Hutt Valley Cricket

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 67, 20 March 1937, Page 23

Hutt Valley Cricket

SEASON FINISHES

TODAY

TOO MANY DRAWN GAMES

Today marks the conclusion of the Hutt Valley Cricket Association's competitions for the 1936-37 season. It still is possible that there will be a play-ofl for the A grade championship. Throughout the season the weather conditions have marred the opportunities for consistently good cricket. Nevertheless, the season has been one of progress and a feature has been the unfailing regularity with which each Saturday has produced one or more three-figure scores. Two seasons ago only four centuries were recorded. The number was equalled in one day's play this season, in itself a good indication of the improvement shown in the standard of play and wickets. One disappointing factor has been the number of drawn games, more especially in the A grade. It would be in the best interests of a growing association if drastic steps were taken to see that the association's growth is not imperilled by the lack of 'time to get at least a first innings decision. The championship ladder reveals that one team alone has drawn nine of its sixteen matches, while many others have drawn from four to six matches. If the improvement noted in recent years continues, it is safe to assume that it will not be many years before a decision in four hours will only be possible by teams having to declare weekly, thus giving their opponents a chance to bat. At the same time, to do this the later batsmen of both teams will be deprived of an opportunity to have a strike. This season there have been numerous cases where players have had only four to six.strikes and in some instances players did not | handle a bat until after the Christmas holidays. The question of how long players are going to stand for that type of cricket is important; otherwise, they will turn to two-day cricket unless the present hours are extended or, the association decides to provide two-day cricket for senior teams.. CHAMPIONSHIP POSITION. At the end of last Saturday's games, the championship ladder revealed General Motors and Bell Park level at the top with 29 points each, three points clear from Gear United, who have no chance of retaining championship honours, and the Wilford-Kerr Shield. Today General Motors' will be opposed by Todd Motors, and as General Motors will have to win the match to be at all sure of meeting Bell Park, there should be plenty of incident. Bell Park have a. much easier task than. General Motors, for they will be opposed by Gracefield, which has had only two successes this season. , ' Next to Gear United is the only unbeaten team, Empire, who last Saturday recorded its sixth successive draw. Should Empire.defeat -Gear United outright and Gracefield outright it would have a chance, but this is highly improbable. The championship therefore rests between Bell Park, runners-up for the last two seasons, and General Motors. McCANN BOWLS WELL. B. McCann, Bell Park's "speed merchant," was in deadly form against Gear United when he. captured eight wickets for 28 runs. Bowling a good length, he made the ball swing into the wickets with great accuracy. He was, however, assisted by the batsmen, all of whom made the mistake of playing back to him. instead of forward, on the half-volley. McCann has for the past two seasons played for Bell Park. Formerly, he played in the Hutt Valley .Association as a member of the now defunct "Chronicle" Club, for whose B team he was a prominent all-rounder. On leaving the "Chronicle" ■,. Club, McCann played for the Hutt District Club.