SATURDAY CRICKET

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 54, 25 August 1939, Page 5

SATURDAY CRICKET

QUESTION OF CENTRALISATION FAVOURED BY DELEGATES Saturday cricket was favoured when delegates from the Paroa ? Central, Hillcrest, Post and Telegraph, and Whakatane clubs met in the Awakeri Hall on Wednesday, Mr K. H. Cleland, president, being in, the chair. Mr Cleland spoke of the as. sociation being formed for country and said that now there was a desire for Saturday cricket he would not like to see country cricket pushed out. Country pitches were not in the order said Mr H. G. Wan en. With the universal half-holiday they could get stronger competition and this with coaching, would lead t3 the betterment of cricket. Saturday play was favoured by Mr O. V. Marx, but he thought it would be a pity if it led to a split in the association. There bad been too many cups last season, and the methods of selection for the representative games were at fault. Mr L. R. Spring said cricket was the finest game played. They wanted harmony between Whakatane and Rangitaiki, but they felt that Sat_ itrday games had to come. He hoped for centralisation and turf Avickets ov matting on'grass. Better grounds would let players play the strokes.

Points in favour of Saturday play were increased interest among players, public support encouragement for schoolbo3 , 's who were the crickcters of the future better playing facilities, tighter control, better sel ection for the representatives, proper dress, better umpiring, and the provision of refreshments. Central isation and Saturday play would raise the standard of cricket. He congratulated Paroa both as a team and on the way they turned out, and also congratulated the Central team i Other speakers addressed the meet ing on the same lines. Generally Saturday play was favoured, but they cii'd not want to put the country teams out of the competition or split the association. At present Paroa and Central are the only counU'y teams available. Mr C. Gillam moved that Saturday cricket be played this season. A committee consisting of Messrs Ctnillam. W. John A. Coutts, and one representative from the Post and Telegraph club, with Mr H. G. Warren was appointed to meet the Hockey Association to arrange a dance for the presentation of trophies, pro. ceeds to go in support of the Cricket anrf Hockey Queen.