CRICKET

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 13

CRICKET

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ■ REPORT OF COACHING' LETTER FROM HEADMASTER OF CHRIST'S COLLEGE Arrangements for coaching, an explanation of the default of Christ's College in the first round of the competition by the headmaster of the college, and the announcement of the Colts' team to play Ellesmere on Labour Day were the principal items of business considered by the Management Committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association at its meeting last night. Those present were: Messrs W. L. King (chairman), W. Simpson, W. H. Winsor, C. S. Thompson, G. H. Robertson, G. S. A. Biltcliff, C. H. Ayling, F. A. Jarrett, R. C. Burns, J. L. Kerr, S. G. Lester, E. E. Luttrell, S. Wright, and R. H. North. Team to Play Ellesmere. The following team was announced to play Ellesmere at Doyleston next Monday (Labour Day):—R. F. Cook, M. Cummings, H. Mariott, K. Wilson, L. R. Spring, E. Pearce, R. Glackin, K A. Vincent, V. Hill, C. V. Walter, and M. C. Ward.

Report of Coaching Committee. I The report of the chairman of the coaching committee, Mr W. J. V. | Hamilton, said that it had notified 41; bowlers to attend bowling practice j on one evening a week each. Prac-' tices would be held at 5 p.m. on Tues- j day s and Thursdays at Hagley Park and on Wednesdays at Lancaster Park, i In order to provide fairly strong op-1 position it had arranged for leading' batsmen to have their batting practice at Mr Thomas's nets. Primary school boys would be coached on Tuesdays at Hagley Park, Wednesdays at Lancas-1 ter Park, and Thursdays at Sydenham j Park. j The report added that the committee was considering the holding of a meeting of captains of all teams to discuss captaincy, particularly in relation to the handling of bowling. It, was felt that without the co-operation of captains much of the work of the coach and the bowler himself must be in vain. A series of short talks were proposed, these to be given by older players. j The report was received. Mr King said that the coaching! started in earnest last night, and he' hoped officials of clubs would co- j operate with the committee to see that, I all bowlers selected were notified in) time to make certain by their availability.

Suggestion From Ashlmrton. A letter from the Ashburton County Cricket Association was received in reply to an invitation to forward the names of prominent players to the Canterbury Association for selection for trial games. The letter expressed agreement with the scheme and recommended that if a team was selected to play Canterbury in the trial it should not comprise players unknown to the captain in order that players' capabilities would be brought out to best advantage. It was suggested that llvj country districts of Canterbury be divided into three groups and that South Canterbury and Ashbn.-'.-i:i select a team to piny in Christchurch. It was decided to advise the Ashburton as?r»--ation that the recommendation would be considered, but in the meantime it was considered that the Canterbury association's scheme would suflice. Grant to Grecnkeepers. A deputation from the Canterbury Grecnkeepers' Association, Messrs M. J. Barnett and A. Gray, was received by the meeting. After the objects of the association had been explained and questions answered, the committee decided to give a grant of £5 to the association.

Explanation From Christ's College. "I have hoard some criticism of our holding our sports on a Saturday and being compelled thereby to default our lirst games in the cricket competitions," wrote the headmaster of Christ's College, Mr R. J. Richards, in a letter to the management committee. "Although the criticism has not in any way conic officially from your association, I think perhaps an explanation if; due to you, and I will be grateful if you will kindly bring it before your committee. I was so anxious to avoid a clashing of interests that this was not the least of the reasons that influenced me in moving the whole of the third term this year a week earlier. In that way we should have avoided a clash. Unfortunately near the beginning of the term so many of our boys were ill with influenza that most reluctantly we had to postpone the sports a week, and the clash took place after all. But no doubt you may wonder why we hold the sports at the end of the week at, all, and I hope that the following considerations will enable you to understand our difficulties better. Over a long period of years and through no design on our part, our sports have developed into something more than merely an athletic meeting. For better or for worse it has become one of our most important social functions of the years. It is a great time for the reunion of old boys, and not only that, but parents visit the school from all parts of New Zealand. This year, for instance, we had them from as far north as Napier, and as far south as Invercargill. As a result, it is a time of excitement and fatigue, not merely physical fatigue, for boys and masters alike. If we had to. start work immediately the following day lam afraid if would be valueless. Sunday gives us all a day to recover. Furthermore, parents from a distance have a chance, which they greatly appreciate, of attending our chapel services and of seeing more of their boys on Sunday than is possible in the rush and bustle of the actual sports meeting itself. I trust that this explanation will make it clear to the committee that our policy is dictated by no cavalier attitude .towards our engagement in the cricket competitions. Indeed, we very much regret the clash and hope that it may bo avoided next year." Several members expressed their appreciation of the explanation, and on the motion of Mr Thompson it was decided to reply expressing thanks for the letter and adding that the association appreciated the difficulties of the college.

VETERANS' CLUB A match has been arranged for the Veterans' Club at Haglcy Park tomorrow at 2 o'clock. SUB-ASSOCIATIONS' MATCH The Sub-Associations' Shield match between the Amuri and North Canterbury Cricket Associations will be played at Waiau on November 14 and 15.