CRICKET.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 April 1933, Page 3

CRICKET.

SEASON IN RETROSPECT

Another cricket season has passed. For the West Coast, it did not prove as successful as it might have done. Weather conditions greatly interfered with the play. Too many week-ends were accompanied by rain. The latter part of the season proved disastrous in this respect. With An ordinarily fortunate run, the competitions could have been completed. It has been left to the Association to do what it can, to adjust matters, and decide which teams are to carry the honours. It would have been much more preferable to have played the games to a decision, but that has not been possible. Not one of the senior, or junior grade competitions had an entirely satisfactory conclusion. There remained matches to be played in each. Be that as it may, cricketers should not, and will not, attach any blame to those in authority. It was the weather, and that alone, which was responsible, and the weather is quite prepared to accept responsibility. Suggested Remedy: The weather has, in past seasons, prevented competitions being completed, and so long as the present system of play is adhered to, competitions will seldom be finalised. Such a condition of things is unsatisfactory. To overcome the difficulty, the Association might be well advised to consider the following suggestion:— The four leading teams in the Wingham Cup competition should, say, about the middle of February, play on for the final, but other teams be contenders, solely, for the Feary Cup. This would allow finality in both competitions to be reached, and would be the means of maintaining interest among the teams not having a winning chance for the Wingham Cup. Has the Play Improved? Has cricket on the West Coast improved? It has, in the direction of increased interest by young players, but that is all. And until such time as players receive proper tuition, or even make some serious effort to practise properly, it will remain stationary, or fall back. The nets, to the majority, provide nothing more than a grand opportunity to go for a big hit at the ball. The cultivation of strokes, either on attack or defence, is seldom attempted. The pity is that there is never any person in control, at practice. The players ’do as they like, with the result that instead of improving their play, they weaken it. Cricket, to many of them, was never meant to be taken seriously, and is not. That is why it has to be said that the play during the season just closed, did not show an improvement over past seasons. What of the Fielding? Spasmodically, the fielding was really good. Generally, it could have been better. There were some players who could be relied upon to do their best always. Others were too ready to see if the next fellow would deem it his duty to stop the ball, before they decided on activity. The willing horse found much to do. There were too many teams in the competitions, and too few players, to allow of a man being penalised by being stood down. That is one of the serious handicaps to cricket, and football, on the West Coast. If it could be arranged that eleven men be reserved to be called on to fill the places .of any in the “regulars,” who shirked or refused to “play the game,” then the standard of cricket would improve almost immediately. To the player who really cares, the shadow of expulsion hovering over him, would keep him doing his best. There is nothing so aggravating to a team, or onlookers, than the spectacle of a fieldsman throwing away runs, through sheer indifference.

The Attacking Strength: For the class of batsmen met, the howling strength proved’ equal to the demand. There were no “finds” during the season. The men who trundled were the stock of the teams throughout the season, and some have been here for many a season. Generally, the bowlers beat the batsmen, and it can be said that the bowling is by no means the weakest department in Coast cricket. Several players came through with splendid averages, and this despite the poor fielding that at times robbed them of better figures.

The Management Committee: Can be congratulated on the interest that members displayed in the game. There was, amongst them, a genuine desire to improve the standard, and retain the interest. The usual mistake of not encouraging the lower grades, was evident. The Saturday Competition was also placed in the background, although fortunately. the players’ interests were sufficiently strong to carry through. It is time, and past, that those controlling cricket on the Coast, realised that there are competitions other than the Sunday senior. This attitude of “they are doing all right, they play each week,” does not offer encouragement. The Sunday seniors “do all right, and play each week.” Let them go along, and next season the Committee should turn an eye in the direction of Saturday junior, and third-grade competitions. It would be in the interests of the game if the Management Committee could be comprised of men who are not players. Team interests, and petty feeling would not then be so much inclined to creep into committee meetings. This is a matter that could and should’ be given attention. During the season just closed, the Chairman was the only member of the Committee who was not a player. However, the thanks oi cricketers are due to the men who made it possible for them to have many an enjoyable afternoon of play the Management Committee.

Not “Cricket”: There is such a. thing as taking too much upon oneself. Any person who knowingly does such, however, should be prepared to bear the brunt oi reprimand, when it comes his way. Coast cricket this season has been singularly fortunate in having Mr N. C. Bourn as its secretary. He has created interest where interest, was greatly needed. He gave his time and consideration to the management, and carried out. more than was required of him as a secretary. He showed initiative, and succeeded. As a. result of his progressive methods, the Association is on a much better footing financially and in other directions, than it otherwise would have been. Credit is due to Mr Bourn for his services to cricket during the season

just concluded. It would be much more pleasant if this column could be closed with the foregoing eulogy of Mr Bourn. The Press, however, must protect itself, as would an individual, against incorrect statements. At the Association meeting last. Saturday, Mr Bourn is credited with stating that “the Press had declared the Runanga team winners of the Rose Cup, but that of course was not. official.” The Press did not “declare” anything. The Press, at the request of Mr Bourn, made that announcement, and if information from Mr Bourn cannot be regarded as being official, then Mr Bourn did wrong in supplying it. This is not the. first occasion, but the third, that Mr Bourn has asked the Press to make an announcement, then, when presumably questioned about it by the Management Committee, he has attached the responsibility to the Press. Mr Bourn further stated, at the Association meeting, that “Cobden were the winners, with Runanga runnersup/’ From details received from the secretary of the Runanga Club, Mr C. Dewar, of the Cobden Club, and Mr D. McKay, of the Fixtures Committee, both teams are equal, having each scored 22 points. The respective figures are as follow: —Runanga. against Star 8 pts; Cobden 4, Technical School 6. United 2, Technical Old Boys 2. Cobden: against Star 5, United 5, School 3, Old Boys 6, Runanga 3. It is now a matter lot the Association to settle.

Cobden B Play Star: At Karoro, next Sunday, Cobden B will play Star, the match commencing at 12.30 p.m. CRICKET GRIEVANCE. [TO the editor.] Sir, —I hope you can find space to publish these few lines in the hope that some of the W.C.C.A. members will see them. I would like to point out that (hey have done their level best to kill bright cricket on the Coast, for by deciding to give the competitions to teams with the least losses, they will stop teams from taking risks and going for the extra points, and make them fall back and give dull cricket such as batting for three and a-half hours out of five, that has been seen on some of the grounds this season. Now where is the encouragement due to a young senior team like Runanga. Shortly after the beginning of this season, the members of the Centre wanted to put Runanga hack into the B Division, hut that didn’t come off, and although Runanga has no class cricketers, they have all pulled their weight and finished top of the Sunday and Saturday competitions and in the final of the Feary Cup; but the only encouragement they get is points don’t count, therefore Runanga loses. It. is very disheartening to a team that, always comes up smiling whether they win or lose, ami they always turn a full team out, ami never default to any one. How many teams can say (hat? Not the team that, has been declared winners of the Saturday competition, lor they lost three points by deftinlt to Rtnmnga..--I am, etc., POINTS.