DISTRICT SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 70, 20 September 1927, Page 5

DISTRICT SCHEME

FOR LOCAL CRICKET

TWO PROPOSALS DEFEATED

COMMITTEE TO REPORT

For some time arguments have been put forward for and against the reintroduction of district cricket in "Wellington. Two motions, notice of which had been given, concerning the methods of conducting local cricket were discussed at the annual meeting of the Wellington Cricket Association ', last evening. Neither was adopted, and it was decided on the motion of Mr. A. Wiren that a committee be appointed to report on the matter.

The motions, which with a few point 3 from the views expressed by the movers have previously appeared in "The Post," were: (a) "That for the season 1927-28 two' new grades be formed to, take the place of the senior competitions, to be called first, ana second grades, the players to be confined to six district clubs, viz., Central, East, South, North, Petone, and Hutt." (Mr. Roy.S. Johnston), (b) "That in the opinion of this meeting there should be uo alteration in the senior grade competition until there has been a three years' trial of the present number of teams. That at the termination of the third season, the four teams which for the three seasons have obtained the lowest aggregate number of points shall bo placed in a lower grade." (Mr P B. Broad.) On the application of Mr. Broad the following was added to his proposal: "That the three years' trial commence from Ist October, 1926." NO APOLOGIES. : Mr. Johnston said that in bringing the matter forward he did so with no apologies. He thonght he was bringing up the question at an opportune moment, in view of tho success of the New Zealand cricket team in England. It was purely a point of cricket organisation. "Op to the present ho admitted the present organisation had served a purpose, but it was n<?t of a type which made for progress. There were ten senior teams with three or four good players and "so many rabbits'' in each. In the junior grade there were x^layers who should be playing senior. Those players were the ' backbone of their teams, being relied on to get the wickets each week and ih other cases to get the runs. That state of affairs existed from the third grade down. They were not playing in grades according to mdrit. "CATCH THEM YOUNG." There was an old adage, continued Mr. Johnston—"catch them young"— and that was his motto. It was necessary to catch the players from the schools. If district cricket was brought into vogue the clubs would be better off financially, and in the yoars to come the districts would bo ablo to have their own coaches. "While tho Wellington Cricket Association's coach was doing good work, he was only scratching the surface of tho city's requirements. . Mr. Drummond seconded tho motion. NO NATURAL DISTRICTS. Mr. P. B. Broad, in moving his amendment, said that there were practically no natural districts apart from tho Hutt Valloy. It might surprise tho majority to know that thoro were 15 grounds ou which the association played matches during tho season. Ho" presumed that if tho association waa going to carry Mr.. Johnston's scheino to its natural conclusion it would bo necessary to provide 15 districts. That was the first weakness —tho question of districts. Tho district schemo had been tried in other parts and had not met with conspicuous success; as a matter of fact it had no success. "Why resort to district cricket until you attempt to amend tho present system?" added Mr. Broad. "Cricket was never better, and it is,progressing." The strength of the association should bo tho strength of the clubs; strong clubs made a strong association. The question was whother players would rathor play in district cricket than for their clubs. "If you answer that," said Mr. Broad, "you will give the only answer." Mr. N. Griffiths seconded the amondment. Mr. Hydor said that ho did not approve of Mr. Johnston's scheme, and supported Mr. Broad's proposal. "I do not think tho time is ripe," said Mr. H. J. Buck, "for district cricket." He considered that Mr. Broad's schome would creuto a number of, anomalies which had not been mentioned. Mr. W. S. Brico said that ho saw no reason for departing from tho present system. He thought that the success of the New Zealand team in England mentioned by Mr. Johnston was against his scheme. If it was thought at Home that the New Zealanders wero fit for a Test match, then ho contended the present system was "not too bad." TOR AND AGAINST. "This trouble had arisen ih Cliristchurcli," said Mr. A. , Wiron, "and they had set up a committee to go into the matter." It was too close to tho coming season to do anything, and he thought tho delegates should follow tho load of Christchurch. Thero was a lot to be said in favour of both tho amendment and the motion, but there was also a lot to be Eaid against both. He was in favour of neither of them as they stood. He moved that a committee be set up to go into the matter and submit a report. Mr. Luckie said that the fact that Mr. Broad wished the trial of his scheme to date back to October of last year was a drawback. That would mean the inclusion of last year's points in the gross calculation of points. It would penalise clubs unfortunate enough to have had a lean year, and would give some clubs a great advantage. Mr. Broad contended that a three years' test was essential. If a change was wanted it was wanted as soon as possible, and he did not think any senior teams would object to, the test dating back to October of last year. '' THE OLD DISTRICT SCHEME. "Mr. Broad was just a little wrong iv saying that district cricket was rosponsiblo for getting our finances into a mess," said Mr. Luckie. "They were ift a moss before that." Mr. Luekic stated that district cricket had been introduced with a view to improving the position. It was not the success anticipated, but tho general opinion since then had. been that it was started too early. Mr. Johnston's scheme had one grave fault, for it was proposed to continue club cricket as well ai) to have district cricket. Mr. Broad's proposal had both merits' and' demerits. Mr. Johnston said that 'in the circumstances Mr. Wiren's suggestion was probably the best way out of the difficulty. Mr. Johnston's motion was defeated on the voices. Mr. Wiren's amendment to Mr. Broad's proposal was then carried, and on being put' to the meeting as a motion was passed. Woods' Grett JL'epperimut Cure, for Influenza Colds.—Advt.