down the pitch but the quick throw to the bowler’s end effected a run out with no addition to the score which was still tied.
P. Lepper, the last man in, was a youngster, filling in for the regular Havelock players who were away with the Hawke Cup team. He joined McDonald who played two defensive shots and then with just two balls remaining attempted to drive – the ball popped, caught the top of his bat and shot out to backward point where the catch was taken and the tie accomplished.”
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 107, Richardson 1 for 4, Burns 3 for 31, Liley 3 for 5, Ritchie 2 for 23
Havelock North: 107, Burns 70
In spite of the tie, there seems little doubt that Havelock North will win the $100 Wattie’s second round competition.
Page 207
March 13th 1971
Match abandoned because of rain
March 20th 1971
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
A win for Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Thursday March 25th ‘Outfield’
“Sent in to bat on an Anderson Park wicket which played far better than at any other time this season, Havelock North raced through to 202 for 5 in their 35 overs. When Whakatu-Mahora batted, Max Liley returned the sensational bowling analysis of 6.1 overs 3 maidens 9 runs 7 wickets. Figures which are easily the best since the one-day competition was introduced.
Napier Old Boys and Havelock North gave further evidence of their superiority over other teams in the Hastings Napier Competition when they respectively claimed the championship and the Wattie’s one-day titles last Saturday.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 202 for 5, Patterson 48, Atkinson 37, Morland 36, Burns 21, Cox 18, Penman 17
Whakatu-Mahora: 70, M. Liley 7 for 9
Final Points:
Championship: NOB 63, HN 61, OBH 46, Taradale 43, TOB 37, WM 37, Marist 23, MR 23
One-day Wattie’s: HN 33, NOB 27, Taradale 24, OBH 18, TOB 18, WM 12, Marist 12, MR 12.
Statistics
Championship Points
Team Outright First Innings Wattie’s Wattie’s Tie Draw Total
w. l w l. w l.
Napier Old Boys 1 4 1 4 1 2 63
Havelock North 5 1 5 0 1 1 61
The other teams ranging from Old Boys Hastings to Midland Rugby scored from 46 to 17 points
Batting Averages
Name Place Innings Not out Highest score Runs Average
D. Burns 2nd 16 4 70 491 40.92
C. Atkinson 4th 4 0 60 143 35.75
N. Murley 11th 11 5 38 n.o. 166 27.67
T. Patterson 13th 10 2 50 220 27.50
R. Cox 17th 8 2 53 151 25.17
D. Morland 23rd 9 3 52 136 22.67
M. Penman 28th 6 1 41 106 21.20
To be just two points behind the winning Championship team and 15 points ahead of the third placed side and then to win the Watties One-Day 35 over Competition speaks volumes of where the Club stands at the present time in Hawke’s Bay Cricket. The worthy citizens of the village can be proud of their side as the halcyon day of the late 1950s are once again resurrected and bragging rights exploited by all.
Representative Honours:
Hawke’s Bay Representatives: C. Atkinson, N. Murley, H. Richardson, D. Morland
Hawke’s bay Colts: N. Murley (Captain), T. Patterson, C. Person.
Page 208
Trophies:
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association:
Club Championship: The R.D. Carter Memorial Cup for most club points: Havelock North
Senior grade: Havelock North 2nd
Wattie’s One-day Competition: Havelock North
Senior Bowling best average: Hanlon Cup: H. V. Richardson
Most outstanding Cricketer under 22: R. Cox
Most dismissals in the field, The Morrison Cup: Havelock North
Best Bowling performance: M.H. Liley 7 for 9 versus Whakatu-Mahora.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: R. Queree
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: M. Lewis
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: D. G. Burns
Page 209
Chapter 27
1971/1972 SEASON
Whether the weather be fine,
Whether the weather be not.
Whether the weather be cold,
Whether the weather be hot.
We’ll weather the weather,
Whatever the whether.
Whether we like it or not!
– Old English rhyme
To have to endure two consecutive seasons of rain delays, washouts and abandonment of play was enough to test the patience of Job. But on three occasions of delays and final abandonment Havelock was on the side of fortune. Five ducks on December 4th – highly appropriate.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday October 21st 1971 ‘Outfield’
“The loss of Colin Atkinson and Richard Cox will be a big blow to Havelock North which has been in the top two for the last 4 seasons.
Middle-order batsman Craig Person has also departed – going to Christchurch. But a former Poverty Bay player, John Murphy has shown good early season form in this position.
Possible promotions from the second grade are Don McDonald and Andrew Giffney, while Manawatu Rugby representative James Francis will be back with the club in the middle of the season.
Hawke’s Bay representative Doug Morland will take over the captaincy of the side from Bob Mitchell who stands down after 10 consecutive years in charge.
The squad for this year is: Doug Morland (capt), Bob Mitchell, Monty Penman, Don Burns, Tim Patterson, Howard Richardson, Neil Murley, Peter Carver, John Murphy, Max Liley, David Ritchie, Mike Natusch, Don McDonald, Peter Carver, James Francis, Andrew Giffney.
This season began with what was to become a captaincy-musical-chairs as Bob Mitchell and Doug Morland took over from each other on three occasions in the short space of three years from this date until January 1975. This was due in part to Doug’s heavy commitment with both Hawke’s Bay and Central Districts and Bob’s desire to see the stability in captaincy which he had created over the past decade, maintained.
October 30th November 6th 1971
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
Team for the first game: Doug Morland (Capt), Monty Penman, John Murphy, Don Burns, Tim Patterson, Neil Murley, Peter Carver, Bob Mitchell, Howard Richardson, Max Liley, Don McDonald.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday November 4th ‘Outfield’
“If the opening day results are any indication, the side that is able to gain the most batting performance points in future matches will be in a commanding position to win the 1971/72 championship. On the opening day a total of 30 bowling points were registered, against only 10 batting points. In the game against Whakatu-Mahora, captain Morland’s declaration has opened the game up and the onus on both teams is to ‘have a go’. In batting – Havelock picked up 2 performance points. Morland led from the front and his fine bowling
Page 210
registered the commanding figures of 10 overs 6 maidens, 21 runs 5 wickets after at one stage having taken 4 wickets for just 2 runs.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 93, Morland 5 for 21, Liley 2 for 20
Havelock North: 111 for 7 declared. Burns 32, Murley 23 n.o. Murphy 31
Second day rained-out
November 13th and 20th 1971
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Havelock lost outright
At stumps on the first day Havelock North had dominated the game and were in what one would suppose to be an unassailable position. The Midland Rugby attack was savaged by both Don Burns and Tim Paterson. This heralded a predictable declaration at tea by Doug Morland who could well have envisaged an early finish to the game on the second day.
The supposed quiet musings of the skipper were manifested in a brilliant bowling performance by Howard Richardson who slashed through the top order. In five overs he had 4 wickets at a cost of 13 runs and had picked up his six-wicket bag when stumps were drawn. In the newly introduced bonus points system, Havelock North already had the maximum five bowling points. All seemed in line for a continuation of this dominance when play resumed in seven days time on the 29th November.
However, the wisdom and sharp eye of the Daily Telegraph’s, Frank Cane should really have been a warning for a Havelock team exuding confidence as they packed up the gear after such a successful day.
The Daily Telegraph: Thursday 18th November
“Havelock North could be accused of taking Midland Rugby too lightly and going into the match assuming that 10 points for the outright was a mere formality. They are now having difficulty in asserting their superiority. Midland Rugby limited Havelock North to just 3 batting performance points but the side did go on to make 165 for 3 declared. But it was the Midland Rugby batting that proved frustrating for Havelock North. Midland are still there with three wickets in hand and 103 on the scoreboard.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 22nd November 1971
“Midland Rugby topple Havelock North in exciting finish”
“Midland Rugby, the weakest team in the Inter city Competition for the past couple of seasons beat Havelock North, one of the strongest, in an exciting finish.
The excitement was generated by Havelock North’s bold declaration which left Midland Rugby to get 117 runs in 135 minutes with the mandatory 15 overs to be bowled in the last hour.
With Midland Rugby being 5 down for 77, Morland claimed the thirty minutes of extra time. Midland Rugby accepted the challenge and rushed towards the penultimate over when they were 104 without losing any further wickets. In this over Morland took 3 wickets for just one run. So the final over arrived with twelve runs still required and two wickets intact. The ever dangerous and in-form fast bowler Howard Richardson was given the ball to finish the match. A win, either first innings or outright to Havelock, the likely outcome.
But young Birch of Midland was of sterner stuff and settled in to slog his way to victory. The youngster unleashed his bat and in seven balls of the eight-ball over, had scored eleven runs all through the mid wicket area. The winning run coming from a well taken single by Murray Richmond to the jubilation of the Midland Rugby team and supporters. An epic finale to a great game.”
Page 211
There could well have been a feeling of schadenfreude among the old timers of the Rugby club, who may have read about this game while relaxing at home on a Monday evening over a pre dinner drink. Not that Brian Pattullo, Ed Singleton, Ernie Elliott or Jim Stevenson would still have been harbouring too many grudges after two decades, about the migration of their colleagues to Havelock North, but the inner satisfaction gained by that quartet of Rugby stalwarts over such a fine victory by their old club, may well have enhanced the sweetness of their chosen aperitif.
Although losing, Havelock have still managed to go to the top of the table through their first innings lead as all other games were drawn because of the rain interruptions. Final match points were Midland Rugby 13 Havelock North 8.
Score card:
Havelock North: 163 for 3 decl. Burns 85 n.o., Patterson 52 n.o., Penman 13,
and 57 for 2 decl. Burns 26 n.o., Penman 15, Patterson 14.
Midland Rugby: 104, Richardson 6 for 27, Morland 2 for 17, Liley 2 for 3
and 117 for 8, Richardson 2 for 48, Morland 4 for 31
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. 25th November 1971
“Time to bring back Don Burns”
“The recent good form of Don Burns prompted speculation as to the possibility of his inclusion in the Hawke’s Bay Representative squad.
In three innings this season Burns has scored 117 runs in two completed knocks, one dismissal was a run out. This follows on from the previous season’s fine record of 491 runs at an average of 40.92. Fourteen of his seventeen innings were over double figures. One possible drawback to Burns’ inclusion is a certain lack of mobility in the field, but Havelock North players will bear testimony to his reliability as a catcher and fielder when the situation demands it.
With an average so far of 42.43 he is more than favourably positioned for a recall into Mr Fifield’s squad.”
November 27th December 4th 1971
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Up to this game Taradale had never beaten Havelock North in their two years of playing Senior cricket but they had beaten every other side.
Havelock North were off to a fairly good start and looked set to forge past Taradale’s mediocre tally. Then Murray Chappell who had played 14 tests for New Zealand between 1953 and 1966 took the ball and began the slump in the Havelock innings in which the villagers lost 5 wickets for just 3 runs. As rain washed out the second day Taradale had achieved their goal of a win against all comers in the competition.
Score card:
Taradale: 84 for 9 declared, Liley 4/33, Burns 3/22, Giffney 2/17
and 20 for 2
Havelock North: 52 for 9. Penman 36, Burns 15 – 5 ducks and 2 singles
Points table: TOB 30, HN 29, MR 22, Marist 20, WM 14, NOB 13, Taradale 11, OBH 7.
December 11th and 18th 1971
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
Page 212
With the local newspaper justifiably stating the case for Don Burns to return to the Hawke’s Bay side, the same could be said in favour of Howard Richardson’s inclusion in the next series of Representative games. In this match he captured his second six wicket bag in three matches.
Declarations seem to be the order of the day in the early part of this season. Havelock North declared their first innings closed in the four games played so far.
If the newly introduced system of handing out bonus points, is the cause of this somewhat reckless manner of playing an eleven a side game where middle and lower order batsmen are deprived of their Saturday afternoon relaxation then an amendment must surely be in order.
With bowling points being more readily available than batting points captains are sorely tempted to throw their bowlers into the mix instead of aiming for a substantial first day batting score.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Thursday December 16th ‘Outfield’
“In the face of some very good bowling by Howard Richardson – 13.4 overs 3 maidens 27 runs 6 wickets – Marist reached only 62 for 8 at afternoon tea and had at this stage conceded Havelock North 4 bowling performance points.”
In this game all of the Marist batsman had two knocks. Havelock’s record making early declaration in the first innings which resulted in no bonus points but almost led to an ignominious defeat was the stuff of fantasy.
Score card:
Marist: 92, Richardson 6 for 27, Morland 2 for 12
and 107 for 9 declared. Morland 5 for 39, Richardson 3 for 47
Havelock North: 47 for 5 decl. Burns 15
and 50 for 8. Patterson 37
Performance points: 4 for batting
1972
Bob Mitchell took over the captaincy from Doug Morland
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Bob Mitchell (captain), Doug Morland, Monty Penman, Don Burns, Tim Paterson, Neil Murley, Howard Richardson, John McKenzie, Don McDonald, Max Liley, Guy Hamilton.
January 8th and 15th 1972
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Havelock won outright win by 6 wickets
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 18th January ‘Outfield’
In taking 9 wickets between them Howard Richardson and Doug Morland cemented their places as two of the leading wicket-takers in the Inter City competition.
After a rather tentative start, Craig Person moved through to the afternoon’s highest score of 81 with an attractive display and in partnership with Bob Mitchell added 43 runs in the final 20 minutes of the innings. A well performing opening batsman in previous seasons for both Taranaki and Wanganui, Person will no doubt benefit from this long innings and he could provide the foundation for some improved batting performances by Havelock North in the remaining matches.
Page 213
Score card:
Midland Rugby: 109 for 9 decl. Richardson 5 for 35, Morland 4 for 26.
and 112, McDonald 3 for 17, Liley 2 for 19 (J. McKenzie 1 for 0)
Havelock North: 159 for 7 decl. Person 81, Mitchell 28, Burns 22
and 64 for 4. Burns 21, Person 18, Patterson 14.
Final performance points:- Havelock 14, Midland Rugby 4.
January 22nd and 29th 1972
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
Don Burns displayed just what a valuable member of the Havelock team he had become over his eight seasons with the villagers. He would be the first to admit that his slow spinners would ever be of sufficient venom to run through a team but in this game that is exactly what happened when he was introduced to the bowling crease as sixth change.
He took his six wickets consecutively after breaking the third wicket partnership with a good catch by Monty Penman
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday February 3rd ‘Outfield’
“With Don Burns slow left armers dominating the Old Boys Hastings middle and lower order their total of 188 was commendable. But Havelock had to struggle to avoid the ignominy of the follow on from the dire position at end of day 1 of being 36 for 6 which was saved by a spirited partnership of 54, between Howard Richardson and John Murphy These two who resumed batting on day 2 took the score through to 88 exactly 100 in arrears and safety, on a rain-affected afternoon when players left the field at 4 15 p.m.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 188 for 9 decl. Burns 6 for 35
and 65 for 8 decl.
Havelock North: 100 for 8 decl. H. Richardson 27, J, Murphy 21
February 5th and 12th 1972
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday February 17th ‘Outfield’
“Havelock played themselves into a good position on the second day of their match against Napier Old Boys but lack of time prevented them from taking a possible outright victory.
Particularly impressive was the batting of Neil Murley who scored a polished 25 n.o., in adding 40 runs for the 4th wicket with Don Burns.
In Napier Old Boys second innings the Havelock bowlers managed to precipitate an amazing batting collapse and in just 15 overs Howard Richardson in partnership with Don McDonald crashed through the innings to have them 46 for 8 when the skipper declared.
Left with 20 overs to score 121 runs under a darkening sky Havelock North were only able to reach 45 for 4 when bad light stopped play.”
Page 214
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 153, Richardson 5 for 33, Burns 2 for 36
and 46 for 8 declared. Richardson 5 for 25, McDonald 3 for 19
Havelock North: 81 for 4 declared. Burns 25, Murley 25, Morland 11, Murphy 10
and 45 for 4. Penman 21, Murley 11 n.o.
The season’s series of knock-out games scheduled to begin on the first Sunday in February, saw a mixed bag of performances from the Havelock team. Having played Napier Old Boys in a hard-fought match on the Saturday 5th February. Havelock performed with much credit to defeat Old Boys Hastings in the first of the one-day games played on the Sunday. The following Sunday was not quite the result the side wanted and Havelock were knocked out in the semi-final against Whakatu-Mahora.
February 6th 1972
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Win for Havelock
Score card:
Havelock North: 192, M. Penman 54, D. Morland 34, Murphy 31, Patterson 27, Burns 12
Old Boys Hastings: 150, Morland 2 for 6, McDonald 2 for 32, Burns 2 for 32.
The following Sunday, February 13th 1972 Semi-final of the Knockout
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Loss for Havelock
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 152, Burns 3/19 Liley 2/26
Havelock North: 103, Morland 57, Mitchell 17
Back to the two-day Competition
February 19th and 26th 1972
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
At 191 for 2 wickets the Havelock skipper, Bob Mitchell, cried enough as the Whakatu-Mahora bowlers sauntered through the day at their leisurely pace of bowling one over every five minutes. The declaration came at 4 30 p.m., after three and a half hours play. Mitchell delayed the closure for as long as practicable, hoping for an increase in the over rate and the anticipated spurt in the batting with still eight wickets in hand. But he had to settle for 191. Whakatu may well have been pleased with the result of the delaying tactics but at stumps were 113 for eight. Liley and McDonald being the main destroyers.
Havelock North blew any chance they had of capitalizing on this very favourable position at the beginning of the second day allowing Whakatu-Mahora to recover with some gritty lower order batting to pass the Havelock total with nine wickets down.
Trailing by just 6 runs Havelock struggled in their second innings with skipper Bob Mitchell and promoted second grader Graham Thompson pulled the innings around.
Left with 10 overs to score 91 runs Whakatu-Mahora showed no interest and batted out time.
Page 215
Score card:
Havelock North: 191 for 2 decl. J. Murphy 85, Burns 30 n.o., Patterson 26, Penman 16
and 96 for 6 decl. Mitchell 34, Patterson 18, G. Thompson 17
Whakatu-Mahora: 197, McDonald 4/51 Liley 3/42
24 for 0
Performance points Havelock 6, Whakatu-Mahora 4
March 4th and 11th 1972
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Because of rain, all play was abandoned on the first day. Match drawn
March 11th
This drawn game helped to rob Tech Old Boys of the Championship and indeed most of the luck was on the side of the villagers.
Monty Penman had the dubious distinction of playing over the top of a alism from Peter McGregor the Tech medium pacer. Thinking that he was bowled, Monty spun around to see the ball harmlessly pass between the leg and middle stumps without dislodging the bails, beating the wicketkeeper and going on to the boundary. Monty, always pedantic – often argumentative, and this time riding his luck, claimed four runs as he was adamant that he had got a touch.
The reverse of this very rare occasion happened only once before to the author’s knowledge. On the Cornwall Park Number 2 wicket in that northerly corner of Cornwall Park, Harry Hawthorn was wheeling up his leg breaks coincidentally to the Tech Old Boys side of 1959. Harry was getting considerable turn so he tried his googly which pitched on off stump. The ball straightened up, bisecting the off and middle stumps. Bob MacInnes the keeper raised his arms as the ball approached the stumps then let out a cry of despair as it went through the gap. Harry a man of few words walked along the pitch took hold of the ball pushed it through the gap and said “Yeah, it just fits, all right. Do I get another over skipper?”
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 118, Richardson 3 for 27, McDonald 3 for 28
Havelock North: 95 for 2, Burns 37 n.o., Penman 34, Murphy 10
Final points for the season: Marist 84, TOB 77, HN 63, MR 49, WM 45, NOB 42
Thursday March 23rd ‘Outfield’
Havelock North completed another satisfactory season with both bat and ball but although they scored their runs well they were never made at a fast enough rate to enable them to take sizeable numbers of batting performance points.
In the past 5 seasons the club has finished top twice, second twice and now this year third. Tight accurate bowling by Howard Richardson and Doug Morland and good all-round play from Don Burns always made them a difficult side to beat.
Daily Telegraph Monday March 20th 1972 F.F. Cane
In a season which was disrupted by rain and bad light, it was difficult to get into any sort of rhythm for most teams. A couple of drawn games through rain interruptions did not help Havelock`s cause. With one outright win and a disastrous outright loss to bottom of the table Midland Rugby along with the three first innings losses were the cause of what was a pretty dismal season after the previous two high points of 1970 and 1971.
Page 216
Club Championship for most points scored by all teams: Havelock North 4th
Senior Championship: Havelock North 3rd
Watties Knockout Cup: Out in the second round
Representative Honours Senior: H. Richardson and D. Morland
Colts: N. Murley
Trophies
Hanlon Cup for Senior Bowling: H. Richardson
Hastings Sub Association
Senior Championship Old Orkney Cup: Havelock North
Most Field dismissals: Morrison Cup: Havelock North
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: R. M. Renz
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: W. B. Mawson
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: J. R. Murray
Page 217
Chapter 28
1972/1973 NEW SEASON
K.F. – Farewell with thanks and appreciation after twenty-three seasons!
“On his day he was pretty much unplayable.” – John O’Shaughnessy
“Even the best batsmen are troubled by late swing.” – Ian Chappell
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday October 19th 1972 ‘Outfield’
Over the winter Havelock have suffered two major losses in their top order batsmen, Neil Murley and John Murphy – but have made gains that could more than compensate.
Murphy, a consistent opening bat last season has transferred to Wairoa while Murley is travelling in the UK.
Gains for opening day include Bruce Dobbie, a middle-order batsman from the Upper Moutere Club in Nelson, Earl Bunny, an all rounder from Wanganui Collegiate and Stephen Edwards a Hutt Valley Colt’s representative keeper in the 1971/72 season.
Also available for Havelock North is the Hawke’s Bay rugby representative, Vince Costello. A fast medium bowler and useful batsman, who has played senior cricket in Christchurch for the St Albans Club.
Possible promotions from the second grade are the batsmen Graham Thompson, Max Hamilton, ex Lindisfarne 1st XI and Brent Mawson.”
Team for the first game of the season:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Max Hamilton, Monty Penman, Tim Paterson, Don Burns, Doug Morland, Bruce Dobbie, Howard Richardson, Stephen Edwards, Max Liley and Don McDonald
October 21st and 23rd 1972
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Doug Morland’s excellent start to the season, with a ten-wicket haul, was somewhat reminiscent of the start which Noel Fulford used to accomplish after a winter of contemplation on the Goddard Lane orchard.
Morland’s contemplation may well have been more sedentary as he taught his year 5- and 6-year pupils at the delightfully rural Argyll East School.
His early season form was matched by the batsmen Tim Paterson, Monty Penman and Don Burns who carried the side through to a highly satisfactory start to the new season.
Left with 19 overs to score 107 runs for victory against Tech Old Boys, at almost 6 runs an over, Havelock started slowly until Tim Patterson joined Monty Penman and in a partnership of 50 which featured some fine strokes and sensible running between the wickets the match was on track for an exciting finish. When Burns joined Patterson the two carried the total to within range of the target which was in sight when the last over was about to be bowled.
Paterson’s innings was compiled in just 39 minutes. Bob Mitchell and Brian Dobbie were there in the last over when the winning run was made. Havelock North could feel well satisfied with their 20 points from the match against one of last season’s top sides.
Page 218
Without the two hours extra playing time, Havelock’s game against Tech Old Boys would have ended in a tame draw instead of a cliff-hanger which ended on the fourth ball of the last over.
Before performance points were introduced last year the average innings score was 170. Last year the average dropped below 140. The innings average for the first games of the season climbed back to 180.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 112, Morland 6 for 43,
and 169, Morland 4 for 72, Liley 3 for 35, Richardson 2 for 35
Havelock North: 168, Burns 44, Penman 25, Patterson 20, Dobbie 19, Mitchell 15
and 114 for 5, Patterson 56, Penman 21, Burns 17.
Thursday 26th October. Daily Telegraph. F.F. Cane
“Hawke’s Bay cricketers happy with points system”
“The weekend trial of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket association’s 50-over unlimited batting performance points system has met with an enthusiastic response from the Hastings and Napier senior cricket captains conceding that it made some changes in their batting pattern.
There was less thrashing about in the first innings as teams rushed towards the target of 160 in 30 overs as they did last season.
The new points system has also balanced the batting and bowling segments of the game.
Last season under the 30 over limit for performance points, more than 210 bowling points were allocated.
Batting played second fiddle in the competition and for this all-important aspect of the game, only 140 points were awarded.
It is hoped the new system will restore the natural balance between batting and bowling. It should encourage batsmen to play their strokes but the key to a successful first innings will be the run rate tempo, which should be about five runs an over. Batsmen are going to have to show their stuff and will have to take calculated chances to maintain a good rate. A run rate of less than three should not even be considered. But at the same time you cannot have batsmen throwing their wickets away. Captains will have to play a more important role in the game.
Last year almost without exception teams declared after thirty overs. There was no point in batting any further.
Captains will be torn between chasing an outright win or playing safe and getting as many performance points as possible.
Bob Mitchell who has taken over the captaincy of Havelock North to relieve Doug Morland, is more convinced of the desirability of the longer playing hours now, than when he proposed them at the Association’s AGM. Mitchell also stated, that removing the limit of batting performance points is a good thing, because if you have a side which has the ability to score 300 plus runs you deserve the points.
This removal of the limitation on the number of batting points which can be obtained in the first innings could help lift the number of first innings runs scored.”
October 30th and November 4th 1972
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock lost outright.
Page 219
In one of the most spectacular batting collapses in the club’s history, Havelock capitulated on the Cornwall Park Number 2 wicket. This pitch has never been especially kind to Havelock batsmen, but to throw in the ponge in such a dramatic fashion was indiscriminately careless to say the least, particularly as the openers were going along smoothly and had given the side a reasonable start.
It was when Don Beuth, the Napier Old Boys quick bowler was called in for his second spell after a couple of overs rest, that the debacle was first initiated and then gained momentum.
Thirteen runs were scored, during which time, seven batsmen trudged their way back to the barely adequate shelter of the spreading oaks, adjacent to the Duke Street corner.
After losing early wickets to the fired-up pair of Morland and Richardson, Napier Old Boys were able to recover sufficiently in the context of this low-scoring match to be 108 for 8 at stumps.
On the second day any thought of atonement dwindled, as partnerships on three occasions began with a promise which never eventuated to anything substantial. Havelock North never appeared likely to score enough second innings runs to trouble the Napier side.
Left with 62 to win Napier Old Boys easily reached their target at 4 15p.m. in spite of the many bowling changes and field setting by the Havelock skipper. Seven bowlers were used, all to no avail.
Score card:
Havelock North: 62 for 9 decl, Morland 21, Richardson 17.
And 119, Dobbie 24, Bunny 17, Penman 17, Mitchell 16, Patterson 14
Napier Old Boys: 120 for 9 declared, Richardson 4 for 30, Morland 3 for 51.
And 62 for 1
November 11th and 18th 1972
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
Daily Telegraph, F. F. Cane: Monday, November 13th
“Doug Morland finds form with a stylish century”
“Doug Morland’s chanceless and unfinished innings of 100 in 160 minutes is the first true indication of his prowess as a batsman. It pointed to a return to the form which a few seasons ago set an Auckland club cricket first wicket record with Martin Horton, the NZ coach.
In club cricket in Hawke’s Bay, Morland has made his 30s and 40s and his run making ability although always here was never fully realised. In the nets at practice Morland has always looked good. He has all the strokes but in matches he has failed to reach his practice potential.
To the statistician, Morland’s century would have been the last thing to expect from him with his current Club form being 1, 1, 21, 0.
In his century he hit 13 boundaries and his innings was chanceless. However he became bogged down when he was in the 80s as his scoring rate was hampered by the No 8 batsman’s inability to give him the strike.
Doug Morland transferred to Hawke’s Bay as a hard-hitting run scorer and he admits he has failed to live up to that label.
Page 220
“When I came here my run making went to pieces. I’ve taken more wickets than I have scored runs”
And oddly enough Morland was given a trial for Central Districts as an off-spin bowler. But Morland does not bowl his ‘offies’ in club cricket. Because of the limitations of the Havelock attack he whirls down some pretty useful medium paced outswingers.
Morland believes the decline in his batting is due to the limited amount of time he gets to practice. As it is he is travelling 200 miles a week for his cricket. He comes to Napier for the weekend play, and representative practice and then to Havelock North for club practice.
The change in the allocation of performance points and the enlargement of the period in which performance points can be scored also helped Morland to his century.
“Last year the 30 over limit to performance points was a hit and giggle affair. This year you have time to build an innings. It has made a lot of difference to my own approach and to the approach of others,” Morland said.”
Another thing that Morland said, this time to his teammates as they were congratulating him while he was taking off his pads after his best knock so far for Havelock was!
“You know, this is the worst team that I have ever played for.” Bill Duff relates this incident with a fair degree of hilarity.
Score card:
Havelock North: 267 for 7 decl. Morland 100, Penman 33, Patterson 28, Dobbie 27, Hamilton 18 n.o.
Whakatu-Mahora: 154, Morland 5 for 37, Richardson 3 for 49,
following on 150 for 3, Liley 2/37
A major feature of this game was the excellent condition of the Cornwall Park No 3 wicket. 574 runs were scored for the loss of 20 wickets. 18 of these came from catches in the field.
November 25th and December 2nd 1972
Havelock North versus Taradale
A Draw
With a full day’s play on the first day Havelock had manoeuvred themselves into a winning position. A fine spell of swing bowling by Vince Costello and a rare stint at the bowling crease from Tim Paterson restricted Taradale to just 182 runs. With the second day rained off the villagers had to settle for a draw
Score card:
Taradale: 182 for 7, V. Costello 3 for 26, Paterson 3 for 18
Havelock North: 30 for 3
December 9th and 16th 1972
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Havelock won outright
This was Peter Kay’s first game. He had returned from his days at Rathkeale College to work on the family farm. His youthful enthusiasm and fine stroke play was to prove a fine asset to the club
Daily Telegraph, F. F. Cane Monday December 18th 1972
“Twenty-two runs off five consecutive balls gave Havelock the only outright victory in Hawke’s Bay senior club cricket at the weekend.
Page 221
Havelock moved into third place in the championship behind Napier Old Boys and Old Boys Hastings on the strength of the outright win – the team’s second this season”.
The main ingredients in Havelock North`s victory was the bowling performance of Howard Richardson who finished with 6 for 52 in his best display this season, and Max Liley who took 4 for 44. Richardson bowled for three and a half hours in Midland Rugby’s second innings and Max Liley who bowled thirteen consecutive overs backed him up admirably.
Sensing victory, Havelock North claimed the extra thirty minutes play and at 5 40 p.m. Richardson removed the doughty Paul Makris. The dismissal of Makris, the last batsman, left Havelock North, four overs in which to score 18 runs for the outright win.
Dave Drummond the Midland Rugby captain decided to open with Paul Makris instead of the first-choice opener Neville Dyer. His choice seemed justified because Dyer had sent down some dreadful half trackers in Havelock’s first innings and he had been badly mauled. Makris proved to be steadier and harder to get away.
But what happened was completely beyond Drummond’s control. Makris first ball was wide down the leg side and completely missed by wicket keeper Murray Richmond and went for four byes. Tim Paterson sent the next ball to the boundary for a four and he repeated the shot twice more from consecutive balls. Still one run short Paterson sent the next ball for a towering six into the trees surrounding Anderson Park to clinch an outlandish victory.
Score card:
Midland Rugby: 82, Morland 4 for 20, Richardson 3 for 35, Liley 2 for 13
and 100, Richardson 6 for 25, Liley 4 for 24,
Havelock North: 175, Patterson 34, P. Kay 31, Morland 28, Mitchell 25, Penman 24, Richardson 17, Natusch 15, Bunny 14
and 32 for 0
1973
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Bob Mitchell (Capt), Monty Penman, Howard Richardson, Tim Patterson, Doug Morland, Don Burns, Mike Natusch, Malcolm Duff, Earl Bunny, Bill Duff, Guy Hamilton
January 11th and 18th 1973
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won on the first innings
Wally Boyle the Anderson Park curator had excelled himself in creating a fast and true wicket which was a pleasure to play on and resulted in a spectacular game of cricket.
Daily Telegraph. F.F. Cane. Monday, January 13th 1973.
“Paterson scores his first century for Havelock North”
“Tim Paterson and Howard Richardson established a Havelock North club record when they scored 176 in a second wicket partnership for their club against Old Boys Hastings.
Besides setting a club record Richardson and Paterson bettered their previous highest scores for Havelock North.
Paterson back with the club for his second term, had not scored a century before for Havelock North although he had been close on many occasions. Richardson an opening bowler lifted his previous best score from 49 to 75.
Page 222
The pair came together after Havelock North had lost its first wicket for only 4 runs. Both Paterson and Richardson started slowly with Richardson surprisingly looking the most assured and confident.
But once Paterson had reached 38 he threw caution to the winds. His century which included three sixes and thirteen fours came up in 135 minutes. His aggression to the point of recklessness was to be his downfall.
Richardson, who had been batting most consistently over the past few games looked set for his maiden club century but was involved in a mix up with Mike Natusch and was run out on 75.
Havelock declared on 245 for 6, with 9 batting points and at stumps had Old Boys Hastings 94 for 4, giving the villagers 2 bowling points. Newcomer Malcolm Duff who played for the Queensland Country XI against the 1970/71 MCC touring team also batted well, to reach 27 n.o. before the declaration came at the end of the 50th over.
Old Boys began the reply disastrously losing 3 wickets for just 13 runs but recovered well to be 94 for 4 at stumps.”
As is often the case Frank Cane waxed lyrical in his Thursday Sport’s column for the Daily Telegraph, this time in praise of Tim Paterson’s century.
“Birthday bat gives Tim Paterson a century”
“A birthday present – a $30 cricket bat, seems to have changed the luck of Waipukurau cricketer Tim Paterson.
Twenty-five-year-old Paterson, a stock agent, scored his second century in six years of senior play when he made 108 in 140 minutes for Havelock North against Old Boys Hastings on Saturday.
A former New Plymouth Boys High School pupil he made his first century while playing in the Central Hawke’s Bay competition in 1966 as a young 18-year-old, straight out of school.
Paterson was unaware of how close he was, due to a code of silence practiced by the Havelock team, which had been traditional since the early days of Noel Fulford at the club. But when he hit a spanking cover drive to the boundary and the applause came from the pavilion, he lifted his birthday bat, which could well have been the difference.
After the run-fest of the first day the second day descended into the predictable declarations and run chases. Which left Old Boys Hastings with a gettable target which after initial interest had them playing out time at stumps.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 245 for 6 decl. Paterson 108, Richardson 75, M. Duff 27. Natusch 15
and 96 for 6 decl.
Old Boys Hastings: 181 for 9 decl. Morland 2 for 31, Richardson 3 for 43, W. Duff 3 for 25
and 128 for 7. Bunny 3 for 27, Duff 2 for 11
Performance points: Havelock North 13; 9 batting, 4 bowling.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday January 25th ‘Outfield’
“At Anderson Park Havelock North were the first side this season to take the majority performance points when they gained 4 for bowling to add to the 9 for batting. This game brings to an end round one. At this point the 4 top teams will retain their points and play off for the Inter City title while the bottom three will lose all their points and begin a new competition.”
Points to date NOB 92, OBH 84, HN 73, TOB 61, Marist 60, WM 42, M/R 34, Taradale 24
Page 223
January 27th February 3rd 1973
Havelock North versus Marist.
Havelock lost on the first innings.
At one stage Marist were 144 for 3, but such is the vagaries of cricket, Marist lost the next 6 wickets for just 56 runs. Tim Paterson, the bowler, and Howard Richardson were responsible with some fine medium paced deliveries.
With the momentum strongly in Havelock’s favour, the opening top three batsmen put the villagers in a strong position with two fine partnerships, featuring the skipper Bob Mitchell and at stumps the foundation had been well laid for some heavy scoring by the remainder of this very strong batting line upon the second day.
Havelock North took their overnight total of 127 for 3 to 181 for 7 declared, and conceded Marist a 19 run first innings lead. At this stage both teams had taken 10 performance points.
Marist seeking the outright win, went for the runs in their second innings with the aim of a declaration at tea. This gave Havelock the target of 164 runs to get in 120 minutes.
The openers made a quiet start. Tim Paterson came to bat and his rapid-fire half-century brought a glimpse of success as Duff, Penman and Mitchell all joined in the fun. On Paterson’s dismissal Havelock still had some work to do as the run rate required was up to eight an over. In the face of some very defensive bowling and field placing, the chase was abandoned.
Score card:
Marist: 200 for 9 decl. Richardson 3 for 44, Paterson 4 for 26
and 144 for 3 decl.
Havelock North: 181 for 7 decl. Mitchell 58, Patterson 42, Morland 27 n.o., Duff 24.
And 136 for 4. Patterson 50, Duff 31, Penman 21, Mitchell 14.
Sunday: February 4th 1973.
One-day game
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
A win to Havelock
Havelock North achieved their win with chasing Whakatu-Mahora`s total of 151 in their 40 overs. . Havelock North reached 154 in their 35th over for the loss of only 4 wickets. Don Burns made 68 n.o. and with Monty Penman 62 and Doug Morland 21 cruised to a good win.
10th February and 17th February 1973
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright
This was Grant Gilbert’s first game. He had moved from Gisborne, where he taught at Illminster Intermediate School, to a position at Hastings Intermediate School. He came with quite a reputation as a fast-scoring opening batsman who was adept at both the late and square cuts. With his ability to get runs at a quick rate he was to become an integral part of Havelock North’s top order.
On the first day of this game Havelock North won the toss and with some steady batting from Don Burns, 47, Doug Morland 32, Bruce Dobbie 31, and James Francis, 30 not out, reached a total of 204 which gained them 6 batting points.
Page 224
For the second day’s play The Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribunes scribe, ‘Outfield’ captured the essence of this extraordinary match.
“Havelock North’s thrilling win”
“Positive captaincy by both Doug Morland and Tim Ormond brought the main match at Cornwall Park to a tense and thrilling conclusion.
Doug Morland’s declaration left Old Boys Hastings needing 191 for victory in 130 minutes, which included the compulsory 15 overs in the final hour.
Vince Costello in his second spell snatched four quick wickets and at the end of the compulsory 15 overs Old Boys Hastings total was 184 for 9. The result – a first innings points for Havelock.
Old Boys Hastings skipper riding his luck of past encounters between the two sides was well aware at this point that Old Boys needed seven runs off six balls for the outright win. Conversely Havelock required just the one wicket for the outright. The Old Boys Skipper, Tim Ormond had claimed the right to an extra over because of Havelock’s late arrival on the first day. The odds were certainly in his favour so he grabbed his chance and claimed the right to the extra over.
With the first ball of the extra over, Doug Morland claimed a sharp caught and bowled without any addition to the score. Game over!
If both these sides continue this positive approach they could well exert plenty of pressure on the other leading teams.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 204, Burns 47, Morland 32, Dobbie 31, Francis 30 n.o., Penman 21,
and 131 for 8 decl. Penman 20, Dobbie 19, Gilbert 19, Patterson 18, Richardson 17, Francis 14, Morland 13.
Old Boys Hastings: 150. Morland 3 for 45, Kaye 2 for17, Costello 2 for 23, Richardson 2 for 36,
and 184, Morland 5/76, Costello 4/24
February 24th and March 3rd 1973
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Daily Telegraph February 26th 1973. F.F. Cane
“Costello bats soundly to save Havelock North from collapse”
“A spirited 49 from Hawke’s Bay rugby representative Vince Costello saved Havelock North in its first innings against Napier Old Boys.
Havelock North who lost their first wicket for the respectable total of 62, crashed to 95 for 7 when Vince Costello who had been promoted from Number 11 joined Doug Morland at the wicket. With this promotion came his highest score in senior club cricket.
Costello and Morland added 49 runs for the 8th wicket with Costello playing a fairly passive role. However when Morland departed and Ken Innes arrived at the wicket it was the signal for Costello to take charge and in the 9th wicket stand of 41 runs Vince Costello had slammed 40 of them. The fast bowling of John Howell held no fears, as Costello wafted boundaries over mid wicket only to fall to a good catch right on the boundary to Don Beuth, off the bowling of Howell.
With a deficit of just 54, the question was would Havelock collapse again? Tim Paterson and Grant Gilbert saw that this did not occur with a quick-fire partnership which ended the game on a positive note for Havelock.
Page 225
Score card:
Havelock North: 176, Costello 49, Morland 43, Penman 23, Patterson 12,
and 103 for 4. Paterson 49, Gilbert 21, Dobbie 10.
Napier Old Boys: 230 for 7. Richardson 4 for 38
This match was the final swan song of the great Tom Reaney. Tom had been threatening to retire from the game from the day he turned 60 years of age in 1969. At the age of 64 this game was the great man’s last hurrah as he finally pulled stumps on a great career. The fact that he was able to foot it with all the younger players in the Napier Old Boys side and assist them to winning the Championship in his final year speaks volumes for his competitiveness, his enduring cricketing skills and his love for the game.
March 10th and 17th 1973
Havelock North versus Marist.
Havelock won outright.
Havelock North defeated Marist by two wickets on the very last ball of the match. Good declarations by both captains made this one of the most exciting games of the season, with Havelock North scoring the two runs which they needed for victory – off the very last ball – of the mandatory 15th over … in the last hour’s play … in rapidly fading light.
739 runs were scored in the 600 minutes of this game. Marist kicked off the run-fest by going after the Havelock bowlers on the perfectly prepared No 3 Cornwall Park wicket where the boundaries were short and the outfield fast. Kevin Bracewell set the scene in leading the Marist charge scoring 84 in 40 minutes with 5 sixes and 11 fours. He took 25 runs from an Don McDonald over and was severe on all the bowlers
It was Havelock’s turn after tea with some excellent individual performances with Grant Gilbert and Doug Morland featuring in a rapid-fire partnership. The scoring rate continued when Earl Bunny joined Gilbert with 6 wickets down. They both raced towards stumps and the possibility of overhauling the Marist total was clearly in their sights.
At the start of the second day the two captains convened, after which Bob Mitchell said to his team “John O’Shaughnessy and myself are determined to get a result.” Neither captain could have been disappointed at the way the series of events panned out during that afternoon.
Marist played their cards well, in declaring at what seemed to be the perfect time for them – 24 overs left until stumps were drawn. Time enough to dismiss Havelock but little chance of the villagers getting the required runs. John O’Shaughnessy was aware that Doug Morland had to get to a wedding, which strengthened the logic of his declaration timing.
Opening batsman Morland strode to the wicket and took to the Marist attack, making 69 runs in just over an hour. He dispatched the Marist bowlers to all corners, never once lofting the ball – all his runs came from shots along the ground and when he departed to attend the wedding Havelock North still needed 50 runs off 5 overs of the mandatory 15 overs which had to be bowled from the beginning of the final hour of the day.
Marist were in no hurry to complete the compulsory fifteen overs as the light was fading with the onset of an autumn evening. O’Shaughnessy was becoming more pedantically deliberate with the field setting.
Step up Bruce Dobbie who smashed two mighty sixes and was out attempting a third. The manner in which the two batsmen at the wicket went about the business of winning only added lustre to the victory which was achieved with the two bowlers Don McDonald and Keith Fulford at the wicket to score the winning run.
Page 226
Score card:
Marist: 259 for 9 declared. Costello 4 for 79, Richardson 2 for 58, McDonald 2 for 96
and 110 for 5 declared. Morland 4 for 19.
Havelock North: 216 for 7 declared. Gilbert 92, Morland 46, Bunny 49,
and 154 for 9. Morland 69, Dobbie 25, K. Fulford 13 n.o. Gilbert 12.
This victory carried Havelock North to second place in the championship and extended their record of being in the top 3 in the last 7 seasons.
Club Championship Senior Grade: NOB 151, Havelock North 131, Old Boys Hastings 126, Marist 111.
In the Wattie’s One-Day competition Havelock North were beaten in the second round by Napier Old Boys
Overall Havelock North’s season was a good one. With a record equalling four outright victories – reminiscent of the season of 1969/70, the villagers seemed set for another Championship but the outright loss to Napier Old Boys, the eventual winners in just the second game of the season was one of the defining moments. Napier Old Boys did not let go of the stranglehold which they gained in this vital encounter and ground their way to a well-deserved Championship win. Havelock were the more adventurous of the two teams with some inspired captaincy by Bob Mitchell and with a more favourable rub of the green could well have headed off the Napier side.
This game was Keith Fulford’s final game for the club, thus heralding the conclusion of the era of the club`s history which began in 1950. Those twenty-three years witnessed the birth and development of the club from the fledgling band of men who began it all, to a confident and highly competitive club in this year.
Keith began as the opening bowler along with his brother Noel. He was not only a handy lower order batsman, but later in his career took over the opening berth with aplomb and considerable success. Both his batting and bowling matured during his incredible total of actively playing for the Havelock North 1st team for some twenty-six years. Starting off when the club was in the Junior and Intermediate grades. During the quarter of a century with the club his figures with the ball are quite outstanding. It was not until his brother retired and Keith was shifted up the batting order that his prowess as a batsman came to the surface.
Because full records of games and all scorebooks were inadvertently lost by the Club up until 1980, it is more the pity when one comes to consider the contribution to the club of stalwarts such as Keith Fulford.
Whether Keith attained the coveted milestone of playing 200 games for the Club is a matter of conjecture which would require intuitive guesswork and a degree of subjective reasoning, that may or may not reach an accurate conclusion.
In 1947 Keith began playing for the Club as a 14-year-old colt who was still at school. He continued to play sporadically for the Club’s Junior B Grade side, which was the sole team representing the Village.
In 1951 he was in the side which won the HBCA Intermediate Grade. This achievement resulted in the Havelock North team being promoted to the top Senior Grade the following year.
In these five years 1947 to 51 Keith may well have turned out for forty games over the five seasons – If we are to assume that each season consisted of ten games, which was the norm in those days.
From 1952, until Keith’s last full season in 1969 he played consistently for the senior side. In those 17 seasons he hardly missed a game through injury or illness. It is worthy of note that all games were two-day fixtures played over consecutive Saturdays. The Competition consisted of six teams which played each other twice. Each team contested a total of five games per round – a total of ten games for the season.
Page 227
From 1961 to 1965 during which time Keith was away with the Hawke’s Bay Representative side, he still managed to fulfil his obligations to his beloved club side. Keith would represent Hawke’s Bay on just the one Saturday of a club game. A place was always left for him by the skippers, Bill Hill and Bob Mitchell to return to play for Havelock on the second day, so in reality he seldom, if ever, missed a day playing for his club during those years.
So estimating somewhat intuitively, one may make a conservative assumption that Keith played during the seasons from 1952 to 1969 – (17 years) nine games a season for Havelock North bringing his total games for that time to 153.
Then as his playing days were beginning to wane, post 1969 Keith still turned out sporadically when his orcharding commitments allowed, with the final hurrah being in this very game.
Again intuitively guessing one could say that Keith during those four years turned out for at least a couple of games per season.
After 1969 until 1973 Keith turned out for maybe 8 games
So to tally all this up:
1947 to 1952 = 40 games
1952 to 1969 = 153 games
Post 1969 – 1973 = 8 games
Estimated total games played for Havelock North = 201 games
A true milestone for a great servant of the club!
Club Championship: 6th
Hawke’s Bay Representative Honours: D. Morland
Hawke’s Bay Colts: N Murley (Capt), J. Francis, P. Johnston
Centuries: T. Paterson 108 versus Old Boys Hastings, D. Morland 100 n.o. versus Whakatu-Mahora
Bowling: D. Morland 6 for 42 versus Tech old Boys
Trophies None – First time for a while.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: D. Morland
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: R.C. Godber
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: A T Paterson
Page 228
Chapter 29
1973/1974 SEASON
“Cricket is a game of the most terrifying stresses, with more luck about it than any other game. I know they call it a team game but if you are batting it is the loneliest game of all” – John Arlott
Arlott’s luck was required in the final game to give Havelock a little silver ware.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday October 18th 1973. ‘Outfield’
“Havelock North who have been a major championship contender over the last 7 seasons could be struggling to maintain this high level of performance this season.
Howard Richardson who has captured 142 wickets for the Villagers over the previous 4 seasons and Tim Patterson who scored 456 runs in the 1972/73 season will both be badly missed. These losses will be somewhat off-set by the return to Hastings in November of the wicket keeper batsman Jim Francis and the availability of the former Old Boys Hastings medium pacer Bob Lamberg who is returning to senior cricket after a year’s absence. Players available once again include Doug Morland, Monty Penman, Bruce Dobbie, Bob Mitchell, Grant Gilbert, Earl Bunny, Don McDonald, Mike Natusch, Roger Anderson.
Saturday 20th and Monday 22 of October 1973
The team:- Doug Morland (Capt), Grant Gilbert, Monty Penman, Don Burns, Roger Anderson, Bob Mitchell, Earl Bunny, Max Hamilton, Don McDonald, Bob Lamberg, Garry Mackenzie, Vince Costello, Bruce Dobbie.
Doug Morland returned to the captaincy after the team had been led by Bob Mitchell for one and a half seasons
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock lost outright by 8 wickets
This was Roger Anderson’s first game. Roger came with a fine reputation as a good middle-order batsman and a fine medium pace bowler of impeccable length. His early cricket had been in Ashburton.
Over the past couple of decades, a tradition had been built up, of the Havelock team getting the season off to a good start.
In the 1950s it was left to the blazing bat of Noel Fulford to set the ball rolling. Throughout the successful decade of the 60s there was just one blemish which occurred in the opening game of the 1966/67 season.
In this game against Old Boys Hastings the Havelock batsmen could just muster a total in two innings of 135 – 84 in the first innings and 51 in the second innings, which saw them tumble to an outright defeat in spite of the sterling efforts of the bowlers led by Max Liley 6 for 38 and Keith Fulford 7 for 25.
Just twelve months ago in the opening game, Havelock had a morale boosting outright victory over Tech Old Boys. So the first innings total of 43 in this first game of the 1973 season was a glitch of quite outlandish proportions. However the good recovery in the second innings when the batsmen, led by the man on debut, Roger Anderson, put together some good partnerships compensated to a degree for the first innings debacle.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 162 for 9 declared. Lamberg 4/79, Burns 3/13 Morland 2/40
And 52 for 3
Havelock North: 43, Penman 10
and 169, Anderson 45, Burns 27, Lamberg 21, Mackenzie 18, Mitchell 17.
Page 229
October 27th and November 3rd 1973
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
First innings win
Heavy overnight rain delayed the start on the first day
Daily Telegraph: Monday November 5th 1973. F. F. Cane
“Midland Rugby tail-enders failed to accept the challenge laid down by Havelock North. The tail-enders closed up shop when they still had every chance of an outright.
Left 133 to get in almost even time, Midland Rugby needed 16 off the last two overs to win and had two wickets in hand. They finished 8 runs short, still with 2 wickets in hand.
Doug Morland who has been struggling to find form captured 10 wickets in the match taking 5 wickets in each innings.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 140 for 9, Mitchell 39, Morland 22, Dobbie 19, Gilbert 12, Burns 12
and 100 for 7 declared. Burns 58, Morland 23, Gilbert 11.
Midland Rugby: 125, Morland 5 for 4, Burns 3 for 34
And 116 for 8. Morland 5 for 25
November 10th and 17th 1973
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Daily Telegraph Monday 12th 1973. F.F. Cane.
“The former Manawatu rugby fullback Jamie Francis, and Hawke’s Bay cricket rep Doug Morland were the only Havelock North batsmen to feature on Saturday. Morland made a well compiled 50 and Francis playing in his first game of the season made 40.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 145 for 8 decl. Morland 50, Francis 40, Gilbert 18, Anderson 15.
And 121, Gilbert 38, Morland 19, Costello 10.
Tech Old Boys: 162 for 9 decl. Morland 3 for 44, Costello 2 for 45,
and 58 for 5. Costello 2 for 14, Morland 2 for 15
November 24th and December 1st 1973
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock lost on the first innings.
It was the great effort of Bruce Dobbie in Havelock’s second innings which was the star turn in this match. It was his tenacious defending and sensible shot selection which defied the Taradale attack. His half century was testament to his tenacity and the application of a very straight and broad bat. He fought off all the Taradale bowlers and the breakthrough which Taradale so desperately sought came and Havelock were just four wickets down at stumps.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday December 6th ‘Outfield’
“Havelock North opening bowlers have performed well this season in capturing early wickets in most matches. They have then seemingly relaxed to allow their opponents to go on to quite worthwhile innings totals.”
Page 230
Score card:
Taradale: 189, Lamberg 5 for 48, Costello 5 for 71
and 107 for 7 decl. Lamberg 4 for 48, Morland 3 for 41
Havelock North: 125, Gilbert 26, Dobbie 25, Anderson 21, Morland 18, Francis 14.
and 95 for 4. Dobbie 60, Morland 27.
December 8th and 15th 1973
Havelock North versus Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
This must surely be the ultimate in “if-only” games. If only Havelock would make runs in the first innings when it really counts then maybe there is a good chance that they could be further up the table than at present. This is not taking anything away from the splendid century scored by Lloyd Singleton in Old Boys Hastings first innings, but “if-only” Havelock’s top order was able to make the splendid contribution to the team in the first – not second innings – “if-only!”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Monday 17th Headline
“Bid for outright win fails against Havelock North”
Daily Telegraph Monday 17th December 1973. F. F. Cane
“Before the afternoon was out the Old Boys Hastings attack was seething as Havelock North who were dismissed for a lowly 80 in the first innings, plundered the bowling for 255 for 5 wickets. The pitch was true and the Old Boys Hastings opening bowlers continued to bowl short of a length to attempt to get some life out of it. But found there was nothing in the pitch for them this week. The key to Havelock’s dramatic recovery were the innings of Don Burns, Doug Morland, and Bob Mitchell.
Old Boys Hastings used 7 bowlers and countless changes in a desperate effort to break up the developing partnerships. Eventually with Morland out and Don Burns at the crease the two batsmen Mitchell and Burns kept the attack out for three solid hours Burns and Mitchell went, but the end of the partnership (Mitchell was run out and Burns was given out LBW attempting a king hit to chalk up his first century of the season) came far too late for Old Boys Hastings.
Old Boys Hastings can blame themselves for not taking outright points. They dropped Burns three times and his wicket could have spelt the end of any further resistance from Havelock North.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 80, Dobbie 21, Burns 14, Bunny 12
and 256 for 5. Burns 95, Morland 52, Mitchell 45, Dobbie 23, Gilbert 16.
Old Boys Hastings: 223 for 6 decl. Duff 3/41, Lamberg 2/45
Century scored against Havelock North: Lloyd Singleton.
L.S. Singleton: 104 not out
Bowlers used: Lamberg, Morland 0 for 39, Burns 1 for 39, Costello 1 for 28, W. Duff, Bunny 1 for 10
Lloyd came from a fine cricketing family, his father Ed successfully played all his cricket for the Rugby Club in the days prior to and after World War II. Lloyd developed his skills at Hastings Boys High school under Pat Whelan’s fine coaching. From there he played representative Cricket for Hawke’s Bay and went on to captain his beloved Hastings Old Boys Club.
Intercity Knockout competition
Sunday December 16th 1973
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora.
A win for Havelock
Page 231
Havelock North: 204 for 8. Morland 78, Gilbert 30, Dobbie 20, Mitchell 14″Whakatu-Mahora: 101. Morland 4 for 20, Duff 2 for 22, Costello 2 for 28
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Bob Mitchell (Captain), Max Hamilton, Graham Smith, Don Burns, James Francis, Neil Murley, Jack McLinchy, Earl Bunny, Godber, Bill Duff, Bob Lamberg
January 5th and 12th 1974
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Match drawn
Rain washed out play on the second day causing the match to end in a draw.
Daily Telegraph Monday 7th January: F. F. Cane.
“Graham Smith may jump into the Hawke’s Bay Hawke Cup team’s contention after his 96 against Whakatu-Mahora at Hastings. It was Smith’s first innings in Hawke’s Bay cricket for a few seasons and he looked comfortable as his innings progressed.
Smith, a former Waikato and Horowhenua representative, who played for Hawke’s Bay in 1958 as an 18-year-old, hit 14 fours during his innings, lofting a few drives during his time at the crease.
His innings was the backbone of the Havelock North total. They had reached 144 for 4 at tea but in 41 balls after the break they were all out for 146. The last 5 wickets fell without a single run being added.
Score card:
Havelock North: 146, G. Smith 96, Mitchell 20, Hamilton 14, Burns 10
Whakatu-Mahora: 124 for 5 at stumps
January 19th and 26th 1974
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Marist were in charge almost from the first ball being bowled. Their declaration came when the game was securely theirs. It was left to Neil Murley to safely ensure that the difference between the two sides first innings confirmed the final result.
Score card:
Marist: 183, Lamberg 5/30, Bunny 2/16, Burns 2/48
and 161 for 3 decl.
Havelock North: 125, Patterson 50, Morland 26, Bunny 14,
and 146 for 3, Murley 55 n.o. Penman 43, Hamilton 17.
One-day knockout competition
Sunday 20th January
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock lost
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 203 for 6 wickets. Godber 2 for 26
Havelock North: 176, Penman 51, Morland 34, Murley 27, G. Rogers 13, Burns 11.
Thus the team was knocked out in the first round.
Page 232
February 2nd and 9th 1974
Havelock North versus Midland Rugby
Outright win by 7 wickets
In this game played on the Number 2 wicket at Cornwall Park, Havelock North batted first and compiled a most impressive Score card with six batsmen scoring twenty runs or more. The three hundred plus runs were scored at a reasonably fast clip. The batsmen took full advantage of the well-prepared wicket which did not allow any spin, and also the shorter boundaries which are the bane of a bowler’s life on this wicket.
Midland Rugby after a poor start in their chase for the runs on the first day, recovered commendably on the second day to be just 19 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
Havelock’s new skipper Neil Murley, showed enterprise when he did not enforce the follow-on, thus opening up the possibility of Midland Rugby scoring a victory, but also making the task of his bowlers somewhat easier by giving them a well-deserved rest.
Havelock declared before tea on the second day leaving Midland Rugby 223 runs to get in 200 minutes. They were all out for 205 with 3 overs left in the game. With Bob Lamberg in such good form, the declaration was a tribute to the confidence of the skipper in the medium pacer’s ability to bowl Midland Rugby out. This he did in a ‘man of the match’ performance.
Score card:
Havelock North: 331 for 8 decl. Smith 89, Penman 68, Gilbert 34, Murley 29, Mitchell 24, Anderson 20.
And 148 for 3 wickets decl. Penman 22 Gilbert 12
Midland Rugby: 156, Lamberg 6 for 65, Smith 4 for 23
and 204, Lamberg 4 for 56, Bunny 2 for 35, Smith 2 for 51.
After the game Havelock North were clear leaders in the bottom 4 competition with 28 points, TOB 11, Midland Rugby 8, Taradale 7.
February 16th and 23rd 1974
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost outright but took first innings points
Havelock were drafted onto the unpredictable Cornwall Park Number 2 wicket for the second time in two games, a factor that Tech exploited in Havelock’s second innings with Greg Fifield ‘the old war horse’ mixing up his deliveries with a little help from the pitch’s variable bounce.
Solid performances by the Havelock North top order batsman played the villagers into a strong position reaching a satisfying 191 for 8 declared and then had Tech reeling at 61 for 6 at stumps with Central Districts Plunket Shield representative Doug Morland claiming 5 for 23. All of the Havelock batsmen were among the runs to produce a very tidy Score card. From this position of real dominance it would seem most unlikely that the team’s performance would drop away to concede defeat.
This is exactly what indeed did occur. A reason for this change in fortune could well have been the absence of Doug Morland who was away on representative duty on the fateful second day.
Tech were able to recover in a commendable fight back which yielded 124 runs from the lower order. Havelock could only manage to provide a mediocre total for Tech Old Boys to chase down which gave the Napier side a well-earned outright victory.
Page 233
Score card:
Havelock North: 191 for 8 decl. Smith 51, Morland 42, Penman 24, Mitchell 20 n.o. Gilbert 17, Murley 16.
And 103, Gilbert 22, Anderson 21, Bunny 13, Murley 12
Tech Old Boys: 185, Morland 5 for 25, B. Dobbie 2 for 25,
and 112 for 7, Lamberg 5 for 43 Costello 2 for 57.
March 2nd and 9th 1974
Havelock North versus Taradale.
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Score card:
Havelock North: 152, Francis 35, Penman 21, Smith 29, Murley 15, M. Dixon 12
and 130. Smith 32, Penman 23, Morland 21, Burns 14, Francis 11.
Taradale. 156 for 6 declared. Lamberg 7 for 82
and 77 for 5, Lamberg 3 for 14
This was Don Burns’s last game for Havelock North. His bags were already packed to commence his adventure of a lifetime in Australia’s outback dealing in native Australian wildlife, travel, exploration, photography and film as well as continue with his role as a Property Developer. To kick this whole exercise off he had already purchased 70,000 acres in the outback of New South Wales.
Don Burns was a cricketer with a real difference. A remarkable young man who showed exceptional talent as a cricketer from a very young age. He was selected to play for Hawke’s Bay when he had just left High School, at the age of 17. He was made 12th man and, so the story goes, purposely ignored by all the old hands of the time.
Don was not selected for another three years. At the age of 20, in his first game against Wellington, he top scored in both innings – 45 and 53. Two days later playing against Fiji, a strong cricketing nation in those days, batting at number three, he top-scored with 72. A week later at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, his chanceless innings of 73 was again the top score.
A new star had risen in Hawke’s Bay cricket in the shape of this prodigious run-making youngster. The star was no longer on the horizon, it had clearly risen and the world was his oyster.
But a rather odd piece of selection by the Tech Old Boys management committee, saw the young 21-year-old appointed as captain over his teammates, Mike Shrimpton, Greg Fifield, Peter Coutts and Dickie Bird all of whom, in actual fact, in any other club would have, undoubtedly been considered. Don knew nothing about the appointment and in accepting the position suffered the slings and arrows of his outrageous fortune, stoically and philosophically until the Christmas break, when he suggested to the Committee that another appointment be made.
It is fitting to remember that here was a 21-year-old given the huge responsibility of leading a very good side full of players with years of experience and the hardened attitude that comes with that, through to winning the Championship. Don, brushing aside the jibes, the taunts, the cutting remarks, soldiered on for another season, in which his class as a batsman was clearly displayed. He showed all his detractors just how resilient and classy he was, by once again scoring heavily for his club. He finished third on the Hawke’s Bay batting averages.
During this very successful season, the Marist Club, sensing that Don would consider a change of Clubs, pursued him quite relentlessly. However it was left to Noel Fulford to make contact in order to suggest that indeed it was the team from the village of Havelock North which would best cater for his cricketing talents. Don had the highest regard for Noel Fulford, he said of him, “A great guy, friendly towards all the young players in the side and always willing to lend advice and give encouragement.” Don clearly recalls Noel’s
Page 234
words, “Another hundred today youngster.” as Don was padded up waiting to bat or being met at the crease to start a partnership with the great man.
Don had a number of idiosyncrasies that became part of the folklore of the Senior team of the time. He was a right-hand bat and a very good left arm spinner. He was not at his best when it came to running between the wickets. It soon became vitally necessary that the batsman at the other end called loudly and positively, and if there was no possibility of a run, to firmly stand one’s ground. If Don was facing the bowling, one had to be on the alert for a quickly run single on the sixth ball of the over. He would often arrive at the game driving his 8-cylinder lime green Cadillac just prior to the umpires walking out to start the game.
His first game was against his old club, Tech Old Boys. This was the game in which Don and Noel Fulford totally dismantled the Tech Old Boys’ attack, Noel scoring 125 to Don’s 71. This was to be the beginning of a successful career with Havelock North during which he scored 5 centuries and 12 half centuries two of which were in the high 90s.
March 16th 1974
Havelock North versus Taradale
First innings win to Taradale
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: March 18th 1974
“Havelock North and Tech in neck and neck struggle”
“A neck and neck struggle is going on between Havelock North and Tech Old Boys for top place in the bottom 4 competition inter-city cricket competition. Tech old Boys scored 12 points in their match against Midland Rugby to come within a point of Havelock North.
At this stage in the final round of matches Tech Old Boys are in a better position to win the bottom 4 competition because they could take an outright win over Midland Rugby.
Havelock North are not so well-placed and will need to mop up the remaining Taradale wickets quickly to have any show of gaining an outright win which they will probably need to head off Tech Old Boys.
Havelock North at the moment have 6 performance points against Taradale – 4 batting and 2 bowling and there are 24 overs remaining in Taradale’s innings.
On the second day Taradale declared at 158 for 8 in reply to Havelock Norths 152, with Bob Lamberg taking 7 wickets. Havelock North made 150 in the second innings. At the close of play Taradale were struggling on 77 for 5 with Lamberg once again in fine form with 3 for 14 – 10 wickets for the match again.
Tech Old Boys finished up on 54 points and Havelock on 48.
Club statistics
Championship points: Bottom four
Bat Bowl outright Total
Tech Old Boys 20 13 20 53
Havelock North 22 13 10 46
Taradale 14 12 10 36
Midland Rugby 8 13 0 21
Page 235
Havelock finished 6th overall in the competition.
Watties One-Day competition: Havelock made it through to the second round.
Club Championship: Havelock North second to Taradale.
Central Districts Representatives: D. Morland. T. Paterson
Hawke’s Bay Representatives, Senior: J. Francis, D. Morland, T. Paterson
Hawke’s Bay Colts: G. Gilbert.
Honours: Bowling: R. Lamberg, 7 for 82 versus Taradale
Individual performances
Top of the batting averages in Intercity cricket: G. Smith 295 runs at 49.17
Seven or more wickets in an innings: B. Lamberg 7 for 82 versus Taradale
With a series of first innings losses mid-season it appeared that Havelock was destined to be playing in the bottom four competing for the wooden spoon. Thankfully this bottom placing did not eventuate due to a fine outright victory against Midland Rugby, but it was a close call after an inexplicable collapse in the second innings against Tech Old Boys played on a dusty and inconsistent Number two wicket at Cornwall Park.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: M. J. Dixon
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: R. Anderson
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: G. Smith
Page 236
Chapter 30
1974/1975 SEASON
They are playing a trial cricket match on a ground that is said to be green for December. And when someone says two magpies are pissing him off and if they don’t bugger off soon, he’ll go get the gun and deal to them, there are approving nods all round. Tock, clock of ball on bat, thug on pad. Such is music to the ears if you love the game
– Brian Turner, “Boundaries” 2015
Cricket begins on October 26. Hours of play: 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Havelock North had three teams entered into the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s grades: One Senior; one in the 2B grade and one in grade 4
October 26th and 28th 1974
Team for the first game:- Bob Mitchell (captain) Monty Penman, Grant Gilbert ,Tim Patterson, Richard Cox, Doug Morland, Graham Smith, James Francis, Tim Blakeley, Max Hamilton, Bob Lamberg, Roger Anderson.
Richard Cox returned after an absence of three seasons. He finished the 1971 season with a flourish, earning for himself the award for Hawke’s Bay’s most promising cricketer under the age of 22. This fine form propelled young Cox into the 1972 New Zealand Under 23 XI which played just the one game at the Basin Reserve.
Bob Mitchell took over the captaincy for what was to be his shortest stint so far (half a season) as he stepped in again as caretaker skipper for Doug Morland.
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock lost on the first innings
Tim Paterson got to within 24 runs of his century while many succumbed, before even getting off the mark. The fully grassed and soft, lush outfield of Anderson Park nullified many of his best shots. Potential boundaries were converted to three and often two runs.
Apart for his batting with Doug Morland, Paterson lacked a stable partnership and he eventually threw his wicket away to be caught at cover.
On day one, there was the thought that Havelock denied themselves of first innings points
On day two, with Paterson and Morland being in such fine form with the bat, the odds were on Havelock hitting off the 78 runs required for the outright in a minimum of 14 overs. The arrival of the steady rain mid afternoon abruptly put paid to that notion.
Score card:
Taradale: 134 for 7 decl. Cox 3 for 27, Lamberg for 30
and 79, Lamberg 3 for 34, Morland 4 for 26, Smith 2 for 0
Havelock North: 132 for 9 decl. Patterson 76, Morland 23, Penman 17|
and 3 for 1 wicket
November 2nd and 9th 1974
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
Page 237
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday October 31st 1974 ‘Outfield’
“Old Boys/Havelock game highlights second round.”
“If these two clubs field similar teams to their first round match of last season there will be 14 players who have played representative cricket for Hawke’s Bay – 8 from Havelock North and 6 from Old Boys. Old Boys impress with having the slightly more penetrative bowling, but the potential depth of the Havelock batting should give them an advantage in this department.”
Daily Telegraph Monday 4th November. F.F. Cane
“The Old Boys Hastings lower order were forced to rescue the defending champions after the Havelock North off spinner Graham Smith captured three valuable wickets in four balls in his opening over. Smith held a superb catch off his own bowling to capture the useful wicket of Richard Ellis. Tim Ormond padded away the first ball he received and the second ball bowled him. Smith’s next ball was another caught and bowled and his effort left Old Boys Hastings in desperate trouble at five for 52. However the Old Boys Hastings lower order rectified the situation with some solid defensive batting.”
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday November 7th 1974 ‘Outfield’
“Havelock were 4 for 43 before C.D. representative Doug Morland and all rounder Graham Smith swung the match back to an even keel with an unbeaten partnership of 31. With these two, plus Richard Cox. Jim Francis, Roger Anderson still to bat Havelock North should in all probability come close to Old Boys Hastings first innings score.
Rain interrupted play on the second day. The overcast dull and damp conditions were not at all conducive to batting and Havelock floundered on a pitch that was taking slow turn – until such time as the game was called off.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 186 for 8 G. Smith 4 for 16
and 1 for 8
Havelock North: 145, Morland 41, Penman 17, Francis 17, Smith 14, Hamilton 10
November 16th and 23rd 1974
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday November 14th ‘Outfield’
“Havelock North, a team not yet playing to their full potential will be minus their three Central Districts trialists when they meet the poorly performed Marist side with two outright losses so far this season. Should the Havelock North substitutes prove up to the mark, Cox, Morland and Patterson could return on the second day and carry their side to a much-needed outright victory”.
The result was indeed determined on the first day with Marist going after the runs while the opportunity was there with Havelock batsmen being unable to chase down Marist’s 201. In spite of the efforts of the returning reps the game had already been lost.
Score card:
Marist: 201, Lamberg 6/64, Murley 2/15
and 104 for 4, Cox 3/42
Havelock North: 123 for 9 decl. Gilbert 25, Murley 26, Paterson 27, Morland 16.
and 95 for 3, Patterson 33, Gilbert 16.
Page 238
At the conclusion of this game Havelock dropped from 6th to 7th on the table. The wooden spoon was ominously looming.
November 30th December 6th 1974
Havelock North versus Hastings City (ex Midland Rugby)
Havelock won outright by 8 wickets
Havelock North deserved the victory in this game, with excellent partnerships in the first innings between Richard Cox, Neil Murley and Doug Morland. These partnerships and solid middle-order batting, set the scene for a game plan, which involved a declaration on day two, followed by a concentrated bowling onslaught on the Hastings City batsmen in their second innings set up an achievable goal of an outright win.
The game plan worked perfectly as the villagers were left with just 6 overs to collect the 36 runs required for the outright win, which was done in style.
Score card:
Hastings City: 195, Cox 4 for 50, G. Hamilton 4 for 26,
and 121, Cox 3 for 44, Lamberg 2 for 33, G. Hamilton 2 for 0
Havelock North: 282 for 9 decl. Morland 68, Cox 66 n.o., Murley 58, Smith 25, Gilbert 21, Penman 14, Mitchell 12.
and 2 for 36, Mitchell 11 n.o., Patterson 10
Havelock North jumped to third in the Table after this win
December 14th and 21st 1974
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
In spite of the efforts of the two skippers to enliven the game’s progress through declarations the game petered out and stumps were drawn early for the Christmas break.
Score card:
Havelock North: 150 for 8 decl. Murley 50, Penman 23, Francis 17, Cox 15
and 134 for 6 decl. Patterson 41, Gilbert 22, Morland 10, Cox 10.
Whakatu-Mahora: 166 for 8 decl. Lamberg 4 for 59, G. Hamilton 3 for 30
and 32 for 3
1975
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Doug Morland (Captain) Monty Penman, Tim Patterson, Graham Smith, Neil Murley, Mark Hayde, Richard Cox, Bob Lamberg, Guy Hamilton, John Thornton, Brian Fitzpatrick
Doug Morland was once again elected as captain after having served two terms already. So began a term of captaincy for the Headmaster of Argyll East School which was to prove Doug’s longest. It lasted for a further four years.
January 4th and 11th 1975
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock won outright
This was Mark Hayde’s first game for the club. He came to the team as a middle-order batsman from Hastings Boys’ High School, where he displayed plenty of potential. Doug Morland immediately put the promising, but
Page 239
impetuous youngster in to open the innings and right from this game he displayed a flair and cocky defiance against the new ball, an attitude which was destined to provide the club with many a scintillating innings.
Daily Telegraph January 13th 1975. F. F. Cane
“Howell’s gamble thwarted by late onslaught from Cox.”
“Havelock North’s surprise outright win against Napier Old Boys, has left them with a chance of reaching the Championship top 4 section with only one match to play in the competition.
On Day one the ex-Wellington Representative, Richard Cox displayed his best form of the season when capturing 5 for 54. Cox bowled accurately and there was zip and lift in his bowling which troubled all the Napier batsmen.
John Howell, the captain of Napier Old boys left Havelock North 164 runs to get in 30 overs in their second innings, which they went after. When the final over arrived 10 runs were needed. Richard Cox (60) slammed a magnificent six off the bowling of Don Beuth and then scored a 4 after a fielding error to obtain the necessary runs. Cox had earlier captured 6 for 41 to destroy Old Boys’ second innings.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 181 for 8 decl. Cox 5/54, Lamberg 2/42,
and 87 for 7 decl. Cox 6/41
Havelock North: 104 for 8 decl. M. Hayde 30, Smith 24, Murley 15, Morland 12, J. Thornton 11
and 164 for 7, Cox 60 n.o. Patterson 37, Hayde, 30, Penman 23
Points table: OBH 90, WM 76, Marist 73, NOB 70, HN 69, TOB 64, Taradale 60, Hastings City 39
January 18th and 25th 1975
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won outright
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday January 23rd 1975 ‘Outfield’
“At Cornwall Park there were sensations aplenty with Greg Fifield taking 9 /66 in Havelock North’s first innings, and Tech following with a pathetic batting display. The pitch did not play at all well but the loss of 13 Tech Old Boys wickets for 51 runs in just over an hour and a half was an inexcusable performance from a senior side. The form of the Havelock all rounder Richard Cox has been even more impressive than Old Boys Hastings’ Wayne Greenstreet. Since Christmas, Cox, has taken in that time, 18 wickets at 6.67 runs and scored 115 runs at 57.5.
But it was medium pacer Bob Lamberg who was the star of the first day when he was unfortunate not to get a hat trick. He had claimed the wickets of Mike Johnson and Max Plested in consecutive balls and had a confident leg before appeal for the wicket of David Exeter turned down on the third ball.
On the second day, Richard Cox and Doug Morland were away on Hawke’s Bay Representative duty. Cox had taken all three wickets to fall in Tech Old Boys second innings when stumps were drawn on the first day. Tech Old Boys collapsed again and the game was all over by 2 30 p.m. on the second day, with Bob Lamberg, and the off spinner Graham Smith mopping up the remaining wickets.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 187, Gilbert 61, Cox 55, Mitchell 25, Murley 14,
Tech Old Boys: 38: Lamberg 5 for 14, Cox 4 for 15
and 94, Smith 4 for 13, Cox 3 for 10, Lamberg 3 for 37
Page 240
February 1st and 8th 1975
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
The bowling figures of Havelock’s three main strike bowlers, since Christmas make impressive reading
Lamberg 20 wickets at 10.55, Cox 29 wickets at 11.27, Morland 16 wickets at 13.44
Bob Lamberg’s tally of wickets for the season jumped by 10 wickets to 30 for the season during this game. And for this quite outstanding performance Frank Cane of the Daily Telegraph heralded this with banner headlines.
“Lamberg toils for an eight-wicket bowling haul”
“Veteran Hawke’s Bay cricketer Bob Lamberg returned his best bowling performance of the season when he captured 8 for 85 against Whakatu-Mahora.
Lamberg’s performance was the highlight of the day’s play. With Havelock North’s attack denuded by Hawke’s Bay representative commitments, Lamberg bowled unchanged for more than four hours for his eight wickets, with three of his first four wickets being trapped leg before with balls which cut back sharply from the off. His efforts prevented Whakatu-Mahora the most powerful combination in the championship from amassing an unbeatable total in their first innings. During his 25 overs, Lamberg recorded four maidens. His first wicket was Les Jones LBW and his next two were Lindsay Hepburn and Thomas – both LBW. Lamberg is deservedly wins the honour of being Player of the Week.”
On the second day, after the Representatives had returned, one of whom, Tim Paterson made a fine double in the game against Wanganui of 51 and 77 in the Hawke Cup fixture, Havelock were hardly tempted into seeking an outright win.
The Whakatu-Mahora skipper, Les Jones had set the villagers 173 to get in 125 minutes. The chance of a perfect result disappeared when the two opening bats Gilbert and Penman were dismissed cheaply. When James Francis and Bob Mitchell were at the wicket there was slight sniff of victory in the air but good sense prevailed and Havelock settled for the first innings loss.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 223 for 9 decl. Lamberg 8 for 88
and 110 for 2 decl. Lamberg 2 for 30
Havelock North: 160 for 9 declared. Smith 41, Murley 28, Penman 18, Gilbert 26, Francis 17, Mitchell 12.
And 114 for 4, Francis 51 n.o. Mitchell 37, Smith 14
February 15th and 22nd 1975
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
This was Neil Rosenberg’s first game. Neil was another of Roy Dunningham’s protégés from Hastings Boys’ High School. A very attacking off spinner who gave the ball a fair tweak and used flight and accuracy to claim his prolific bag of wickets while playing for the School 1st XI. Skipper Morland bowled him as first change. Neil responded by picking up two vital wickets.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday February 20th ‘Outfield’
“The performances of Doug Morland and Neil Murley were almost entirely responsible for the excellent position in which Havelock found themselves at the end of the first day’s play against Marist. Morland with 5 for 23 wrecked the Napier team’s innings after its good start of 54 for 2. Murley’s 91, is his highest score in
Page 241
Senior cricket. He was instrumental in taking Havelock’s score through to a tidy lead of 117 on the first innings.
With the Havelock attack in such impressive form it is difficult to see Marist avoiding an outright defeat especially with the Anderson Park pitch giving the bowlers a great degree of assistance.”
As is often the case with the Marist sides, they don’t give in very easily and their lower order batsmen have often been responsible for thwarting the expectations of Havelock North on many occasions. This was the case again, on the second day of this game as Marist tenaciously held on in the second innings to rob Havelock of the outright.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday February 27th 1975 ‘Outfield’
“Havelock North began the season very slowly and have been very depleted at times with Rep call ups. At full strength, they look the team most likely to test the champions Old Boys Hastings who they play in the final game starting this Saturday.”
Score card:
Marist: 77, Morland 5 for 12, Cox 2 for 35
and 193 for 9, Morland 4 for 18, N. Rosenberg 2 for 31
Havelock North: 194 for 9 decl. Murley 91, Cox 21, Patterson 20, Francis 16
March 1st and 8th 1975
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
Bad light curtailed play on day 1 for about 40 minutes. The Cornwall Park wicket was poorly prepared and gave the bowlers too much assistance.
Score card:
Havelock North: 121, Smith 23, Penman 21, Murley 19, Mitchell 18, Gilbert 12
and 124 for 5 decl. Penman 34, Patterson 33, Murley 22.
Old Boys Hastings: 162, Lamberg 5 for 47, Cox 4 for 48
Seasons statistics.
Best batting averages for Havelock North
Innings not out highest score runs average
R. Cox 10 3 66 251 35.56
N. Murley 14 1 91 374 28.77
R. Mitchell 10 5 37 128 25.60
T. Paterson 15 2 76 281 21.61
D. Morland 13 3 68 210 21.00
J. Francis 10 2 51 129 16.13
Best bowling averages: wickets runs average best
R. Cox 41 560 13.66 6/41
R. Lamberg 47 666 14.17 8/88
D. Morland 21 310 14.76 5/12
G. Hamilton 10 156 15.60 4/26
G. Smith 14 223 15.93 4/13
Page 242
The fine innings victory against Tech Old Boys was the highlight of an otherwise dismal season. Six first-innings losses is one less than the all-time record for the club set in 1965/66 season. On the other side of the coin the three outright wins were taken in style.
Competition points: Havelock North 3rd
Club Championship for the L.D. Carter Memorial Cup: Havelock North, third
Hawke’s Bay Representatives Senior: R. Cox, D. Morland, N. Murley T. Paterson
Colts: N. Rosenberg
Bowling honours: R. Lamberg 8 for 88 versus Whakatu-Mahora.
Over the winter on July 19th 1975 the Havelock North Rugby Club with which the cricketers had a very close relationship, officially opened the new extensions to its clubrooms. The Rugby club had offered the club rooms to the cricketers to use in conjunction with the summer social imbibers of the rugby club with the proviso that two cricketers man the bar for two hours on Saturday after cricket is over. The cricketers appreciated this chance to participate socially with our rugby brothers in this excellent facility and many a pleasant evening was held with plenty of discussion and pool tables in demand.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: E. Smith
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: R. Cox
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: N. D. Murley
Page 243
Chapter 31
1975/1976 SEASON
A season of rain, poor wickets, officious curators, and poor light
Question: “What does Stephen Fleming have in common with a chef who keeps dropping his pancakes?”
Answer: “They are both hopeless tossers.”
– New Zealand Herald 1999 (Fleming loses critical toss against the West Indies at World Cup.)
Luck, since time immemorial, has determined how the coin falls and in Fleming’s case, in the majority of calls, it was against him.
The A.G.M. Of the Cricket Club was held on Wednesday the 13th August. The meeting was not to discuss techniques in tossing the coin, but to celebrate the fact that the Havelock North Cricket Club now fielded four cricket teams, which is a huge step forward from the “old days” – of a couple of decades ago – when Havelock struggled with just two teams.
Business to be discussed included
1. An all-weather wicket at Anderson Park with Flintcote and lofty, batsman-proof, wire netting walls is under way.
2. The pre-season programme of practice sessions and friendly games.
3. A complaint from the fourth grade that during last season, the Seniors were taking its top players as substitutes when Hawke’s Bay were playing and thus robbing the loyal members of the fourth grade from competing on equal terms for championship points.
Unfortunately the artificial wicket was not able to be used until after Christmas. The contractor had been held up by other work and the wet weather had not helped. So it was back to the choice between the rather lethal grass practice strip or opting for open practices on the outfield.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday October 9th ‘Outfield’
“Representative demands could prove to be a big drawback to Havelock North’s challenging for the 1975/76 championship.
New Zealand representative David O’Sullivan will probably be available for just half the season while Doug Morland, Richard Cox and Neil Murley will also be likely to miss several Saturday’s play. For the Club Havelock reports only one loss, that of Tim Paterson who is playing his cricket in Central Hawke’s Bay this season. They have high hopes of Colenso High School batsman Garry Coutts, who will challenge for a senior place.”
Team for the opening game: Doug Morland, Monty Penman, Richard Cox, Bob Lamberg, Graham Smith, David O’Sullivan, Grant Gilbert, Neil Murley, James Francis, Garry Coutts
Saturday October 11th and 18th 1975
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings.
This was David O’Sullivan’s first game: He had played all of his Club cricket, previous to this for the successful United Club in Palmerston North. The move to Hawke’s Bay was prompted by the opportunity of going into a business partnership with fellow Central Districts colleague Gary Langridge. The two of them bought Jack Charters Sports in Nelson Street Hastings, and created O’Sullivan Langridge Sports which became the hub for all enthusiasts of outdoor pursuits and sports in the Hastings District. David chose to play for the Village team. He brought a vast background of experience in playing for New Zealand, Central Districts as well as Hampshire, and Durham in England’s County Championship.
Page 244
This series of games signalled a break with tradition in that the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association had ruled that the season’s opening game will be played on the two weekends prior to Labour Weekend.
Because of bad light on the first day and a somewhat quizzical decision taken by the Napier City Council staff on the second day, it could be said that Havelock North were deprived of the opportunity of pressing for an outright win in this game.
Late on Friday afternoon of the 17th October, the Nelson Park ground staff decided that the wickets would be too wet to play on Saturday, the second day of the match, and cancelled all play. This decision was communicated very poorly to the teams.
Saturday morning, with a good breeze blowing, the ground miraculously dried. When the team captains, none the wiser about the “cancellation” arrived at Nelson Park, the weather conditions were overcast but fine and eminently playable. To their consternation they discovered that there were no wickets prepared. So they had to find equipment to roll and lay out a wicket themselves. As a result play started an hour late at 1 p.m.
When rain finally stopped play only three Marist wickets remained. If these were taken cheaply and there is no reason to doubt this, with the quality of the Havelock attack this season, then the villagers would have been aiming for a possible target of less than 100. The hour lost earlier could have made all the difference.
Score card:
Marist: 103 for 9 declared. Cox 3 for 29, Lamberg, 3 for 31, Morland 2 for 29.
And 96 for 7, O’Sullivan 5 for 43, Cox 2 for 21.
Havelock North: 140 for 5 declared, Penman 68, Murley 28, Cox 16 Gilbert 10
October 25th and 27th 1975 Labour weekend
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock won outright.
David O’Sullivan celebrated this Labour Day weekend with a fine bag of wickets. His thirteen wickets in this game plus the five which he notched in the previous match give him an outstanding average of just 7.8 runs per wicket for the season so far.
O’Sullivan kept the Napier Old Boys batsmen guessing throughout the entire weekend and it was mainly through his efforts that Havelock achieved the outright win.
Havelock North batsmen, led by Richard Cox, hit a highly respectable total in their first innings. The required ten runs for the outright were collected without Havelock losing a wicket.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 80, O’Sullivan 7 for 29, Morland 3 for 52
and 64, O’Sullivan 6 for 27, Cox 3 for 26
Havelock North: 148 for 9 declared, Cox 51, Smith 37, Francis 16, Gilbert 134
and 10 for 0
Points at the end of the 2nd game: W.M.40, HN 27, TOB 24, Marist 22, NOB 22, OBH 18, Taradale 13, HC 7
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Thursday October 30th ‘Outfield ‘
“An eight-team senior competition not justified”
Page 245
The cricket population of Napier/Hastings cannot justify an eight-team senior competition. This was rammed home over Labour Weekend, when Whakatu-Mahora, Havelock North, and Tech Old Boys achieved relatively easy outright victories by literally annihilating Taradale, Hastings City and Napier Old Boys.
Hastings City does not measure up to Senior status with only 7 points from 2 games. The solution is a 6-team competition next season with the extension of playing hours to capitalise on the longer daylight saving hours.”
A plea from the editor of the Havelock North Cricket Club Newsletter:
“Already at this early stage of the season, Havelock has shown that it can get sides out for low scores; a trend that will continue if our catching improves from the reasonably high standard it has already attained. Comparisons with last year need not be made, but this was surely one aspect of our game that let us down. On paper, Havelock must have the strongest side in the competition. Lets hold all our catches and we’ll achieve the Competition position we deserve.”
November 1st and 8th 1975
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings.
Havelock lost on the first innings
Garry Coutts, coming to the bowling crease as first change, took five valuable Old Boys Hastings wickets to lead the way in their dismissal for just over 100. Quite an achievement in just his first season of playing senior. However, in this low-scoring game Havelock struggled in the poor playing conditions and yielded first innings points to Old Boys Hastings on the first day.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday November 6th ‘Outfield’
“Poor state of wickets wrecks batting hopes”
“The batting of all four teams playing at Cornwall Park was hampered by the poor state of the wickets and the playing outfield. This is indefensible especially as the weather over the past week has been perfect for wicket preparation.
At the conclusion of play on Saturday there were many disgruntled cricketers to be found. To score runs against Ian Wheeler, Wayne Greenstreet, Richard Ellis, David O’Sullivan Richard Cox and Doug Morland on good wickets is often difficult. All are first class representative players and batsmen on a crumbling wickets not only require skill and ability but also a great degree of courage in facing them at Cornwall Park. It therefore becomes even more frustrating when well struck shots are converted from a well-deserved boundary to risky singles and twos, as the ball becomes ensnared in the lengthy outfield.
From player reports after the Labour Weekend game at Anderson Park, nestled beneath the idyllic backdrop of Te Mata Park, Hastings could do well to emulate the excellent playing conditions at Havelock North, where a good wicket is always augmented by a splendidly prepared outfield.
The message is clear – prepare good wickets or lose players to other sports.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 104, G. Coutts 5 for 31, O’Sullivan 3 for 23,
and 136, O’Sullivan 4 for 61, Cox 3 for 37, Morland 2 for 16,
Havelock North: 93 for 9 decl, O’Sullivan 28, Coutts 20, Gilbert 17,
and 102 for 7, Penman 46, Cox 12, Murley 10
November 15th and 22nd 1975
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
Page 246
Whakatu-Mahora entered this fourth game of the season with four outright wins to their credit and a large lead in the Senior competition. Havelock North realised that this game would be a difficult one to win.
Whakatu lived up to the fine reputation in scoring heavily in the first innings from which point Havelock was playing catch-up cricket to the extent that Doug Morland declared while his side was still 82 runs behind. Whakatu responded with a declaration which demanded that Havelock should make 188 in the final session which was in reality an impracticable target.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 269, Morland 6 for 110. P. Nixon 2 for 77
and 105 for 4 declared
Havelock North: 187 for 8 declared. Cox 62, Smith 59, Morland 19
and 101 for 7, Cox 40, Gilbert 19, Morland 12.
November 29th December 6th 1975
Havelock North versus Hastings City
Havelock won on the first innings
The Anderson Park pitch is one of the best tracks for batting in the competition and both Hastings City and Havelock North took full advantage of the easy paced nature of the wicket to pile on the runs. Havelock with its strong bowling attack of representatives, both Hawke’s Bay and Central Districts, probably liked their chances on the second day of dismissing Hastings City cheaply and then to set out after the outright win. However Hastings City displayed true resilience which defied the guile of Morland, the swing of Cox and the spin of O’Sullivan to deprive Havelock of its target.
Score card:
Hastings City: 199, Morland 5/49
and 183 for 7, O’Sullivan 5/86, Cox 2/47
Havelock North: 246 for 9 decl. Smith 70, Cox 47, Coutts 44, Morland 27, Francis 15.
December 13th and 20th 1975
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
This was possibly one of the most evenly contested games of the season so far. The honours going to Tech Old Boys mainly due to a superlative spell of bowling by Phil Whiteside who took 5 for 30 in Havelock’s first innings. With no declaration from Tech to give Havelock a target to chase, the game fizzled out late on the second day.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 176, Lamberg 4 for 51, Murley 2 for 15, Francis 2 for 29, Coutts 2 for 31,
and 191, Cox 3 for 57, Lamberg 4 for 55, Morland 2 for 28.
Havelock North: 159 for 9. Francis 59, Murley 44, Coutts 25, Hayde 10
and 102 for 4, Morland 41, Penman 23, Coutts 19.
1976
Team for the first game after Christmas:- Doug Morland, (Captain), Mark Hayde, Neil Murley, Monty Penman, P. Nixon, Richard Cox, Bob Lamberg, Neil Rosenberg, Guy Hamilton, Graham Smith, James Francis.
January 10th and 17th 1976
Havelock North versus Taradale
Draw
Page 247
Rain washed out the second day which dealt a blow to Havelock’s hopes of making the top 4 in the divided competition
By retaining the points already gained Havelock are the top team in the bottom 4. This is small consolation for the promise that the team showed at the start of the season. The high hopes that the side had after the Labour Weekend outright victory were dashed, but the resolve was there to come out on top of the consolation grade matches.
Score card:
Havelock North: 201 for 9 decl. Morland 44, Penman 34, Hayde 29, Murley 25, Nixon 18, Rosenberg 14
Taradale: 89 for 2.
January 24th and 31st 1976
Havelock North versus Hastings City
Havelock won on the first innings.
This was Gary Spence’s first game for Havelock and indicated the beginning of a very strong recruitment from Hastings Boys High School. Gary was the son of Colin Spence a stalwart of the Whakatu-Mahora Club. Gary kept wickets for the School 1st XI under the coaching of Roy Dunningham and was a very solid middle-order batsman
The rain which interrupted this game on the first day was just what Havelock did not need against the bottom placed team. With Doug Morland away on Representative duty it was left to Bob Lamberg and the young off spinner Neil Rosenberg to restrict the Hastings City tally 126. Havelock used what was left of the first day to get away to a good start and then capitalise on this when Morland re-joined the team on the second day where good partnerships were the order of the day with the two colts Gary Spence and Neil Rosenberg chiming in with good performances. With over 200 runs scored and Hastings City dismissed cheaply in their second innings, Havelock was left to rue the ill-timed showers that dominated the first day.
Score card:
Hastings City: 126, Lamberg 5 for 52, Rosenberg 3 for 4, Cox 2 for 35,
and 137, Morland 4 for 19, Cox 3 for 55
Havelock North: 212, Cox 61, Morland 34, G. Spence 24, Francis 22, Rosenberg 12
February 7th and 14th 1976
Havelock North versus Taradale
Match drawn
The low-pressure weather system which stayed around the East Cape for most of the week brought heavy rain and showers mid week and also on both days of this match. A token gesture at playing a competitive game of cricket was bravely attempted by both skippers but nature won through, in spite of the unprecedented declarations.
Most of the game was washed out.
Score card:
Taradale: 44 for 5 declared. Lamberg 3 for 19
Havelock North: 26 for 2 declared. Hayde 14, Coutts 10
February 21st and 28th 1976
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won outright
Page 248
Havelock finished the season on a good note, with an outright victory brought about by a good solid Score card with three good partnerships in the first innings total. The bowlers then chimed in, with Bob Lamberg finishing off an exceptional season with the ball. Young Robson in his first game for the club evoked memories of the great Max Liley with his deftly flighted left arm spin to capture four wickets.
Score card:
Havelock North: 187. Smith 69, O’Sullivan 29, Morland 20, Coutts 20, Hayde 12.
And 141 for 3 declared. Morland 55, Hayde 35, Smith 21 n.o., Coutts 18.
Marist: 102, Lamberg 5 for 35, Morland 2 for 6
and 75, J. Robson 4 for 19, Lamberg 2 for 16.
A significant aspect of this season was the number of young promising cricketers whom the Club was nurturing and giving the opportunity to play alongside the experience that abounds in the senior team. It is worth noting the number who are arriving from Hastings Boys’ High School. In the past the club has had ex Wanganui Collegiate players in the 1960s, Karamu High School in the 1970s and now it is Hastings Boys High School who are beginning to contribute to the success and the future of the Club.
Final points bottom 4
Team won lost drawn batting bowling total
Havelock North 2 0 1 2 12 44
Hastings 1 1 1 6 9 25
Taradale 0 1 2 7 10 19
Wattie’s One-day Knock Out Competition
Saturday March 6th 1976
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Lost
Score card
Havelock North: 143, O’Sullivan 36, Morland 34, Murley 21, Cox 15, Coutts 12
Old Boys Hastings: 147, Cox 2/3
So ended this roller coaster season which promised so much. Havelock seemed to be on the receiving end of the conditions when rain, poor light, incompetent City Councillors, and bad luck intruded.
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association Averages for the 1975/ 76 Season
Bowling Wickets Average
3rd David O’Sullivan 22 9.5
7th Bob Lamberg 29 12.5
8th Gary Coutts 10 12.9
12th Doug Morland 29 14.1
Batting
3rd Richard Cox 37.6
9th Graham Smith 28.2
10th Doug Morland 28.0
Page 250
Chapter 32
1976/1977 SEASON
The Great Escape
“I have more ways of getting out of here than you can imagine”
– Harry Houdini
The words of the great Houdini could well have been embedded in Havelock’s sub-conscious after their poor first round as they assembled after the Christmas break.
Daily Telegraph Thursday October 7th 1976.
“Havelock North have lost two of last year’s team. The hard-hitting Neil Murley has been transferred to Gisborne, while the promising Gary Coutts has gone to Australia. There is still some doubt about James Francis and Richard Cox. David O’Sullivan will not be available until December”
Team for the first game of the new season: Monty Penman (Captain), Mark Hayde, Graham Smith, Rowan Hill, John Robson, Neil Rosenberg, James Francis, Mark Brannigan, Stan Kumara, Bob Lamberg.
October 9th and 16th 1976
This was Stan Kumara’s first game for the senior team. Stan was a pretty sharp medium pace bowler who was quite intimidating while at Secondary School when playing for Karamu High School.
Monty Penman’s promotion to captain the side while neither of the two usual captains were present was an abortive affair with Monty having to sit and watch the rain on both days
Rain washed out both days. So much for the well-laid plans of the HBCA.
October 23rd and 25th Labour weekend
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings.
Now that Anderson Park is up and running. With both the pitch and outfield of the highest order, one could surmise that a tradition in the club should be that that the first match of the Havelock North’s senior team’s season should always be played on this quite superb playing arena, the Club’s home pitch. It is a credit to the groundsman and all concerned that much pride and satisfaction is derived from the standard of the wicket and outfield, at the very onset of each new season. There is a timetable to be met by those responsible for the preparation for the opening day with set deadlines to be met – and the efficient ground staff at Anderson Park meet them.
At the conclusion of the previous season the whole square had been, scarified, inundated with water for a couple of days; top-dressed with a general fertilizer; covered with Elsthorpe clay; sown with the finest fescue and browntop grasses, to produce a lush sward of grass over the Winter in preparation for the subsequent mowing and rolling as the season nears its start.
This season’s opening match saw the realisation of all the deadlines being met and even though Bob Mitchell, now the cricket correspondent for the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, was to write in his column, that Anderson Park generally favours the batsmen it was indeed the bowlers who took advantage of the rusty preparation of the batsmen and so dominate this first game. Havelock North were fortunate to sneak a first innings win after a brave declaration by Tech Old Boys.
Page 251
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 107 for 5, Lamberg 3 for 35,
and 96 for 9, Lamberg 4 for 35, Morland 3 for 17
Havelock North: 120, Hayde 46, Morland 27, Smith 25
October 30th and November 6th 1976
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings.
Havelock lost by an innings.
Even though Havelock suffered a crushing defeat, the highlight of the game was the epic battle between Wayne Greenstreet with bat, and Doug Morland with ball. Wayne Greenstreet batted for most of the first day in compiling his 187 runs. Doug Morland bowled unchanged for two and a half hours – 23 consecutive overs – in his titanic effort to quell the flow of runs and then to finally dislodge the Old Boys Hastings all-rounder.
The Daily Telegraph November 1st F.F. Cane
“Greenstreet hammers 187”
“Havelock North looking to get off the bottom of the table of the Hawke’s Bay cricket competition were lambs to the slaughter as Wayne Greenstreet plundered 187 runs from their bowling. Greenstreet the first century maker of the season hit 14 sixes and 15 fours as he raced towards his total in 43 overs.
Greenstreet’s innings was slowed down because of the continual hunt for lost balls. Frequently players of both teams were called in to look for balls which had been driven into the undergrowth covering the banks of the nearby stream”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 294 (Greenstreet 187) Moreland 2 for 76 M. Brannigan 2 for 35
Havelock North: 133 M. Hayde 36, J. Francis 32
and 92, J. Francis 27, M. Brannigan 19.
Century scored against Havelock North. Wayne Greenstreet Old Boys Hastings
W. Greenstreet 187, b. Morland
Bowling for Havelock North: Morland, Lamberg, Brannigan, Smith, Hill, Rosenberg.
This is the first century scored for three seasons against the villagers.
Wayne Greenstreet arrived from Wellington and began playing for Old Boys Hastings in October 1974. He was a prominent member of the Wellington Plunket Shield side for four seasons stretching from 1969 to 1973. During which time he played 21 games for Wellington and had represented the North Island in its match against the South Island in 1972.
His reputation as a player and a sportsman of quality preceded him and it did not take him long to uphold this reputation as he established himself as a vital member of the Old Boys Hastings team. Even though his record warranted it, he was never selected to play for Central Districts.
November 13th and 20th 1976
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Match ended in a draw
Page 252
Thursday 18th November 1976 Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune ‘Cricket’ by Bob Mitchell
“Mark Hayde fully justified his selection into the Hawke’s Bay representative side. He has now totalled 191 club runs this season at 47.75. His stylish innings of 95 on Saturday was attractive and authoritative. He received good support along the way from Mark Brannigan and Graham Smith.”
Mark Hayde was arguably one of the most gifted cricketers to emerge from Hastings Boys High in over a decade. His natural flair and his innate ability to select the appropriate ball to hit, gave evidence of his ability to see the ball early and to move quickly into position to execute his favoured shots through the covers. The pity of this innings was that it was just five short of the coveted three figures.
Rain affected play on the second day.
Score card:
Havelock North: 252 for 9 decl. M. Hayde 95, M. Brannigan 42, G. Smith 25, J. Robson 24
Whakatu-Mahora: 133 for 8, Lamberg 2 for 34, S. Kumara 2 for 47, J. Robson 2 for 12, Morland 2 for 22
November 27th and December 4th 1976
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost on the first innings
With key players out with the Hawke’s Bay representative side, Havelock faltered in the first innings, to give Marist a comfortable first innings win. The representative cricket timetable is the bête noire of all cricket clubs playing in the senior competition but the timing of Representative matches seems to hit Havelock a little harder than most, falling on weekends when Havelock have a good chance of putting on a good performance with their full complement of Representatives.
The battle for the wooden spoon at the end of the first round has intensified, with Havelock North being joined by Napier High School Old Boys and Technical College Old Boys. At this time it appears as though Havelock North will finish at least a couple of points above the other two.
On the second day of this match Havelock North showed grim determination in their second innings on a track which was a vast improvement on last week’s sticky wicket. Wally Boyle, the Anderson Park groundsman, in a sterling effort, gave both teams a true pitch of good pace and bounce. Havelock North in their efforts to avoid the outright loss batted sensibly and assuredly. Monty Penman showed the way followed by Mark Brannigan and Doug Morland both reaching their half centuries. Brannigan’s efforts saw him join Neil Rosenberg in the Hawke’s Bay Representative side.
Thursday November 2nd 1976 Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune ‘Cricket’ Bob Mitchell
“In the coming Saturday’s game against Napier High School Old Boys, Havelock North could be fielding their strongest team of the season, with promising all rounder Gary Coutts making his reappearance after an absence overseas. In addition, it is expected that New Zealand Representative, Dave O’Sullivan will play prior to his joining up with Central Districts. Havelock North have proved to be a most unpredictable team in the first round with the batting and bowling varying to the extreme. The return of Coutts and O’Sullivan should add that extra bit of stability.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 77 for 9 declared. G. Smith 37
and 183 for 4, Brannigan 57, Morland 54, Penman 45, J. Robson 16.
Marist: 181, Lamberg 5 for 53
Saturday 12th and 19th December 1976
Havelock North versus Napier High School Old Boys
Havelock lost outright
Page 253
Monday 14th December Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Bob Mitchell
“Havelock North in sight of first senior win”
“A fine team performance on Saturday by Havelock North has put them in sight of their first Senior win of the season. Havelock North, considered by some cricket supporters to be the club most likely to be relegated, put both their batting and bowling together to be in a commanding position against NHSOB.”
So it appeared that Bob Mitchell’s well weighted prediction was about to be fulfilled, and should have been. However Doug Morland, the skipper decided to declare with two hours remaining in the match to give Napier Old Boys the quite attainable small total of 118. This was a rare opportunity for the Napier side and they made the most of it to win the game, in a close and exciting finish. There was only one team which the casual observer would bank on winning this game, given the minute size of the challenge in time and runs.
The consolation was that Havelock North had to be content with first innings points. Maybe this was the skipper’s intention all along, but the Napier team could hardly believe their luck. Christmas had certainly come early for them
Score card:
Havelock North: 223 for 9 declared. Smith 68, Brannigan 53, Hayde 36, Morland 27
and 54 for 6 declared.
Napier Old Boys: 159, Morland 4 for 35, Kumara 2 for 24, Lamberg 2 for 31.
And 8 for 119, Moreland 3 for 20, Rosenberg 2 for 36.
Points table: OBH 83, WM 56, Marist 51, NHSOB 44, HN 37, TOB 37.
January 15th and 22nd 1977
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock won on the first innings
David O’Sullivan who had just returned from the New Zealand cricket team’s tour of India was a real bonus for the villagers as he swung into action against the powerful batting line-up of Tech Old Boys. He must have relished the green sward of Anderson Park and the cooling Havelock breeze – such a contrast to the muggy, cauldron condition of the amphitheatres of Bombay (Mumbai), Kanpur and Madras (Chennai). His five-wicket bag in this game was a testament to the prodigious spin he applied to the ball along with the deceptive flight – all of which had the Tech. Old Boys batsmen in trouble.
In Havelock’s innings, Mark Hayde was in rollicking form as he and his Hastings Boys’ High School compatriot, Mark Brannigan featured in a fine partnership which steered Havelock through to a first innings win.
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 135 for 7 declared. O’Sullivan 5 for 68, Lamberg 3 for 21
and 83 for 5
Havelock North: 160 for 5 declared. M. Hayde 75, Brannigan 30, Morland 15.
However in spite of these heroics, both Havelock and Tech Old Boys shared the same number of bonus points from the game, therefore they are still both locked at the bottom of the table.
Points Table. OBH, 94, WM 68, NOB 57, Marist 55, TOB 43, HN 43
Daily Telegraph Wednesday February 9th 1977
January 29th and February 5th 1977
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock won outright
Page 254
With Rowan Hill joining up with the team in this game, the complement of recent Hastings Boys’ High School past pupils who were now regularly playing for the Havelock senior team had now grown to six. This quite remarkable statistic is reminiscent of the halcyon days of the 1960s when a similar number of Hereworth School old boys were playing for Havelock. Neil Murley was the first to arrive from the Hastings school, and after a lull he was followed by Mark Hayde, Neil Rosenberg, Gary Spence and Mark Brannigan, and now, Rowan Hill. To have all six playing was a significant event in the development of the club, which certainly appeared to secure the immediate future of the senior team especially as Rowan turned in an exceptional debut performance with his accurate medium paced bowling.
Rowan had a most auspicious High School career, being selected for the Hawke’s Bay Colts and being awarded the trophy for the most promising schoolboy cricketer in Hawke’s Bay in 1976.
Old Boys Hastings, batting first raced along to score over 200, assisted in no small measure by the big hitting of Ray Robinson, who may well have set some sort of a distance record when he smashed a Doug Morland half volley over the Kiosk roof and into the stream adjacent to the children’s playground – a distance of over 100 metres. A smite, of which his uncle, Noel Fulford, would have been very proud.
Mark Hayde continued his conspicuous run of good form. It was his participation in the good partnerships which steered the team on to a total which allowed the skipper to declare. Even though the first innings declaration came with still 15 runs to reach the Old Boys total, the skipper was very confident in the knowledge that he possessed the bowling attack to dismiss Old Boys Hastings who would be batting on a worn second day pitch. Experience and youth were to the fore as the spinner, O’Sullivan and medium pacer Hill mopped up the batting line-up in good time. The outright win became a formality after Monty Penman and Mark Brannigan gave the side just the start required at the top of the innings.
The Daily Telegraph 14th February 1977 F.F. Cane
“On the first day Old Boys Hastings dropped Mark Hayde three times which assisted him to reach his half century before stumps in his innings on day one.
Some brilliant keeping and the taking of three good catches by young Gary Spence assisted in the outright victory.
Although he had a leg injury and needed a runner Monty Penman put together one of his best innings to help Havelock North to their target of 94. Both he and Mark Brannigan set Havelock well on their way to the win.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 230, Rosenberg 3 for 54, R. Lamberg 2 for 57, R. Hill 2 for 50,
and 79, D. O’Sullivan 3 for 19, R. Hill 2 for 17, Lamberg 2 for 33.
Havelock North: 215 for 8 declared. Hayde 75, Smith 43, Penman 34, O’Sullivan 32, Brannigan 32.
And 97 for 4, Penman 34, Brannigan 30, Smith 26 n.o.
Points table: OBH 106, WM 74, Marist 68, Havelock North 67, TOB 66, NHSOB 64.
Of the 6 teams, Old Boys Hastings is way out in front and the only safe one to avoid relegation. Only 10 points separate the remaining five teams. Whakatu-Mahora and Napier Old Boys looked as though they would escape relegation until last week when Tech old Boys and Havelock North who have shared the bottom rung of the ladder over the past three matches earned outright victories. Havelock North with an enterprising display of aggressive cricket inflicted the first defeat on Hastings Old Boys this season.
While Whakatu-Mahora have retained the second place on the table with 74 points Marist, Havelock North, Tech Old Boys and Napier Old Boys, all closed the gap on them
Page 255
February 12th and 19th 1977
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
Another Penman joined the senior team in this game. Tony joined his father, Monty, in what is the first instance of a father/son combination in the senior side. This is surely an exceptional statistic. It highlighted the durability and the retention of skills of the father and the real promise and potential of the son. Monty is still a fine opening batsman who sells his wicket very dearly. Tony is an aggressive medium pace bowler and a forceful batsman. Either Penman would be considered an asset to any of the local senior teams.
The first day’s play was rained-out. On the second day, Whakatu-Mahora batted first and made a creditable score in this one-day non-restricted overs game. Havelock with a good all-round scoreboard managed to extract first innings points.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 161 for 9 decl. O’Sullivan 4 for 40, Lamberg 3 for 43, Morland 2 for 36.
Havelock North: 182 for 9 decl. M. Penman 38, Brannigan 30, Moreland 23, Tony Penman 18, Mitchell 17, Smith 16, R. Hill 12.
Points table OBH 116, WM 83, Marist 78, HN 77, NHSOB 72, TOB 72.
February 26th and March 5th 1977
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings.
Mark Hayde continued his fine run of form. He has been a salient feature of the team’s performances during the whole of this season. He contributes positively and with real flair and flamboyance to all the many partnerships in which he has featured.
David O’Sullivan’s seven-wicket bag brought the team into contention for an outright win, but time was of the essence, and Havelock had to be content with the first innings points.
Score card:
Havelock North: 183, Hayde 49, R. Hill 23, M. Penman 24, O’Sullivan 20, N. Murley 15,
And 89 for 7 decl. N. Murley 22, Morland 12,
Marist: 120 for 9 decl. O’Sullivan 7 for 56, Morland 2 for 36
and 28 for 1
End of season table OBH 137, TOB 89, WM 87, HN 87, Marist 85, NHSOB 76.
One-Day Competition
March 12th 1977
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Two players who were performing well for the 2nd XI were selected to play in the first round of the one-day games. Andrew Beamish, was a fast medium bowler of much enthusiasm and a batsman who is capable of middling the ball in all circumstances. Earl Smith had been a loyal player and captain and a key committee member. They both justly deserved their promotion to the senior ranks and made a fine contribution to the team effort in this game.
Page 256
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 142 for 9, A. Penman 2/16, E. Smith 2/30
Havelock North: 97, Smith 42, A. Beamish 10, N. Murley 10
In the two-day games, Havelock recovered sufficiently from their poor start to the season to be undefeated after Christmas. The four victories – one outright and three on the first innings meant that the team picked itself up off the bottom rung and swept through to a most creditable third-equal placing with Whakatu-Mahora.
What would have been unthinkable a season ago was that the might of Napier High School Old Boys – a team with probably the most prodigious record in the history of the game in Hawke’s Bay has been relegated and Taradale, the new boys on the block, promoted. To the Havelock players who always enjoyed the truly competitive nature of the Napier Old Boys games, next season will be lacking in considerable substance.
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: M. Liley
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: H. H. Beamish
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: M. Hayde
Page 257
Chapter 33
1977/1978 SEASON
“Nerves have never served me well. I completely disagree with the theory that you need at least a sign of nervousness to bat at your best.”
– Mark Nicholas, ‘A Beautiful Game’ 2017
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday 13th October, Cricket Bob Mitchell
Pre-season Team assessment for Havelock North
“Former Central Districts all-rounder Doug Morland will again captain Havelock North which looks well equipped in most departments. Wicket keeper Jamie Francis and medium pacer Vince Costello have returned to senior ranks after a season’s absence. They will compensate for the loss of opener Monty Penman and the unavailability of keeper Gary Spence. Mark Brannigan is recovering from a broken leg and Neil Rosenberg will return from University in time for the start of the competition proper. Other players available are Dave O’Sullivan, Graham Smith, Mark Hayde, Bob Lamberg, and Rowan Hill.”
22nd October 1977
The team for this game: Doug Morland (Captain), Mark Hayde, James Francis, David O’Sullivan, Graham Smith, Vince Costello, Rowan Hill, Greg. Chapman, John O’Connor, Marty Lamberg and Bob Lamberg.
One-day game
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost by 59 runs
Score card: Thursday October 27th 1977, Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Cricket by Bob Mitchell
“Wicket keeper Jamie Francis, all-rounder Vince Costello and International Dave O’Sullivan have all registered good performances so far this season for Havelock North. Costello, O’Sullivan, Bob Lamberg, Doug Morland and Rowan Hill could well form the best-balanced attack in the Competition. The side seems to have some weak later order batting, but if both John O’Connor and Neil Rosenberg are available that should alleviate the problem as the season progresses.”
A father-son combination turned out for the senior team in this game when Marty Lamberg was promoted from the Junior ranks to join his father Bob in the side for this one game. This very rare and notable occasion is just the second time in the club’s history in which it has occurred. What is more intriguing is that the initial instance of this unusual event happening is that just four games previously the Penman father/son combination played for the first time.
Old Boys Hastings: 222. Hill, O’Sullivan and Lamberg all captured one wicket. There were three run outs
Havelock North: 163, Costello 50, Francis 36, O’Sullivan 19, Smith 19, Morland 17
October 29th and November 5th 1977
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won outright
Monday November 7th 1977 Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Bob Mitchell
“Hastings schoolteacher, Jamie Francis was ‘Mr Versatility’ on Saturday when he steered Havelock North to an impressive outright victory over Whakatu-Mahora. Francis had a grand unbeaten knock of 76 runs. Francis and fellow Hawke’s Bay rugby representative, Vince Costello were all aggression for Havelock North when Havelock resumed their first innings with the team’s score standing precariously on 126 for 6, Francis was on 2 and Costello on 9 and together they took the score to 233 for 6, to enable captain Doug Morland to declare with a lead of 111. Morelnd and Dave O’Sullivan then proceeded to rip through the Whakatu-Mahora second
Page 258
innings to dismiss them for 66 to win by an innings and 66 runs. Havelock gained a healthy 22 points from the match.”
The outstanding aspect of this win was that it was accomplished with ease through the contributions made by the whole team, highlighted by the rarity of the two overnight batsmen continuing on the second day to be both not out when the declaration came.
So often in Havelock’s past matches the two incumbent Havelock batsmen on the second day of the match have been dismissed with little addition to the score, to the extent that it had almost become a tradition. But this time both Costello and Francis played themselves in and then unleashed the shots which brought the possibility of the outright victory. These two carried the score along to 233 for 6 declared with Francis 76 n.o. and Costello 38.
With just over 100 to get in plenty of time the batsmen of Whakatu-Mahora crumbled before the accuracy, purpose and determination of the two in-form bowlers O’Sullivan and Morland.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 122, O’Sullivan 4 for 12 off 7.3 overs, Lamberg 2 for 41.
And 66, O’Sullivan 3 for 15, Morland 5 for 22.
Havelock North: 126 for 6, Morland 34, Hayde 30, O’Sullivan 18 Smith 17
and 62
November 12th and 19th 1977
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
After the heroics of the first-round match between these two sides when Havelock scored an outright victory, this game was a rather flat to even contest which petered out on the second day.
Doug Morland restricted the scoring in Old Boys Hastings first innings when he bowled economically and claimed five wickets. It was Morland’s best haul for the season and he received good support from both Vince Costello and Rowan Hill who bowled in tandem alongside him. Costello who has been featuring in the batting this season, bowled accurately for his three wickets and Hill who opens the bowling for the Hawke’s Bay representative side claimed the remaining two wickets.
Havelock scored 86 for 4 at stumps with James Francis and John O’Connor both being set and not out. On the second day Doug Morland chimed in with a solid 44, but was unable to reach the Old Boys Hastings total.
A tally with which they were happy and so they dug in to ensure the first innings win. A 70-minute partnership featuring Lloyd Singleton and Selwyn Dorward which produced a modicum of runs while defending against the tight bowling of Dave O’Sullivan and Costello made the game safe for Old Boys Hastings. O’Sullivan’s 29 overs yielded 38 runs and Costello’s 10 overs just 16.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 164, Morland 5 for 27, Costello 3 for 43, R. Hill 2 for 35
and 130, O’Sullivan 5 for 38, Costello 2 for 16
Havelock North: 146, Morland 44, Francis 38, O’Connor 20.
November 26th and December 3rd 1977
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Page 259
After being 3 wickets down for 102 at stumps, the Tech Old Boys resumption on day two saw all their batsmen taking a very pedestrian approach which made it quite clear that Tech would be quite content with just the first innings points. In facing the Havelock attack, this measured, pedestrian style of batting needed plenty of grit and determination.
No one displayed this more-so than Tech’s solid middle-order batsman, Max Plested, who was struck on the jaw by a sharply lifting ball, off a good length, from Bob Lamberg. Bob on his own admission had mastered the technique of bowling his medium pacers “along” the pitch, rather than “into” it. Thus he seldom bowled bumpers – content to take his wickets through accuracy, late swing, length and direction. Thus it surprised everyone to witness a Lamberg delivery rear so viciously. However on recovery, Plested calmly replaced his cap and continued to defy the Havelock attack and so help Tech shut the villagers out of all contention of a win.
The game ended in a tame 50 run win on the first innings to Tech Old Boys.
Score card:
Havelock North: 180 for 9 declared. Francis 46, Smith 32, Costello 25, M. Penman 23, Rosenberg 23, A. Hill 15
and 55 for 4, J. Francis 20, D. Morland 16.
Tech Old Boys: 230, Lamberg 4 for 51, Morland 3 for 26.
At this early stage in the competition Havelock were a close second to Taradale, with Marist not far behind in third position.
December 10th and 17th 1977
Havelock North versus Taradale
A Draw
Set down to play on the Number 2 wicket at Nelson Park, Taradale and Havelock North the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Championship leaders, lost their chance of valuable points when they were forced to abandon their match on the second day without a ball being bowled.
The huge anomaly of this entire situation was that, on the adjacent Number 3 pitch, three hours of play were possible in the match between Whakatu-Mahora and Marist. With the soil type classified as Napier Marine Gravels, the free draining and porous nature of all the pitches at Nelson Park should be compatible – thus for one set of match officials to allow their game to roll along for three hours while valuable points were accumulated and the other umpires to stand firm in the guise of protecting the pitches for later games in the season seemed quite eccentric.
Score card: (First day only)
Taradale: 206, Lamberg 2 for 30, Costello 2 for 47, Rosenberg 2 for 62, A. Penman 2 for 10.
Havelock North: 104 for 6, Hayde 23, Francis 18, O’Connor 36, Costello 11.
Performance points: Taradale 9 (7 bat 2 bowl) Havelock 6 (2 bat 4 bowl)
Points table at the conclusion of the first round: Taradale 59, HN 46, Marist 46, OBH 34, WM 33, TOB 32
1978
Saturday January 7th and 14th 1978
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings
Page 260
On day one, Marist declared having just passed the 200 mark. The logic of this declaration could be perceived to be that both of the Havelock North opening batsmen had endured a pretty hot day in the field. The hour or so left in the day’s play should have enabled Marist to at least reap the top order of the Havelock batting. The part of the equation which Marist did not accurately assess was that both openers had been in fine touch during the first part of the season. Mark Hayde and James Francis rushed through to stumps, having established a century partnership with both of their wickets intact.
On the second day, both openers continued on with their breezy partnership and guided Havelock North through to a lead of three runs, which gave them the first innings win.
Mark Hayde had just been replaced in the Hawke’s Bay Representative side, and his determination was never more evident as he showed greater concentration, more confidence and sheer will as he went about his business of stylishly collecting runs.
Score card:
Marist: 201 for 9 declared. Lamberg 3 for 35, Rosenberg 3 for 53
Havelock – end of day 1, 104 without loss. Francis 46 n.o. and Hayde 45 n.o.
Havelock – declared at 204 for 8, Francis 58, Hayde 58. On day 2,
January 21st and 28th 1978
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
In this most extraordinary game Havelock North, batting first made a good start and seemed to be playing themselves into a strong position as they went to tea on the first day at 135 for 3 wickets with Doug Morland and Graham Smith sharing in a 100 run second wicket partnership. A mild collapse, followed by a revival with Dallinger and Neil Rosenberg brought up a reasonably respectable total of 176.
Whakatu showed just how easy paced the wicket was with Don Poulgrain posting a half century by stumps. He carried his superb form through to the second day when he blasted the Havelock bowlers, being mainly responsible for lifting the Whakatu-Mahora total through to 320. 144 runs ahead with over three hours play remaining, thus a fair possibility of inflicting an outright win over the villagers.
However the young opener Mark Hayde may have had a different perspective on this. He had plenty to prove. In an innings that could be compared with Noel Fulford at his best, Hayde batted with exquisite timing and sheer power to take 99 runs of the last 9 overs he faced as his total jumped from 45 to 144.
Batting cleanly and forcefully, Hayde hit twenty scorching boundary strokes and his innings scored four big sixes and a five. He took 21 from a Grant MacLauchlan over (two sixes, two fours and a single and he was particularly punishing on Gavin Haynes (0 for 40 off 4 overs, and Wynn Goodall 0 for 39 off 3).
Whakatu seemed to be unable to curtail Hayde’s aggressive stroke play as he and Graham Smith featured in a 150-run partnership of which Smith managed just 38 runs.
In this game Mark Hayde at last realised his dream of scoring a century for his club. The innings certainly evoked memories of Noel Fulford at his best but it was the left handers deft touch and subtle timing along with the booming drives which put the Hayde stamp securely on an innings of great magnitude and skill.
Score card:
Havelock North: 176, Morland 63, Smith 49. J. Dallinger 18, Rosenberg 18
and 203 for 2, M Hayde 144 n.o., Smith 38 n.o. Francis 10
Whakatu-Mahora: 320 (Poulgrain 124), A. Penman 5 for 58, Lamberg 1 for 58, Hill 1 for 29
Page 261
Performance points: Whakatu-Mahora 17 (12 bat,5 bowl) Havelock North 8 (5 bat 3 bowl)
Century scored against Havelock North: Don Poulgrain
D. Poulgrain 124
Bowlers for Havelock North. Penman, Lamberg, Hill, Morland 0 for 48, (6 overs) Rosenberg 0 for 68 (7 overs), Costello 0 for 17.
Poulgrain played 44 games for Hawke’s Bay, made 1,718 runs and scored two centuries.
February 4th and 11th 1978
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
Havelock seemed to have every chance of gaining a first innings lead when stumps were drawn on the first day. The villagers were 84 runs shy of the Old Boys Hastings total with James Francis not out and Havelock still had eight wickets in hand.
However disaster struck on the second day. A mere 47 runs were added to the overnight total with James Francis carrying his score on to 66.
Old Boys Hastings sensed an outright win and quickly pushed their lead to 141 before declaring leaving a couple of hours for Havelock to get the required runs. As it turned out, discretion was far more sensible than valour and Havelock batted out the remainder on the match
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 200 for 5 decl. A. Penman 2 for 35, Lamberg 2 for 47
and 105 for 5 decl. Lamberg 2 for 24 A. Penman 2 for 30
Havelock North: 164, Francis 66, Costello 25, Smith 18, Moreland 15, Hayde 12
and 87 for 7, Smith 23, Hayde 18, Francis 17 Costello 10,
February 18th and 25th 1978
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
Three new faces appeared for Havelock in this game. Barry Foster who had been scoring prodigiously in the second grade was called in, along with Michael Gillingham and Alistair Hill, Bill Hill’s son. In the first innings it was left to the old hands to put runs on the board in a somewhat substandard performance. This was capitalised upon by Tech Old Boys whose strength was in their batting. In spite of the fine bowling of O’Sullivan, Morland and Penman, Tech surged through to a first innings lead on the second day of the match.
Score card:
Havelock North: 189, D. Morland 70, Smith 66, O’Sullivan 20.
And 114, Mitchell 32, Hayde 27, Gillingham 22, Costello 18, B. Foster 18
Tech Old Boys: 201, O’Sullivan 3 for 35, Lamberg 3 for 54, A. Penman 3 for 79
Table: Taradale 110, Marist 82, HN 82, WM 76, TOB 76, OBH 72.
March 4th and 11th 1978
Taradale versus Havelock North
Havelock lost on the first innings
Page 262
Havelock North lost the struggle for first innings points against the Championship leaders who deserve to be where they are, with just the four wickets to fall in their double century first innings total. Solid batting by both O’Sullivan and Hayde steered the match towards a satisfactory finale.
Score card:
Havelock North: 189, O’Sullivan 55, Hayde 42, A. Hill 22, Morland 20 J. Gillingham 12.
And 133 for 5 decl. Smith 39, Francis 30, Costello 17 Morland 11
Taradale: 207 for 4 decl. O’Sullivan Costello and Smith 1 wicket each
Performance points: Taradale 12 (7 bat, 5 bowl) Havelock North 8 (6 bat 2 bowl)
March 11th and 18th 1978
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won outright
Monday 13th 1978 Herald-Tribune
“Havelock hit away fears of relegation”
“In this final game of the season Havelock showed at last their true colours in emulating the comprehensive outright win against Whakatu-Mahora in the opening game of the season.
Hawke’s Bay representative Doug Morland led the attack on the Marist bowling with an unbeaten innings of 62. He was ably assisted by Graham. Smith 52, Mark Hayde 38, and Dave O’Sullivan 19. Havelock hit 224 runs from 46 overs and gained 8 batting points.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 224 for 7 decl. Morland 62. Smith 52, Hayde 38, D. O’Sullivan 19, Francis 13, A. Hill; 12. J. Chapman 12
and 120 for 1, Hayde 78, Francis 36,
Marist: 159, Morland 5/ 60, O’Sullivan 3/66
and 142, O’Sullivan 4/44 Lamberg 2/15
Table at the end of the season: Taradale 134. HN 113, Marist 101, TOB 95, OBH 91, WM 91
With an accumulation of first innings losses interspersed between two outright victories, Havelock’s season was a ride on the big dipper as opposed to the more sedate roller coaster. After winning the first game outright against Whakatu-Mahora by 45 runs due to an excellent all-round team effort, the second game, lost on the first innings was well compensated with another first innings win. But after that, Havelock’s season was a gradual acceleration of the downhill slalom with four consecutive first innings losses. Just when the improbable seemed possible – relegation to the second grade – a stirring fight back against Marist resulted in an outright victory which paradoxically swept the villagers past Marist on the table and into second placing.
One of the mid season’s highlights came with the annual Central Districts Colts Tournament.
Neil Rosenberg was awarded the trophy for the best bowler at the Tournament. His figures of 23 wickets at 11.15 and a best performance of 7 for 42 against Manawatu was an indication of his ability as an off-spin bowler. Neil was subsequently selected in the Central Districts Colts XI.
Bob Lamberg was the Manager/Coach of the team. Rowan Hill and Mark Hayde were also in the Hawke’s Bay side.
Page 263
Club Championship for points scored by all teams playing for the club: Havelock North 2nd
Competition placing: Havelock North 2nd
Club Competition Honours
Batting: M. Hayde 144 n.o. versus Whakatu-Mahora
Trophies
Fastest century The Fulton Cup: M. Hayde
Bowling Cup Most wickets: D. O’Sullivan
Hastings Sub Association
Old Orkney Cup for Senior championship: Havelock North
Representative Honours: Senior Hawke’s Bay: D. O’Sullivan, D. Morland
D. Morland topped the batting averages in the Hawke’s Bay Team with 44.33
Hawke’s Bay Colts: N. Rosenberg (best bowler at Central Districts Colts’ tournament), M. Hayde, R. Hill.
Central Districts Colt XI: N. Rosenberg
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: V. Costello
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: R. Lamberg
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: A. C. Hill
Page 264
Chapter 34
1978/1979 SEASON
Dozing in deck-chair’s gentle curve,
Through half-closed eyes I watched the cricket,
Knowing the sporting Press would say
“Perks bowled well on a perfect wicket.”
– John Arlott
The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association in its wisdom decided that this season there would be seven teams in the senior grade, with a bye in the first round. When will they ever learn? After this round the competition would be divided into two divisions, one of the top four teams and a three team lower division. If Havelock North were unlucky enough to be in that second division it meant that the young players who were being nurtured by the club could (if the Maths is correct) be robbed of a whole month of cricket out of an already truncated season.
October 21st 1978
Team for the first game of the season:- Doug Morland (Captain), Monty Penman, Mark Hayde, Vince Costello, Dave O’Sullivan, James Francis, Graham Smith, Ian Chapman, Nick Tichborne, Rowan Hill, Tony Penman and Richard Jones
One-Day Wattie’s Competition.
The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association is utilizing the Wattie’s One-Day competition in order to kick the season off to an early start. However if they had been reading Frank Cane’s columns over the past decade the committee may have avoided its folly in scheduling cricket during the unstable spring, that is the month of October, in Hawke’s Bay. The one-day game scheduled for October 21st between Havelock North and Napier High School Old Boys was abandoned because of rain.
October 28th and 4th November 1978
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost on the first innings
A loss on the first innings by almost 200 runs did not bode well for the coming season. Amongst the rubble of defeat the one shining light was the six-wicket bag by Dave O’Sullivan.
The poor performance of the top and middle-order batsmen was in direct contrast to the traditional good start which Havelock have always seemed to enjoy at the beginning of each season, especially during the halcyon Fulford days.
Score card
Old Boys Hastings: 270, O’Sullivan 6 for 85, R. Jones 3 for 42
Havelock North: 74, Smith 20, Morland 17, A. Penman 10
and 63 for 3, Chapman 17, Morland 15, Smith 14.
November 11th and 18th 1978
Havelock North had the bye.
With a rained-out first match, a comprehensive hiding by Old Boys Hastings and now two days without a game, the spirits of the Havelock North team were not at their greatest.
Page 265
November 25th and December 2nd 1978
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
This was Nick Tichener’s first game. Nick was an excellent addition to the side. Emerging every practice evening and on the Saturday from his In-box at the office of the Whakatu Freezing Works Union desk, he was always jovial and a great team man. The stress of his job never showed as he proceeded with the task of playing well for his side.
Tech Old Boys were 19 runs away from an outright victory at stumps on the second day. Havelock did very well to hold them, as the poor second innings reflected the fact that five of the team – were away on Hawke’s Bay duty. So with Morland, Hayde, Francis, O’Sullivan and Rosenberg away the team was badly depleted.
This could be a record number of Hawke’s Bay representative players from the one team. It may very well suit Hawke’s Bay’s prospects, but it creates an imbalance in the Club competition which has caused a huge inconvenience for the Havelock team. Just on half of the Hawke’s Bay team consisting of Havelock players is something of which the club should be proud, but surely there could be some form of compensation for the club when such an occurrence comes round, especially as the club needs to stay in the first division come the Christmas break.
Score card:
Havelock North: 120, Francis 61.
And 95, A. Penman 38
Tech Old Boys: 164 for 9 decl. R.K.P. Jones 5 for 70, Tichener 2 for 42
and 32 for 1
December 9th and 16th 1978
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock won on the first innings
Daily Telegraph. F.F. Cane December 11th 1978
“An erratic wicket and Havelock’s spirited attack, combined to show up the flaws in the batting of Taradale, the defending champions. Taradale set a meagre target of just 125 for first innings points were quickly in trouble as Richard Jones and Tony Penman broke through. There was no stopping the two opening bowlers and wickets tumbled – twice with just 6 on the board and then, disaster as Taradale were four down before the score had reached double figures.
At 7 for 27 Barbour came to the crease and in an ensuing slog-fest where he threw caution to the winds he was 56 n.o. at stumps. With Taradale being 98 for 8. However this brave effort was insufficient to secure Taradale a first innings lead, falling just 5 runs short. Havelock still pursued the outright and quick half centuries by Hayde and Francis enabled Havelock to declare 177 runs ahead. Taradale shut up shop and cruised to 56, when stumps were prematurely drawn.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 125, A. Penman 28, Francis 19, Brannigan 15, Hayde 13, Chapman 11
and 172 for 6 declared. Hayde 52, Francis 50, Milne 17 n.o.
Taradale: 120, R.K.P. Jones 4 for 34, A. Penman 4 for 65
and 56 for 2.
Points Table: end of the 1st round: OBH 31, TOB 29, NOB 24, Marist 14, Taradale 12, HN 7, WM2
Page 266
1979
January 6th and 13th 1979
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock won on the first innings.
A negative feature of this game was the slow run rate of the Havelock North first innings. It took 63 overs, almost three hours of play at 2.6 runs an over, thus nullifying any chance of either side going for an outright. On a more positive note was the contribution made by the brothers Penman to the performance of the Havelock side. This was Mark Penman’s first game for the club, having just graduated from Karamu High School. The performance of both of these young brothers certainly dominated the second day and with the skill of both with bat and ball this augurs well for the future of the club.
Score card:
Havelock North: 157, Hayde 46, Tichborne 31, Smith 25
and 78 for 6, A. Penman 23 M. Penman 11
Marist: 132, A. Penman 2 for 31, M. Penman 3 for 38.
January 20th and 27th 1979
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
The skipper of the Havelock side, Doug Morland seems immune to fatigue once he gets his hands on the cricket ball. He is always prepared to go the extra distance if it is in the team’s best interests. In four hours of play on a sun-drenched Anderson Park, Whakatu-Mahora finally declared with seven wickets down. Doug Morland bowled unchanged right through the Whakatu-Mahora innings in a marathon performance, in which he bowled 27 overs.
In spite of the skipper’s heroics, at one stage, on the second day, it looked, for all money, as though Havelock North were destined to lose outright to the old enemy, Whakatu-Mahora, when the fifth second innings wicket fell and there were still 90 minutes to go until stumps.
However young Mark Penman, who batted so well in the first innings, strode to the wicket and for one and a half hours he defied the Whakatu-Mahora attack in a superlative display of character, determination and an impassable forward defensive stroke. He matched his captain’s marathon of the first day and saved the outright loss.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 274 for 7 decl. D. Morland 4 for 91, M. Hayde 2 for 16.
Havelock North: 119, M. Penman 25, G. Milne 25, M. Brannigan 18, M. Hayde 15,
and 102 for 6, M. Penman 23 n.o. Mitchell 20, Hayde 19, Brannigan 19.
February 3rd 1979
One-day game – designated by the HBCC to fit in the season’s draw.
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
A win to Havelock North
Herald-Tribune Monday 5th February 1979
“Mark Hayde in his final game before leaving for Norfolk Island hit a sparkling 69 runs. His innings which included seven 4s and one 6, was the backbone of the Havelock North innings.”
Page 267
This indeed was Mark’s last innings for Havelock North. He will always be remembered as a batsman of skill, judgement, vigour, flair and devil-may-care vivacity – and a team man par excellence.
Score card:
Havelock North: 180, Hayde 69, O’Sullivan 28, Milne 25, Chapman 18, Tichener 14.
Napier Old Boys: 137 for 3. D. Morland 3 for 36.
Herald-Tribune February 5th 1979
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune
“Two Divisions in Senior Cricket”
“Senior Cricket is splitting into two contests. The 4 top teams from the first round Marist, Old Boys Hastings, Tech Old Boys and Napier Old Boys will play for the title, while Havelock North, Whakatu-Mahora and Taradale will play in a secondary competition which includes a bye.”
February 10th and 17th 1979
Havelock North versus Taradale
Match drawn
Doug Morland continued his fine run of form to score another half century. His penchant for playing the majority of his shots in the vee between cover and mid on and his discipline in not lofting the ball ensured that he is able to build his innings on a firm foundation. In this innings the base that he built, augured well for the following Saturday as he was looking very secure, being not out. However he was unable to finish the job and maybe carry his side to a first innings win because there was no play on the 17th February because of the persistent rain
Score card:
Taradale: 230, G. Milne 2 for 22, Morland 2 for 62, A Penman 2 for 56
Havelock North: 107 for 4, Morland 54 n.o. Brannigan 17.
February 24th and 26th: BYE
Disappointment was rife in the Havelock North camp as the reality of the implausible logic- defying decision of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association of seven teams in the Senior Competition with a bye, was finally cruelly registered. The cold hard facts of no cricket on three consecutive edays in the peak if the cricket season, difficult as it was to understand had to be accepted as the lads looked forward now to the month of March.
March 3rd and 10th 1979
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock won on the first innings
There was no play on the first day because of persistent rain.
The morale of the side was still at a very high level in spite of the fact that for the past four weeks the only cricket the side had was at the Tuesday and Thursday net practices with no play for the side because of the bye and two wet Saturdays. It may have been the frustration and anger which had gradually built up over the past month along with the high morale but the villagers threw everything into this game and as a team knuckled down and dug in for a well deserved first innings victory.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 204, R.K. Jones 4/47, O’Sullivan 4/64
and 107, Morland 6/25, O’Sullivan 2/31
Havelock North: 205 for 7 decl. Moreland 72, O’Sullivan 43, Francis 26, M. Penman 16, Tichborne 11
Page 268
This match was Doug Morland’s final one for Havelock North. He returned to Takapuna to take up a Senior teaching position and play his cricket in the North Shore Competition. It is absolutely appropriate that he should top both Havelock’s batting and bowling performances and so appearing on the Daily Telegraph’s Honours Board on two occasions in his final game. He was a very skilful batsman and a bowler who was difficult to face. In his own words “I bowled along the wicket and not into it.” Doug thoroughly deserved his ultimate selection into the Central Districts team in spite of the sole selector’s derogatory comments about his fielding prowess. If anyone could overcome such a slight, Doug could.
Doug captained the Havelock seniors. He scored one century and thirteen half centuries and took two six wicket bags and twelve five wicket hauls. He left an indelible mark on his beloved club.
Daily Telegraph Monday December 12th 1979 F. F. Cane
“Cricket lead reduced because of cancellations”
“Havelock North and Taradale, the bottom three competition leaders lost the chance for valuable points when they were forced to abandon the first day’s play in their match at Nelson Park Napier.
In the peculiar situation that on the one ground, not a ball was bowled because of the wet wicket in the Havelock North versus Taradale game on Nelson Park No 2 wicket, Whakatu and Marist had almost three hours play on the adjacent No 3 wicket. Marist took three bowling points which has moved them into equal 2nd place with Havelock North. The abandonment of the Havelock North – Taradale match also allowed Old Boys Hastings, Whakatu-Mahora and Tech Old Boys to reduce the points gap on Havelock. Old Boys Hastings and Tech Old Boys have moved up 5 points Whakatu-Mahora 4 points.
Hardly fair from a Havelock North perspective. Taradale lead the competition with 50 points. Havelock and Marist are on 40.
This is truly a season to forget!
In a summary of the twenty-one Saturdays scheduled for play, it is discovered that three were abandoned because of rain; four were not played because of the bye. Fifteen days cricket is hardly a season for young and enthusiastic sportsmen. The long break of three weeks during the Christmas break did little to exacerbate the frustration of the Havelock North players. Again can the question be asked? “What was the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association thinking of?”
Prizegiving 1979/80
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: S. Burfield
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: K. Milne
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI Batsman: A. N. Tichborne
Page 269
Chapter 35
1979/1980 SEASON
“Our followers know that New Zealand won’t win every game or be the world’s best team, but I think they are able to look at the team as a representative of our culture.”
– Brendan McCullum ‘Declared’ 2016
As the author leaves the side this year McCullum’s sentiments could well be said about the village of Havelock North
October 11 Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: New season’s preview by Mark Taylor.
“Havelock captain retained”
“Havelock North are likely to field a young, relatively inexperienced line-up, ably guided by Dave O’Sullivan and will sorely miss Central Districts all-rounder Doug Morland and batsman Graham Smith now coaching the Lindisfarne College 1st XI. The gains are former NZ University representative, Jeremy Collinge from Auckland and Damar White reserve wicket keeper for New Zealand Secondary Schools.”
Havelock North Team: David O’Sullivan, Jeremy Collinge, Steven Frost, James Francis, Tony Penman, Ian Chapman, G. Milne, Paul Clothier, Nick Tichborne, Mark Penman, Damar White.
October 13th 1979
One-day Knock out Competition
Whakatu-Mahora versus Havelock North
Havelock North lost
In spite of the dysfunctional nature of last season’s competition with its seven teams and inclement weather, the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association persisted with its policy of a seven-team senior competition. Havelock’s ‘winter of discontent’ appeared as though it was going to continue into the next decade, with little likelihood of a lifting of the clouds to reveal a further glorious summer. The loss to Whakatu-Mahora in the first game – a one-dayer – was indeed the harbinger of things to come
Score card:
Havelock North: 144 for 7. Francis 38, Frost 30, O’Sullivan 17,
Whakatu-Mahora: 146, J. Collinge 3 for 21, O’Sullivan 2 for 24, A. Penman 2 for 28.
As Havelock North were knocked out at this early stage the team did not play over Labour Weekend.
October 27th November 3rd 1979
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
In a situation somewhat reminiscent of the influx of Hereworth players in the 1960s and Hastings Boys High School Old Boys in the late 1970s, Havelock North was, this year welcoming youngsters from Karamu High School. This school had come through a most successful period, coached by Norm Pratt. One of his protégés, Michael Brown had already played first class cricket, for both Auckland and Central Districts. The Karamu contingent for this game consisted of The Penman brothers, Tony and Mark, Paul Clothier, Ian Chapman, Peter Wilson and Guy Milne.
To top off this positive development, Jeremy Collinge, a highly successful Accountant who had recently transferred to Hastings quickly showed the signs of being a competent and skilful cricketer. His contribution
Page 270
in this game with both bat and ball was sufficient to acknowledge that Havelock had, at last a new star on the horizon.
Score card:
Havelock North: 157, Milne 38, Collinge 30, Francis 25, Tichborne 16, Frost 15.
And 132 for 7, Collinge 35, Chapman 30, Frost 20, Milne 13.
Tech Old Boys: 185 for 7 declared. Collinge 2 for 21, M. Penman 2 for 41
November 10th and 17th 1979
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock lost on the first innings
There was an element of déjà vu in this game in reference to the previous match. Havelock North batted first to, again, post a reasonably competitive total. This was mainly due to stubborn, down the line and safe batting of the last four Havelock batsmen. Mark Penman, Damar White, Nick Tichborne, and Paul Clothier who all put on 100 runs, in a slow grafting afternoon’s cricket. After the top half of the batting had failed and Havelock were 6 down for 61 these four put their heads down and pulled the side around. None more so than young Damar White who in an hour and a half’s batting scored four runs.
Taradale batted in the period after tea and positioned themselves well. Either side was capable of taking first innings points on the second day. It was not until Brian Barbour arrived at the crease with Taradale in real trouble that his free hitting which included two 6’s three 4’s and two chances that Taradale moved ahead for a first innings win.
In both this game and the previous one against Tech Old Boys, Havelock was far from disgraced and with a little fortune could have won either game. The consolation of picking up two points for a first innings loss placed Havelock 5th on the Championship table
Score card:
Havelock North: 166, M. Penman 44, A. Penman 37, Tichborne 19 Clothier 16, Collinge 16.
And 91 for 3, Collinge 40, White 31, Frost 10
Taradale: 197. A. Penman 2 for 61, O’Sullivan 3 for 44 Jones 3 for 18, Collinge 2 for 32
Mark Taylor writing in the Herald-Tribune considered that Tony Penman was ripe for Representative honours. He considered that the domination of Napier players in the Hawke’s Bay side counted against Havelock North players, especially the young Penman. Taylor considered that Tony with his aggressive medium paced bowling and consistent batting should indeed be considered for higher honours.
The same could be said of younger brother Mark whose accurate medium paced bowling and tenacious batting should also be given a chance
Points table: Taradale 17, Marist 12, OBH 10, TOB 7, HN 4, WM 2, NOB 0
November 24th and December 1st 1979
BYE
December 8th and 15th 1979
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock lost on the first innings
This was a game that neither side deserved to win. Napier Old Boys put on an opening stand of 57 but from then on it was Havelock all the way. With O’Sullivan and Jones between them capturing the nine wickets for
Page 271
only 49 runs. Jones got a lot of movement off the damp track while O’Sullivan used the conditions well. Both had all batsmen in trouble.
When it came Havelock’s turn to bat, Don Beuth the Napier Old Boys’ opening bowler could hardly believe his figures as Havelock North crumpled to be 95 all out in their first innings. Beuth captured 5 for 16 off 17 overs. The only batsman to show any fight was young Peter Wilson who made a solid 28 runs.
Richard Jones who has been with the club only two years dominated Napier Old Boys first innings. With his sharp medium pacers he had all Napier Old Boys batsmen in trouble and emphatically showed his value to the side. His six wickets were collected off two spells each of 11 overs which yielded a mere 44 runs. The other newcomer to show his mettle was Peter Wilson with his fighting innings when all seemed lost.
Symptomatic of the ill- luck which seemed to be dogging the team, Mark Penman was dismissed by his cap falling on his wicket as he attempted to avoid a bumper bowled by Don Beuth, the Napier Old Boys speedster. There were no helmets in those days therefore the sharpness of the evasive action was all important. In Mark’s case, his reflexes were a little too quick, with the blue and black felt cap dislodging the off stump bail for him to be ruled out ‘hit wicket’.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 106, R.K. Jones 6 for 44, O’Sullivan 3 for 18
and 90 for 9 when rain stopped play
Havelock North: 96, P. Wilson 28, A. Penman 17, Milne 13.
Up till the Christmas break Havelock as a team had played one 45 over match and had a bye which meant a two week lay-off. The three games which had been played were against Napier Old Boys, Tech Old Boys and Taradale – all first innings losses and all played in Napier.
January 5th and 12th 1980
The team for this game: Jeremy Collinge, Mark Penman, Guy Milne, Stephen Frost, Peter Wilson, Paul Clothier, Nick Tichborne, Ian Chapman, Damer White, Rob Larkworthy.
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost outright
Havelock’s opponents in this game again heralded from Napier. Another low-scoring match in which Havelock came out on the wrong side of the ledger. This repetition of poor to average performances was becoming somewhat of an embarrassment, especially as extras in the second innings of this game, were second top scorer to young Stephen Frost who had recently joined the club from Napier Old Boys.
Score card:
Havelock North: 64, M. Penman 14
and 119, S. Frost 30, M. Penman 22, J. Collinge 16, P. Clothier 13, Extras 25
Marist: 99 for 8 declared, A. Penman 3 for 45. Collinge 2 for 30
and 85 for 3, Collinge 2 for 27
January 19th and 26th 1980
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Outright loss by 10 wickets
The dark days continued in this summer of discontent as Havelock crashed to another outright loss.
Page 272
Score card:
Havelock North: 109, M. Penman 35, Collinge 26, Tichborne 18
and 94. Collinge 24, M. Penman 22, S. Frost 18.
Old Boys Hastings: 163 for 8 decl. R. Larkworthy 2 for 24, A. Penman 2 for 47
and 41 without loss
February 2nd and 3rd 1980
Sunday cricket was introduced into the two-day game on a trial basis in order to conclude the first round so that the competition could again be split into two divisions.
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost on the first innings
The all-pervading bad luck that has followed the side during this season, again manifested itself in this game when Jeremy Collinge who had become settled in for what seemed to be a good score had the misfortune to have HIS cap fall on the wicket in an incident which was reminiscent of Mark Penman’s dismissal of a month ago.
Score card:
Havelock North: 120, Collinge 35 M. Penman 24, Clothier 16, Chapman 13, Milne 10.
Whakatu-Mahora: 139 for 6, Collinge 3 for 36
February 9th and 16th 1980
This was the first game in the bottom division – the draw saw Havelock North playing Whakatu-Mahora on four consecutive playing days!
Whakatu-Mahora versus Havelock North
Havelock lost on the first innings.
This game with one double century and two centuries was heralded as one of the great games of Hawke’s Bay Club cricket. Of the main protagonists, two were from Whakatu-Mahora and one from Havelock North. After the first day’s play Havelock held all the aces but as the song says “you’ve got to know when to hold them”, and on the second day the villagers could but stand and admire the quality of strokeplay of both Don Poulgrain and Tony Rohrs as they upped the ante and carried their side to a memorable win.
Day One:
There had been a flood of complaints in the previous week about the Cornwall Park Number 3 pitch but on the Saturday there was no dissent from the Havelock batsmen who had first use of this controversial stretch of clay, as the middle order went about the business of scoring the required runs to give them every chance of a decision on the second day
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. February 11th 1980
“No mistake this time for Collinge”
“Cruel luck one week and a charmed life the next. Havelock North century maker Jeremy Collinge has certainly been taking the good with the bad.
Last weekend against Whakatu-Mahora the 38-year-old Collinge in his first season for Havelock North looked set to occupy the crease for the entire afternoon. Then with his score on 36 his cap fell onto the stumps as he attempted to swat the short ball from medium pacer Murray Jamieson to the square leg boundary.
Page 273
Havelock North drew Whakatu-Mahora for the second match running at Cornwall Park. This time Collinge’s fortunes balanced out as he cashed in on some shabby fielding from the error prone catching of the Whakatu-Mahora fielders to reach 103 n.o.
Showing admirable grit and concentration Collinge stroked 13 fours and one six, adding 66 for the sixth 6th wicket with Dave O’Sullivan’s 35. This was followed with a monumental seventh wicket partnership with R. Aird of 142, the speed of which allowed Havelock to declare at tea
Enter Don Poulgrain the diminutive Whakatu-Mahora opener who batted superbly up to stumps to be 95 not out. This was Poulgrain’s first score over 50 in the entire season and he seemed poised to continue his newfound form on the following Saturday.
Havelock North will be hoping that Collinge’s three figures score will encourage him to stay a little longer in Hawke’s Bay after his stints in numerous places over the years which have included Auckland, Wellington, England, Malawi, Waikato and Thames Valley.
Day Two:
Don Poulgrain and Tony Rohrs set a Whakatu-Mahora club record as they annihilated the Havelock North attack in a 226 fifth wicket partnership.
Poulgrain who was on 95 at the conclusion of the first day, batted his way to an unbeaten double century the highest score in Hawke’s Bay cricket for 17 years.
Although this game was part of the bottom three competition, it produced Poulgrain’s double century and Tony Rohrs finished unbeaten on 105. Poulgrain was at the crease for 305 minutes. He hit 29 fours and three sixes. It took Poulgrain 18 minutes to carry his score from 95 to 100 and from then on he hit out. He was particularly savage on O’Sullivan – he hit him over the top drove him and late cut him.
At the start of his innings Poulgrain was playing his shots fractionally early on the slow wicket but he adjusted his timing and slaughtered the attack.
Rohrs matched him run for run with 11 fours and a six. Rohrs gave only one chance a simple one to slips while he was in his 40s.
While Poulgrain and Rohrs found run making easy on the Cornwall Park wicket despite the pitch being wet it was probably at its best – in its best condition of the season
Score card:
Havelock North: 234 for 6 decl. Collinge 103 n.o. R. Aird 69, O’Sullivan 35, Milne 13.
Whakatu-Mahora: 369 (D. Poulgrain 200 and Tony Rohrs 105)
Double century against Havelock North: Don Poulgrain
Don Poulgrain 200 not out
Havelock Bowling:
Larkworthy 1 for 61, Hudson 1 for 36, O’Sullivan 1 for 98, Collinge 0 for 71, Milne 0 for 34, Frost 0 for 23
Century against Havelock North: Tony Rohrs. This was the 14th to be scored against the Havelock North attack after 26 years in the senior grade.
Tony Rohrs 105 not out
Larkworthy 1 for 61, Hudson 1 for 36, O’Sullivan 1 for 98, Collinge 0 for 71, Milne 0 for 34, Frost 0 for 23
Page 274
Tony Rohrs played two first class games for the Wellington Firebirds in 1988, before his death in a car accident, cut short a highly promising cricket career.
Tony Rohrs was a product of Roger Anderson’s coaching at Hastings Boys’ High School where he was selected to play in the 1st XI in 1976, at the tender age of 15 years, such was his undoubted promise. In 1977 he was selected in the Eastern Districts Colts and was awarded the trophy for the best schoolboy batsman in Hawke’s Bay. Tony played for the Hutt Valley in Hawke Cup cricket
The first senior double century against Havelock North
Don Poulgrain 200 not out
Don Poulgrain was another product of Hastings Boys’ High School. He was selected into the first XI in 1970 as a Fourth Former and was coached by Roy Dunningham. He had great success as a school boy batsman and his move to Whakatu-Mahora was a formality as his older brother Rob was already there. Don played many seasons for Hawke’s Bay.
February 23rd and March 1st 1980
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock lost outright
This was a bottom of the table clash played at Cornwall Park and can best be summed up in the words of the Daily Telegraph scribe who stated ‘The club season is now over for Havelock North who wallow at the tail of their mini competition.’
Score card:
Havelock North: 123, Collinge 56, O’Sullivan 38, Tichborne 16,
and 165, Clothier 49, Collinge 43, Tichborne 18, Chapman 18 O’Sullivan 14
Tech Old Boys: 257 for 7 declared, O’Sullivan 4 for 64
and 34 for 2
Points Table on March 6th: Marist 63, OBH 58, Taradale 30, NOB 29, TOB 12, WM 5, HN 2
Both days of the final game of the season on March 8th and 15th were wiped out because of rain. As the Daily Telegraph so succinctly added:
“The old cricket adage – “anything can happen in this game” wasn’t even given a chance on Saturday. Frustrating weather made sure that the washing remained on the line and the final day of the Club championship was comprehensively washed out. This left Marist high and dry at the top of the table and Havelock North dripping blood at the bottom.”
Marist were thoroughly deserving of their championship victory but what a hollow end to the season.
So ended a very dismal season; Havelock had much bad luck. The necessity of winning the 45 over games at the start of the season seemed to be essential in giving the players time in the middle. To waste an entire Labour weekend seemed somewhat irresponsible.
Highlights were the batting of Collinge, and Mark Penman and the bowling of Tony Penman.
Page 275
It seems a pity to end this decade’s chronicle on such a poor note. But the nadir that was the season 1979/80 was to become a triumph as the team raced into the 1980s. In this new band of brothers leading the way were Stuart Duff, Scott Pease, Stephen Brown, Warwick Kivell, Paul Clothier, Peter Wilson, Chris Walker, Terry May, Mark Penman, Robert Hart, Greg Collinge, Denis Hunt.
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: A. Orton
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: M. Lamberg
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved senior XI batsman: P. Clothier
Page 276
Chapter 36
FOURTH DECADE
1980/1981 SEASON
“A fig for your doctors, their pills and their plasters;
There’s nothing like cricket for liver or brain!
A trot o’er the turf, ‘twixt the wickets, my masters,
Will soon make a sick man a sound man again!”
– J. S. Fletcher 1881-1931. Journalist and Author.
Fletcher’s words could well be prophetic as Havelock North entered the third decade.
Stephen Frost had transferred to Napier Old Boys, but other than that the team was pretty much the same as last season. This loss was more than compensated by the arrival in Havelock North of Geoff Pollard from Tech Old Boys who while playing for a number of seasons for Tech Old Boys was a model of consistency.
Havelock North Cricket Club Administration Officers
1980/81 Management Committee
Chairman L.S. Rickard
Secretary I.R. Chapman
Treasurer E. Smith
Club captain R.G. Lamberg
Committee: R Robinson, W Duff, M. Razos, J. Collinge, J. Parkinson, S. Young, D. White, M. Gunn
If there was one glimmer of fortune for the hapless villagers it was the pre-season decision of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association to disband Promotion/Relegation as from the end of the 1979/80 season, which allowed Havelock North to retain their place in the senior competition in spite of finishing a long, motherless last. This enabled the Club to pursue a recruiting programme to encourage promising youngsters to join up with the Club with the purpose of rebuilding and recovering. This could not have happened had the team been demoted.
The bane of the Napier/Hastings Cricket Competition was the existence of seven teams in the Senior competition and the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s reluctance to demote any one of the traditional clubs which had contributed so much to Hawke’s Bay cricket over the past three decades.
The Association’s solution to the seven senior teams with the inevitable bye situation in this season, was to promote the leading second grade team of the previous season, which happened to be Tech Old Boys 2nd XI.
The following report appeared in Monday evening’s October 20th Daily Telegraph. F. F. Cane
“Promoted team lose badly in first game”
“Doubts over the wisdom of the HBCA’s to promote the Tech. Old Boys 2nd XI playing in the second grade to senior status will be raised after the heavy loss to Taradale in a first-round knock-out game. Tech 2nds were routed for 59 in 32 overs after being 7 for 34.
Saturday 18th October 1980
Broadlands One-Day Competition. 1980
The Team for this game: Dave O’Sullivan, G. Martin, Mike Razos. Jeremy Collinge, Alistair Hill, Paul Clothier, P. Robertshawe, Chris. Walker, D. Muggeridge, Damar White, L. Hudson.
Page 277
Havelock North versus Marist
Outright loss by 10 wickets.
The HBCA decided to play a one off, one-day competition over Labour Day with the big final to be played on the Monday, so winning on the Saturday was vital. Havelock’s innings reached the meagre total of just 86 runs, Dave O’Sullivan was the mainstay of the batting, scoring just under half of the runs with 42. It was obvious that he was troubled by a knee injury which also affected his bowling. Marist had little trouble in hitting off the required runs without losing a wicket, so the pattern of the previous year, seems to be returning to dog the villagers. The necessary time in the middle at this early stage was now non – existent as the losers on Day 1 went home.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Tuesday 21st October
“Havelock North and Tech Old Boys 2nd XI could be left floundering in the Hawke’s Bay Cricket competition this season.
They were both brought to their knees in the Broadlands One-Day competition, so much so that both teams could be embarrassed in the Premier grade.”
However the Tech Old Boys Club recognising the difficulty of two teams in the Senior grade wisely pulled their 2nd XI out. Which created the much-maligned bye again!
Score card:
Havelock North: 86, O’Sullivan 43, G. Martin 12, M. Razos 10
Marist: 88 for 0
October 25th
As ill-luck would have it, Havelock North were handed the bye, thus losing a further Saturday’s cricket.
November 1st 1980
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Loss to Havelock North
The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association is certainly making a good fist of imposing its will on the senior cricketers of the Napier/Hastings Intercity competition. Seemingly with little consultation with the Clubs, the Association and its Draws committee has introduced a nominal trial period of one-day games to ascertain just how the cricketers of Hawke’s Bay may adapt to this 50-over format of the game. So the first game for Havelock North was fittingly against the old rivals, Old Boys Hastings.
It was pleasing to see Geoff Pollard chiming in so effectively in the Havelock batting order. But the weakness in the Havelock bowling without Dave O’Sullivan was exposed by the Old Boys Hastings top order who plundered the required runs off just 28 overs
Score card:
Havelock North: 118, G. Pollard 39. Martin 20, A. Hill 12, P. Clothier 10, J. Collinge 10
Old Boys Hastings: 121, G Muggeridge 2 for 75. Off 13. 1 overs
November 8th 1980
Havelock North versus Marist
Win to Marist
This game was the second of the 50 overs competition. The newly-tried Havelock team fell to the experience of the two Marist opening bowlers Pat O’Shaughnessy and Paul Selby with the lower order batsmen offering little resistance.
Page 278
Geoff Pollard was promoted to open the batting because of his good, early form with the bat. He along with Des Robertson and Jeremy Collinge were the only ones to reach double figures. Warwick Kivell, as always, bowled a consistent line and length and his persistence was well rewarded with the day’s top figures in all fixtures.
Marist scrambled to victory after suffering both top and lower order haemorrhages against the fine accuracy and bounce of Kivell, before struggling past the meagre total of 111 with one wicket in hand.
The closeness of the loss and the manner in which it unfolded, was an ominous sign for the Club. Unfortunately a signature for similar results throughout this whole season.
Score card:
Havelock North: 111, D. Robertson 25, G. Pollard 24, J. Collinge 15 and Extras 20.
Marist: 112 for 9, W. Kivell 6 for 40, Muggeridge 2 for 27
November 17th 1980
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
First Innings loss
Havelock were never in the hunt in this game. A youngster returning home from University was the wrecking ball that smashed through the Havelock batting line-up. Young Grant McKenzie had the right pedigree to play for his father’s, Napier eleven and the young speedster who was destined for greater things made short work of his task in this game. Smashing an unbeaten century in Napier Old Boys Innings and then immediately turning around to annihilate the Havelock batting.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 214 for 5 in their 50 overs. Kivell 2 for 53
Havelock North: 43, C. Walker 12
Century scored against Havelock North: Grant McKenzie
Grant McKenzie is the son of a stalwart of the Napier Old Boys club Bill McKenzie, who trialled for the 1949 New Zealand team. Grant moved to Hamilton and played for Northern Districts in the 1983/84 and 1990/91 seasons. He played 34 games during this time with a top score of 115. He is currently on the Executive Board of the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association.
November 23rd 1980
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost by 6 wickets
The significant entry of the promising and well performed Central Districts colt, Scott Pease into the Havelock team was certainly cause for some optimism. But the overall poor performance of the Havelock batsmen and the excellent fielding of the Whakatu-Mahora side were the real features of this game. The top order Havelock batsmen again put pressure on their middle order in scoring too slowly. After 20 overs the score had crawled to a mere 27 – a little over 2 runs per over. Havelock will quickly learn, as a side unfamiliar with the one-day format, that a side can seldom recover sufficiently well from that situation to even challenge the opposition.
Score card:
Havelock: 112, D. O’Sullivan 28, P. Clothier 11, C. Walker 11G, G. Pollard 14.
Whakatu-Mahora: 114 for 4, D. O’Sullivan 2 for 32.
Page 279
November 30th 1980
Havelock were once again handed the bye. Maybe this was an opportunity to lick the sore wounds and return with a game plan and an energy to put it in place.
Tuesday 2nd December: Daily Telegraph
“Limited overs game upheld”
“Hawke’s Bay Senior cricketers will play one-day matches for the rest of the season.
The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Associations Management Committee last night unanimously decided to continue with the limited over game and play three rounds finishing on March 21st.
Considerable discussion followed the receipt of a letter from the Havelock North Cricket Club asking the Association to return to the two-day format. Batsmen had no time to build a good innings in the one-day game and this was therefore detrimental to the good of Hawke’s Bay cricket, particularly those players selected to play for Hawke’s Bay, according to the letter
However the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s Publicity Officer Mr John Simmons said, that it was the Hawke’s Bay representative players who were performing well and gaining the most from the quicker scoring rate expected in such games. In any case according to Mr Simmons most of the top players would be involved in a heavy Hawke’s Bay programme and would indeed be playing little club cricket during the season. In an attempt to have the season finish in late March, games would be played on New Zealand Day February 6th and on two Sundays in February and March.
December 6th 1980
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
A win for Havelock North
At a time when the Cornwall Park wickets were coming in for much criticism, Havelock at least had the comparative luxury of knowing that their home pitch was among the best – if not the best in the Bay. The true, fast nature of the pitch encouraged good stroke play and Scott Pease who had joined the club just three weeks ago took full advantage of this. He and Jeremy Collinge swung into action and collared the Tech Old Boys bowling to the extent that there were thoughts that this very game could well see the beginning of the resurgence of the Club’s glory days of the 50s and 60s
Two innings were played out on this day, which surely were the harbinger of things to come.
Two innings of such authority that the halcyon days of Fulford were rekindled and the future of the club seemed assured.
Two innings which were to carry the club into the decade of the 80s with colours flying. After the dark days of the previous two seasons here was the shining light that should lead to better and brighter days.
Score card:
Havelock North: 212 for 5, J. Collinge 91, S. Pease 70,
Tech Old Boys: 184, O’Sullivan 2 for 39, Collinge 2 for 36, P. Clothier 2 for 36
But Havelock North is still bottom of the Table – equal with Marist on 6 points.
December 13th 1980
Havelock North versus Taradale
Win for Havelock North
Page 280
It was Collinge who top scored with 63 to add to his 91 of the previous week. At last the side was showing depth and consistency, with Geoff Pollard coming to the fore. Collinge and he added 114 for the first wicket with Pollard stroking 6 boundaries in his 36.
Havelock North then had a slump with 4 wickets falling for only 13 runs Alistair Hill came to the rescue with a hard hit 37 to bring the total close to the 200 mark. When it was Taradale’s turn to bat the Havelock bowlers, encouraged by the batting maintained a good line and length with David Muggeridge and Bob Lamberg being the main wicket-takers.
This was the second win for Havelock North in this season and it was impressive for two reasons. One, that it was consecutive and the second, was the manner in which it was achieved. Havelock North are now equal with Marist and Taradale.
December 20th 1980
No game – an early close for Christmas which seemed most odd as the tight one-day schedule would now lengthen the season into late March. The new year’s games were now scheduled to start on the 10th January. Three weeks without cricket was certainly not the norm over this holiday period.
The team for the second round was:
David O’Sullivan, (Capt.). Geoff Pollard, Scott Pease, Jeremy Collinge, Paul Clothier, Peter Wilson, Chris Walker, Alistair Hill, Murray Richardson, David Muggeridge, Warwick Kivell, Bob Lamberg.
10th January 1981
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock lost by 6 wickets
Daily Telegraph 12th January 1981 F.F. Cane
“The efforts of some Havelock North batsmen were minimal, to say the least. The only players to reach double figures were Geoff Pollard, Paul Clothier and James Francis. Pollard playing determinedly for his half century.
Two partnerships saved the day for Havelock North. Clothier, who is developing into a hard hitting and stylish batsman, hit the ball with good timing for his runs. Both he and Pollard added 72 runs for the third wicket, while Murray Richardson and James Francis, both on the staff at Lindisfarne College, contributed 37 valuable runs in an 8th wicket partnership.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 166, G. Pollard 56. Clothier 40 J. Francis 23
Marist: 167 for 4, Collinge 3 for 27.
17th January 1981
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Havelock lost by 4 runs
Havelock had been working their way toward victory at Nelson Park in Napier on the number 3 wicket. The villagers required 109 to win and had reached 89 for 5 – 19 runs off the target with little trouble until the old hands, Don Beuth and John Howell, both who are getting close to celebrating their 40th birthday along with young Grant McKenzie ripped the heart out of the middle and lower order. Havelock North could add only another 15 runs and fell 4 runs short of the target. They lost their last 3 batsmen while only needing 8 runs from 8 overs.
Page 281
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 108 in 42.2 overs Lamberg 3 for 25, S. Duff 3 for 23.
Havelock North: 104 in 46.1 overs Clothier 22, Pollard 13, Collinge 14, Pease 11.
January 24th 1981
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora.
Havelock North lost
Score card:
Havelock North: 133 for 9, S. Duff 43, Pollard 21, D. Muggeridge, 18. P. Wilson 18.
Whakatu-Mahora: 134 for 9, Lamberg 4 for 14, Duff 3 for 28, Kivell 2 for 30
Another close finish which went against Havelock
Havelock are still bottom of the table on 14. Old Boys Hastings are top on 44
31st January 1981
Another bye!! Does the HBCA indeed, have the best interests of the players at heart?
February 7th 1981
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Havelock lost by 3 wickets
A rainy day, bleak conditions and a rugged Cornwall Park track. This was the only game completed in the competition but it did little to cure Havelock’s ills. They are still bottom of the table.
However, a good even scoreboard bodes well for the future
Score card:
Havelock North: 140, Clothier 35, G. Muggeridge 23, Harte 18, Pollard 11, D. O’Sullivan 14, J. Parkinson 15, J. Collinge 12,
Old Boys Hastings: 147 for 7, Lamberg 3 for 53, two run outs
February 14th 1981
Rained-out.
February 21st 1981
BYE – A fortnight without cricket
February 28th 1981
Havelock North Versus Whakatu-Mahora
Havelock lost by 1 wicket
Havelock batted first on the flat Anderson Park pitch. And lost 9 wickets in their 50 overs in compiling a rather modest score with the young Stuart Duff top scoring and just missing his half century.
Whakatu-Mahora needing just 134 runs for victory, were met with a spell of accurate, swing bowling by Bob Lamberg and were 5 down for 22 and struggling. However Whakatu-Mahora recovered from this situation to carry their score on to the required 134, but with 9 wickets down.
This game saw one of the best performances from Bob Lamberg as he relished the slow conditions, to bowl his fifteen overs in two spells, to finish up with the quite outstanding figures of 4 wickets for just 14 runs. He was ably supported by the young left arm spinner Stuart Duff who also bowled the maximum number of overs to finish with three wickets at just under 2 runs per over
Page 282
Score card:
Havelock North: 133 for 9 in 50 overs. S. Duff 43, R. Harte 11 G. Pollard 21, P. Wilson 18
Whakatu-Mahora: 134 for 9 in 47 overs. Lamberg 4 for 14, W. Kivell 2 for 30, Duff 3 for 28.
Another close game which could have been won.
March 7th 1981
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys.
Loss to Havelock North
Tech Old Boys scored a comfortable victory with six overs to spare, even though they had seven of their regulars away on representative duties. Not one of the Havelock batsmen managed to put together an innings and they lost wickets steadily to the Tech Old Boys attack. At the start of the Tech Innings, with Kivell taking the three top order batsmen it looked promising for Havelock. But the Tech Old Boys opening bat, D. Schmidt, shared in a couple of partnerships to carry them through to the victory.
Score card:
Havelock North: 130 for 8 wickets, Muggeridge 20, Wilson 18, Collinge 12, G. Jones 14, R. Harte 13, A. Hill 13
Tech Old Boys: 132, W. Kivell 3 for 32
March 14th 1981
Havelock North versus Taradale
Win to Havelock North
The encouraging aspect of this game was, that as well as the win, the team played more cohesively, and with the likes of the youngster, Stuart Duff beginning to perform well, it augers well, if not for the remainder of this year, then certainly the next.
A dry grass-less pitch seemed to be the downfall of Taradale. Duff made full use of the variable bounce and David O’Sullivan chimed in. The Havelock fielding showed huge improvement. After a run out, of the top Taradale batsman, Boyd, the rot set in for Tech. And the strong batting line up crumbled, leaving Havelock with just over the three figures mark to win the match.
There was another quite unique bowling performance from Bob Lamberg, who seems to be making a habit of creating odd figures with his immaculate medium pacers. This time he bowled six overs five maidens and took no wickets for a solitary, snicked boundary through the slips.
After the villagers had lost early wickets, David O’Sullivan batted soundly. He came to the wicket after Pollard’s duck and his steadying influence carried the team through to the win. And so he had finished the season as he had started it – with a captain’s knock to carry the side through to a deserved win. A good way to end a thoroughly miserable season.
Score card:
Taradale: 94, Lamberg 0 for 4, Duff 5 for 32, O’Sullivan 2 for 20, Kivell 2 for 39,
Havelock North: 108. O’Sullivan 44, G. Jones 21, S. Duff 19, Collinge 14.
Points table: OBH 84, (with 13 wins), W.M. 58, TOB 54, Taradale 50, NOB 44, Marist 40, HN 24 (with just 3 wins.)
Prizegiving:
Nichol Rose Bowl for most improved all-rounder: P. Wilson
A.W. Reeve Cup for outstanding fielding: M. Lamberg
A.W. Reeve cup for most improved Senior XI batsman. No award
Page 283
Chapter 37
1981/1982 SEASON
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you sow.”
– R.L. Stevenson
There was enough in this season to believe that Stevenson might have something. The seeds sown were
a burgeoning belief,
promising youngsters on the horizon,
a growing confidence,
good leadership
and – “If Whakatu-Mahora can do it, so can we.”
There is one thing that is beyond anyone’s control, even Robert Louis Stevenson’s, and that is the weather.
Covers for wickets and the bowlers run up are used now on most grounds in the Central Districts region, and play gets under way as soon as the rain finishes. In these areas which include Manawatu, Taranaki and Wanganui the covers are often in place on the Friday night prior to the Saturday start.
One is forced to wonder, indeed, contemplate, as to why the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association this season has not followed suit. This blatant exposure of the playing pitch to all the elements, added to the nonsense of the loathsomely, repugnant bye, allied to the three weeks break over the Christmas period, sets one to seriously question just what the men convening in their Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association committee room are doing, to positively encourage youngsters, indeed all cricketers of all ages, to stay in the game.
No cricket for Havelock North Seniors on the first Saturday of the season and also over Labour Day weekend because of rain falling on uncovered pitches!
The team for the first Saturday of play
D. O’Sullivan (Captain), Stuart Duff, Paul Clothier, Peter Wilson, Chris Walker, Terry May, A. Larkworthy, Warwick Kivell, Geoff Pollard, Mark Penman, Robert Harte
30th October and 6th November 1981
A two-day game
Havelock North versus Marist
Win for Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune:
“O’Sullivan’s Havelock, a team to watch”
“Havelock North, a team bolstered by Central Districts skipper will not be lambs to the slaughter in the 1981/82 Napier Hastings club cricket championship.
The team hinted at a healthier ranking than the bottom place of the last two summers when they played Marist on Saturday.
Havelock North declared on 237 for 9 in the opening round of the two day matches competition. O’Sullivan, better known for his deeds as a left arm spinner hit a fine half century without offering a chance. He reached the boundary five times including one 6 and shared in a 105 fourth wicket partnership with Stuart Duff, whose cultured knock of just below the half century showed plenty of class. Later in the innings Paul Clothier and Alistair Hill added to Marist’s woes in a telling bottom order partnership.
Page 284
On day two, Havelock consolidated this strong position by dismissing Marist for 145, then batted for another 20 overs, to increase the lead to from 92 to 164 with Stuart Duff batting well again to bring his match and season average up to 85.”
Score card
Havelock North: 237 for 9 declared, D. O’Sullivan 66, S. Duff 46, P. Clothier 32.
Marist: 145, O’Sullivan 4 for 30, Duff 3 for 26, Larkworthy 3 for 28
Havelock North followed up this effort against Marist, by thrashing Taradale in the One-Day championship on Sunday. The young right arm medium quick, Terry May with 5 wickets and captain Chris Walker with 60, led the way as Havelock passed Taradale’s total of 122 for the loss of one wicket
November 14th and 15th
Havelock versus Whakatu-Mahora
Loss to Havelock
Havelock, minus Dave O’Sullivan crawled to 135 all out. Captain, Chris Walker who soldiered on for 41 despite offering a couple of chances, looked likely to post his second half century of the season. When he departed there was just token resistance as the last 6 wickets fell for only 23. Earlier, Paul Clothier hit a rapid 37, half of this total in boundaries, as he attempted to inject some life into the Havelock batting. Whakatu-Mahora who were 72 for 2 at stumps on the first day cruised past the Havelock total, declaring at 152 for 4. Havelock, again found the Whakatu-Mahora attack difficult to score from, until Paul Clothier marched to the wicket and set about attacking the bowling. He smacked three towering sixes in his unbeaten score which brought up his hundred runs for the game
Central Districts under 22 all-rounder, Stuart Duff’s accuracy with the ball as Whakatu-Mahora sought the outright win was responsible for Whakatu giving up the chase and settling for a first innings win.
Score card:
Havelock North: 135, C. Walker 41, P. Clothier 37, A. Hill 12
and 150 for 4 decl. Clothier 65, Pollard 36, Duff 14, C Walker 13
Whakatu-Mahora: 152 for 4 declared: Duff 3 for 49,
and: 76 for 4, S. Duff 3 for 58
At this point Havelock are just 2 points below the leaders, Old Boys Hastings in the Championship Points table
November 21st and 28th 1981
Havelock North versus Taradale
First innings win to Taradale
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune November 30th
“Harte hits Hawke’s Bay’s first hundred for the season”
“Havelock North cricketer Robert Harte bolted from obscurity on Saturday to notch the first century of the season.
Harte, just back from Training College, in Palmerston North cracked 100 not out. This was his seventh innings for the club so far, during which, he had hardly given the suggestion of a chanceless hundred. His aggregate for the seven innings was 54 – an average of 7.7 and a highest score of 9
But right-hander Harte, put all that behind him on a batsman’s wicket at Nelson Park to help his club to 257 for 7 declared.
Page 285
Relishing his first chance up the order at Number 3, and showing a liking for the drive, he quickly had Havelock on the front foot, as he accelerated his run rate after he had brought up his 50. Both Harte and Mark Penman put on 103 for the 7th wicket. Captain Chris Walker, Geoff Pollard and James Francis chimed in to further frustrate the Taradale attack. However Taradale were 56 without loss at stumps so a first innings win was on the cards for either side.
On the second day, Chris Dunn with his 155 n.o. carried Taradale on towards a well deserved first innings of 297 for 2 and the first innings points.
Nine Havelock Bowlers were used and Mark Penman’s two broken fingers in fielding a Dunn hook shot were testament to the power of the Taradale opener.
Score card:
Havelock North: 257 for 7 decl. Harte 100, M. Penman 43, J. Francis 31, Walker 25, Pollard 21
Taradale: 297 for 2, C. Dunn 155 n.o.
December 6th 1981
One-day game
Havelock versus Old Boys Hastings
Score card:
Havelock: 177, C, Walker 36 A. Hill 35.
Old Boys Hastings: 178 for 1 (Ian Smith 107)
December 12th and 19th 1981:
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Outright win to Old Boys Hastings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: December 14th
“On an Anderson Park wicket which occasionally played low, both teams were unable to raise their scoring rates above the mediocre. Only Central Districts representative Stuart Duff and Paul Clothier made scores of any substance. Clothier again showing a penchant for the drive and shots to the leg side, continued his grand season form, in making convincing 62.”
With the improvement of the pitch on the second day, Old Boys Hastings lost no time in compiling an unbeatable total of 235 for eight declared, and set Havelock the task of holding out in the last session.
This they failed to do and were all out in just over an hour.
Score card:
Havelock North: 165, Clothier 62, Duff 29, Pollard 14, Walker 12, A. Campbell 18,
and 89, Campbell 20 n.o. S. Richmond 11
Old Boys Hastings: 235 for 8 declared; Kivell 3 for 60 T. May 4 for 47
So a season which started with blazing headlines of the prospect that this could be Havelock’s season, followed by the two morale building victories which followed this announcement, all came tumbling down in the hard clay and perfect conditions of the home – ground wicket and the hope that the next half of the season show dramatic improvement. To avoid being three times at the bottom of the Championship table is the goal for which this young band of talented and promising cricketers must surely aim.
January 9th 1982
One-day
Havelock North versus Marist
Page 286
The team for this game: Chris Walker (Capt), Peter Wilson, Paul Clothier, Geoff Pollard, Stuart Duff, Terry May, Mark Penman, Alistair Hill, Robert Harte, Stuart Richmond, Warwick Kivell.
It is 21 days since this team has had a game of cricket.
Young Terry May gave his team a chance of victory and gaining six points in their one-day game against Marist. In a low-scoring game at Nelson Park, May with bowling figures of 5 for 36 off 13 overs, tied Marist down to a meagre total of 103.
In a gut-wrenching final over where the dice again did not fall Havelock’s way, the villagers were dismissed for 102.
Score card:
Marist: 103, T May 5 for 36
Havelock North: 102, P. Wilson 43, G. Pollard 16, C, Walker 10
January 16th 1982
Again rain stopped play.
January 23rd 982 Sunday
One-day
Havelock North versus Taradale
At last a little luck went Havelock’s way. The mainstay of the Havelock North’s total of 162 for 8 was the 16-year-old Lindisfarne College student, Barry Lyver. The youngster played a sensible hand, took few risks and managed six boundaries.
One may say that young Lyver was fortunate in that Martin Crowe was a Housemaster at Lindisfarne College in this young batsman’s final year. John Wiltshire a stalwart of Old Boys Hastings arranged with the Rector of Lindisfarne that young Crowe take on the role of residential Boarding Housemaster at the Hastings school so that he would be available for Central Districts.
Warwick Kivell and James Francis, bowling his crafty out-swingers took nine wickets between them to wrap up the Taradale innings and so claim the well-deserved victory.
Score card:
Havelock North: 168 for 8, B. Lyver 63
Taradale: 134, W. Kivell 5 for 46, J. Francis 4 for 36
January 29th 1982
One-day
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
A win to Tech Old Boys
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune January 31st
Havelock batted first and scored well, with Geoff Pollard being the only batsman to exceed 40 runs. Havelock were reasonably secure with the total at 185.
However the Hawke’s Bay skipper, Mike Shrimpton, guided Tech Old Boys to their fifth win in a row against Havelock North on Saturday at Anderson Park. Tech Old Boys with four wickets in hand needed just four runs off the final over bowled by Stuart Duff to clinch the win. Shrimpton to avoid a spine-tingling finish dispatched Duff`s second delivery for a 6 over long on.”
Page 287
February 7th and 14th 1982 (back to two-day cricket)
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
First innings win to Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune February 9th
“Napier Old Boys batted first and scored 176. Paul Clothier showed just how valuable he is to this side with a fine spell of slow off spin bowling which kept the Napier side relatively subdued
Havelock North with Captain Chris Walker and Paul Clothier prospering with the bat, were only three runs short of the Napier Old Boys total, at stumps on the first day. After the early loss of Geoff Pollard there was a good partnership of over one hundred runs featuring Peter Wilson, and the not out Paul Clothier
On the second day it was a roller coaster with Havelock looking likely for most of the afternoon of scoring 12 points Chris Walker declared at 200 for 8, a lead of 34.
Stuart Duff and Dave O’Sullivan had Napier Old Boys in strife early, and at 55 for 6 an outright win looked likely. But Napier Old Boys pulled down the shutters and saved the outright.”
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 176, Kivell 3 for 69 May 2 for 52, Clothier 4 for 31.
And 105, S, Brown 4 for 25, W Kivell 4 for 38.
Havelock North: 200 for 8: P. Clothier 84, P. Wilson 68, C. Walker 43. M. Penman 27. R. Harte 13, A Hill 14.
And 1 for 2
Points Table: Whakatu-Mahora 62, Old Boys Hastings 61, Tech O.B. 49, Havelock North 32
No newspaper report for the game February 21st and 28th 1982
March 8th 1982
One-day
Havelock North Versus Whakatu-Mahora
A loss to Havelock North
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 231, Duff 2 for 56, Larkworthy 3 for 40.
Havelock North: 184 for 8, Duff 41, P. Clothier 33, R Harte 23, B. Lyver 19, S. Richmond 16, G. Pollard 13
March 15th 1982
One-day
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
A win To Havelock North
Score card:
Havelock North: 213, Lyver 62, Hill 45, Clothier 22, Duff 22, C. Walker 15.
Napier Old Boys: 202, S. Brown 4 for 45, Walker 2 for 39
March 22nd 1982
One-day
Havelock North versus Marist
A win to Havelock North
Page 288
Score card
One-day
Havelock North: 203: for 6: Pollard 68, Duff 23, S. Brown 43.
Marist: 189: S. Brown 3 for 43, T. May 5 for 42.
Havelock finished off the season on a very good note. There was every reason to believe that with the promise showed by the youngsters, together with the success of the more experienced team members that the outlook for next season was positively optimistic, indeed – slightly irrepressible.
Final Points
Whakatu-Mahora 87, Old Boys Hastings 84, Tech Old Boys 74, Havelock North 61, Marist 49, Taradale 36 Napier Old Boys 14
Whakatu-Mahora’s success was well deserved. It was the first time for 22 years that the lads from Whakatu-Mahora had won the Competition, and the team and club at Havelock warmly saluted them.
Page 289
Chapter 38
1982/1983 SEASON
“If both captains are bent on making the play attractive, there is little difficulty in providing entertaining cricket.
Sometimes I think that the public would do well to ponder that captains are normal, sensitive human beings, striving so hard to do the right thing.”
– Sir Donald Bradman
Havelock North has been blessed with captains in the same tradition and mind-set, as the great “Don” – Bob MacInnes, Bill Hill, Bob Mitchell, Doug Morland, Dave O’Sullivan, Chris Walker and Jamie Francis. The club has thrived because of the nature of these men, and would have been much the poorer without them.
The idea of the one-day competition was taking hold. With the points from both competitions going towards the winning of the championship. With 7 teams entered into the competition again, the lateral thinking of the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association of having the one-day competition played on the Sunday, with the bye team and another side which had already played on the Saturday, playing the 50-over game, seemed to satisfy the Clubs. It meant that no team went without a game, and one team benefitted from playing twice over the weekend.
October 16th 1982
One-day game
Havelock North versus Taradale
Win for Havelock North
Taradale batting first under fine weather but threatening cloud. Looked set for a very good score when they were 120 for three, but when Dave O’Sullivan was entered into the attack as fourth change things began to look up for the villagers. With the momentum now decidedly in Havelock’s favour it was now up to the batsmen.
So when the tall Central Districts Under 19, all-rounder, Stephen Brown entered the fray at number three, amidst the darkening skies, he quickly set about the Taradale attack, thus enabling Havelock North to cruise to a comfortable win in the first game of the new season. The youngster lifted the tempo with a series of hoists over mid-wicket and forceful drives, hitting eleven fours. In the gathering gloom Peter Wilson contributed towards the 101 fourth wicket stand. Even though it was just over 20 runs, Wilson’s innings proved a perfect foil for Brown’s aggression.
Score card
Taradale: 161 for 9 off 50 overs, O’Sullivan 4 for 28
Havelock North: 162 for 4, S. Brown 85 n.o. P. Wilson 23 n.o. C. Walker 15
October 23rd 1982
One-Day game
Havelock North versus Marist
Win for Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune. Mark Taylor
“Havelock North batted blind in a farcical Hawke’s Bay senior club match at Cornwall Park Hastings.”
After the debacle, and with the advantage of hindsight Mark Taylor’s solution to this dilemma was the obvious one.
Page 290
Either shorten the games to 40 overs, or start the games at 11 a.m., in order to combat the late afternoon twilight which comes part and parcel with the concluding days of Winter Daylight Saving.
Marist batted first in broad daylight and ran up the respectable total of 146 off their 50 overs. Havelock began their innings under the same conditions but it was not long after the clock struck 5 p.m., that the gloom began to descend over the oak trees at the northern end of the ground, with the dark green leaves causing the batsmen considerable difficulty.
Havelock lost four quick wickets and with the light beginning to deteriorate it seemed all was lost. David O’Sullivan and Peter Wilson saved the day by taking the option of attacking the bowling through the line of the ball and thus evening the odds of getting bat on ball in the increasing darkness. O’Sullivan struck out boldly in scoring 63 with seven fours in an incredible match winning innings.
More dramatics were to come as Havelock edged and groped their way to a chance of winning and with one over to go. Nine wickets down and six runs required Peter Wilson was all but run out with two runs still needed. The next ball, the Marist wicket keeper spilled a catch. And with three balls to go Havelock’s number 11 batsman, Warwick Kivell hit the winning run after a somewhat farcical days cricket.
Had Havelock lost, the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association could well have expected a protest as the match finished in near darkness just on 7 o’clock.
Points Table: Old Boys Hastings 18, Havelock North 12, Napier Old Boys 12, Taradale 6.
October 30th and November 6th 1982
Two-day game
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Outright win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Mark Taylor
“Havelock North are tough on their own.”
“Some player umpires are notorious for keeping their teammates at the batting crease for as long as possible – but that criticism cannot be levelled at the Havelock North Senior team.
Havelock player-umpires gave four of their own batsmen out LBW on Saturday. With the team on 68 for 5 at stumps only one batsman Chris Walker was not given out LBW.”
This headline and accompanying article give a very clear indication of the culture and ethos which has been inherent within the club ever since its early days.
The fact that the game was a low-scoring, close one makes the deeds of the Havelock North, player-umpires even the more meritorious.
Prior to this, the Havelock bowlers had delivered the goods and had placed their team in a very comfortable position, when the stumps were pulled on the first day. With the spin twins of O’Sullivan and Duff getting slow but appreciable turn from the wicket, they restricted Whakatu-Mahora to a total of just over one hundred.
O’Sullivan’s five wicket bag in this innings has taken his total to 13 wickets from the 3 games so far.
On the second day the Whakatu-Mahora bowlers matched their Havelock counterparts in giving away only 68 runs in 54 overs and restricting Havelock’s lead to just four runs. In Havelock’s first innings, the young Mark Penman, with a patient innings, led the way.
Page 291
In Whakatu-Mahora’s second knock it was Paul Clothier, this time with his spinners which helped Dave O’Sullivan dismiss Whakatu-Mahora just before the break, leaving Havelock North 147 to get, in pretty much even time. The outright win placed Havelock North at the top of the points table.
Score card
Whakatu-Mahora: 104, D. O’Sullivan 5 for 44, S. Duff 3 for 24.
And 150, P. Clothier 3 for 35, D. O’Sullivan 3 for 48.
Havelock North: 108, M. Penman 25 n.o.
and 150 for 4. S. Brown 41, S. Duff 39, T. May 35,
No play on November 13th because of rain
November 20th 1982
One-day
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
A loss to Havelock
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 214, Clothier 3 for 46, A. Couston 2 for 29
Havelock North: 95, Pease 17, C. Walker 14, A. Couston 13
Points table: Havelock North 32, Old Boys Hastings 30, Napier Old Boys 30, Tech Old Boys 18
November 27th and December 4th 1982
Havelock North versus Taradale
Taradale won on the First innings
On the first day, Havelock won the toss and chose to bat. The entire team contributed to one of the best innings score that the club had made over the past couple seasons.
Taradale not to be phased by this put on a mammoth first-wicket stand to be well over halfway to passing this score, so the second day looked likely to see the continuation of this epic struggle.
And epic it was. Taradale went for the runs and declared at 227 for 2, in 190 minutes
The headline saluting Chris Walker’s maiden century for the Club heralded an afternoon of quintessentially superb cricket. Cricket as it should be played with two sides giving no quarter and expecting none.
Chris Walker posted his first century in any grade of cricket. In his own, inimical manner he could hardly manage a smile as he said, “It is a big anticlimax. I didn’t get a lot of satisfaction from it.”
Havelock had been eclipsed by Taradale on the first innings and from that point on Havelock, unwilling to risk losing outright, fought hard and made sure that they did not lose their wickets cheaply. Walkers 216-minute innings ensured that this did not happen. He and Peter Wilson ran up 106 for the fourth wicket in Havelock’s second innings of 247.
Score card:
Havelock North: 217 Penman 59, Brown 36, Clothier 30. Walker 17
and 247. Walker 113, P. Wilson 38, M. Penman 37, P. Clothier 15,
Taradale: 227 for 2.
Points Table: Napier Old Boys 41, Havelock North 39, Old Boys Hastings 38, Tech Old Boys 4.
Page 292
December 11th and 18th 1982
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Outright loss to Havelock
On the first day Havelock, having won the toss decided to bat first and made 147. At stumps Old Boys Hastings were closing in on this total at 123 for 4
On the second day, Old Boys Hastings had time and wickets to spare as they crushed Havelock North and thus open up a commanding championship lead.
Score card:
Havelock: 147: M. Penman 59, P Wilson 27, T. May 21
and 119, P. Wilson 23, G. Milne 22, P. Clothier 19.
Old Boys Hastings: 148 for 6 declared. T. May 2 for 19, G. Milne 2 for 29.
And 119 for 5 declared. Kivell 4 for 24.
Points table: Old Boys Hastings 62, Napier Old Boys 53, Taradale 52, Havelock North 49.
January 15th 1983
One-Day game
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Havelock’s under 22 Central Districts Representative, Stephen Brown took 4 for 30 with his right-arm medium pacers and then steered his side to a handsome 7 wicket win with 37 not out. Opener, Paul Clothier had a partnership with Stuart Duff of 70, for the first wicket and Scott Pease, another Central District Under 22 representative, scored an unbeaten 36
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 152 in their 50 overs. Brown 4 for 50, G. Cook 2 for 12
Havelock North: 154 for 3: Clothier 46, Brown 37, Pease 36 n.o., Duff 17.
January 22nd 1983
One-day
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Win to Havelock
Havelock North displayed excellent ground fielding and spilled only one catch to dismiss Old Boys Hastings.
The villagers hit off the required runs with eight wickets and 15 overs to spare
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 108, Brown 3 for 14, May 3 for 20.
Havelock North: 109 for 2: S, Duff 41 n.o. S. Brown 35, M. Penman 11 n.o.
Points table
Old Boys Hastings 77, Havelock North 64, Napier Old Boys 63, Taradale 52.
January 29th: No Play
February 5th 1983
Havelock North versus Marist
Page 293
On the first day Central Districts left arm spinner, Stuart Duff towered over the Havelock North bowling attack, taking 7 wickets for just 53 runs off 26 overs. Even though the wicket was keeping consistently low, it offered little turn for Duff, who enticed the Marist batsmen into false shots with his accuracy and well-flighted deliveries. Excellent fielding for Havelock with the two colts Brown and Pease taking two difficult catches apiece. However, Havelock North were in the depths scoring just 108 for 7
On the second day, Marist who at this stage were real contenders for the wooden spoon showed their mettle. Chris Walker, in order to make a game of it, declared with one wicket intact but his bowlers made little impression, and Marist declared on the same total as their first innings declaration to give Havelock the arduous task of scoring 177 to win. Havelock North, with Peter Wilson and the young Robbie Payne, straight out of Rathkeale College, leading the way, went after the runs and in an exciting last over, finished up just 7 runs shot
Score card:
Marist: 210
and 210 for 6 wickets declared
Havelock: 141, R. Payne 41, C. Walker 24,
and 170: R. Payne 31, S. Duff 28, T. May 34, P. Wilson 47.
February 19th 1983
One-day
Napier Old Boys versus Havelock North
Loss to Havelock North
Napier Old Boys squeezed home against Havelock North, chasing 218. Havelock North whittled down the run rate from an almost impossible 8 an over to get to the last over with 5 runs to win. But they fell short in an innings that included some poor running between wickets and four run outs
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 218: S. Brown 3 for 21, G. Milne 2 for 44, T. May 2 for 22.
Havelock North: 216: M. Penman 72, P. Wilson 46, P. Clothier 21.
February 26th 1983
One-day game
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Win to Havelock
Score card:
Havelock North: 208, S. Brown 66, S. Pease 20, R. Payne 20
Whakatu-Mahora: 157, S. Brown, 4 for 9 off 8.3 overs, W. Kivell, 2 for 43
Points table: Old Boys Hastings 107, Napier Old Boys 96, Havelock North 80, Taradale 75
March 5th and 12th 1983
Havelock versus Tech Old Boys
Loss to Havelock
Havelock turned in a solid batting effort to be 265, against Tech Old Boys at Nelson Park. Paul Clothier and captain, Chris Walker put on an opening stand of 76 and so set up the villagers for a healthy total. Peter Wilson and Robbie Payne once again chimed on with good scores which carried Havelock past the 250 mark.
Page 294
Tech Old Boys did one better than this, and passed the 300 mark in an incredible game of cricket, which included the entire eleven Havelock team members having a bowl along with Paul Clothier’s remarkable economy of effort in scoring 36, without having to leave his batting crease.
Score card:
Havelock North: 268. Wilson 43, Payne 38, Walker 33, M. Penman 35, A. Hill 24, Milne 18 and W. Robins 13.
And 103 for 2, C. Walker 30 P. Clothier 36, W. Robins 33
Tech Old Boys: 341, M. Penman 2 for 57, Milne 3 for 72
In spite of all this good cricket from the men of Havelock they slipped to 5th in the points table at the end of the season
After the promising start, where it appeared as though the side was headed for one of the best seasons for some time, with the experienced players such as O’Sullivan, Clothier, Wilson and Kivell all performing well, and the batch of youngsters going a long way to fulfilling their early promise, the rub of the green was just not with them and the end of the season must have been disappointing.
Page 295
Chapter 39
1983/1984 SEASON
“The wisdom, the kindness, the childlike simplicity of the humour, the lack of ego, the high standards, the counsel given and taken, the shared love of all those things that stretch the mind.”
– Mark Nicholas about Martin Crowe, ‘A Beautiful Game’ 2016
Last season the Havelock North senior team were second on the points’ table going into the Christmas break. Then a couple of narrow losses, followed by a narrow defeat, where luck played its part, could well encapsulate the fickle nature of the game, to which Martin Crowe devoted a lifetime, and for and which saw the villagers finally finishing up fourth.
Surely this season with a bit of overdue luck to differentiate the youth and experience of Havelock North from the other teams, could turn out to be a good one.
October 22nd 1983
On the Labour Day weekend Havelock North was involved in two games. A one-dayer on the Saturday and the first Innings of a two-day game on the Monday
The Team for both games was: James Francis (Captain), Dave O’Sullivan, Stuart Duff, Denis Hunt, Steven Brown, Scott Pease, Paul Clothier, Mark Penman, Robert Harte, Greg Cook, Warwick Kivell
The one-day game was a washout after just 90 minutes on the Saturday but there was plenty of good cricket on the Monday Labour Day.
This is what Frank Long of the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune had to say.
“Spring showers and threatening clouds failed to dampen the enthusiastic start that Havelock gave the intercity competition at the weekend.
Havelock North burst through the ruck of equally balanced sides on the Monday with a decisive display against Whakatu-Mahora, at Cornwall Park before poor light brought a premature close to play at 5 30 p.m.
Scott Pease led the way, with a cultured, unbeaten innings of 82, which formed the basis of Havelock’s first innings of 176 for 7 declared.
The total would have been greater but for the slow outfield which devalued Scott Pease’s innings. Some of his cover drives would have earned him more, but for the long grass in the outfield. His innings deserved to produce the first century of the season, for its patience, skill and determination. Pease struck nine boundaries and gained a faithful ally in all-rounder Steve Brown who was also in top, early season form, with 41 runs from the bat and bowling figures of 2 for 6.
The other fine performance for Havelock’s opening gambit came from the reliable spin bowling of Dave O’Sullivan. He opened the bowling along with Warwick Kivell and strangled the Whakatu-Mahora batting from the city end with a spell of 15 overs which netted him figures of 5 for 25.
Havelock’s captain, Jamie Francis led his side well, taking two catches and a stumping, and so guiding his enthusiastic Club to a possible maximum-points result, next Saturday, after his side had whisked Whakatu-Mahora out for just 48 in their first innings.
On the second day, Havelock achieved the predicted outright win after putting Whakatu-Mahora in to bat again. The Whakatu boys fought well, scoring 178. Dave O’Sullivan wheeled down 34 overs for a return of 3
Page 296
for 54 and Stuart Richmond took a spectacular diving catch to dismiss the stubborn last batsman – breaking his collar bone in the process
This left Havelock North with a target of 49 to win in even time, with the failing light now also becoming a factor in gaining the outright result.
Havelock started disastrously losing 6 quick wickets for 46 runs, but did reach the final over still with 3 runs to win. Scott Pease who had batted through, smacked the 3 runs off the third ball.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 176 for 6, S. Pease 82 n.o., S. Brown 41, M. Penman 16
and 49 for 6
Whakatu-Mahora: 48, D. O’Sullivan 5 for 25, S. Brown 2 for 6, P. Clothier 2 for 5
and following on 178, D. O’Sullivan 2 for 54.
November 5th and 12th 1983
Havelock North versus Taradale
First innings win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Frank Long
“Taradale with a Kris Dunn century hammered the Havelock spin attack of Dave O’Sullivan and Stuart Duff to allow Taradale to declare just after tea with the total of 256 for 9.
Scott Pease formed the foundation of the Havelock’s fight-back with an unbeaten 69 when stumps were drawn, to see his side through to 107 for 6 at stumps.
Starting the second day with a battle on their hands, Denis Hunt the former North Shore Representative batsman helped Scott Pease to his maiden century in Hawke’s Bay senior cricket. O’Sullivan joined in with a well constructed 68. He figured in an unbeaten partnership with James Francis to take Havelock North to 258 for 8. And thus the first innings victory.
Score card:
Taradale: 256 for 9 declared: O’Sullivan 5 for 74 Duff 3 for 83
and 163 for 8: O’Sullivan 3 for 27
Havelock North: 258: S. Pease 100, D. O’Sullivan 68 n.o., J. Francis 29, S Hunt 21,
Points table (top four) Havelock North 32, Tech Old Boys 28, Napier Old Boy 22, Taradale 19
November 19th 1983
One-day
Havelock North versus Marist
Score card:
Havelock North 223 Francis 62, Penman 35, Cook 25, P. Jarvis 20, Clothier 14
Marist 203. Francis 3 for 17, E. Bunny 3 for 19, T. May 2 for 43
November 27th
One-day
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
A loss to Havelock North
Page 297
In a 50-over game, a score in excess of 200 should lead to a win in this competition To be beaten by two runs in the final over after 452 runs and two centuries had been scored, in an afternoon’s cricket, speaks volumes for the ethos of both sides involved.
Score card:
Havelock North: 225, J. Francis 109 not out, Clothier 52, G. Cook 21, B. Lyver 17
Whakatu-Mahora: 227, (D. Poulgrain 100) R. Hay 2 for 10
December 5th
One-day
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
A win to Havelock
Score card:
Havelock North: 170, Francis 38 n.o. W. Kivell 14
Napier Old Boys: 154, M. Penman 4 for 29, W. Kivell 2 for 23, S. Brown 3 for 19.
December 17th 1983
One-day
Old Boys Hastings versus Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Frank Long
“Old Boys Hastings sneaked home against Havelock North with result being in doubt until the last ball.
Old Boys Hastings batted first and after being well placed at 132 for three, were dismissed for 200 for 5. W. Kivell and G. Cook bowled well for the villagers. Havelock chasing this total were in good shape while P. Clothier and P Wilson were at the crease. Clothier made a fine 71 – never afraid to loft the ball, he went after the bowling. Peter Wilson played well for his 71 n.o. R Harte joined in with a hard hit 26 in quick time to give Havelock some hope. Three runs were needed from the last ball M. Penman was caught in the deep just short of the long on boundary.”
No score card.
Over the Christmas break Stuart Duff was selected to join Central Districts to play in the Plunket Shield competition. Stuart had come through the ranks at Lindisfarne College where as a boarder in the fourth form he was selected for the College 1st XI under the canny eye of Mr Alan Cooper, and as a 7th Former, captained the side. He is the first Lindisfarne College Old Boy to be selected to play first class cricket.
January 7th 1984
The team for the first game after the Christmas break: James Francis (captain), Stuart Duff, Steve Brown, Mark Penman, Scott Pease, Peter Wilson, Robert Hay, Stuart Richmond, Tony Penman, Terry May and Warwick Kivell.
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
First Innings win to Tech Old Boys
Havelock won the toss and decided to bat, on a wicket which was favouring the bowlers. This factor together with Mike Shrimptons’s return from representative duties, an improving pitch, persistent rain and a hailstorm resulted in a Tech Old Boys victory
Score card:
Havelock North: 120: S. Duff 50
Tech Old Boys: 204: S. Brown 4 for 45, S. Duff 2 for 10, M. Penman 2 for 29
Page 298
Points table: Taradale 46, Tech Old Boys 45, Havelock North 38, Marist 34
January 14th No Play – Cyclonic rain this time
January 21st 1984
One-Day
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Win to Havelock North
Havelock completed their first win in the One-day competition. Rob Hay returned the remarkable figures of three overs, three wickets for two runs. Robert Harte top-scored with 34, James Francis 29 and Tony Penman 27 n.o. secured the victory
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 118
Havelock North: 119
January 27th and February 5th 1984
Havelock North versus Marist
Havelock were made to follow on by Marist in a game which left all the heroics until the very last hour of the second innings when Marist needed just 52 runs in 5 overs to win outright. With a target of 11 runs an over to win, Marist went after the outright victory and with 10 runs needed off the last over just about made it, being 3 runs short.
Score card:
Marist: 226, S. Duff 5 for 41
and 49 for 2
Havelock: 95, S Brown 20, S. Pease 14
and 183, S. Duff 64, J. Francis 24, G. Cook 40,
February 11th Rain – no play
February 18th 1984
One-day
Havelock North versus Marist
A win to Havelock North
The highlights of this game were that Havelock moved to third on the Points table, Robert Harte continued his good batting form and Ray Stewart a new recruit for the side, bowling impressively to capture 3 wickets for 8 runs off eight overs
Score card:
Marist: 120, T. May 3 for 25, B. Lyver 2 for 24. R. Stewart 3 for 8
Havelock North: 124, R. Harte 51 n.o., T. May 32 n.o., J. Francis 22
February 25th 1984
One-day
Havelock North versus Taradale
A win to Taradale
Page 299
Ray Stewart continued his good form and was the most successful bowler. He was ably supported by Steve Brown. Havelock looked likely winners when Brown and Pease were establishing a good partnership for the 3rd Wicket but when they left, the Taradale bowlers slowed the run rate right down.
Score card:
Taradale: 207, R. Stewart 3 for 41, S Brown 2 for 25
Havelock North: 175 for 9: S. Brown 53, S. Pease 41, R. Harte 16
March 3rd and 10th 1984
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Outright loss to Havelock North
After beginning the season on such a positive note, it was rather unfortunate that in this final game the side was without their representative players on the second day. The age-old chestnut of club success being disrupted by representative honours raised its head in this match, with five Havelock players being involved. This meant that not only was the first team disrupted but the seconds were similarly affected.
But it is not all bad news. The young and promising Kerry Phibbs, in his debut for the senior team showed the “old hands” that batting was not as difficult as they seemed to make it, with a well compiled 43.
Score card:
Havelock North: 85, K. Phibbs 43, P. Wilson 11
and 110, J. Francis 20, C. Walker 17, W. Kivell 16, K. Phibbs 12,
Napier Old Boys: 139 for 6 declared, S. Brown, 3 for 31, W, Kivell 2 for 23
and 51 for 2
Thus ended the season where the format of the one-day game was being strenuously introduced by the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association. There were an equal number of one-day and two-day fixtures in the draw this season (6, in fact) and both the players and the captains were warming to the concept.
The one-day fixtures had the added advantage to all the Clubs, of games being won or lost on the single day’s performance. No longer were games won or lost as a result of one of the two days being affected by the elements and other outside factors such as such as poorly prepared wickets, bad light, strong winds, lack of pitch covers, and the old chestnut of Club loyalty as opposed to Representative honours.
The Reps were now able to contribute to the team’s performance in an entire game and help to gain valuable performance points for their team on that Saturday, and then go and Represent their Province on the following weekend.
Page 300
Chapter 40
1984/1985 SEASON
“Which one of you bastards, called this bastard, a bastard?”
* Bill Ponsford’s response to **Douglas Jardine’s visit to the Australian Dressing room with a ‘complaint’, after the second Bodyline Test in 1932, won by Australia.
* Australian vice captain ** English captain
A similar notion could well have been at the forefront of the entire Havelock team after the debacle of the final stages of the match at the end of this season on March 1st. This was the fixture which determined Havelock’s second place on the Championship points table, after being top of the table all season.
In viewing the outcome of last season’s senior competition, one could say that there was very little that separated the six teams and that games were often won or lost on the toss of the coin (when it didn’t rain). There was little to differentiate the teams and in this situation it is – luck which unequivocally fills the gap.
Both cricket journalists writing for the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, Mark Taylor and Sean Stephens hinted that it would be difficult to predict the Competition winner among the six very evenly balanced teams, as this 1984/85 season was about to get under way.
So maybe luck would indeed fill the gap. If it does, Havelock North could be in for a very successful season.
Sean Stephen’s season’s preview in his Thursday October 11th. Column.
“Havelock started the season well, last year but faded way in the second half. This year’s team includes Dutch all-rounder, Robbie Ter Braak, who played alongside Steve Brown in Holland during our New Zealand winter.
Brown returns to join his Hawke’s Bay Representative teammates: Dave O’Sullivan, Stuart Duff and Scott Pease, and regulars Warwick Kivell, Peter Wilson, Paul Clothier, Robert Harte, Mark Penman, Terry May, Rob Hay and Denis Hunt.”
October 7th and 14th 1984
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Outright win to Havelock North
A good start to the season was the opening partnership of Stuart Duff and Denis Hunt who put on 103 for the first wicket. Duff followed this up with a fine spell of orthodox left arm spin, which contributed to Whakatu-Mahora being dismissed just five runs short of Havelock’s first innings total. Not done with that, the young colt from Lindisfarne College top scored in Havelock’s second innings and then finished off with a six-wicket bag to ensure the outright win. A man of the match performance, which conjured images of N.G Fulford in his prime and kicked off the season for the villages on exactly the right foot.
Score card:
Havelock North: 176: S. Duff 42, D. Hunt 48
and 161 for 5 declared: S. Duff 81, R. Ter Braak 36, S. Brown 14
Whakatu-Mahora: 170: S, Duff 5 for 27, (off 16 overs) Brown 2 for 4
and 50: S. Duff 6 for 15, W. Kivell 2 for 13
Saturday 21st and Monday 23rd October 1984
Havelock North versus Taradale
First innings win to Taradale
A maiden century in Hawke’s Bay senior club cricket was the highlight in this match. Stephen Brown hit 15 fours and a six in his innings of 101 not out. He shared in an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership of 126 with
Page 301
Scott Pease. Havelock declared at 203 for 3 leaving Taradale the task of scoring 196 in an hour and a half in which they were not at all interested in doing.
Score card:
Havelock North: 154, P. Wilson 68, S. Pease 16, D. Hunt 16
and 203 for 3, S. Brown 101 n.o., S. Pease 68 n.o
Taradale, 160 for 7
and 112 for 3
October 30th 1984
One-Day
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
A win for Havelock North
A fine knock from Scott Pease steered Havelock to a win at Cornwall Park. Pease came in when Havelock were in trouble at 20 for 4, in reply to Whakatu-Mahora’s 146, and he watched from the bowlers’ end, as two further wickets tumbled for just 27 runs, to which he had contributed more than half. When the skipper Jamie Francis strode to the wicket 82 runs were still required. Sensible match winning batting saw Havelock through to a well executed victory.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 146, O’Sullivan 5 for 17, Rob Hay 1 for 14 (off 10 overs)
Havelock North: 147, for 7: Pease 77, Francis 33
November 6th and 13th 1984
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Sean Stephens
“Brown and Hunt thrash Old Boys Hastings bowling”.
“Centuries from Steven Brown and Denis Hunt earned Havelock North an exciting first inning lead, in a high-scoring match at Cornwall Park. The pair came together with the score at 24 for one with Havelock North needing to score a further 200 runs to secure the first innings lead.
The pair set about the task from the outset and they left the Park, both undefeated, having added 216 for the second wicket. Brown’s century was his second consecutive one in this competition.
Both players were severe on any loose bowling and both scored a total of 34 boundaries. It was fitting that Brown should bring up his century with and almighty six over long off after playing some classic shots through covers and to mid on all along the ground.
With bonus points now being on offer the two batters gained a total of 9 for their team”
This the first time in the history of the club that in one innings, two batsmen have scored a century.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 227 for 4 declared: Brown 2 for 16
Havelock North: 241 for 1: D. Hunt 119 n.o., S. Brown 103 n.o
Points Table: (first 4) Havelock 49, Old Boys, Hastings 43, Tech. Old Boys 34, Taradale 33.
Page 302
December 3rd and 10th 1984
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
First innings win to Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Sean Stephens
“Havelock North almost embarrassed Napier Old Boys in the match, in that the Napier side could only field nine players.
Havelock North through the powerful batting of Robbie Ter Braak in his score of 34 along with the sheet anchor role of Peter Wilson, succeeded in taking the Havelock North total to a respectable 184 for 8 declared.
Napier Old Boys lost early wickets and then Mark Penman turned the match dramatically on its head with his three overs just before stumps on the first day, when he captured three wickets without conceding a run. Had Havelock North been able to take a further wicket they would have had a decided advantage in that Napier Old Boys would have had to declare because of the lack of a batsman.
On the second day the Napier side struggled through to 161 for 7. Havelock were then prepared to play it safe rather than go for the outright and so declared, leaving Napier Old Boys to get 154 in 18 overs. At 6 p.m. the game was called off with Napier Old Boys 20 for 2.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 184 for 8 declared: P Wilson 49, T May 29, R. Ter Braak 21.
And 130: P Wilson 26, T May 14
Napier Old Boys: 161 for 7: M. Penman 4 for 3, R. Hay 2 for 23.
And 20 for 2
Points table: (first 4) Havelock 67, Marist 60, Tech Old Boys 58, Old Boys Hastings 48
17th December 1984
One-day
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
A win to Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Today, Sean Stephens
“Havelock North scored an exciting last ball win over Old Boys Hastings. Havelock needed 2 runs to win off the final ball bowled by Ray Robertson, their in-form bowler.
Prior to this Havelock North were cruising to a comfortable win with Steve Brown and Robert Ter Braak in full flight. However when those two were out with 8 runs still to get off 2 overs the pressure real ramped up.
Dave O’Sullivan swung hard and placed the ball over extra cover for the required boundary.”
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 93, R. Hay 3 for 5, D. O’Sullivan 3 for 27, S. Brown 3 for 35.
Havelock North: 195, S. Brown 70, R Ter Braak 40, D, Hunt 18, S Duff 15, T May 12
1985
Sunday January 20th 1985
One-day
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Win to Havelock North
Page 303
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Sean Stephens
“Havelock tightened their grip on the Crown Farmers One-Day Competition with a comfortable win over Tech Old Boys. Tech batted first and scored 159 for 8. Warwick Kivell bowled tightly to finish with 3 for 17, off his 10 overs. Stuart Duff, Jamie Francis and Steve Brown led the way in the Havelock innings. The total was reached with only 4 wickets down and five overs to spare. A result which left Havelock North well clear in the points race”.
One-day points table. Havelock North 24, Marist 14, Old Boys Hastings 12, Taradale 8.
January 19th and 26th 1985
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Outright win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Sean Stephens
“Just after tea on the first day’s play, Whakatu-Mahora decided to declare to have a shot at Havelock’s top order batsmen but at stumps Havelock had looked very secure on 80 for the loss of just one wicket, with Steve Brown and Denis Hunt going along nicely.
On the second day, Havelock’s growing confidence based on their previous good batting performances, led Jamie Francis to declare at 158 for 4. When it came to Whakatu-Mahora’s declaration it was about 2 p.m., with four hours left for either side to gain the maximum points. The gauntlet was clearly thrown down as Whakatu invited the villagers to ‘have a go’.
So what could have been a non-event with Whakatu-Mahora, already safe with 6 points for the first innings lead, could have batted on until stumps and get some batting practice.
But now the match came alive with either side having an equal chance of securing maximum points. The target for the Havelock batsmen to win outright was 240 runs in even time. Yes – two hundred and forty runs in four hours!
The openers set the firm platform!
The middle order set up the chance to win!
The lower order flourished magnificently to reach the target with an over to spare and so cap off a superb team performance.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 200 for 9 declared, J. Ter Braak, 4 for 30, J. Hyslop 3 for 24.
And 197 for 4, S. Duff 2 for 38
Havelock North: 158 for 4 declared: D. Hunt 60, S. Brown 46
and 240 for 7, (in batting order) Hunt 22, Brown 65, Ter Braak 32, O’Sullivan 18, Francis 22, May 35 n.o., Penman 18 n.o.
Points table:
Havelock North: 89, Marist 89, Old Boys Hastings 80, Napier Old Boys 78.
February 2nd and 9th 1985
Havelock versus Marist
Outright win to Havelock
This was a top-of-the-table clash with both sides sitting on 89 points
Page 304
A fine spell of spin bowling on a responsive pitch by the Marist skipper Blair Furlong began the contest in Marist’s favour, and Havelock were dismissed for 118. Marist easily passed this total before stumps. Stuart Duff also managed to extract plenty of turn and finished the day with the good figures of 4 for 26 off 16 overs.
Going into the second day Marist were clearly on top and heading for the outright, which would put then well clear on the points table. However the Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune headline on Monday signalled something quite different.
“Havelock trio tame Marist”
“David O’Sullivan, Stuart Duff and Scott Pease were the heroes for Havelock North as they beat Marist outright.
Marist had been ahead in each of the three sessions up until mid afternoon until they came to their second innings. They were set 133 to win in even time but they came across some fine spin bowling from O’Sullivan and Duff and were dismissed for 88
Earlier Marist had started the day 27 runs ahead and increased this to 186 giving them a lead of 68.
Enter Scott Pease and Steven Brown. Pease was superb in smashing 92 runs off the previously dominant Marist attack. His innings sparkled with shots all round the wicket. He yielded to no one, and his display of sheer class spurred the villagers on. Steven Brown joined the fray with an equally hard-hit innings to share in the partnership of 105 runs which carried Havelock through to an astonishing 12 pointer.”
Score card
Havelock North: 118: S. Duff 26, M. Penman 23, R. Ter Braak 19, P. Wilson 16.
And 157 for 7: S. Pease 93, S. Brown 48, D. O’Sullivan, 18, J. Francis 13
Marist: 186: S. Duff 5 for 37, W. Kivell, 2 for 30, M. Penman 2 for 13
and 88: D. O’Sullivan 4 for 35 S, Duff 3 for 24.
February 3rd 1985
One-Day
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Sean Stephens
“Havelock North wrapped up the Crown Farmers $500 One-Day Competition with a comfortable win at Anderson Park on Sunday. An 84-run partnership between Scott Pease and Jamie Francis was the difference between the teams.
Replying to Napier Old Boys innings of 139 Havelock were 35 for 3 when the pair came together. Pease was in confident mood, hitting eight boundaries in his 51. Havelock reached the target and thus the prize of $500 with eight overs to spare”
February 16th and 23rd 1985
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Sean Stephens
Havelock North pair stack up 188
“A fine unbeaten partnership of 188 by Dave O’Sullivan and Steven Brown, put leaders Havelock North in a fine position in the Championship game against Napier Old Boys. The pair came together when Havelock were in a bit of trouble at 36 for 4.
When the declaration came they had seen the score reach 224.
Page 305
O’Sullivan scored his first century for Havelock, going on to 106 not out. Brown continued his brilliant batting form this season, in scoring 85, being particularly strong in the Vee with both off and on drives speeding to the boundary. In reply Napier Old Boys were 134 for 5
On day two, Napier Old Boys were struggling to pass Havelock’s score and fell just two runs shy. Havelock now looking for the outright win with Pease and Brown calling the shots and this time joined by the hard-hitting Terry May reached 199 for 6 when the declaration came. Stuart Duff held a tight rein on the Napier batsmen and the wickets began to fall. But the outright was not to be as the last two, lower order Napier batsmen held out to frustrate the villagers.”
Score card:
Havelock North: 224 for 4 decl. O’Sullivan 104 n.o. Brown 85 n.o.
and 199 for 6 decl. Pease 46, May 45, Penman 35, Brown 32, Hunt 31, Duff 24
Napier Old Boys: 222, Duff 5 for 75,
and 136 for 8: Duff 3 for 35.
March 1st 1985
Havelock North versus Taradale
Havelock lost on the first innings.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Sean Stephens
“This was a disappointing game all round for Havelock. It seemed as though all the forces that could influence a result and the subsequent points, were working against the villagers in their quest to win the championship.
Over in Napier where Marist, the co-leader with Havelock, were playing Napier Old Boys they wracked up 35 points to gain a clear lead in the championship.
Havelock were not happy with proceedings in their game with Taradale.
Firstly when Taradale had passed Havelock’s total to gain the 6 points for a first innings lead, they continued to bat on for over an hour at a leisurely run rate of 2 runs an over. A tactic which totally frustrated the villagers.
So Havelock came out of this match with a thoroughly disheartening 9 points and all chance of a Championship win dissipated.
When the final game, which was against Marist, was disrupted though rain on the first day it was a case of falling at the penultimate hurdle and a big disappointment for a team which had led the five other teams a merry dance for the bulk of the season and arguably was indeed the best team in the competition.“
Bring it on Bill Ponsford!
Page 306
Chapter 41
1985/1986 SEASON
If you would be a cricketer,
You must have lots of pluck,
And though you wield the willow well,
A tiny bit of luck.
Don’t be afraid to cut or drive –
Stone-walling soon grows flat;
But if you mean to make a score,
Play-a-straight-bat.
– Thomas Hutchinson (1923)
The influx of new players into the team, during the early part of this season is a very positive and constructive development and speaks volumes about the ethos and culture of the club
Team for the first game
Denis Hunt (Captain), Stuart Duff, Derek Morrison, Greg Collinge, Dave O’Sullivan, R. McKenzie, James Marret, Robert Hay, Earl Bunny, Greg. Morrison, Greg. Sorenson
October 19th 1985
One-day
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Win to Havelock
A good start to the season. To pass the opposition’s total without losing a wicket must be a first for the club and an excellent omen for the coming season.
Score card
Napier Old Boys: 97, G Collinge 4 for 19, R. Hay 2 for 14, Earl Bunny 2 for 1.
Havelock North: 98 for 0, S. Duff 51, D. Morrison 44.
Both days of the Labour Day weekend were washed out because of rain
November 2nd and 9th 1985
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings.
Havelock lost outright
Sean Stephens: Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune
“Stuart Duff and Derek Morrison gave Havelock a good start but after they left, the scoring rate dropped markedly and it was not until Dave O’Sullivan came to the wicket that it picked up, with his rapid fire 37 with five 4s and a 6.
Havelock were seven runs short of a first innings lead at stumps on the first day and in line with previous Havelock captains Denis Hunt declared overnight.
The game was interesting for its tension rather than its high scoring. Old Boys Hastings scored slowly in their second innings, taking 55 overs to score 135 runs at just over 2 runs an over.
Havelock were set 143 to win but came up woefully short and were never in sight of the target being dismissed inside 25 overs.
Page 307
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 149: O’Sullivan 4 for 35, Duff 2 for 34.
And 135: G. Morrison 4 for 23, J. Marrett 3 for 47, Collinge 2 for 27.
Havelock North: 142 for 4: Duff 32, Collinge 25 n.o. O’Sullivan 37.
And 86: D. Morrison 34, Collinge 28, Brown 15.
November 3rd 1985
One-Day
Havelock North versus Marist
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune; Sean Stephens:
“Havelock North won their second consecutive one-dayer when they accounted for Marist with five balls to spare. Stephen Brown, back from his stint in Holland, returned to the bowling crease with plenty of energy to take 4 for 24. Havelock North passed the required total when Greg Sorenson hit the first ball of the last over for 6. Greg Mackenzie top scored with 69 and Stephen Brown made 35.”
Points table for the One-day Competition:
Havelock North 12, Taradale 6, Tech Old Boys 4, Whakatu-Mahora and Old Boys Hastings 2.
November 16th and 23rd 1985
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Outright win to Havelock North
Sean Stephens Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune
“David O’Sullivan and Denis Hunt were the stars for Havelock in their two wicket outright win. O` Sullivan ripped through the Napier Old Boys second innings which left Havelock North plenty of time to get the required runs.
A captain’s knock from Hunt was vital, as he saw Havelock through to the outright win.
Honours were shared on the first day with Napier old Boys just heading off Havelock’s total in the first innings.”
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 187 for 6 declared.
And 145: O’Sullivan 7 for 35
Havelock North: 181 for 7 declared: G. McKenzie 64, D. Hunt 34.
And 151 for 8, D. Hunt 54
Points table: Taradale 60, Whakatu-Mahora 31, Havelock North 26, Marist 25.
November 24th 1985
One-day
Sean Stephens: Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune.
“Havelock North increased their lead in the in the one-day competition by accounting for Old Boys Hastings, in a game which was reduced to 45 overs.
An unbeaten stand of 47 between Earl Bunny and Rob Hay, proved to be the match winner. The villagers were 75 for 8, chasing Old Boys total of 121. The two, batting at 9 and 10, played sensibly and saw their side through to the win with Bunny 30 n.o and Hay 29 n.o, Rob Hay completed his good day, in bowling 9 overs and taking 2 wickets for 10 runs.
Page 308
November 30th and December 7th 1985
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
First Innings loss
Sean Stephens: Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune
Tech Old Boys batted first on a cool overcast November day and rattled the score along to be all out for 182. Havelock North kept up the tempo so that almost 350 runs were scored in the day and reached 153 for 9 in the 50th over before rain forced the players from the field 35 minutes early.
Greg Mackenzie was the mainstay of the innings and it is likely that Denis Hunt, the Havelock skipper will declare overnight.
From there it was all Tech Old Boys with Glen Schmit scoring a century and Mike Shrimpton bowling his tantalising leg breaks to good effect to have the villagers 9 wickets down in the final over. Havelock survived and so saved the outright loss
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 182: G. Sorenson 4 for 35, G. Morrison 2 for 51, S. Duff 3 for 29.
And 192 for 6 decl. S. Duff 3 for 68, D. O`Sullivan 2 for 62.
Havelock North: 153 for 9 declared: Mackenzie 63, Wilson 34, Sorenson 20
and 172 for 9: Penman 32, Duff 32, O’Sullivan 32, Hunt 24,
One-Day Points table: Havelock North 18, Taradale 18, Whakatu-Mahora 8 Tech Old Boys 4.
December 14th and 21st 1985
Havelock North versus Marist
First innings loss.
Sean Stephens Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune:
“Painfully slow batting was the order of the day. Havelock North, batting first were just 80 for 6 off 50 overs (when bonus points end) and were finally dismissed for 127 of 71 overs. Marist easily passed this early on the second day.
Havelock started their second innings soundly with Derek Morrison setting the standard at the top of the innings, but the middle order dismally failed to fire and Havelock struggled to avoid an ignominious outright defeat. Fighting displays from Myles Beasley, Greg. Morrison and Rob.Hay saved the day, batting at 9.10 and 11 they halted the slide and so avoided the outright loss.
Score card:
Marist: 213, G. Collinge 2 for 23, O’Sullivan 2 for 41, Morrison 2 for 50
and 102
Havelock North: 127: G. Pollard 35, G. Morrison 21, D. O’Sullivan 18,
and 188 for 9, D. Morrison 53, M. Beasley 43, G. Morrison 39, R. Hay 16.
1986
January 4th and 11th 1986
The team for the first game 1986: Denis Hunt, Derek Morrison, Greg Mackenzie James Francis, Greg Collinge, Dave O’Sullivan, Greg Sorenson, Rob Hay, Myles Beasley, Greg Morrison, Earl Bunny.
Page 309
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
First innings loss
Sean Stephens: Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune
“Whakatu-Mahora had lowly Havelock North on the ropes in their match at Cornwall Park. Havelock North struggled to 51 for 6 and 104 for 9 before being dismissed for 142.
David O’Sullivan was dismissed in a most unusual fashion. The delivery from Thomas Heremaia struck O’Sullivan’s wicket but did not remove the bails and Graeme Cockerill the wicket keeper collected the ball at the base of the stumps. O` Sullivan walked, believing to be out. Cockerell, as quick as a flash whipped the bails off and appealed for a stumping which was the decision given by the square leg umpire.
The persistent drizzle did not deter the players and they played through the light showers until stumps were drawn because of bad light.
On the second day the game petered out with the first innings win going to Whakatu-Mahora. The one bright spot for Havelock, was the partnership between Greg Collinge and Denis Hunt of 107 which ensured that there was to be no outright win for the opposition. The players went through the motions and stumps were drawn at 5 30 p.m.
Score card:
Havelock North: 142, G. Morrison 22, G. Collinge 20, D. Morrison 22, E. Bunny 15.
And 164 for 8, G. Collinge 66, D. Hunt 42, G. Sorenson 22
Whakatu-Mahora: 149, R. Hay 3 for 19, D. O’Sullivan 3 for 52, E. Bunny 1 for 2
January 18th and 25th 1986
Taradale versus Havelock North
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Sean Stephens
“Tie in Hawke’s Bay Cricket”
Taradale and Havelock North were involved in an outright tie in a most exciting finish at Anderson Park. Taradale, being in control set the home side a total of 196 to win. They looked set for the win when Havelock were 31 for 4.
However James Francis and Myles Beasley came together and turned things around. Both produced a stubborn resistance on a pitch that was playing a few tricks. When they were dismissed, Dave O’Sullivan and Rob Hay continued the chase.
The scores were tied with two balls to be bowled when James Marrett advanced down the pitch to talk tactics, after the ball had gone through the wicketkeepers’ gloves. All quite legal as written in the Rules of Cricket. He was jubilantly but unjustifiably run out by the Taradale wicketkeeper with the scores level.
Score card:
Taradale 192 for 4 declared: Collinge 2 for 13.
And 102 for 8 declared: O’Sullivan 3 for 17, Morrison 2 for 25.
Havelock North: 97: Morrison 40
and 195: Francis 53, Beasley 36, O’Sullivan 24, Hay 25 n.o.
Points table: Taradale 87, Whakatu 66, Marist 59, Old Boys Hastings 56, Havelock 53.
Page 310
February 2nd 1986
One-Day
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
A win for Havelock North
Havelock North tightened their grip on the CF One-Day Competition. Warwick Kivell bowled tightly to finish up with excellent figures off his ten overs. Havelock reached the target comfortably enough with five overs to spare
Score card:
Tech Old Boys: 159, W. Kivell 3 for 17
Havelock North: 160: Brown 56, Duff 54, Francis 26
Points tables:
Two-day: Havelock 89, Marist 89, Old Boys Hastings 80 Napier Old Boys 75
One-day Points table: Havelock 24, Marist 14, Old Boys Hastings 12 Taradale 8
February 9th and 16th 1986
Havelock North versus Marist
Outright win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“David O’Sullivan and Scott Pease were the heroes for Havelock North as they beat Marist outright in the Suite Centre Two Day Competition. Marist had started the day in good shape. In fact they were on top for 70% of the game until they came to their second innings. They were set 133 to win in even time, but came across some fine spin bowling from O’Sullivan and Duff and were all out for 88.
Score card:
Havelock North: 118, Hunt 26, Penman 23, Wilson 16
and 191
Marist: 186 for 8: Kivell 2 for 30 Duff 4 for 26. Penman 2 for 13
and 88
February 23rd 1986
One-Dayer
Havelock North versus Taradale
Taradale virtually wrapped up the one-day competition with a comfortable win over Havelock North. Both teams were equal before this game on 18 points
Taradale batted first and made 175. Part time bowler James Francis took 5 for 32. Havelock never looked likely and were dismissed for 111. Paul Clothier top scored with 35
March 2nd and 9th 1986
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Win to Old Boys Hastings
Old Boys Hastings took 20 points from this game emphasising the importance of teams accumulating bonus points on the first day.
On the second day the Old Boys Hastings bowlers set their side up for the outright victory, dismissing Havelock North for 77. Havelock North chasing 190 runs for the outright in even time were never in the hunt.
Page 311
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 153: Hay 3 for 35, Morrison 3 for 46
and 170 for 4, M. Beasley 2 for 28
Havelock North: 135: D. Morrison 30, P. Clothier 32, D. Hunt 24, G. Sorenson 13.
and 77: John Hart batting at number 9 top scored with 20 n.o.
March 16th and 23rd 1986
Havelock North versus Marist
Outright win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Sean Stephens
A century to Derek Morrison and fine bowling from Dave O’Sullivan helped Havelock take outright points against Marist. Morrison shared stands of 81 with Stuart Duff and 127 with Greg Collinge.
Marist were then restricted to 144 in their 50 overs. O’Sullivan took 4 wickets, but it was his bowing in the second innings which was the destroyer as Marist were bowled out to give Havelock North the win by an innings and 35 runs
This was easily Havelock’s best performance of the season and could well be a harbinger of fine deeds and winning performances next season
SEASON 1986 / 87
Cricket’s great quality is how it blends the team struggle with that of the individual.
And looking back I’d love to be starting all over again, knowing what I know now
– ‘Dickie Bird`, Umpire 1998
Team for the first game: Scott Pease, Stuart Duff, Paul Clothier, Robert Hay, Derek Morrison, Geoff. Morrison, Mark Penman, Greg. Collinge, Peter Wilson, John Moodie, Greg Mackenzie.
11th and 18th October 1986
Havelock versus Whakatu-Mahora
Draw
This was John Moodie’s first game. He had arrived from Dunedin where he had played cricket for the North East Valley club alongside such luminaries as the brothers Wayne and Bruce Blair and Stephen Boock. The latter two having played for New Zealand – all tough competitors. John’s medium paced bowling and solid right-hand batting gave a fine balance to an already good side. His competitiveness and pleasant personality added much to the team’s growing positive ethos. Paul Clothier refers to John as a great team man
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune Stephen Hunt
“This rain-affected game belonged to Stuart Duff who showed just why he was on the verge of being selected into the New Zealand national team, the “Black Caps”, last year. He was very unlucky to be dismissed one short of a well deserved century.
He came in at Number 3 and scored freely and quickly in an innings which included fifteen 4s and one 6. It was the backbone of the Havelock innings. His assurance, his fluent stroke play, his placement and his immaculate driving of the ball along the ground stamped him as cricketer of sheer talent and ability. His innings gave Havelock the best of starts to the new season.
The first wicket fell cheaply and young Duff came to the crease, he managed to steady the ship and along with Derek Morrison took the score to a reputable 105 when rain stopped play for the first time.
Page 312
Rain continued to disrupt play on both days.
Score card:
Havelock North: 154 for 7 decl. Duff 99 D. Morrison 27
Whakatu-Mahora: 126 for 2
The huge contribution that Stuart Duff made to Havelock North cricket right from his very first game on January 17th 1981, is to be seen in a nutshell in this very game.
Looking back over the history of the club and its many outstanding cricketers, right from the early 1950s, one could say that at certain times there were exceptional talismen who stood out, above their contemporaries. These were the players who could win a game by seizing the moment; who were the consummate cricketers of their time; who could take the game away from the opposition; who overcame intense pressure to win games; who were looked up to and respected by the whole team which always seemed to play better when the talisman was present.
Stuart Duff was one such talisman. He had all the above attributes as well as an intuitive, innate quality of sportsmanship; a loyalty to his team, an inherent competitive drive and the drive do to the best for the team under all circumstances. Stuart settled comfortably into the culture of the team and as his contribution increased accordingly, he very soon became the personification of the “good team man”
Indeed, over time, Stuart became the role model to the whole team with the result that the positive culture generated within the team in the mid 80s developed to become the undoubted ethos of the side, as it progressed towards the winning of the Championship.
Stuart’s representative career was so extensive, that he was able to learn from all his experience in playing alongside first-class cricketers, and then being able to unselfishly share this with the entire club.
Stuart played for Hawke’s Bay from 1980 until 1995. In the 217 games played, he made 2639 runs at 32.5 average and took 228 wickets at an average of 18.87
In 1983/84, Stuart played in the New Zealand under 23 Tournament for Central Districts in Dunedin where he was awarded the cup for the Player of the Tournament
In the 1986 New Zealand Cricket Almanac, Stuart was named as one of the three most promising young cricketers of the year.
In 1988/89, Stuart toured Zimbabwe with the New Zealand Young Internationals. He played in all games with a top score of 45 and best bowling of 5 for 77.
The following extracts are from Stuart’s Testimonial Book 1995/96
* Appearances for Central Districts – 81 (the fourth highest)
* In 1991/92 Central Districts Player of the Year
* Eighth highest aggregate of runs for Central Districts – 2,958
* Fifth highest wickets for Central Districts – 196
* Stuart’s highest score for Central Districts was 164
* Best bowling in a match 11 wickets
Nationally Stuart was held in the highest esteem. Many cricket pundits sincerely believed that he should have been selected for higher honours.
“Although disappointed not to wear the full silver fern, Stuart has taken it all in his stride and has channelled his determination and competitiveness into his play with Central Districts, Hawke’s Bay and his club at
Page 313
Havelock North. Stuart is one of the truly good guys playing cricket today. Respected by his team-mates for his ability, attitude and tactical appreciation of the game, and most importantly for his obvious love of the game and the enjoyment that he derives from it.”
– Gavin Larson: New Zealand 1994 to 1996 Current Black Caps selector.
“…after 3000 plus runs and 200 plus wickets – itself a rare First Class double, Central Districts can acclaim a cricketer who has been a genuine performer.
Stuart is one spinner who has constantly taken wickets over a long span of seasons. Many, many lesser spinners have played for New Zealand yet very few have earned a Testimonial year. Congratulations Stuart.”
– Ian Colquhoun Q.S.M: Central Districts selector and coach
“Stuart has become one of Central Districts greatest all-rounders as well as one of cricket’s most genuine and likeable players”
– Tony Blain: New Zealand and Central Districts Wicketkeeper.
“Stuart played as our professional in 1987, and returned for a second term in 1988. In two very successful, seasons for the club, Stuart scored 1,221 runs and took 99 wickets. When bowling at his best he gave the impression of being able to bowl out any side”
– Bob Yarley Captain Chorley Cricket Club, Lichfield, England.
Stuart’s team-mates held him in such high regard that the soubriquet – “legend” was often heard as he neared the end of his career. High praise indeed, but when one considers and analyses Stuart’s Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay and Central Districts career and then extrapolates that while in considering the years that were beyond the time frame of this book, which concluded in 1987, his team-mates’ rather enlightening assessment certainly rings in one’s ears as one attempts to write the words that will do justice to Stuart Duff’s monumental contribution to the history of Havelock North cricket.
A colleague and teammate wrote the following:
“After four years in the Lindisfarne 1st XI, Stuart began his career at Havelock North in 1980. He had already represented New Zealand at age group level where he was the bowler of the Tournament in the Australian under 19 tournament. In 1981 batting at number 8 he scored a century for Hawke’s Bay in a Hawke Cup match against Nelson.
He set a record of games played for Hawke’s Bay at 217. He also successfully captained Hawke’s Bay. Stuart played 81 First Class fixtures for Central Districts taking 208 wickets at an average of 33 and scored over 3000 runs at 31.
He represented “Young New Zealand” in Test matches against Zimbabwe, taking a 5-wicket bag and scoring 46 and 24 in a 5-wicket loss.
As a left-arm orthodox spinner he was fortunate to have as a teammate for both Central Districts and Havelock North, Dave O’Sullivan, who as a mentor Stuart was able to learn from.
Stuart, also excelled in limited over cricket. In bowling left arm over, into the leg stump of right-handed batsmen, his immaculate line and length proved very difficult to score from. His right-handed batting improved markedly following his sojourns to England in the early 1980 and consistent scores of over 50 became the order of the day. His defence was tight and he worked the ball superbly on the offside.
No one trained or practiced harder than Stuart. He was immensely competitive but was respected by all opposition players. He played as often as he could for the club and continued after his First-Class career had finished.”
Page 314
October 23 and 25th 1986
Havelock North versus Taradale (1)
Outright win to Taradale
This was a somewhat one-sided affair with Martin Crowe, who arrived at the ground in spectacular fashion in the passenger seat of a helicopter. Crowe in top form, dominated the game with a century, while carrying the Taradale top and middle order along with him, on to an insurmountable total. This, together with the unfortunate run out of Havelock’s in-form batsman Stuart Duff, initiated a double collapse in both innings.
Paul Clothier who was fielding at second slip, said that Crowe’s innings was masterful, displaying to all who were fortunate to witness it the ultimate in perfection that exists in our game. Crowe, thus began in this very game against the villagers, his most successful season with Central Districts and went on to score Test centuries against Australia and England.
Score card:
Taradale (1): 286 for 7, (M. Crowe 107), R. Hay 2 for 104, S. Duff 5 for 83
Havelock North: 87, P. Clothier 19, S. Pease 19, D. Morrison 16
and 77, S. Duff 21, R. Hay 15
November 1st and 8th 1986
Havelock North versus Marist
Outright win to Havelock
After the two teams were fairly evenly matched over the first day and a half, Marist went into the final session needing 187 for victory. Marist, led by the century maker, Simon O’Dowd, took to the Havelock bowlers. O’Dowd was most certainly on his own with the Havelock North bowlers concentrating on wickets at the other end, to the extent that when O’Dowd reached his 100, the Marist score was 135 and Marist seemed to be set for the outright.
But a last-ditch effort by young Greg Collinge, whose well-struck 68 n.o. earlier in the day had been the backbone to Havelock’s second innings, performed the double with a performance reminiscent of the great Noel Fulford in his heyday.
In the last over of the day young Greg Collinge bowled the No 11 batsman out, with Marist still needing 4 runs, thus giving Havelock North a cliff hanger of a victory.
More is said about this extraordinary game in the skipper’s words at the end of the season.
Score card:
Havelock North: 135 for 6 decl. S. Pease 36, D. Morrison 19, M. Penman 15 n.o.
and 214 for 5 decl. G. Collinge 68 n.o., G. Morrison 43, S. Pease 38, P. Clothier 26, M. Penman 15.
Marist: 150 for 9 decl. G. Morrison 4 for 33, R. Hay 3 for 33
and 183, G. Collinge 3 for 46, G. Morrison 3 for 44.
Greg Collinge’s contribution to the winning of this match was of Man of the Match proportions. Greg and his father Jeremy were of a rare breed – a father and son combination who played together for the Havelock senior team. This had occurred only twice before.
Greg attended Hereworth School – a true cricketing nursery at the time, and then went on to Havelock North High School. In his first season for Havelock, Greg was rated by the Press as the quickest bowler playing in the inter-city competition. This, combined with his accuracy and variable bounce, made him a very difficult bowler for any batsman to face. As a result he was called into the Hawke’s Bay team while still in his teens.
Page 315
He was also a mercurial, fast scoring batsman, as proven in this very match, in which he put Havelock into a winning position. He relentlessly went after the Marist attack causing mayhem among the bowlers.
In fact in all six teams playing in the Inter city competition all bowlers, fast, medium, slow, tearaway or slow medium were fair game for this very talented and confident batsman who saw the ball earlier than most, got into the correct position to play the right shot earlier than most and hammered the ball with greater alacrity and less mercy than most. Greg was soon selected into the New Zealand Development Squad having performed well for the Central Districts Junior Reps
November 15th and 22nd 1986
Havelock North versus Tech Old Boys
Draw
The game ended in a tame draw. Havelock’s second innings left Tech Old Boys a chase of 205 to win in the last session. They were 179 for 6,
when stumps were drawn.
Score card:
Havelock North: 135 for 8 decl. P. Wilson 54. P. Clothier 22
and 178 for 9 decl. P. Wilson 51, P. Clothier 18, R.Hay 15, D. Morrison 14
Tech Old Boys: 109 for 4
and 179 for 6, R. Hay 2 for 39. J. Moodie 2 for 31.
November 29th and December 6th 1986
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Outright win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“Havelock North had the only outright victory in the competition, when they beat Old Boys Hastings by one wicket, in a tense final hour at Cornwall Park. Havelock held a good advantage when scoring 40 runs more than Old Boys Hastings in the first innings. A sound second innings from Old Boys, left Havelock North with the difficult task of scoring 204 for victory.
Havelock started badly, with three of the top order out for just 11 runs but a sound partnership of 89 between John Moodie and Denis Hunt gave Havelock North an even chance of winning. Another partnership of 56 between Wayne Beasley and Robert Hay proved the match-winner for Havelock North. Old Boys Hastings seemed to have the game sewn up when they needed only two wickets with Havelock still 64 runs shy on 140. Rob. Hay’s wicket fell at 198, leaving Myles Beasley to score the six runs required.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 160, R. Hay 3 for 60, J. Moodie 4 for 51
and 240 for 3 decl. R. Hay 2 for 81
Havelock North: 196 for 6 decl. P. Wilson 66, S. Pease 30, P. Clothier 66.
And 204 for 9, P. Wilson 24, J. Moodie 52, D. Hunt 39, R. Hay 21. M. Beasley 38 n.o.
December 13th and 20th 1986
Havelock North versus Napier Old Boys
Outright win to Havelock
Traditionally in the final game of the first round, it is often the target of teams to put as many points on the board as they can, prior to the longer, hotter and drier days of the second round when the wickets are truer and the results might be harder to come by.
Page 316
Havelock certainly did this in a well constructed game-plan ably put into place by the skipper, Scott Pease, and followed almost to the letter by the whole team. The batting strike rate, the accuracy of the bowling, the team effort in the field, the well considered first innings declaration and the confidence and competitiveness of the whole team as they chased down the runs, required for the outright win, were all there in spades
Such a team effort in cricket requires individuals to stand up and contribute – and contribute they did. Derek Morrison and Myles Beasley in a partnership of 97 in the first innings which showed the way. Morrison again in a partnership of 140 with the young colt, Greg Collinge in the second innings. Geoff Morrison swung into action with the ball to set Napier Old Boys, back on their heels to give Havelock the chance of the outright.
Score card:
Napier Old Boys: 152 for 3 decl.
And 183 for 8 decl. G. Morrison 4 for 36, J. Moodie 3 for 42
Havelock North: 167 for 5 decl. D. Morrison 88, M. Beasley 25, S. Duff 18
and 169 for 2, G. Collinge 81 n.o. D. Morrison 81.
At this halfway part of the season, mention must be made of the success of the two Morrisons – Derek and Geoff. The most successful brother combination to play for Havelock North since the two Fulfords.
Derek arrived from the Thames Valley with a reputation in both rugby and cricket. He played for the New Zealand Under 23 Rugby XV as halfback. It was therefore only natural that he should bring the challenges that are inherent in wearing the number 9 jersey at that level to his competitiveness on the cricket field.
Derek, after his good early form for Havelock, as was exhibited in this match, was selected almost immediately into the Hawke’s Bay Hawke Cup representative team and a permanent member over many seasons.
With his Thames Valley representative games thrown in, Derek attained his century of games in the cauldron of what is the New Zealand National Provincial competition with the ultimate prize being the winning of the Hawke Cup.
A perennial opening batsman in all of the teams in which he played it soon became patently obvious that Derek thrived and enjoyed getting the innings started in all grades of cricket.
He was a back foot player which gave him time to see the quicker deliveries and thus get on to his back foot to use his favoured hook and pull shots to pepper the boundaries anywhere between backward square leg and wide long on. Derek is still playing cricket for Havelock in the lower grades. (9/2022).
Geoff Morrison emulated his brother in more ways than one. He was a solid dependable batsman who eternally gave of his ultimate best. Among his strengths were that he never sold his wicket easily – he valued it too much.
Geoff was a valuable member of a very good team. This became patently obvious time and time again when it came to forming a partnership, usually down the order a bit, which often resulted in the saving or winning of the game.
Geoff bowled a right arm off-break/off-cutter. He was indeed, the perfect foil for Stuart Duff when the two were bowling in tandem.
His value to the club and its well-being is that he willingly took on the responsibility of club captain during the whole of his time with Havelock.
Page 317
1987
January 10th and 17th 1987
Havelock North versus Taradale (2)
Draw
Team for the first game of Round 2: Scott Pease (Captain) Derek Hunt, Paul Clothier, Peter Wilson, Derek Morrison, Greg Collinge, James Moodie, John Hart, Greg Mackenzie, Myles Beasley, Rob Hay.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“On the first day Taradale (2) declared after 50 overs, and had Havelock reeling at 45 for 5. A partnership for the 8th wicket between Brendon Whinham and John Harte, saw the team through to a respectable total of 128, with Whinham and Harte still there.
On the second day, Havelock went on to score 151 for 8 declared. The schoolboy, Brendon Whinham, in his first game for the Havelock seniors went on to score 51 n.o. when the declaration came.
Taradale in their second innings lost only two wickets in giving Havelock to total of 220 for victory in two hours and 20 overs. Havelock started well with the first wicket falling at 42, but after that, Derek Morrison held up one end while the middle order collapsed around him. With the score at 95 for 6, Denis Hunt came in and hit an excellent fighting knock to take the score to 165. He went out with 51 needed in 6 overs. Rob Hay and Myles Beasley decided that caution was the better part of valour and blocked out the remaining overs.
Brendon Whinham, in his first game for Havelock seniors went onto score 51 not out when the declaration came.
Brendon was the son of Roger Whinham who played many a game for the Havelock Presidents grade team.
Brendon was true schoolboy prodigy. In this game he was still attending Havelock High School as a year 12 student.
At the start of this season he had scored a century for his school team. His consistently good scores with the bat for Havelock highlighted his undoubted talent. To so readily become a part of this very good side, Brendon displayed a maturity beyond his years and with it a level of skill and competitiveness seldom seen in one so young.
Score card:
Taradale (2): 199 for 8 decl. R. Hay 3 for 43
and 175 for 2 decl. G. Collinge 2 for 49
Havelock North: 151 for 8 decl. B. Whinham 51, J. Harte 30
and 182 for 8, D. Hunt 69, D. Morrison 53, G. Mackenzie 2, R. Hay 11 n.o.
January 24th and 31st 1987
Havelock North versus Whakatu-Mahora
Outright win to Havelock
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“Fumble brings Havelock North a win”
A mis-field by a Whakatu-Mahora fielder on the last delivery gave Havelock North an outright win at Cornwall Park.
Page 318
Havelock North, with Paul Clothier and John Moodie at the wicket needed two runs for victory off the last ball but they did not have to do much.
The Whakatu-Mahora left arm spinner Phillip Spencer, bowled a quicker delivery to Paul Clothier but the Whakatu’s misfortune was, that Don Poulgrain, the keeper misjudged the pace of the delivery and the ball went to the boundary for four byes, giving Havelock North the victory.
Prior to this, the last four overs were a tense affair. At the start of their innings, Havelock North needed 248 to win and were left the task of scoring 29 runs off the last 20 deliveries. They needed 12 runs off the last two overs and then just 4 off the last over for the third ball of the over to be quickly dispatched to the square leg boundary”.
Score card:
Whakatu-Mahora: 232, G. Morrison 2 for 58, J. Moodie 2 for 50, Collinge 2 for 96
and 215 for 5 decl. P. Clothier 3 for 48
Havelock North: 200 for 6 decl. B Whinham 51, S. Pease 39, G. Collinge 38, D. Morrison 32, M. Beasley 20.
And 250, P. Clothier 58, P. Wilson 40, M. Beasley 40, S, Pease 39 G. Mackenzie 38.
Two full days of cricket – 667 runs scored – 29 wickets fell – game decided in the final over.
Points table: Taradale (1) 101, HN 96, Taradale (2) 89, TOB 87, WM 82
February 7th and 14th 1987
Havelock North versus Marist
This was Iain Taylor’s first game. Iain was a boarder at Christ’s College, and then went on to study at Canterbury University. He returned to Hawke’s Bay in the holidays and then to work here after he had finished his degree.
He was a young member of this team and was a right-arm away-swing bowler with a unique windmill action, very effective against the lower order batsmen who were never quite sure as to when the ball was actually arriving – thus adding depth to a very good bowling attack. This was backed up by his outstanding fielding at second slip. As the team progressed after this year, he concentrated more on his batting and in the 1990s he opened the batting and was good enough to score a big club century. Iain was also a long serving club captain and chairman of the club management committee.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
Havelock North were left a target of 251 to get in 2 hours and 20 overs. They lost a few early wickets in their haste and it was left to Rob Hay and Ian Taylor to hold Havelock together in an 8th wicket partnership of 40 when they were staring an outright defeat in the face.
Score card:
Marist: 175 for 8 decl. Hay 3 for 63, Taylor 2 for 52
and 276 for 9 decl.
Havelock North: 201 for 5 decl. D. Morrison 67, S. Pease ?, M. Penman 31
and 138 for 8
Points table: TOB 109, Taradale (1) 107, HN 105, Taradale (2), 98 WM 95
February 21st and 28th 1987
Havelock North versus Old Boys Hastings
Page 319
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“Havelock North batting slump gives Old Boys Hastings sole win”
A middle-order batting slump in Havelock’s second innings enabled Old Boys Hastings to score the only outright win in the United Inter-city cricket competition. Havelock North chasing 200 in one hour and ten minutes, lost five wickets for four runs, in a slump which cost them the game. The first wicket to fall was Derek Morrison at 11 but Havelock North still seemed in control with the score mounting to 64 prior to the next wicket falling.
But within the next dozen overs Havelock was staring at an ignominious defeat with 8 wickets down and the hundred not even in sight. Greg Mackenzie and Mark Penman kept Havelock’s hopes alive with a sound partnership for the ninth wicket, but all was in vain as Havelock finished up 36 runs short.
Score card:
Old Boys Hastings: 158 for 9 decl. Mackenzie 4 for 29, Collinge 2 for 40,
and 216 for 8 decl. Hay 3 or 66, Mackenzie 2 for 64, Collinge 2 for 63
Havelock North: 175 for 3 decl. Mackenzie. 47 n.o, Duff 40, Wilson 30. Penman 28,
and 164, Mackenzie 48 n.o. D. Morrison 11
Fall of wickets: 11, 64, 77, 77, 79, 81, 81, 100, 163, 164.
March 7th and 14th 1987
Havelock North versus Taradale (2)
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“Havelock put themselves in a strong position to win their game and possibly the Championship as well, when they forced Taradale (2) to follow on at tea on the first day of their two-day fixture.
Havelock were 130 runs ahead and it was the Havelock pace bowling combination of Rob Hay and Greg Mackenzie which did the damage.
Havelock’s batting was highlighted with a century by their skipper, Scott Pease, which included two fine partnerships. Pease’s 50 came up in 56 minutes and his century in 121 minutes. Pease and Paul Clothier gave Havelock a solid foundation with a partnership of 74 for the second wicket. A further partnership of 81 between the skipper and Mark Penman, of 81 saw the partnership rocket to 186 before the fall of the third wicket.
Score card:
Havelock North: 22, S. Pease 114, P. Clothier 31, M. Penman 35, G. Collinge 23.
Taradale (2): 99, G. Mackenzie 5 for 24, R. Hay 3 for 23
Captain’s knocks are often represented, and seen to be dour, patient and chanceless innings, with the skipper standing defiant, while wickets tumble about him. It is his patience and hard-nosed determination which often saves the team from defeat.
Scott Pease’s century was coloured with fluent, perfectly executed drives and square cuts, finely placed leg glances and pull shots. It was the skipper’s sole aim to gain as many batting bonus points as was possible. Indeed, he saw that it was his responsibility to take the initiative and attack the bowling and thus go into the second day with a clear advantage over Taradale (1) and Tech Old Boys.
With this game plan in mind, it was the well-placed lofted shots and scorching cover drives which gave the signal that the captain meant business.
Page 320
Surely this 114 runs was the ultimate captain’s knock, with the interests of the team uppermost in the skipper’s thoughts. This was not the stonewalling, belligerent, save-the-game innings, this was a daring, defiant, audacious win-the-game, first and foremost and then wait and see how the Championship points panned out.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Thursday, March 12th Stephen Hunt
“Havelock North set for cricket title”
Tech Old Boys had the lead coming into the last match of the season, on 115 points with Taradale, one point behind, on 114.
But Havelock North in their first innings, last Saturday gained 5 bowling bonus points and 6 batting points, as opposed to Tech Old Boys, with 3 batting and 3 bowling points, while Taradale gaining 4 bowling and 4 batting points.
Tech Old Boys and Taradale have to win their matches and Havelock have to lose, if either of the two Napier teams have any chance of taking the championship
The points table for the four top teams is: Havelock North 125, Tech Old Boys 123, Taradale (1) 122 and Taradale (2) 106.
March 14th 1987
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune: Stephen Hunt
“Wash-out leaves ‘dark horse’ Havelock with cricket title”
Havelock North, not rated as a top prospect to take out the inter-city cricket championship did, indeed snatch the prize, after rain washed out the last day. Havelock took the title with 125 points, two points ahead of Tech Old Boys and three ahead of Taradale (1).
Havelock’s move to the lead came after last Saturday’s game in which they scored 229 for 6. They gained 5 bowling points and 6 batting points to clinch the championship.
Havelock captain Scott Pease said that the team was justifiably delighted because it had been a great season for them. He went on to say that Havelock’s vital victories were the first outright victory over Marist which they won in the last over, and a close win, also in the last over, against Whakatu-Mahora in February.
Prizegiving
Nichol Rosebowl for most improved all-rounder: G. Collinge
Reeve Cup for most improved senior batsman: B Whinham
Reeve cup for outstanding fielding: I.A. Taylor
If Havelock were what Havelock seems
An’ not the Havelock of our dreams,
But only putty, brass an’ paint,
‘Ow quick we’d drop her. But she ain’t.
– Adapted from Rudyard Kipling.
Of the total number of cricketers who have donned the blue and black cap and have stuck with it “and not drop her” for the whole of their careers – whether in Junior A grade, third grade, fourth grade, senior/premier or president’s grade, let’s raise a glass to them for their companionship, loyalty, camaraderie, skill, competitiveness, talent, team and village spirit, throughout all of the grades at all times.
Page 321
There is a uniqueness as to how the Havelock North senior team survived the rise through the Junior and Intermediate grades during the 1950s to become a powerful force in Hawke’s Bay Cricket right through to this very season.
During that time, the culture of the club was clearly defined by the longevity of the founding players, enhanced with the enthusiasm of all the new recruits, often straight out of Secondary School, who chose Havelock, not knowing whether the club was indeed “putty, brass and paint” – but pretty soon discovered that she “ain’t”, and thus stayed with the Village XI for their entire cricketing careers and beyond.
This season is one of the most memorable in the club’s history and Kipling I believe captures just how the outcome of this 1986/87 season encapsulates exactly what it is to be a “Havelock Man”.
WINNERS: HAWKES BAY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: 1986/87
Back Row: l to r: John Moodie, John Harte, Greg Mackenzie, Bob Mitchell (President,) Stuart Duff, Rob Hay, Mark Penman, Brendon Whinham.
Front row: l to r: Derek Morrison, Peter Wilson, Scott Pease, (Capt), Paul Clothier, Denis Hunt, Geoff Morrison.
Absent: Myles Beasley, Greg Collinge, Iain Taylor, James Hyslop.
Page 322
APPENDIX 1
The author’s all-time Havelock XI
Qualification – three consecutive seasons playing for the club.
D. Morland
S. Duff
N. Fulford
N. Murley
T. Paterson
S. Brown
R. Cox
R. Mitchell capt
K.A. Fulford
M. Liley
D. O’Sullivan
H. Richardson 12th man
The following were not considered: D. Morrison, E. Fisher. C. Atkinson
APPENDIX 2
Captains of the Havelock North Senior Team
Bob MacInnes October 1951 to January 1959
Bill Hill January 1959 to January 1960
Bob Mitchell January 1960 to January 1961
Bill Hill January 1961 to March 1962
Bob Mitchell October 1962 to October 1971
Doug Morland October 1971 to January 1972
Bob Mitchell January 1972 to October 1973
Doug Morland October 1973 to October 1974
Bob Mitchell October 1974 to January 1975
Doug Morland January 1975 to October 1979
David O’Sullivan October 1980 to March 1980
Chris Walker October 1981 to October 1983
James Francis October 1983 to October 1985
Denis Hunt October 1985 to October 1986
Scott Pease October 1986 to
Page 323
APPENDIX 3
Havelock North Cricket Club Senior/Premier Grade Centuries, 1951 to 1987
Date Name Score Opposition
Intermediate Grade
1951 January 10th N. G. Fulford 110 Taradale
1952 March 1st K. Baker 141 Tech Old Boys
1952 March 1st N. G. Fulford 124 Tech Old Boys
1952 March 22nd N G. Fulford 118 Marist
Senior Grade
1952 November 10th N.G. Fulford 107 Colts XI
1953 January 11th K. Baker 118 Napier Old Boys
1953 November 28th J. Blane 103 Napier Old Boys
1956 January 21st R. Thorpe 102 Napier Boys High
1957 January 26th N. G. Fulford 114 Marist
1957 February 23rd N. G. Fulford 108 Tech Old Boys
1958 November 29th B. Jonasson 110 Tech Old Boys
1961 November 11th N. G. Fulford 124 Marist
1961 December 9th N.G. Fulford 189 Old Boys Hastings
1962 January 27th N.G. Fulford 121 Whakatu-Mahora
1962 March 24th N G. Fulford 107 Marist
1964 January 18th N. G. Fulford 135 Napier Old Boys
1964 February 29th N. G. Fulford 141 Whakatu-Mahora
1964 October 31st N. G. Fulford 125 Tech Old Boys
1965 January 8th W. G. Smith 100 Whakatu-Mahora
1965 February 27th D. G. Burns 105 Napier Old Boys
1965 March 23rd N. G. Fulford 146 Tech Old Boys
1965 October 23rd N. G. Fulford 125 Tech Old Boys***
1965 October 30th D. G. Burns 119 Whakatu-Mahora***
1965 December 11th N. G. Fulford 138 Napier Old Boys
1966 January 15th D. G. Burns 122 Tech Old Boys
1967 February 17th D. G. Burns 116 Napier Old Boys
1969 October 25th M. R. Natusch 113 Taradale
1972 November 11th D. G. Morland 100 Whakatu-Mahora
1973 January 11th T Patterson 108 Old Boys Hastings
1978 January 21st M. Hayde 144* Whakatu-Mahora***
1980 February 9th J. Collinge 103 Whakatu-Mahora
1981 November 28th R. Harte 100* Taradale
1982 December 4th C. Walker 113 Taradale
1983 November 12th S. Pease 100 Taradale
1983 November 27th J. Francis 109* Whakatu-Mahora
1984 October 23rd S. Brown 101* Taradale
1984 October 23rd D. Hunt 119* Taradale
1985 February 16th D. O’Sullivan 104* Napier Old Boys
1986 March 16th D. Morrison 102 Marist
1987 March 7th S. Pease 114 Taradale
*** Not listed on Honours Board: Mark Hayde
Page 324
Footnote:
Noel Fulford scored sixteen centuries against:-
Tech Old Boys five
Marist four
Whakatu-Mahora two
Napier Old Boys two
Tremlett’s Colts XI one
Taradale one
Old Boys Hastings one (his highest score)
Don Burns scored five centuries against:-
Napier Old Boys two
Whakatu-Mahora two
Tech Old Boys one
Centuries scored against Havelock North, 1951 to 1987
It is worthy of note that the first eight of these centuries were scored during the days of the Club when the two Fulfords were opening the bowling.
Noel’s career for Havelock North spanned the years from October 1951 until January 1966
Keith’s career was much lengthier from October 1951 until March 1973
During the fifteen years that the brothers were operating together there were just ten batsmen who scored a century against Havelock North, when both were playing.
The lack of centuries over a period of five years between the years 1957 and 1962 is significant.
1954 February 20th T.P. L. Reaney Napier Old Boys 112
1955 November 26th D. Kivell Tech Old Boys 103*
1956 October 28th K.F. H. Smith Marist 109
1957 November 9th K. Baker Whakatu-Mahora 125*
1962 November 25th T. Ormond Old Boys Hastings 110
1964 November 7th P.J. Coutts Tech Old Boys 149
1965 January 16th S.J. Cushing Whakatu-Mahora 117
1965 October 21st P.J. Coutts Tech Old Boys 149*
1973 December 8th L.R. Singleton Old Boys Hastings 104*
1975 October 31st W. Greenstreet Old Boys Hastings 187
1978 January 21st D. Poulgrain Whakatu-Mahora 124
1980 February 16th A. Rohrs Whakatu-Mahora 105*
1981 November 28th C. Dunn Taradale 155*
1981 December 6th I. Smith Old Boys Hastings 107
1982 November 17th G. McKenzie Napier Old Boys 102
1983 November 5th C. Dunn Taradale 112
1986 October 22nd M. Crowe Taradale 107
Double Century
1980 February 16th D. Poulgrain Whakatu-Mahora 206
Page 325
APPENDIX 4
Bowling Honours Board
In order to annotate the performances more clearly, I have found it necessary to abbreviate some Club names in the Opponents’ column. The name I have used is that which was in common usage at the time.
So:-
Marist Brothers’ Old Boys becomes Marist
Napier Boys’ High School – Napier Boys High
Napier Boys’ High School Old Boys – Napier Old Boys
Technical College Old Boys – Tech Old Boys
Nine wickets in an innings
Name Performance Opposition Date
N.G. Fulford 9 for 12 Napier Old Boys 8/11/1955
Eight wickets in an innings
N. G. Fulford 8 for 67 Whakatu-Mahora 5/3/1960
K.A. Fulford 8 for 86 Tech Old Boys 7/11/1964
K. Milne 8 for 50 Napier Old Boys 28/11/1967
R. Lambert 8 for 88 Whakatu-Mahora 1/2/1975
Seven wickets in an innings
K. A. Fulford 7 for 20 Old Boys Hastings 13/1/1954
AK. . Fulford 7 for 45 Napier Old Boys 10/1/1959
M. Wright 7 for 52 Napier Old Boys 25/11/1961
N. G. Fulford 7 for 65 Tech Old Boys 3/3/1962
K. A. Fulford 7 for 79 Marist 17/3/1962
K. A. Fulford 7 for 20 Old Boys Hastings 30/11/1963
J. S. Cullwick 7 for 33 Whakatu-Mahora 7/3/1964
N. G. Fulford 7 for 40 Old Boys Hastings 6/7/1965
K. Fulford 7 for 23 Old Boys Hastings 22/10/1965
K. Milne 7 for 38 Whakatu-Mahora 28/1/1967
M. H. Liley 7 for 9 Whakatu-Mahora 20/2/1971
R. Lambert 7 for 82 Taradale 7/3/1974
D. R. O’Sullivan 7 for 56 Marist 5/3/1977
D. R. O’Sullivan 7 for 35 Napier Old Boys 23/11/85
Six wickets in an innings
Name Performance Opponent Date
N. G. Fulford 6 for 24 Marist 7/11/1951
N. G. Fulford 6 for 18 Tech Old Boys 24/11/1951
N. G. Fulford 6 for 49 Tech Old Boys 1/12/1951
K. A. Fulford 6 for 28 Old Boys Hastings 19/1/1952
D. I. Hawke’s 6 for 46 Tech. Boys 8/3/1952
K. A. Fulford 6 for 29 Rugby 31/1/1953
N. G. Fulford 6 for 46 Tech Old Boys 2/2/1953
K. A. Fulford 6 for 31 Artillery United 13/2/1954
N. G. Fulford 6 for 15 Whakatu-Mahora 6/11/54
N. G. Fulford 6 for 28 Marist 15/1/1955
G. W. Goodall 6 for 77 Marist 19/10/1958
Page 326
C. Slade 6 for 55 Whakatu-Mahora 7/3/1959
K. A. Fulford 6 for 60 Marist 23/1/1960
M. Wright 6 for 33 Tech Old Boys
J. S. Cullwick 6 for 36 Napier Old Boys 17/1/1962
K. A. Fulford 6 for 27 Whakatu-Mahora 15/2/1962
M. Bartle 6 for 37 Old Boys Hastings 6/12/1963
K. A. Fulford 6 for 64 Old Boys Hastings 20/11/1964
K. A. Fulford 6 for 50 Old Boys Hastings 17/11/1965
M. H. Liley 6 for 35 Old Boys Hastings 2/10/1966
M. Liley 6 for 54 Marist 11/3/1967
M. Liley 6 for 44 Marist 4/11/1969
D. W. Ritchie 6 for 65 Tech Old Boys 1/11/1969
H. V. Richardson 6 for 43 Whakatu-Mahora 24/11/1970
M. H. Liley 6 for 25 Napier Old Boys 7/3/1970
D. Morland 6 for 19 Marist 14/11/1970
H. V. Richardson 6 for 27 Marist 20/11/1970
H. V. Richardson 6 for 77 Marist 11/12/1971
D. G. Burns 6 for 35 Old Boys Hastings 2/1/1972
R. G. Lamberg 6 for 65 Marist 16/11/1974
D. R. O’Sullivan 6 for 27 Napier Old Boys 27/10/1975
D. Morland 6 for 10 Whakatu-Mahora 15/10/75
D. R. O’Sullivan 6 for 85 Tech Old Boys 2/12/1978
D. Morland 6 for 25 Whakatu-Mahora 10/3/1979
R. K. P. Jones 6 for 44 Marist 8/11/1980
Page 327
APPENDIX 5
Address given by the author in December 2018, at Old Timers’ Luncheon
THE FOUNDING
The Havelock North Rugby Club has just celebrated 125 years. The Cornwall Cricket Club proudly displays on its letterhead “Founded in 1989”. So – what of us at the Havelock North Cricket Club?
1. 1874 – 145 years ago. A cricket team from Havelock North played a match against the Napier Tradesmen’s Club (Sydney Grant writes that it was the first Sports team to be formed in Havelock North). A return match was arranged the next year and that was that! No more mention of cricket in the Village for another 35 years
2. Let us see how that compares with the Havelock North Rugby Club’s founding date.
Sydney Grant states that there is a record of a Havelock North Football team playing in the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s competition in 1892. 127 years ago. Twelve years later in 1904 the Havelock North Rugby Club was formed.
Now let’s see how the dates compare with cricket in Havelock North
3. 35 years after those first two cricket matches (1874/75) in 1906 on September 22nd an A.G.M. was held in The Forester’s Hall Havelock North, chaired by the Rev. A. F. Gardiner. The Balance sheet showed a profit of 14 shillings and 9 pence ($120 itm). In attendance: President: John Chambers, 9 Vice Presidents and a Committee of 11. In October the Club had its first practice on the Domain and a team of villagers was entered into the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association’s second grade Competition. It played a whole season and had its home games and practices on the Havelock Domain. It came 4th out of 9 teams.
4. In September 1908. The aim of a Meeting chaired by Mr Hallet, was to support and encourage the current Havelock Cricket Club. In attendance:- Patron: John Chambers, President: J. H. Williams and 15 committee members, including 7 from the 1906 Meeting
5. There is no further information about how the team performed. The enthusiasm was certainly there among the committee, but there is no further information about the Club until 1931
6. In this year, 1931 the Headmaster of Hereworth School Mr H.E. Sturge rallied those that played cricket in the village in support of the Havelock North Cricket Cub. In doing so he began a renewed and uninterrupted life for cricket in the village, with a team playing every year in the Hastings Sub Association Competition, from 1931 up to 1941, when all sport was cancelled due to the Second World War.
If Cornwall Cricket Club can have its founding date on its letter head and the Havelock North Rugby Club can set a definite time for celebrating its past, then why can’t we?
I believe that our Committee has the choice of a team playing (as in Rugby) or a club formed to ascertain our founding date
If it is a Team playing is it 1874 or is it a Club formed – 1906 or 1931.
The Havelock North Cricket Club’s Management Committee decided unanimously on 1906
1906 – next milestone – 125 years – 2031
W. G. Smith
Page 328
APPENDIX 6
Trophies and Representative Honours:
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association trophies won by Havelock North players or teams:
1951/52 Intermediate Grade XI Winners of the Intermediate Grade
1953/54 Senior Grade XI Challenge Cup: winners of the senior competition
1954/55 Senior Grade XI Challenge Cup: winners of the senior competition
1955/56 Noel Fulford Hanlon Cup for best senior bowling average
1956/57 Noel Fulford Fulton Cup for the fastest century (80 minutes)
1959/60 Noel Fulford Barry Mason Cup for most senior wickets
1960/61 Keith Fulford Hanlon Cup
1961/62 Noel Fulford Villiers Cup for the best senior batting average
Third grade XI McGavin Cup for winners of the grade
1962/63 Keith Fulford Hanlon Cup
1963/64 Noel Fulford Villiers Cup
Fourth grade XI Murton Cup for winners of the grade
All teams L.D. Carter Cup for Club Championship: the club gaining the most points
1964/65 Noel Fulford Fulton Cup
Fourth grade XI Murton Cup
All teams L.D. Carter Cup
1965/66 Noel Fulford Fulton Cup
1967/68 Max Liley Hanlon Cup
1968/69 Max Liley Hanlon Cup
Tim Paterson Ransfield bat; for the most promising senior
Senior XI Challenge Cup: winners of the senior competition
Fourth grade XI Challenge Cup for winners of the grade
All teams L.D. Carter Cup
1969/70 Max Liley Hanlon Cup
Max Liley Barry Mason Cup
Neil Murley M.R. ‘Budge’ Grant Trophy; most outstanding Under 23 player
Senior XI Challenge Cup: winners of the Senior competition
Senior XI Wattie’s One-Day competition
1970/71 Howard Richardson Hanlon Cup
Third grade XI McGavin Cup
Richard Cox M.R. ‘Budge’ Grant Memorial trophy
All teams L.D. Carter Cup
1971/72 Howard Richardson Hanlon Cup
1973/74 John Beaumont Board Cup: best batsman in the Junior grade
Gary Coutts Stevens Cup: best bowler in the Junior grade
Page 329
1974/75 Howard Richardson Hanlon Cup
Gary Coutts Board Cup
Second grade XI Murton Cup
1975/76 and 1976/77 Annual reports are missing
1977/78 Mark Hayde Fulton Cup
David O’Sullivan Barry Mason Memorial Cup
Havelock Nth Rugby XI Fourth Grade Challenge Cup
1978/79 Annual Reports are missing
1979/80 David O’Sullivan Barry Mason Memorial Cup
Havelock Nth Rugby XI Fourth Grade Challenge Cup
Fourth Grade B Murton Cup
1980/81 Havelock North 4th XI Challenge Cup
Individual performances in the 30 years from 1951 to 1980
Noel Fulford won a record nine trophies. He won the Fulton Cup on three occasions, two of which were in consecutive seasons 1964/65 and 1965/66
Max Liley and Howard Richardson between them held a mortgage on the Hanlon Cup, Liley winning it in three consecutive years and Richardson in the following two years.
Trophies in the trophy cabinet from 1951 to 1980
The Hanlon Cup was in the trophy cabinet for 10 years
The Challenge Cup for senior supremacy for 4 years 1953/54; 1954/55; 1968/69; 1969/70
The Murton Cup for 4 years
The Barry Mason Memorial Cup for 4 years
The L.D. Carter Cup for 4 years
Achievements playing for Hawke’s Bay Representative XI
Centuries:
1975/76 Doug Morland 103 versus Southern Hawke’s Bay
1977/78 David O’Sullivan 108 versus Manawatu
1978/79 James Francis 101 versus Taranaki
Seven Wickets in an Innings:
1974/75 Doug Morland 7 for 37 versus Waikato
1977/78 Doug Morland 7 for 9 versus Rangitkei
Eight wickets in an innings:
1978/79 David O’Sullivan 8 for 21 versus Wanganui
Career Records for Hawke’s Bay
Batting Matches Innings N.O. Runs 100 50 Average
1980/81 to 1995/96 Stuart Duff 88 107 22 2,671 3 12 31.42
1970/71 to 1978/79 Doug Morland 47 61 7 1,570 1 8 29.07
1975/ 76 – 1985/86 David O’Sullivan 43 35 6 571 1 1 19.67
Page 330
Bowling Matches Wickets Runs Average
1970/71 to 1978/79 Doug Morland 47 113 1578 13.69 – top
1948/49 to 1959/60 Noel Fulford 25 80 1269 15.86 – 4th
1953/54 to 1964/65 Keith Fulford 23 63 1066 16.92
1975/76 to 1985/86 David O’Sullivan 43 174 2947 16.94
1955/56 to 1963/64 Eric Fisher 18 39 690 17.85
1980/ 81 to 1995/96 Stuart Duff 88 230 4166 8.11
Just the one New Zealand Representative
David O’Sullivan played eleven Tests between February 1973 and December 1976
Central Districts Representatives
David O’Sullivan 1975/6, 1976/77, 1977/78
Richard Cox 1973/1974
Doug Morland 1973/74, 1974/75
Tim Paterson 1973/74
Stuart Duff 1985/1995
Hawke’s Bay Representatives
1954/55 Noel Fulford
1955/56 Noel Fulford
1956/57 Keith Fulford, Bob Thorpe
1957/58 Gary Jamieson, Graham Smith
1958/59 Keith Fulford, Noel Fulford, Wynn Goodall, Gary Jamieson. Bill Hill, Brian Jonasson.
1959/60 Keith Fulford, Wynn Goodall, Gary Jamieson
1960/61 Keith Fulford, Garry Mackenzie
1963/64 None
1964/65 Keith Fulford
1965/66 Don Burns
1966/67 Don Burns, Neil Murley, Dave Ritchie
1967/68 Neil Murley
1968/69 Howard Richardson
1969/70 Richard Cox, John Dougan, Max Liley, Neil Murley, Howard Richardson.
1970/71 Richard Cox, Max Liley, Doug Morland, Neil Murley, Howard Richardson.
1971/72 Doug Morland, Howard Richardson.
1972/73 Doug Morland
1973/74 James Francis, Doug Morland, Tim Paterson.
1974/75 Richard Cox, Doug Morland, Neil Murley, Tim Paterson, Neil Rosenberg,
1975/76 Doug Morland, Neil Murley, David O’Sullivan
1976/77 Doug Morland, David O’Sullivan
1977/78 James Francis, Mark Hayde, Doug Morland, David O’Sullivan
1978/79 James Francis, Doug Morland David O’Sullivan
1979/80 James Francis, David O’Sullivan
Page 331
Hawke’s Bay Colts:
1951/52 Keith Fulford
1952/53 John Beaumont, Keith Fulford
1953/54 John Beaumont, Keith Fulford
1957/58 Wynn Goodall, Gary Jamieson,
1958/59 Wynn Goodall, David Natusch, Graham Smith
1959/60 Garry Mackenzie, Graham Smith
1960/61 Murray Bartle, Garry Mackenzie, Bob Mitchell, Graham Smith
1962/63 Murray Bartle, Jim Smith
1963/64 John Cullwick, Jim Smith
1964/65 John Cullwick, Jim Smith
1965/66 None
1966/67 James Francis, Neil Murley
1967/68 Neil Murley Tim Paterson
1968/69 Neil Murley Tim Paterson
1969/70 James Francis, Neil Murley
1970/71 Neil Murley, Tim Paterson, Craig Person
1971/72 Neil Murley
1972/73 None
1973/74 Grant Gilbert
1974/75 Neil Rosenberg
1975/76 Neil Rosenberg
1976/77 Mark Hayde, Neil Rosenberg
1977/78 Mark Hayde, Rowan Hill, Neil Rosenberg
1978/79 Rowan Hill
1979/80 Paul Clothier, Tony Penman
Original digital file
SmithWG1940-2_HNCC-TheEarlyYears-4.pdf
Non-commercial use
This work is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 New Zealand (CC BY-NC 3.0 NZ).
Commercial Use
Please contact us for information about using this material commercially.Can you help?
The Hawke's Bay Knowledge Bank relies on donations to make this material available. Please consider making a donation towards preserving our local history.
Visit our donations page for more information.
Description
Surnames in this book –
Abelson, Aird, Alexander, Anderson, Apperley, Artie, Axford, Baker, Balfour, Bartle, Bates, Beamish, Beaumont, Bell, Berney, Berry, Beuth, Bird, Bishop, Bixley, Blair, Blane, Blewden, Boggs, Boyes, Boyle, Braid, Brannigan, Brian, Britten, Brown, Buist, Bunny, Burfield, Burns, Burtenshaw, Campbell, Cane, Carran, Chambers, Chapman, Clapperton, Clark, Clements, Clothier, Collinge, Coombes, Cooper, Costello, Coutts, Cox, Crooks, Crowe, Cullwick, Cushing, Dallinger, Dee, Devine, Dine, Dixon, Dobbie, Dougan, Drummond, Duff, Duigan, Dunn, Dunningham, Dyer ,Eaton ,Edwards, Elder, Elliot, Fair, Field, Fifield, Fisher, Foote, Francis, Frater, Freemantle, Frost, Fulford, Furlong, Gardiner, Geddes, Giffney, Gilbert, Gilbertson, Giles, Gillingham, Godber, Goodall, Gowen, Grant, Gray, Greenstreet, Gunn, Gurran, Hallett, Hamilton, Harrison, Hart, Harte, Hastings, Hawkes, Hawthorn, Hayde, Heibner, Henderson, Hill, Hollis, Hope, Hortop, Howard, Howell, Hudson, Huff, Hunt, Husheer, Jamieson, Jeffares, Johnston, Jonasson, Jones, Kale, Kani, Kay, Kennedy, Keogh, Keong, Kivell, Kumara, Lamason, Lamberg, Langridge, Larkworthy, Leggatt, Leicester, Liley, Lincoln, Lindsay, Littlewood, Love, Lowry, MacInnes, Mackenzie, Mahar, Maher, Makris, Marsden, Martin, Mason, Matheson, Mawson, May, Mayhill, McCormack, McDonald, McDuff, McGregor, McKenzie, McLinchy, McMahon, McQuade, Michael, Miller, Mitchell, Mohi, Morland, Morley, Muggeridge, Muir, Murley, Murray, Natusch, Neale, Neilson, Nelson, Newbigin, Newman, Newton, Nichol, Nimon, Nola, O’Brien, O’Connor, O’Reilly, O’Shaughnessy, O’Sullivan, Oliver, Ormond, Orton, Panckhurst, Parker, Parkinson, Parson, Paterson, Pattullo, Payne, Payne, Pease, Peat, Penman, Person, Pierce, Pirie, Plested, Pollard, Poulgrain, Pratt, Razos, Reaney, Reeve, Reid, Renz, Revel, Richardson, Rickard, Ritchie, Roberts, Robertshawe, Robertson, Robinson, Robson, Rogers, Rohrs, Rosenberg, Satchwell, Schmidt, Schofield, Sefton, Selby, Shrimpton, Simkin, Simmons, Simms, Sinclair, Singleton, Sivewright, Slade, Small, Smart, Smillie, Smith, Spence, Spencer, Spooner, Stevens, Stevenson, Sturge, Sugden, Sullivan, Taaffe, Taylor, Thompson, Thorpe, Tichborne, Tichner, Toomey, Totty, Tremlett, Troy, Tunnicliffe, Walker, Watten, Webb, Webster, Whelan, White, Whitehead, Whiteside, Wilde, Williams, Wilson, Woodham, Worley, Wright, Young
Subjects
Format of the original
Computer documentDate published
2022Accession number
578744Supporters and sponsors
We sincerely thank the following businesses and organisations for their support.
Do you know something about this record?
Please note we cannot verify the accuracy of any information posted by the community.