CRICKET

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1942, Page 2

CRICKET

WEST COAST ASSOCIATION. Mr. W. Meates presided at the annual meeting of the West Coast Cricket Association. The following delegates were also present:— Rev. Brother Egbert, Lt. F. Bower, Cpl. A. Winchester, Messsrs D. Knapp, A. Fletcher, O. Morris and E. Taylor ( Secretary). The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. F. M. Dennehy (reelected); president, Mr. W. Meates (re-elected); vice-presidents: Messrs J. O’Brien, M.P., G. F. Howes, L. P. Coffev. L. Hunter, D. R. Dowell, and J. Stokes; secretary, Mr. E. N. Taylor (Re-elected); management committee, Rev. Brother Victor, Lt. Bower, Messrs A. Fletcher. F. A. Wicks, H. Westwood, D. Knapp and O. Morris; competition committee: Messrs Meates and Taylor; postponement committee, Messrs Taylor and Westwood; selector. Mr. O. Morris; delegate to the N.Z. Council, Mr. I. B. Cromb (re-elected). It was decided that competitions be commenced in the coming week-end, and that clubs be asked to provide working parties to prenare wickets on Saturday afternoon. Fixtures were arranged as follows: Saturday: Techmeal Hindi School v. Marist High School, Rec. No. 1. 1.30 p.m.; Marist Okl Bovs and Cobden, byes. Sunday Marist‘Old Boys v. Cobden, Rec. No. 1; United v. Army Rec. No. 2. It was decided to endeavour to ar range representative fixtures with Army end Air Force teams, and also with’Buller. Votes of thanks were passed to the President and the Secretary for their work during the past season. ANNUAL REPORT.

The following report was submitted by the President Mr W. Meates, to the Management Committee:— Considering that the past season was the third season of the war, it opened in a promising manner in spite of most unseasonable weather before Christmas. However from January onwards the weather was all that could be desired, and the standard of play was well up to the average. Your committee arranged holiday fixtures during the Xmas and New Year between a Colts side and The Rest, and a Canterbury Born Side v. West Coast. These games proved very interesting. Later in the season representative matches were played against the Royal New Zealand Air Force eleven and an Army eleven. Both these games produced two days of interesting cricket for both players and public alike. These fixtures will undoubtedly be considered again by future committees. The increasing tempo of the Dominion war effort resulted in a considerable number of club members being absorbed in the armed forces, and most clubs had difficulty in fielding teams towards the end of the season. Absentees from your committee during the season totalled two. Brother William being transferred away from Greymouth and Mi’ E. Newton, hon. treasurer, who joined the armed forces. The Association is again fortunate in having the wholehearted support of umpires. Their services were again freely given for all games and we deeply appreciate their support. May we take this opportunity of extending our sympathy to the relatives and friends of our cricketers serving abroad whose names have unfortunately appeared in casualty lists. We sincerely hope that the anxiety naturally felt for those posted as missing and wounded will be short lived. Your committee is deeply conscious of the Splendid service which is being given our Empire by members of clubs affilicated to this Association and every effort will be made by those who administer the game in this province to preserve the traditions of “cricket” until our men return to renew their comradeships on the field of play which they so well love. Club Competitions:—Five entries were received and after a very interesting competition, United were declared the winners. A very interesting Saturdav competition was arranged among junior players and the assistance of a few seniors in each team helped to produce bright cricket. Primary School Cricket: —A competition was arranged and as many as 14 teams were to be seen playing each week. This competition was not continued after Christmas and every effort must be made to arrange

one during the coming season. Perhaps there are some old players who, even in the present, time of stress, could find tim to coach school-boys, and any persons prepared to help in this scheme are asked to get in touch with the Management Committee. In conclusion, your Committee wishes to congratulate the Technical High School and Marist Brothers’ High School on the standard of cricket played in our competition, with special mention to the performances of J. Haglund (Technical) and R. O’Callaghan (Marist), who gained representative honours while still attending their schools.