PETONE CLUB RELEGATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 5

PETONE CLUB RELEGATION

; "Owing to the unjustifiable action of the Wellington .Cricket Association in relegating our senior team to second grade, the membership of the club was seriously - affected," stated the annual report of the Petone Cricket Club presented at the annual meeting, held at \he weekend. Several of the previous, season's senior players withdrew, and numerous intending .members, . who were not. prepared to play for a junior club, were also lost. In consequence, instead of five teams, as anticipated,, only four were entered, and the number was reduced to three in the middle of the*season. ' ; \ ;

Notwithstanding these reverses, the

season proved very enjoyable, although rain interfered with play to a greater extent than usual. The second grade team .finished in second place. The matches were all played in a carefree man.ner, and the result was usually a secondary consideration. The junior A team did not meet with a great amount of success, but' had some enjoyable games^ The junior;B team was handicapped by the shortage of players, but the performances improved considerably when the third grade team was withdrawn and more players were available. The third grade team was withdrawn during the season owing to the club's loss of members.

The question of grounds was still a difficult one. - Although the oval wicket was always of good quality, the other match wickets could have been much better, and at times were definitely not up to standard. This also applied to the practice wickets. It was hoped. that some . arrangement could be made with 'the Petone Borough Council to prepare wickets during the coming'season. ■ ■ • . -

The financial position was quite satisfactory, considering that the wet season adversely affected the ground fees collected.'

Several: new members were elected.

Officers were elected as follows: — Patron, Hon. W. Nash, M.P.; president, Mr.: Wi A. Cate; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. A. Ryder, A. E. Doneghue, E. Caley, -R. Woodland, J. Kerr, sen., A. Anderson, E. - Capstick, L. T. Cobcroft, F. j/O'Leary, A. C. Butler, J. R. Croft, H.. Fahey.R. Singer, W. Rodger, D. Fraser, B. Keahe, J. R. Robertson, E< Price, W. Sweeney, Senior-Sergeant Wade, Drs. R. J. Bakewell and W. J. Hutchison; club captain, Mr. C. Parata; Hon. secretary, Mr. M. Pointon;; hon. treasurer, Mr. B. Martin; hon. auditor, Mr. A. E. White; management ■ committee, Messrs. L. Pointon, A, Riddoils, A. M. Macfarlane, J.: Croft, C. Hudson, L. Feasey, G.Posselt; delegates to W.C.A., Messrs. L: Pointon, A. Macfarlane, and B. Keane. - ■ •