CRICKET

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1940, Page 9

CRICKET

UNITED CLUB MEETING. At the annual meeting of the United Cricket Club, Mr. W. Rapley presided over a good attendance. The annual report, as follows, was read and adopted:—Owing to the outbreak of war, the 1939-40 season was rather difficult from both a financial and playing point of view. Early in the season the club lost several good players who had enlisted and one or two left the district, but in these critical times cricket and any other sport must be prepared to take a back seat, and no doubt things will become increasingly difficult as the war goes on. Our Saturday team on the whole was lamentably weak owing to lack of players, and the captain, Mr. L. Lindley, had anything but an enviable task. These remarks are in no way intended to belittle the wins over us by any of our opponents. The junior team lacked regular players, and Mr. E. Newton is to be congratulated upon the work and interest he showed with this team. Regarding the Sunday competition, we fared better, being runners-up in both competitions, losing one owing to a misunderstanding between the captain and the Postponement Committee. We were again fortunate in having a number* of our players in the various representative sides, and Mr. Lindley is to be congratulated upon being appointed captain of those teams. The financial side of the club was none too flourishing, but by careful husbanding of the available funds I am pleased to advise that the club finished the season clear of all debt and can commence the new season With a small credit balance. With the exception of one or two outstanding subscriptions, the players met their liabilities in a satisfactory manner. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking oui' patron, vicepresidents, and the committee for their support during the past year. Also our thanks are due to Mr. Coffey and Mr. G. Howes for their energetic and practical assistance to the club. Our thanks are also extended to the Borough Council foi- the care of the ground, to Mr. Banks, our scorer, and to the Press for the support given the game. Officers were elected as follow:— Patron, Dr. H. S. Ray (re-elected); president, Mr. W. Rapley (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. C. Withell, T. E. King, R. Packer, H. Ryan, C. L. Kettle, J. Ryan, T. P. Ryan, W. Rothwell, E. Warnes, A. A. Adams, McFarlane, G. Kear, F. Denton, W. Reddington and Mrs. I. E. Coffey; club captain, Mr. L. Lindley; secretary, Mr. E. Newton; delegates, Messrs. E. Taylor and H. Westwood; committee, Messrs. R. Baird, L. Coffey, L. Lindley, R. Scott, E. Taylor, and G. Howes.

It was decided that delegates bring before the annual meeting of the Association, the question of making a definite hour for postponements. Subscriptions were fixed at £1 and 10/- (under 21 years).