CRICKET IN TARANAKI

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 29 September 1933, Page 6

CRICKET IN TARANAKI

SOUTHERN DIVISION PREPARING FOR NEW SEASON. GRADING OF TEAMS.

The annual meeting, of the South Taranaki Cricket Association wa.s W in Hawera last night, Mr H. R. Fenny presided over an attendance of _< delegates, representative of all clues but l’atea. The delegate® present were Messrs H G. Whitehead, J. Gundy, G. Court, M. ‘ Grighton, V. Betts, C. E. Betts, H. Burgess. C. Massey, A. H. K. Amess, H. Warcup, C. C- Noung L. H. Giblin, L. A. Jennings, R. Till ash, R Lendrum, F. lies Forges, D. G. Sherson, V. Hobday, J. Fox, R. MortJock. W. Barker, V. Winter, J. Henderson De® Hughes and A. Graham, and H. Barker (hon. secretary). The committee’s report recorded a most successful season. It stated tiiat etoht teams enxered for the senior competition and although some wet e weak, all engagements were kept and an interesting competition resulted. Old Bovs and Kaponga. finished level on points and in the play-off -Old Boys ran out- winners by the narrow mar<>■lll of two runs. Kaponga put up some fine scores during, the season, tueir batting being very strong. Old Boys however, showed good steady aLI-round play ancl deserved their success u,±d were to be congratulated on carrying off the shield and also in winning the provincial | championship. . e junior competition drew new entries from Manaia and Opunake and, although a good programme was drawn up, school holidays and long, distance travelling upset progress and resulted in several forfeits. The final honours went to Opunake. Tlio division’® representatives played four matches during the season, honours being even with a win, a loss and two draws. The opening match with North {Taranaki resulted m a draw. Victoria Col leg drew with Me Southern team, making 232 and lo< for six ivjickebs* while South made L 95 and two for 49. The Rangitikei match, at Hawera was won by feoutli Taranaki bv 125 runs, the .local team making the line score- of 27fi for torn wickets and dismissing their opponents tor 154. The annual match, with the North (Taranaki Cduntly Association was played -at Waitara. The youth team failed with the ,bat and w.as dismissed for 95 rums, the Country team being victorious by 66 runs. ihe B team at Hawera won on the first innings bv 1611 runs. The new wicket was used on several occasions and although owing! to a poor strike, of grass it was not possible to get the best out of it, there was no question that the soil was very satisfactory and provided a ijr-ue and fast wicket. . The indications this .season were for a large number of teams and the old question of grading would have to be considered, also the question of grounds and the probability of requiring another ground. One team had urged ii. start for matches at 1.45 p.m. and this matter needed consideration. The finance was sound, the division having a credit balance of £5 os B<L but several clubs were in arrears with affiliation fees. Thanks were extended to the.’Press for continued interest m the game. . The election of officer® resulted: President, Mr H. R. Penny; vice-presi-dents, presidents of affiliated clubs; delegates to Taranaki Association, •Messrs E. Massey and H. Barker; hon. secretary, left to management commitee; junior vice-president (of association). ‘Mr W. J. Hall; selector (to appoint captains), Mr L. A Jennings; fixtures committee), Messrs Whitehead and W. Barker: management committee, Messrs Penny, “Whitehead, Hall, Young, V. Betts, .Jennings, Sugar and Lendrum; auditor, Mr A. AY. Wilson. TEAMS TO BE GRADED.

it was reported that twelve teams would be entered in the competition, and. after considerable discussion, it was agreed that four be senior A teams- and eight senior B. The former would be Hawera A. Old Boys, Stratford A and Ivaponga- and the latter Hawera High School, Stratford High School, Hawera B, South Taranaki Power Board, Opunake, Stratford B, Manaia and_ Empire Old Boys. The- chairman commented on the excellent entry of teams and said the question of grading was essential. Mr Burgess (Opunake) -said it was an ideal year for a change and it would be -good to have strong teams competing against one. another because the experience of the past proved that interest was not -sustained when one team was so much stronger than another. He considered the- change would he all to the good of the game Mr C. Young (Stratford) opposed the scheme because he did not believe young players would get the chance to improve. The chairman said the association was anxious to raise the -standard liecause some of the play in the past had not been up to- senior form. Mr Massey (Stratford) considered the B teams would not get a chance to play “in representative matches, although they might be better than the A teams. All- H. Barker strongly supported grading, adding that travelling had always been a difficulty and now Bute a were not playing, the position was made easier. He stressed his opinion

that the selector would give an <pjiortunity to all players to get representative honours. Mr Cnghton (Kaponga) asked where the competition would land the association and also how long thei proposed change was to stand. He considered one-day matches were, a weakness and added that grading would bring down the standard, for B play ers would lie considered as juniors and would he neglected. Mi* Burgesis: Several teams have asked to be graded as B teams. The chairman answered Mr Crighton’s questions, adding that the scheme would be limited to one year and the teams, A and B, could play a final match. Mr ,Barker reveated that .several clubs had asked for the change. Mr Whitehead (Hawera High School! said his team was willing to be graded down, but, at the same time, he urged the need of .care and thought before a. decision was made. He could see that travelling expenses would bo lighter and this would he a very welcome relief to the school teams. Mr A ■ Amess (Strutford. High School) said hi® .team had. played junior last vear hut the competition was not satisfactory and they would be pleased to play a.s a senior B team because they would get better experience.

Mr Jennings (Hawera) said he strong]v believed in pushing forward young players who showed promise. A resolution, moved by the chairman and seconded bv Mr Burgess, to divide the teams (into graded was carried bv a large majority. It was agreed also that there be a play-oil' between A and B grade winners. The question of dividing the eight B teams was left to the management committee.

A proposal to have an afternoon tea adjournment of not more than fifteen minutes found little support and was lost on a show of hands. The matter of wickets was left to the management committee and the opening dav was fixed for October 14. It was resolved t-liat all nominations for teams in the B division close on October 5. Mr Ainess undertook to have twelve copies of the rules typed without cost to the division. The first meeting of the management committee was fixed for Friday, October 6, at the High School in ITawera. Votes of thanks were passed—to trie outgoing officers and the chairman, the Press and the Borough Council.