CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24800, 14 February 1946, Page 3

CRICKET

SENIOR COMPETITION EIGHT TEAMS TO TAKE PART NEXT SEASON The eight clubs filling the first eight places in this season's senior cricket competition will take part in foe first section of a two-section senior competition next season. Thereafter, the first section will, comprise the first seven teams in the first section in the previous season, and the team filling first place in the second section, provided no club has two teams in the first section. These decissions were made, after long discussion, at the half-yearly meeting last evening of delegates to foe Canterbury Cricket Association, when an amendment to a motion under discussion was brought forward by Mr T. A. Tucker. Included in Mr Tucker’s amendment, which was carJ? its entirety, was the suggestion that the second section comprise the team eliminated from the first section, together with any further entries accepted from clubs, and the provision that a club not already of senior status be not deemed ■to have attained that status until the first eleven of that club had qualified for entry in the first section of the first grade competition.

The meeting first discussed a motion by Mr W. J. V. Hamilton, which suggested that the first section be limited to the six teams at the top of this season’s competition, and that thereafer it would consist of the four leading teams in the first section, with foe two teams at the top of the second section. The composition of the second section was substantially the same as that suggested in Mr Tucker s amendment.. Also discussed was an amendment, brought forward by Dr. H. E. Denham, but subsequently withdrawn in favour of Mr'Tucker’s scheme, that the senior grade consist of eight teams next season, the decision as to which entries be accepted being left to the management committee, regard being paid to the calibre of each club’s prospective senior players each season, and to the position of foe first team in each club in the previous season’s competition. Dr. Denham’s suggestion called for foe management committee to review the number of teams to take part in the senior grade at the beginning of each season. After Mr Hamilton and Dr. Denham had outlined and amplified their suggested schemes, Mr R. L. B. Poore, cf the East Christchurch Club, suggested that a special management committee each manage one of six teams from Sydenham, Lancaster Park, Riccarton, East Christchurch, West Christchurch-St. Albans, and the combined old boys clubs. The players in the six teams would consist of the first 66 players taking part at the end of the present season, having regard to the special requirements of a team. Such a scheme would allow all the clubs to retain their identity. Players would be drafted to the six teams by a special committee, having regard to their personal inclinations, the team they were already playing for, their residential qualifications, and the balancing of the teams. Mr F. P. Hill (West Christchurch) said there were too many clubs and teams for the facilities available. The trouble largely lay in the fact that the nursery of cricketers was in the secondary schools, and as long as the closed clubs existed they would have the choice of players leaving school. This would ultimately force the open clubs out of existence, and it was important that they should exist. Cricketers not eligible for closed clubs, and players from outside Christchurch, had to be provided for. Some clubs would have to go, and in the longterm interest of Canterbury cricket, teams which did not provide senior wickets should be the ones to go. Support for Mr Hamilton’s scheme was given by Lieutenant E. K. Phillips, of the West Old Boys Club. Regarding Mr Hill’s suggestion that clubs not able to provide senior wickets should go, he said that clubs arose only to fulfil a need. West Old Boys, Technical Old Boys, and Old Collegians did not provide wickets, but he was against the “divine right” of the open clubs. They had had a long history, but new clubs had arisen only to fulfil needs or because the existing facilities provided by other clubs were not satisfactory. Mr C. G. Crawford: I feel we are only claying with a problem, the solution of which is in foe mind of every delegate. We will have to reduce the number of teams. Our main object Is the maintaining of the standard of cricket. In the St. .Albans Club, which, under Mr Hani? ilton’s scheme, would probably go down to second-grade cricket, are three Canterbury representatives. In spite of the Plunket Shield having been won, the standard is low, because practices are so badly attended. The poor attendance at practices is caused by the fact that with so many senior teams playing, players are sure of their places and do not have to practise. « Mr Tuckef then Introduced his amendment, which, when made a substantive motion, was carried by 20 votes to 16,. It was decided that the Suburban Association be representation on the management committee of the Canterbury Association.

BLUE STAR SHIELD

CHRISTCHURCH TAXI-DRIVERS LEAD WELLINGTON Wellington Taxis made a poor start against Christchurch Taxis in their challenge for the Blue Star Shield, and were all out at lunch for 84. Jeffrey 29 and Austin 15 not out were the only double-figure scorers. Christchurch batted solidly, several batsmen making useful scores, the final total being 178. Wellington batted again and lost two wickets early for 13 runs. The match will be concluded to-day. Scores were:— Wellington.—First innings: Jacobs, b A Lawrence. 1; Jeffrey, b Warr, 29: Graham, b A. Lawrence, 2; Nickless, c Purcell, b Fuller, 1; Hoult, c Watson, b H. Lawrence. 9; Gormall. b H. Lawrence, 0; Morgan, b H. Lawrence, 1; Udall, b H. Lawrence, 4; Weavers, b Stokes, 4; Leek, b Stokes, 9; Austin, not out, 15; extras, 9; total. 84. Bowling: Stokes took two wickets for 6 runs, H. Lawrence four for 15, Fuller 1 for 6, Warr 1 for 10, A. Lawrence 2 for 38. Second innings: Austin, b H. Lawrence, 5; Nickless, c Warr, b Fu]ler, 5; Hoult, not out, 1; Jeffrey, not out, 1; extra, 1; total for two wickets, 13.

Christchurch.—First innings: Neate, run out, 28; Jones, b Graham, 0; Stokes, c Gormall, b Austin, 13; Purcell, b Graham, 4; Fuller, b Jeffrey, 14; Warr, b Gormall. 1; H. Lawrence, b Graham, 34; Woods, c Gormall, b Jeffrey, 5; Watson, st Nickless, b Austin, 20; A. Lawrence, c Jeffrey, b Graham 8: Stammers, not out, 22; extras. 29; total, 178. Bowling: Graham took four wickets for 77 runs, Austin two for 22. Jeffrey two for 35, Gormall one for 15.