Jack Hutchings played an important role in Wellington's first victory in the Plunket Shield, which gained them the title in 1918–19. Needing 225 to defeat Canterbury, Wellington were 188 for 8 when Hutchings went in to join Stan Brice. Together they added the required runs, giving Wellington a narrow victory.[2][3] He made his highest score of 74 not out later that season in similar circumstances, except this time Wellington lost. They needed 257 to beat Auckland and were 55 for 6 when he went to the wicket. With help from the tail-enders he took the score to 197 all out.[4] He finished the 1918–19 season in second place in the national batting averages with 172 runs at an average of 57.33.[5]
Apart from a few years in Auckland, when he played no first-class cricket, Hutchings spent most of his life in Wellington.[6] His wife Grace died at their home in Wellington in October 1923. They had one son, also known as Jack, who married Dorothy Mason, daughter of the politician Rex Mason.[7][8] Hutchings died in Wellington in May 1966, aged 83.[1]