CRICKETERS PROTEST

Press, Volume C, Issue 29588, 10 August 1961, Page 15

CRICKETERS PROTEST

Rugby On Park In October

The Victory Park Board last evening agreed to allow the Canterbury Rugby Union to use Lancaster Park on October 7 for a charity match in aid of the Plunket Society. Its decision was made after it bad considered a protest from the Lancaster Park Cricket Club against the encroachment of winter sports on the summer season. “The Canterbury Cricket Association feels that the accepted dates of March 31 and September 30 should be observed," said a letter from the secretary of the club (Mr I. J. Kennedy). The club also asked that the rights and privileges of the Lancaster Park Club, which holds its opening day on October 7. be protected. The club also "expressed concern about preparation of wickets on the oval, as "Rugby matches early in October could damage the ground and delay wicket preparation for some weeks.” The association had a match to play m mid-November, and. with senior matches, an extensive Plunket Shield season, and a match against the touring Fijian team, any delay in the preparation of the wickets would not be viewed favourably, the letter said, “The association would not oppose the decision to grant use of the ground on October 7 for the charity match, but requests that the board ensures to the club that the question of early ground preparation receives consideration,” said Mr Ken- . nedy. The chairman of the board (Mr H. C. Blazey) said that no hard and fast rule could be made on the matter. "Cricket has been played after March 31,” he said. The board then approved the use of the ground for the match. ',