Late cricket start?

Press, 16 September 1976, Page 26

Late cricket start?

Suburban cricketers might have a later start than usual to their season, although the annual meeting of the Christchurch Suburban Cricket Association set the traditional second Saturday in October (in this case, October 9), as the opening competition day. A rider, that the date be subject to the availability of grounds, was added to the motion, and there was a general call for the association to take a stronger hand in dealing with the city and Waimalri councils in regard to pitch preparation. The president (Mr L J. Bettridge) said that he had been informed that few, if any, pitches under the jurisdiction of the Waimalri council would be available until October 16. Because of poor weather, it was not until 11.30 a.in. on the opening Saturday of last season that a suitable ground was found for the last match which had to be transferred. Mr Bettridge said that the association was not being dictated to by councils—he had praised the

assistance received in his annual report—but the possibility of pitches not being prepared in time had to be faced A vice-president (Mr F. Clement) said that council officers had attended an association meeting some months ago and promised that pitches would be prepared on time. He contended that any encroachment into the season should be followed by a request from the association for a reduction in rentals. Mr Bettridge said that the feeling of the meeting would be noted by the incoming management committee, and that councils would be approached concerning the rentals imposed for pitches that were not available until after October 9. However, senior A grade players will have additional time on the field next summer even if they are forced to miss the proposed l first day. Mr J. M. Rushton (Harewood) originally proposed that an additional hour be added to each day, but amended this to a 30 minute, later finish after other

■ senior club delegates had said ' that some teams would face diffiI culty with an earlier start. The senior A hours will now be from • 1 p.m. to 6.30 pan., all other 1 grades remaining the same as last season. I In supporting his motion. Mr Rushton said that suburban had made a correct move 12 months 1 ago by discarding bonus points, but senior players suffered in • comparison to their C.C.A. counterparts because of the ■ shorter hours. Increased fees.—Affiliation fees were increased to $35 for twoday teams, and $3O for one-day teams. Financial report.—Mr W. E. Skllton. the treasurer, reported an excess of income over expenditure of $220, in spite of increased costs. Remit lost.—A remit from the Belfast club that a schoolboys grade—with a maximum of two adults per team, who would be able to make only a restricted contribution to the batting and bowling—be established, was lost.

Officers.—Patron, Mr D. N. Stokes; president. Mr Bettridge; vice-presidents, Messrs Clement, V. Mallard, G. Rogerson; secretary. Mr C. Cobden; treasurer, Mr Skilton; assistant secretary, Mr Rogerson; register keeper, Mr Rogerson; management committee, Messrs P. Bayne. D. Case, M. Eddington, D. Frampton, K. Haworth, D. Hooper, Ruston. J. Sherwood. M. Tindall, P. Harkess, A. Chapman, B. White. A. EasterbroOk. P. Burton, M. Hubbard; mercantile delegates. Messrs P. Crowhen, A. T. Waters