CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1934, Page 11

CRICKET

LOCAL ASSOCIATION

PAST SEASON. REVIEWED

ANNUAL EEPOET

In its review of tho past year's activity the Wellington Cricket Association's management committee regards the past season as having been a successful one. The inter-club com-

petitions, the report states, were keenly fought and the standard of play in the grades was well maintained. The finish of tho senior championship was memorable, the final result only being ascertained after the afternoon tea adjournment on tho last day's play. Ki'lbiniio annexed the championship by rising to the occasion when Petone set out to gain an 8-point win, which alone would give them the championship. At that stage Wellington had appeared almost certain to win the championship. THE REPRESENTATIVES. It cannot be said either that there was any falling off in the performance of the association's representatives in the Plunkot Shield matches, the report continues. Though in the result Wellington won only one- of the three matches—that against Canterbury—yet it has to be remembered that there was only one really seasoned and experienced player, James, in tho side. For some years it has been recognised that the team would have to bo rebuilt owing to the retirement of all those players who only six years ago made up the eleven. Bearing in mind, therefore, that tho team was, with ono _ exception, young and inexperienced, its performance was full of promise, and tho prospects of building up onco more a strong batting side seem good. In keeping with experience elsewhere, there was a plain weakness in tho bowling, but this was not, as has boon noted, peculiar to Wellington. The fielding was of varying quality and exemplified once again tho old story that it is very often the deciding factor in a. match. While tho match against Auckland was in all probability lost wholly owing to bad fielding on Christmas afternoon, the game against Canterbury was almost certainly won through a. brilliant catch by Ward in dismissing Cromb. DISTRICT CRICKET. In view of tho outstanding interest that was created in tho play-off for tho final of the senior championship between two district teams—Petone and Kilbirnie —the committee felt impelled at the end of tho season to consider whether it should not recommend tho adoption in Wellington of some scheme of district cricket. Experience in the past has shown that any suggestion to institute a scheme of district cricket, or to reduce the number of senior teams, has had an unsettling effect on existing clubs, and to clear the atmosphere it was therefore felt necessary that the committee should make some definite pronouncement of its own-views. A frank discussion revealed entire unanimity, and a public statement, of the committee's views was authorised that in its opinion the time was not yet ripe for district cricket, and that it would not itself bring forward for consideration any suggestion to reduce the number of senior teams. SELECTING AND COACHING. The committee had under consideration at the beginning of tho season the question as to whether it should again appoint three selectors, or a sole selector. Experience, however, over several seasons, showed that in a selection committee of three, the personnel for one reason or another varied from season to season, and in view of the manifest necessity, to which reference has already been made, of building up again a new Wellington team, the committee finally decided to revert to tho system of sole selector.' It was guided a good deal in'its decision by the fact that it was known that Mr. K. H. Tucker's services would be available. Mr. Tucker was accordingly appointed, and the committee feels that the association, is to bo congratulated on obtaining the services in this capacity of one who commands tho respect and confidence of not only the players but of the public. While the association was without the services of a professional coach during tho whole of the past season much good work was done by K. C. James in supervising the practices of the senior representatives. The committee is also indebted to Mr. N. R. Jacobsen for undertaking the coaching of representatives from, primary schools. In view of the plain lack of experience in the Plunket Shield team it was decided to engago K. C James to manage and control representative practices, and much thorough work was done by him. during the eight weeks of his supervision. Mr. James was _ a member of the Wellington team during the whole of the past decade, and the committee learnt with regret at the end of the season that ho was leaving for England forthwith to take up a business appointment. Happily, sufficient time was available to enable a presentation to be made to Mr. James and the warm and cordial way in which this was everywhere received, spoke plainly of the high regard in which he was held. FINANCE. Dealing with the financial report, which shows a loss of £91 4s 9d_ on the season's working, tho report points out that this result is only arrived at after transferring £97 19s towards wiping out the deficit in the coach account. Actually, the income and expenditure accounts shows a balance of income over expenditure amounting to £6 14s 3d. Returns from Saturday afternoon matches at the Basin Eeserve showed a distinct improvement over those of the prior year. The gross and net returns for 1932-33 were £107 and £59, while for the past season the figures were £151 and £89. Information is also given that tho ten £100 City Council debentures bought some years ago at £96, now stand at £106.