CRICKET.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 September 1927, Page 7

CRICKET.

OTAKI CLUB

The annual meeting of the Otaki Cricket Club was held alt the Lyric theatre on Monday evening, before an tendance of nine momibcrs. Mr. A. E.Twist, club captain, was voted .to the chair.

The following report and statement of receipts and expenditure was adopted hy the meeting:— "Gentlemen, —Your committee has pleasure in presenting its,report as follows:—The club played thirteen Association .matches during the season, losing live, winning five and drawing three. Five games v. Paraparaumu, 1, lost, 2 won, 2 drawn; four games v. Weraroa, 2 lost, 1 won, 1 drawn; four games v. Levin, 2 lost, 2 won. The club was exceedingly fortunate in having Mr. Bob. Pringle to play for it during the season. His batting was a tower of strength to the side and he rarely went to the wickets and failed .to score. The (basis of his method was a sound defence, and in that respect he was a lesson to all aspiring batsmen. He was also a. very useful slow (bowler. Unfortunately ;both the Otaki and Paraparaumu grounds are undersized and a slow bowler does not get the same chance for catches off his bowling as would be the case on. a wider field of play, otherwise Pringle's bowling would have been still more useful. It is ibad luck for ithe Clvib that Pringle has left to go farming at Linton; we trust that he will be able to get cricket there; the best wishes of his club mates igo with him for a good cricketer and a thorough sportsman. We also haive to regret the removal of our captain, Mr. S. J. Sievers, to Levin. However, we are very glad to say that he is still going to play for us; without his help we should be weak indeed. The clutb wishes to express its most heartfelt thanks to its Patron, Mr. J. P. Brandon, its president, Mr. W. M. Simcox, and its vice-presiderits, Messrs Stewart, Walsh, Dr. Milne, Messrs Morse, Witchell, B. Knox, B. Ferguson and J .Palmer, Jnr., and to Mr. C. S. Le Fevre. These gentlemen have been exceedingly generous to us this season, land without their valued monetary assistance we would have a difficulty in carrying on. Mr. J. P. Brandon has also presented two bats, the first being allocated to club use, and the second being donated to Mr. J. Flutey, and for his generosity .we are deeply grateful. We wish to thank Mr. Stewart who rarely failed to turn upland umpire for us. The club had a membership of fourteen —including one sufficient to carry on with. , Early in the season' your committee heard that the authorities were intending to topdress the domain,.,but an emphatic protest being lodged, the intention was dropped. The present lessee will do his best to keep the grass, short. Receipts and expenditure for season 1926-27:

Receipts: Cash in hand, 23/9/26, £5 7s 2d; donations, £lO 16s 10d; subscriptions, £7 ISs; collections for afternoon tea, £3 2s; interest at 5 ,per cent to 30/9/27, 8s lOd; ;total £27 12s lOd. Expenditure: Affiliation fee to H.C.A., £1 Is; W. H. Tisdall, £9 12s 10s; C. H. Bould, 18s 6d; H.. Noble, for cakes, £2 12s; tea and coal, 12s; sundries, £2 19s 4d; total £l7 15s Bd. I Cash in hand 6/9/27, £9 17s 2d.

The 'trophy of one guinea, presented by Mr. Twist for .the highest .batting average, was <won toy R. jPringle, a 3 follows: — f Pringle, 344 runs, highest score 92, average 31.27. F. S. Simcox, 294 runs, highest score 57 not out, average 22.61. S. J. Sievers, average 17, and A. Flutey, average 14.5. Mr. P. Simcox .presented a trophy of one guinea for the .best ibowling average, which resulted as follows: — F. S. Simjcox, 40 overs, 128 runs, 1(5 wickets, average 8 (tied for first place). A. Flukey, 27 overs, 80 runs, 10 wickets, average 8 (tied for first place). S. Sievers, 128 "Overs, 384 runs, 46 average 8.34.

The following officers were elected: — Patron, Mr. J. P. Brandon; president, Mr. W. M. Simcox; vice-presidents, Dr. Milne, Messrs H. Witchell, E. S. Morse, H. Stewart, B. Knox, B. Ferguson, C. 8. Le Fevre, J. Sims and J. Palmer, Jr.; field captain, S.J. Sievers; vice-captain, P. Simcox; cluib captain, A. E. Twist; secretary and treasurer, F. S. Simcox; selector, R. <?. Miles; committee, the playing officers of the club, as ahove; delegates to ; the Horowhenua Cricket Association, F. S. and P. Simcox.

The subscription was fixed at the same as last year, viz., seniors 10s 6d, juniors 2s 6d. It was decided to try and arrange matches with Paraparaumu and Weraroa before the Association matches began. The secretary was instructed to write a-letter of appreciation to Mrs. W. Be.van r Domain Road, for her .great kindness in making tea for the club, and one of farewell to Mr. R. Pringle.