OUTCOME OF MATCH

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27603, 9 March 1955, Page 14

OUTCOME OF MATCH

CONGRATULATIONS TO J. G. LEGGAT

The congratulations of the management committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association were extended to Mr J. G. Leggat for his “superb fighting innings,” when the committee was

discussing the arrangements and the outcome of the Canterbury-M.C.C. match, last evening. Tributes to Mr Leggat were paid by several speakers. “When one reads the bare figures one does not get a full appreciation of a good innings,” said the chairman (Mr T. A. Tucker). “I was not present at the ground today, but from all accounts it must have been a superb fighting knock, without which Canterbury would have fared fairly badly.” Other speakers who offered their congratulations were Messrs T. W. C. Tothill (president) and I. B. Cromb. Mr Cromb said he knew just how hard Mr Leggat had practised to try to get back into form. “I am looking forward to seeing him in the Second Test at Auckland and I am satisfied that the New Zealand selectors are very sorry he will not be down at Dunedin because I think they are definitely going to need him,” said Mr Cromb. Replying, Mr Leggat said that while the committee was handing out bouquets, it should not forget Matt Poore. “I was told by the English correspondents later that the opening here on Saturday was as good as was seen in Australia, and I believe that remark was mainly directed to Matt Poore,” said Mr Leggat. Several other matters connected with the game were discussed by the committee. Mr W. J. A. Brittenden suggested that a letter of thanks should be written to T. E. Bailey and P. B. H. May, for giving addresses at Christchurch schools. Their addresses had been of great assistance to cricket in the schools, he said. It was decided to write the letters.

Reference to the crowd clustering around the players as they attempted to get back to the dressing rooms at the adjournments, were made by Messrs Tothill and Brittenden. Mr Tothill said there was a hiatus when the players left the ground and came through the gate and they more or less had to fight their way to the stand. He considered the area should be policed and perhaps ropes used to form a lane. Mr Brittenden supported Mr Tothill and suggested that light hurdles could be used. Several members of the committee spoke against the proposal. Mr R. E. Thomas said that such conditions existed in all parts of the country, and he was supported by Messrs Leggat and F. B. Smith. A motion that the matter should be referred to the match committee was lost on a show of hands. The committee also extended its congratulations to the secretary (Mr I. A. Baxter) for compiling a programme which many persons had favourably commented on, and to the Victory Park Board for the improvements it had affected to Lancaster Park. The committee agreed to a suggestion from the South Canterbury Association that the South Canterbury team should play Cante: bury at Christchurch on Saturday, April 2. The game will be played on only one day. Mr Thomas was appointed manager.