Twenty-five Years of Cricket OTAGO LEAGUE CELEBRATES SILVER JUBILEE

Evening Star, Issue 22880, 11 February 1938, Page 5

Twenty-five Years of Cricket OTAGO LEAGUE CELEBRATES SILVER JUBILEE

WORTHY EFFORT TO FOSTER SUMMER SPORT-POPULARITY OF COMPETITIONS

A worthy record of achievement is teing celebrated this week hy the Otago Cricket League, a body which has done a very great deal in stimulating interest in cricket in Otago. From ■mall beginnings the Teague has made remarkable progress, and on the occasion of the celebration ortho

B Hughes, and H. Gardner were vicepresidents. Mr A. Paine took over the dual position of secretary-treasurer. On the first committee were Messrs A. M'Kenzie (Standard), G. Hesford (Haywards), J. M'Farlane (Reid and Gray), A. Melville (Workshops), R. Thomson (Y.M.C.A.), and W- Paine

Four prepared wickets were in use on the Oval in the sixth year. At this early stage an endeavour was made to form an umpires’ association, but without success. Hillside won the Baker Cup after 10 matches had been played, seven of which they won with .two losses and a drawn game

him falls the unenviable task of keeping"the averages in the three competitions. He has thrown his heart into his work, and he lives for his Saturday afternoons on the cricket field. No record of the league would he complete without mention of the hospitality that has always been extended to

Front row (left to right): J. H. W. Gould (asst. sec. and treas.), J. H. S. Dixon (first president), D. C. Cameron (president), J. K. Macfie (trustee), E. P. Hellyer (secretary), T. Halhday -(auditor). Second row: W. JV Duncan (immediate past resident), A M. Carnahan (Lands), L. Quest (Standard). R. T. Thompson (United), C. Slack (Pride of the Leith, A.0.F.), _J. W. Holley (M.C.P.). Third row: A. Townsend, (Hillside), J. V. C. Watson (Town Hall), C. B. Fay (Ross & Glendming), S. Muir (Rosyn Mi s), (Dunedin Hospital). Back row: H. J. Randall (Ravensbourne), M. Blackwood (Glenross),E. MacKenzie (Self Help), E. Mowat (Otago Brush), J. Lyons (Tramways). Absent: D. Wilton (Speights), T. Gensik (E.P & L), W. Smith Railway) G Joyce (Telgmeers) !'. Whyte (Loco), A. Bamford (T. & P.), N. Morrison (Burts), W. Templeton (Post Office), A. Medlm (Red G.), E. J. Morns ,(T. & J.), C. Shepherd (Inglis), A. Borland (auditor).

•ilver jubilee, there are over 300 registered players taking part weekly in one-day matches. Every Saturday there are no fewer than 13 wickets being used on the Oval, the players and a large number of supporters getting the maximum enjoyment out of a type of cricket played in a care-free, sporting spirit. The Oval on Saturday afternoons during the summer presents an animated picture, with almost the whole of the, largo area occupied by flannel.clad figures. It is with justifiable pride that officials and players of the league celebrate the progress made. To those who have been connected with this branch of summer sport during the past half-century the reaching of this milestone brings back many memories of stalwarts who have “ gone west ” in the intervening years. At the height of the jubilee celebrations the services of all those who have contributed towards pbtting the league on a sound basis will be remembered with gratitude. Like many other 'sporting bodies, the league has had its -vicissitudes, and teanfs ■ that .have participated for a season or two havet. faded out, of the. picture, while others have taken their places. In the early stages there was a struggle to foster interest, to get sufficient teams to make the competition worth while, and the: difficulty, with the limited funds available, of securing wickets. Then there was the extremely difficult period of the war years—a lean period for all sport.-Stout hearts and enthusiasm, however, overcame all difficulties, and the popularity of the league was demonstrated during the years by the rapid growth from one section to three, from four, six, eight, and ten teams to the present figure of, 26 teams. In the year 1913,the Otago Cricket League came into existence as the result of the efforts of the committee of the Standard Cricket Club, who called together delegates from all clubs not . affiliated to the O.C.A. The preliminary meeting was held in the Trades Hall on Tuesday, July 29, when delegates, from' the following clubs were present-Hayward’s, Hillside Workshops, Reid and Cray, Roslyn Woollen Mills, Y.M.0.A., Speight’s, and Standard. At the first few meetings, held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms in August, 1913, under the chairmanship of Mr J. Dixon, the foundation stone of the league was truly laid, and at subsequent meetings the rules and constitution were adopted. At one of these meetings (on September 2) a handsome cup was donated by Mr G. Baker for annual competition, and the winning of this is still aspired to by teams in the A section competition. Mr G. Hesford, of Hayward’s, made and presented a valuable ,case for this cup. The official opening, at Montecillo Ground, on October 4, 1913, was performed by the late Bishop Nevill. Among the officers on the first executive were Messrs G. Baker, R. Hudson, J. A. Park. J. H. Hoskins, F. Shacklock, C. J. Payne. W. Downie Stewart, and P. R. Sargood as patrons. Mr, J. Dixon was the first president, and Messrs J. Baker, 0. Otto. R. H. S. Todd. S. Sv Myers. D. C. Cameron, H. K. Wilkinson, E. Rosevear, G. W. W.

(Tramways). The auditors were Messrs Michael and Lebherz. The Y.M.C.A* was chosen as the home of the league, and,has remained so throughout the whole period of its existence.

During the first year there were eight teams playing in the competition for the Baker Cup, and l 14 games were played by the winners (Standard), who had 12 wins and two losses. Hillside A were the runners-up, with 11 wins and three losses. The following is the table for the 1913-14 season:—

• Denotes Haywards and Hillside A won one match each by default from Hillside B and Reid and Gray B respectively.

In the second year Mr A. Melville was elected- president, and Mr W. F. Stock became secretary-treasurer. Six clubs sent " forward delegates, and another successful competition was run. , The year 1915 found three new clubs linked up with league, Messrs E. Rosevear (Snacklocks) and Lindsay (Railways) being the clubs’ representatives on the executive. Post and Telegraph also entered a- team that year. During the years of the Great War there were times when teams experienced great difficulty in fielding full sides, but the sport was carried- on by keen enthusiasts.- Messrs A. Melville and A. Paine held office as president and .secretary-treasurer respectively for a number of years.

At the eighth annual meeting Mr D. C. Cameron (this season’s president), who had been a vice-president since the formation of the league, became president when Mr Melville, retired, after performing great service in carrying on through many lean years. The following year found Mr A. Borland at the head of affairs, with Mr L. N. Grant in the position of secretarytreasurer. It was about this time that Hudsons entered, a team in. the competition, and in 1921 Mr S, Ringrose began his long connection with the executive being then the Standard Cricket Club delegate. Mr Ringrose was president from 1928 to 1930, and his outstanding record, of service' resulted in a life member-ship being conferred upon him. Mr W. H. M‘Lean took over the reins in 1922, and held the chair for five successive seasons. Mr E. P. Hellyer was a delegate in 1922, and became secretary in the 1927-28 season. The league players owe much to Mr Hellyer, who has proved an efficient secretary for a period of 10 years. His efforts on behalf of . the game have not been confined to the ordinary routine duties of a secretary, varied though these are. He is an enthusiast for the game, a keen student and exponent of it. and his club (Pride of the Leith, A.0.F.) has been well served by him. In the 1928 season league cricket took a fresh lease of life, and from that year there has been a steady increase in the number of teams entering for competition. The teams taking part in 1928 were Standard, Pride of the Leith, A.0.F., Drainage Board, Locomotive, Hillside, Brinsleys, Tramways, and D. Mr L. Quest, an active member still on the executive, was the Standard delegate in 1928, and, Mr H. H. Gaston represented the Pride of the Leith. Mr A. Wilson, now playing for Town Hall, was then the Drainage Board Cricket Club’s delegate. Another active member with many years’ service on the executive is the assistant secretary, Mr J. Gould, whose connection dates back many years. To

the league representative touring teams in South Otago. '■ There exists between cricketers in the. country, districts of Otago and the O.C.L. a spirit of fellowship and friendly rivalry which has been fostered over a period.,of many years.

PRESIDENTS, 1913-38. The following is the complete list of ’presidents during the past 25 years Mr J. Dixon, 1913-14. Mr A. Melville, 1914-20. Mr D. C. Cameron, 1920-21. Mr A. Berland, 1921-22. Mr W. H. M‘Lean. 1922-28. 'Mr S. Ringrose,,l92B-30. Mr J. Clinch, 1930-31. Mr H. H. Gaston, 1931-33. Mr W. D. Richards, 1933-35. Mr P. H. Morey, 1935-36. Mr W. J. Duncan, 1936-37. Mr D. C. Cameron, 1937-38. THE CELEBRATIONS. To-morrow, February 12, the celebrations in connection with the silver jubilee will take place, commencing with a gala day on the Oval in the afternoon and a dinner in the Victoria Hall at

night. The programme for the afternoon has been well organised and a pleasant and entertaining time is anticipated. A valuable cup, presented by Mr D. C. Cameron (president) will be competed for, and the club winning most points will have its name inscribed thereon and become the owners. A certificate will also be presented to the winner and runner-up in each event. The events, open only to registered league players include two sections (light and heavy-weight) six-a-side tug of war, two 100yds races (one a scratch and the other a handicap event), bowling to single stump (three balls each competitor) for the three sections, hitting a single stump on full from a distance of 25yds, throwing cricket ball, and smashing wicket competition. There

are two novelty equipment races, also children’s races, married ladies’, committeemen’s, and veterans’ races. Music will be provided by one of Mr Hogg’s loud speakers. In the event of the weather being unfavourable the function will be held in the Drill Hall. The jubilee dinner will be held in the Victoria Hall in the commencing at 8, when a lengthy toast list, interspersed with musical jternp, will conclude the celebrations.. ,

a >» C3 +j a is la <3 S £ o p L. P ‘3 P Standard ... .... 14 12 2 0 24 Hillside A ... ... 13 11* 3 0 22 Hillside B ... ... 13 8 4 1 17 Haywards ... ... 13 7* 7 0 14 Y.M.C.A. ... ... 14 6 7 1 13 Tramways 14 6 8 0 12 Reid and Gray A 14 4 10 0 8 Reid and Gray B 13 1 12 0 2