DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 19521, 31 March 1927, Page 10

DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB

SOCIAL GATHERING. Tiio fact that its first eleven finished last in a field of four in the recentlyconcluded senior cricket competition has not affected the good spirits or social instincts of the members of the Dunedin Cricket Club. So much was obvious last night, when some forty ot them gathered in Kroon’s Hall to celebrate the end of another season. The president (Mr G. A. Wycherley) was in the chair, and he was supported by Air L. J. Joel (president of the Otago Cricket Association), and representatives of sister clubs and of the Umpires’ Association. Right from the start the proceedings were of an enjoyable character, and by the time the last toast had been honored tho spirit of good-fellowship- which characterises tho meeting together of cricketers had been abundantly demonstrated, and the strains of “He’s a jolly good fellow ” become as familiar as the accompany ing three cheers. 1 The toast of “ The Otago Cricke - Association ” was proposed by Mr R L. Fairmaid, who stated that that body received more brickbats than sixpences. The association was usually blamed when a player had a grievance. It was struggling under great difficulties. It was not very financial, and it had to be very careful with its funds. The thanks of every cricketer were due to them. A movement was on foot to secure better grounds, but the Otago Cricket Association was not responsible for tho present state of the playing areas. Cricketers should do more for themselves. Mr L. Joel (president of the association), in response, stressed the importance of the social side of the club. The proposal to secure a coach was fairly well on the way towards being an established fact. Ho asked players to contribute their share of the expense. It was hardly fair to leave it all to the ojder men. The members of tho association, he thought, would eantinne to earrv out their duties faithfully. Dir R. Torrance, in proposing the toast of “The Umpires’ Association,” said it was tho best and the most loyal body of .umpires in New Zealand. Its members knew tho game, and were always fair. Cricketers- were under a debt of gratitude to them. The association was a small body, and it needed enlarging, Air Torrance paid a tribute to the’work of Air W. .Rowland, the Umpires’ Association’s secretary , and selector. The association wotild like to see every match have official umpires, and it was not Air Rowland's fault that that could not he done.

Air E. A. Hamel';(the president of the association), in'response, said the association probably was the smallest sports body in the’dominion. Cricketers, when they finished flaying, should'join the Umpires’ - Association. He had been an umpire for- thirty years, and the trouble In securing nlerahefs had always been present. Air Torrance, ho said, was one of the best sports .that had ever played ■ cricket. Air “Len” Casey was also -a fine sport. He was-the,only cricketer Air, Hamel had known to. neglect to appeal in order -to-.give a. .young batsman a chance. Air Ha mol' paid a tribute + o the, sportsmanship of the. visiting Melbourne cricketers. ■

Mr Rowland also replied. “ The Dunedin . Cricket Club is renowned in Otago, pud it has never been far from the top in the competitions.” said Mr Rowland,, in proposing the toast of “The Dunedin Cricket''Club.” In the olden days, he said, it hod. some of the finest, cricketers in tlie province. Its second grads team then was one of the best that ever went on' the; 'field. Any , of its ’ ttiernbers would gain a place in a first grade side to-day. ■ One ; of-the biggest'blows the club had ever had was received when it had to leave the Caledonian Ground, and when it started on : tho Oval it had only two teams. By the enthusiasm of the old players and the energy^of, that.“ prince of secretaries,” Mr Jj., Casey, the club had been , built, up again, and now it had six teams on the field—as.,many as any ,other chib in Dunedin. The chib had many prosperous' years before it. It was particularly fortunate in having such a. president as Mr ■Wycherley. Other Stalwarts were Mi; Torrance and Mr A.

Sinclair, the secretary. He congratulated the first grade side on winning tho fielding trophy, and the second grade D team on winning their competition. The fourth grade side was also to bo congratulated on coming second in its competition. The President, in reply, said it was pleasing to know - that, although the club was last in the first grade competition, it was not last in the esteem of its brothers. The Dunedin Club had always been noted for its desire to,play the game of cricket and-to foster the social side of the game. He congratulated tho Albion Club because he considered there was no doubt that, under die rules, it bad won the shield. He .vas glad to know that the juniors had lone so well. He made reference to he bad state of the wickets generally. At the conclusion of Air Wycherley’ eply be proposed the toast of “ The S T cw Zealand Team,” and this was rank enthusiastically. Other toasts were “ Sister Clubs.” reposed by Air J. Robson and reloaded to bv' Air F. Binney; and

The Press and the Performers,” proosed by Air A. Sinclair. Doras wore contributed by Alessrs S. offs, AV. Strang, J. Broome, Allan 'flung, P. Holmes, C. Leyden, and G. nsell.

The accompanist .was Air C. Leyden,