OTAGO LEAGUE CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22882, 14 February 1938, Page 1

OTAGO LEAGUE CRICKET

THE JIItILEE DIHNER , A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION There was a real cricket atmosphere about the proceedings in the Victoria Hall on Saturday night, when the Otago Cricket League’s silver jubilee celebrations were brought to a close with a dinner, at which a large number of members, together with representatives of other bodies in sympathy with the league’s activities, were present. Mr D. C. Cameron (president) occupied the chair, and a particularly pleasant evening, both for those of “ the old brigade who remembered the beginnings of things and for the younger members who were now reaping the benefit of the early efforts of the founders. Reminiscences were indulged in, cricket stories told, a long list of toasts honoured, songs and comic interludes enjoyed; and when, finally, the National Anthem was sung it was unanimously agreed that the function had been a fitting termination, to a well-organised and highly successful occasion. “THE OLD BRIGADE.’i After an excellent dinner, menu had been done full justice to, and the chairman had extended a welcome to those present, Mr J, H. S. Dixon, who had been the league’s first president, handled the toast of “ The Old Brigade.” He paid a warm tribute to the pioneers of the movement, and related a number of stories concerning early matches., TOAST OF THE EVENING. The toast of the evening, that of “The Otago Cricket League,” was in. the hands of His Worship the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), who is, incidentally, a patron of that body. By reason of the universalisation of sport, said Mr Cox, and also of the necessary amenities such as those provided in the present instance by the City Corporation, the expectation of life had increased so that the people of to-day might expect to live 19 years longer than those of 50 years ago. It was really not go long, added the speaker, since. sport was neither universally known nor generally approved, but to-day it was a different inatter. One had but to instance the Oval, where the league played its matches and which was covered with players of both sexes every Saturday, as well as on week evenings. He had no doubt that it would not be long before there would be as many women’s cricket teams operating as there were men’s teams. The reason for this was that a psychology of sport had been created, not for one section,, butifor-the whole of the community. Mr Cox complimented the league on its progress and prophesied great things for it in the future. Mr D. C. Cameron, m responding to the toast, briefly traced the history of the league. It was 25 years ago, he said, that his firm had entered two teams for the competition under the newly-formed Otago Cricket League. Since then, right up to the present day, he had occupied an official position on that body, and he could honestly say that he had never been connected with any organisation that gave closer attention to its duties or acted with greater efficiency. The league had fulfilled its mission in providing opportunity for players who could not, fow various reasons, take advantage of the facilities offered by the Cricket Association. Air Cameron related some of his experiences among the cricketers of Australia during his recent visit to that country.

LEAGUE AND ASSOCIATION. Another toast of importance was that of “ The Otago Cricket Association, the South Otago Cricket Association, and Kindred Sports.” This was proposed by Air J. H. W. Gould, who said that the Otago Cricket League had been indebted to many people and the kindred associations for assistance in the past, and had always received sympathetic help. The Cricket Association was really responsible for the formation of the Otago Cricket League, in that, when the question of admitting industrial clubs. into the competition had been discussed, the former body had suggested that such a competition might be successfully run on a separate basis. Mr Gould referred to the enjoyable trips which league teams had taken to South Otago. Air E. S. Wilson, responding for the0. said that his association felt that the league was doing a great work in catering for players who would not otherwise come into grade cricket. Years ago the league and the association used to play an annual match with each other, but latterly it had been found difficult to set apart a day for this. He intended to suggest to his committee, however, that such a fixture should: be made for Alarch 23 this year. There were some finp players in league clubs, and he did not see why some of them should not he invited to practice with the players selected for representative practice, Ahe association had endeavoured to foster country cricket, and there was' no reason, why league players should not enjoy the same opportunities and perhaps provide a member or two to the Otago team. Others who responded to the toast were Alessrs A’. B. Smith (Otago Football Association), B. Felton (Otago Hockey Association), and C. K. Heaton (Athletic Centre). OTHER TOASTS. The toast of y “ Our Supporters,” pro-' posed by Air W. J. Duncan, was responded to by Air J. J. Alarlow, who related some interesting stories of his early cricket days in the life of the olid Privateers Club, and of the first visit of an ! English-team to Dunedin. Mr AV. W. Strang also responded to this toast. Other toasts honoured were ‘ The Donor of the Baker Cup ” (proposed by Air J. H. S. Dixon and responded to by Air J. Baker); “ Past Presidents and Executives ” (by Mr J. Holley;, responses by Messrs J. H. S. Dixon, A. Alelville, H. H. Gaston, W. H. Al'Lean, and A. Paine); ‘‘Umpires” (by Air H. H. Gaston, responses by Messrs A. Westfield and J. W. Goodmanson); “ The Executive ” (by Air W. H. M'Lean, response by Air E. P. Hellyer); 1 and “ The Press and Performers ” (by Air J. V. C. Watson). His Worship the Alayor, on behalf of the donor, Air D. C. Cameron, presented a cup to the representative of the club who had gained the most points in the events at that day’s gala on the Oval. Air E. P. Hellyer received the cup on behalf of the Pride of Leith Club and briefly acknowledged the gift. During th© evening musical and other items were contributed by Alessrs W. W. Strang, J. Roberts, F. White, Paul Reno, and W. Clarkson, SPORTS DAY Despite counter attractions, the gala day, held on the Oval on Saturday afternoon, was w©U patronised. The ideal weather conditions, in a large measure, contributed to the success of this function. Alost of the events on an interesting programme had large fields, and these were,controlled ]by an energetic Sports Committee, under the guidance of Air J. Holley. The secretary (Air E. P. Hellyer) and assistant secretary and treasurer (Air J. H. W. Gould) are to be congratulated on the manner in which they carried out their duties- Toys and ice creams were distributed to the children during the afternoon. The music, provided by Hogg’s loud speaker system, was a feature of the gala day. Air J. Holley was the official announcer:— The following are the results in the events:— Tug-of-war, Six-a-side, Light-weight Section.—Burt’s team (N. Alorrison, V. Howard, E. Grant, J,. Gillan, J. Hifl, S. Seear) 1. Bowling to Single Stump, Three Balls, Fast.—S. Aluir (United) 1, C. Davis (Telgineers) 2. Throwing Cricket Ball, Distance, Best of Three Throws.—B. Ruff (T. and J.), 286 ft lOin, 1; G. Alowat (Otago Brush) 2. 100 Yards Scatph.—A. Clark (T. and J.) 1, B. Ruff (T. and J.) 2. Bowling to Single Stump, Aledium. —J. Hellyer (Pride of the Leith) 1, A. Hudson (Self-Help) 2. Smashing Wicket at 40 Yards.—S. Gaudin (Pride of the Leith) I, W. Dillon (Pride of the Leith) 2. Hitting Single Stump, 25 Yards.— AV. Dillon (Pride of the Leith) 1, F. Lowry (Pride of the Leith) 2. Bowling to Single Stump, Slow. —J. Hill (Burt’s) 1, G. Cassidy (Gregg’s Red G) 2. Novelty Equipment Race, Run 50 Yards, " Eon Pads.—P. Spence (Telgineers) 1, E. Kerr (Pride of the Leith) 2. . , 100 Yards Handicap.—J. Aitcheson (Town Hall) 1, A. Clank (T. and JO 2. Novelty Equipment Relay.—Post Office (R. Reynolds, T. O’Hagan, C. Boyd, W. Baxter) 1, Burt’s (N. Alorrison, J. Hill, E. Grant, S. Seear) 2. Alarried Ladies’ Race. —Airs Glass and Airs Martin (dead heat) 1. Committeemen’s Race. —W. Smith (Railway) 1, N. Alorrison (Burt’s) 2. Veterans’ Race.—W. Baxter (Post Office) 1, J. H. W- Gould (Town Hall) 2. . The cup presented by Mr D. C. Cameron (president) for best aggregate was won by Pride of the Leith, A.0.F., 10 points. Burt’s were runners-up, 7 points, and Turnbull and Jones next with 6 points. CHILDREN’S RACES. Girls, six to eight.—Daphne Baxter 1, V. Forsyth 2, C. Otto 3. Girls, eight to 10.—Dorothy Baxter I, C. Carradish 2, S. Howley 3. Girls, 12 to 14. —AI. Baxter 1, P. Baxter 2, N. Wheeler 3. Boys, six to eight,—B. Churnside 1. N. Patton 2, J. Pearce 3. Boys, eight to 10.—D. AVilson 1, L. Graham 2, A. Patton 3. Boys, 10 to 12.—J. Hill 1. J. Graham 2, F. Hislop 3. Boys. 12 to 14.—D. Fay 1, A. Henry 2, B. Jackson 3.