Cricket.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 234, 26 September 1921, Page 2

Cricket.

HAWKE’S BAY ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association held its annual general meeting in the Y.M.C.A. on Saturday evening, the president, Mr. E. H. Williams presiding over an attendance of about thirtyfive ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was as follows:— Last season was one of greater activity than the previous season, which was, in. its turn, a great improvement on the previous few years. Greater interest in the competitions and outside matches was taken by players and spectators. Season’s work.—A progressive step was the formation of a junior Advisory Board with a representative, Mr. O. N. Hallett, on the executive. This body had full and regular meetings and kept the executive alive to the requirements of the junior grades. Another forward move was the inauguration of lectures and coaching by some of the senior players every Tuesday evening the thb Y.M.C.A., Napier in this connection special thanks are due to Messrs J. Hindmarsh, J nr. and Ge. Frater. Australian Team.— When in Australia in December, 1920, and January, 1921, Mr. Williams, with Mr. Wilson of Wellington was successful in arranging for a visit of an Australian team of cricketers. A guarantee of £2OO was raised. The time was inopportune for receiving large donations and the amount was made up mostly by sums of £1 and under from the cricketers themselves, a fact which is very commendable. The match which was played at Napier in Februar last was well contested and ended in a draw. Everyone was delighted with the display of the H.B. team both in fielding and batting. The visitors thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the district and were loud in their praise oi the wicket provided for them which they said most nearly approached an Australian wicket of any they had played ou in New Zealand. A team was sent to Auckland and Wellington and were beaten at both places. The Association had made arrangements for an early selection of the team but the selectors failed to carry out their instructions with the result that the team was not definitely selected until the day before the tour commenced. This was unfair to the Association, to the Hawke’s Bay cricketing public aim to the team. A weak team should not have been sent as the result gives only a false impression of the strength of H.B. cricket. In the Australian match, Mr. J. Hawke was appointed sole selector. No-one had a chance of getting into the team unless he prac-

tised regularly. I his method proved successful. One result of the efforts of the Association last season is that we are owed visits from every district except Gisborne. Competitions.— Senior, 6 teams entered, won by Scinde; Junior, 6 teams entered won by Napier High; 3rd Grade, 4 teams entered, won by Technical College; 4th Grade, 6 teams entered, won by Manst Bros. Plunket Shield.—lt is to be regretted that Hawke’s Bay is in future to be excluded from the rlunket Shield competition, but the way to obtain reinstatement is to improve our standard of play until we can meet ano defeat Plunket Shield Associations on equal terms. In the meantime Hawke’s Bay will take part in the Hawke Cup competitions. Grounds. —There are nine wickets on Nelson Park, Napier, and one on Nelson Cricxet Ground, Hastings. The Hastings Junior Association play on Cornwall Park. During last season seniors and juniors practised at the same nets so that tha juniors had an opportunity of learning from the seniors. This was a great improvement. It is urgently necessary that the boys should be encouraged to learn the game and play assiduously. Growth of Cricket.—Besides the Saturday competitions every Wednesday 15 teams oi High School boys and every Thursday 10 teams of Technical boys play ou Nelson Park. On Tuesdays the primary schools have matches. Finance. —Sincere thanks are due to our honorary members and to the guarantors in connection with the proposed visit of the English cricketers and the visit of the Australian team. During the season a shop was held and badges sold. The credit for this is thankfully given to Mr. J. Hindmarsh, J nr. and the committee of ladies under Mrs Lusk. Our thaixli>s are also due to Air. G. Frator for collecting every Saturday at Nelson Park, and Mr. Stopford fo r his donation of £6 being refund o‘" guarantee. From the balance-sheet it will be seen that we have a balance of £3O 0s 6d on hand and our liabilities are well covered by our assets. It will be noticed that a large amount is outstanding for ground fees. This is regrettable, and the clubs concerned must make good at once otherwise the Association cannot recognise them. General.—-We regret that Messrs Alcott and P. Fulton have left the district, both of them excellent cricketers. The latter was a hard working member of the Association for many years. In conclusion we ask the cricketers of the district to strive against all odds to raise the status of the game here so that in time Hawke’s Bay may take its place as one of the leading cricketing centres in the Dominion. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. Air. Williams, moving the report, congratulated the association on the large attendance. It augured well for the success of the approaching season.

Ho mentioned the good work of the Junior Board, and said it must have a beneficial effect on junior cricket. Referring to the New Zealand Council he said he was sorry the English tour had fallen through. As the result of the Australian tour the council had now a surplus of £l,OOO which would relieve them of any anxiety when arranging future tours. It would be their duty to send a team to Australia, probably the season after that approaching. Local players should hold this tour as their objective. He referred in complimentary vein to the splendid behaviour and consideration of the Australian visitors. He proceeded to mention various names of local players, and the sole selector Air. Hawke (applause). Alcott and Fulton had gone from the district during the winter. He had his own opinion that when a good man was unearthed locally other centres found him out and he was sent for. He hoped the association would not allow the sending of another team such as was sent to Auckland. It discredited local cricket and had lost them the right to play in the Flunket Shield. It was up to them to show the New Zealand Council that they had made a mistake. He was surprised and pleased to see the number of boys who were playing. They would have to consider carefully the matter of playing four first-grade teams. He referred to the scheme brought forward by Air. F. F. Cane and recommended it. If a man did not get into the first grade it was up to him to start lower down. Mentioning men who had done yeoman service for the game in Hawke's Bay he remarked on Messrs. Hawke, Jacobsen, Hindmarsh, Frater and Cane. Africa was reconstructing its cricket and a visit might be anticipated. In conclusion, apart from urging the payment of subscriptions etc., ne urged helping the young players, and practicing early and often lor representative matches.

Mr. Fulton seconded the adoption. He asked if there was any chance of a coach from Australia this season.

The president said he did not think there was a possibility. The financial aspect affected the position and the seniors must be appealed to to carry on in the meantime. As soon as he could do so he would try to get a coach out for them. (Applause.) Several members said it was a disgrace that fees were outstanding. The president said the clubs, by remaining unfinancial, were driving honorary members away. The secretary (Mr. N. R. Jacobsen) said the cricketers had helped themselves considerably during the past year. They had never refused an appeal. The report was adopted. OFFICERS. Mr. W. A. Armour moved the reappointment of Mr. E. 11. \villiams to tiie position of president. Mr. N. K. Jacobsen said Air. Wr.liams' name stood for cricket in Hawke’s Bay, if not in New Zealand, tie was one oi tiiwr mainstays, and one wno inspired them all with enthusiasm lor the game. The election was carried with applause. Other officers were elected as follows: Vice-presidents, Messrs. F. Fulton, T. W. Lewis, P. Ashcroft, R. Al. Chadwick, P. Hunter, F. Armstrong, W. Nelson, '£. H. Lowry, J. 1. Cato and Colonel Goring; delegate to N.Z. Council, Mr. I. H. Labatt; hon. sec. retary, Mr. N. R. Jacobsen; hon. treasurer, Air. O. N. Hallett; hon auditor, Mr. F. Fulton. The work of the secretary was eulogised by Mr. Hindmarsh and the president. It was decided to grant the following honorariums: Hon. secretary, £l5; hon. treasurer, £lO. MB. LANK’S SCHEME. It was mo zed by Air, Ratcliffe that the scheme brought forward by Mr. Cane bo n commended to the committee. The president said the scheme was well worked out. After a general discussion Mr. O’Connell said ho was absolutely against the scheme, and he thought his club would be against it. They should concentrate on tiie four senior teams, and have no glorified B grade. Hastings representatives said they were unable to give any indication of the views held in Hastings. Air. O’Connell moved as an amendment that the resolution of the last general meeting to play four senior teams be adhered to.

There was no seconder. The motion was carried, one member, who had not spoken dissenting. Mr. Cane’s scheme in outline is as follows:— In the first place it would be necessary for the Association to ask the St. Matthew’s and Hastings Clubs to combine, a stat** of affairs which did not exist prior to 1921. Competitions on the following lines could then be arranged. Eight teams to enter for the senior competition, whiclPwould.be divided into two different grades, viz., A and B; tho A grade to consist of teams from the Scindo, United, High School Old Boys’ and Hastings Clubs respectively, the last-mentioned team to be comprised of the eleven best players from that club. The B grade io consist of teams from the Civil Service, Hastings and High School Clubs respectively, and a team chosen and captained by a prominent senior player comprised of the eleven best players from the junior clubs, not more than three players to bo picked from any one of the four junior teams in the junior competition. That two rounds be played by each grade during the season, and that the winners of the respective grades play off for the challenge cup. That in tho event of the B grade team being defeated, they have tiie right to challenge the lowest team in the A grade at the end of the season, the winning team to be classed an A grade team during the following season, and the losers a B grade team for a similar period. That the juniol; competition be composed of the four teams which, in the opinion of the Association, are the four strongest combinations remaining, and that the third grade be comprised of the re* mainder of the teams entered. GENERAL MATTERS. Mr. Hallett suggested that some steps should be taken to secure cups for the third and fourth grade. Mr. Williams offered one cup. (Applause.) Mr. Williams; But you must remember that it can’t be produced just now. (Laughter.) Mr. Jacobsen suggested that they seemed to be taking advantage of Mr. Williams, and some outside effort should be made. Scinde Club was presented with a senior cup. In making the presentation the president congratulated the team on their fine showing, but reminded the club that it must become financial. The Napier High School was presented with the junior cup. Stephenson, of the High School, was presented with tho autographed bat, . presented by Ran&ford, of the Australian team, for the best all-round ; schoolboy player for the past season. 1 Sub-commit tees were appointed to meet the Hastings and Napier Borough Councils concerning provision and preparation of wickets. Mr. Ratcliffe advised the meeting . that there was every chance of J. Hurst [ and Schofield of England visiting the Dominion shortly. . Mr. \\ ilUams, in conclusion, thanked members for their remarks. He hopbd i they would all help him to encourage and bring on the boys.