CRICKETERS’ SECESSION

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 25 May 1932, Page 3

CRICKETERS’ SECESSION

NORTH COUNTRY DIVISION FORAIEIR STATUS DESIRED A meeting of delegates of the North Taranaki Country Cricket Clubs at Brixton last night decided to withdraw from the amalgamation with the North Taranaki Division effected last season, and carry on, as .before, as the North Taranaki Country Association. The meeting was convened as the outcome of a meeting held at Wa-itara a month ago. It was made clear that the Country Association when fanned would affiliate with the North Taranaki Division of the Taranaki Cricket Association. Mr H. R. Soffe (Waitam) was elected to the chair, and there were also present the following delegates: Alessrs P. Sarte.il (Tikorangi), K. Alacrae, W. Johnson (Brixton), T. P-otttr, D. Street and Stan. Giddy (Tarurutangi). There were no representatives from Uren-ui, Inglewood, Stratford and Eltham, but a letter; was received from the Stratford Club agreeing to throw in its lot with the new association, providing there was unanimity of opinion among the delegates at the meeting on the question of secession from the North Taranaki Division.

The chairman .said that the idea would bq for the Country Association to manage its own affairs, ‘but to affiliate with the Taranaki Association so that its players ooul.d gain representative honours.

Air Potter said that there had always been trouble over the play-off since the Thursday’- competition had come into it.' Air P. Sarten pointed out that two years ago- the Oohntry Association was affiliated to the -North Taranaki Division. They paid ill Is affiliation fee and had a- representative oh the division executive. ITe did not see that if they r broke away the position would be much altered as they would still b© able to have representation in country matches. The chairman said that the AVaitara club was. very dissatisfied. They could ne-ver find out anything from the North Taranaki Division, and then they received a knook-lback when they were graded -senior B. It took a lot of interest out of Thursday cricket. Inglewood were very disappointed too. When the Thursday players joined, the Country' Association the cricket improved, as they had something to play for, but when they were graded senior B they lost heart. The chairman said that there was no intention of breaking away altogether. They would still pay their £1 Is affiliation fee. He held that the Thursday division winners, if they' could defeat the Saturday senior winners, should have the right to play for the Robertson Cup' but Air T. H. Bates, chairman of the management committee of the North Taranaki Division, had definitely' stated that they could not. The Thursday players came into the Country Association as -senior A, and in February, without notice, they were graded senior B. He understood that the meeting at which it was- decided to grade the Thursday players senior B was informal. The decision to secede from the- division wa,s carried, only one club voting against the proposal. On the motion of Messrs P. Sarten and K. Alacrae it was resolved that Air AV. Johnston be appointed acting-secre-tary and Air H. R.. Soffe acting-chair-man until the annual meeting of the Country Association.