CRICKET Sole Selectors For All Grades: New Policy Adopted

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 October 1949, Page 8

CRICKET Sole Selectors For All Grades: New Policy Adopted

Sole selectors in each grade will choose West Coast representative teams during the coming season, according to a decision made at the annual meeting Of the West Coast Cricket Association which was held at Greymouth last evening. The sub-ject-was introduced by the Blackball Club delegate, Mr S. Fleming, who stated that his club did not favour three selectors as was .the case, last year. “I am satisfied that the only way to get a strong representative team in cricket as well as any other sport is to have a competent sole selector,” said ‘the president, Mr W.‘ A. Meates, speaking in favour of the suggestion. “The task is .too big for one man,” said Mr R. Donaldson. Mr D. Gillespie (Hokitika) asked' how and when a sole selector would see Hokitika players in action. A suggestion that more trial matches be played was not supported and it was decided to appoint sole selectors in each grade who could confer with local district selectors. Gradings Discussed The grading of players was also discussed when the practice of allowing secondary school pupils playing in the Saturday junior competitions to take part in senior division matches was again approved. In reply to a question Mr Meates stated that any other players in the senior division, who .also wished to take part in junior matches, must make an application to the management committee. Discussing the division of the senior and senior reserve teams into two competitions the meeting decided to create a division with definite senior status and to abolish the champion of champions match between the winners of each senior competition.

No Australian Match The New Zealand Cricket Council advised that the West Coast had mot been included in the 1950 tour of New Zealand bv the Australian team. Reporting on the matter, Mr c. Lindley stated that he had made endeavours to have a match arranged for Greymouth and suggested that the matter be brought forward by the West Coast delegate to the New Zealand Council which will meet at Christchurch on November 23. Advice was received at the meeting that the Manawatu Wanderers touring cricket team would be playing matches c.n the West Coast during the Christmas holidays, at Hokitikq against Westland on December 30 and 31 and at Greymouth on January 1 and 2 against West Coast. The president reported having approached both the Rugby and Rugby League Referees’ Associations with a view to the formation of an Umpires’ Association and he stated that the response was favourable. Officers Elected

The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr I-I. Dowling; president, Mr W. A. Meates; vice-presidents, Messrs D. Gillespie (active), H. N. Pyne, L. I-. Coffey, L. Hunter, J. Rvan; secretary, Mi' R. Lee; treasurer, Mr L. P. Coffey; auditor. Mr J. O’Donnell; management committee, Messrs M. Vernon, W. McNeish, R. Donaldson. A. Knapp. R. Cook, A. Krakosky, W. Anderson; delegate to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr C. G. Hamilton; postponement committee, 'Messrs W. Hamilton and R. Donaldson; custodian, Mr W. Hamilton.

Team nominations were received, as follows:—Blackball, senior and junior; United, 2 senior 1 and 1 junior; Marist, senior, senior reserve, junior, Marist High : School junior; Brunner, senior and junior; Cobden, senior, senior reserve and junior; Kaimoto, senior reserve; Rost and Telegraph, , junior. It was decided to communicate with the Camerons, Runanga; Greymouth Technical High School and Grey Motors clubs to ascertain what further teams would be fielded.

Present at the meeting were: —Messrs W- A. Meates (president), L. P. Coffey, D. Gillespie, M. Vernon, R. Donaldson,' W. McNeish, R. Lee, H. Dowling, and • the following delegates. Messrs H. Pierson, M. Stoop, R. Cook (Hokitika), P. Williams, A. McNeish (Brunner), A. Knapp (Cobden), A. Krakosky (Kaimoto), E. Straker, C. Knapp (Post and Telegraph), W. Hamilton, B. Rathbun (Marist), S. Fleming, R. Nuttall (Blackball), L. C. Lindley (United).

IMPROVED STANDARD, PRESIDENT REPORTS

The standard of play in the various grades improved appreciably as the season advanced, with.the result that several of the younger players earned selection in representative teams, and acquitted themselves well stated the president, Mr W. A. Meates, in his report presented to the annual meeting of the West Coast Cricket Association held last evening. The report stated inter-alia: —The annual home and home matches with the Westland Sub-association and the Buller Association were again played, the representatives regaining possession of the Forest Cup from Buller (to whom it was lost in the preceding season). Matches were also played with the Nelson Association and the Manawatu Wanderers touring side. The provision of the faster pug wickets was amply justified by the result of the Nelson match and the thanks of the Association is extended to the various clubs for their help and co-operation in laying down, where possible, pug wickets. Further provision in this direction must lead to an improved standard of play all .around. The arrival of the coaching film also proved of great benefit, several clubs availing themselves of its use. This film together with the brochure should prove of immense value in the coming season. The Women’s Cricket Association also had a successful season, the highlight of which was the visit of the touring English Women’s cricket team to,Greymouth. The , services of the secretary Mr D. Dewar were' lost owing to his transfer from the district, as also were the services of two other players and administrators of long standing, Mr O. Morris and Mr M. Marshall. All three represented this province for many years. The trial games played prior to the selection of the New Zealand team to tour England, were disappointing to the Association, as it considered that several players who had enhanced their claims for at least a trial, by thensplendid performances against other provincial sides during the past two seasons, had been unaccountably overlooked. The performances of these players entitled this province to more than a sole representative in the trials. Apart from the regular umpires officiating.each week at the Recreation Ground, the standard in this department leaves much to be desired. With the general all-round improvement in the game it is inoperative that this weakness be corrected.