| UPPER HUTT: Upper Hutt cricketer Gary Kirk will retire from all forms of cricket at the end of this season to concentrate on job prospects and to spend more time at the local pub. The decision comes after a career that has spanned six seasons and included three magical fifties for the Upper Hutt Cricket Club's 5th eleven. Kirk will take a career average of 13 with him upon retirement next Saturday along with career best bowling figures of 3-48 against the Lower Hutt 5th's in 1997.
Kirk (32) stated that the decision to retire, although difficult to make, was essential for the sake of his career. Despite having a supportive boss thus far, Kirk stated that his dedication to cricket may eventually lead to him being passed over for promotion in his job as Duty Manager at the Upper Hutt Foodtown. When cricket practices moved to Wednesday evenings it also meant that Kirk could no longer compete for the Eastern Tavern's darts team, while the game on Saturday effectively ruled him out of Friday evening's pool competition. The final straw came in November, however, when Kirk was not included in the Pub's Fishing Team to Taupo because "we thought you'd have cricket." Now that he will have more time on his hands Kirk hopes catch up on his reading, chores around the house and triple his weekly intake of Big Fatty Burgers from the Golden Dragon on Carlton Street. |
| Man sacrifices sport to concentrate on career, beer |
Tuesday, 01 May 2001 12:00
