Hutt Cricket Club

Hutt News, Volume 17, Issue 18, 29 September 1943, Page 8

Hutt Cricket Club

ANNUAL

The 34th Annual General Meeting of the Hutt Cricket Club was held on 13th inst. Sir Alexander Roberts presided over an attendance of 22 members. Prior to proceeding ivith the ordinary business, Sir. Alex, on behalf of the Hutt Cricket and Athletic Club and the Headmaster's Association, presented to Mr. 11. Yagg, on the eve of his retirement from the position of caretaker of the Hutt Recreation Ground after 2lt years of service, a cheque in appreciation of the manner in which he looked after the interests of all sports bodies and trusted that both Mr. and Mrs. Yagg would enjoy many happy years in their retirement. The President referred to the lossj the Club had sustained during the year in the death of two vice-presi-dents, Messrs. J. B. Brinsden and H. G. Locket, both of whom had given valuable service to cricket in the Valley and had been regular attendants at the Recreation Ground. In moving the adoption of the Report and Balance Sheet the president congratulated the Club on the success achieved during the past season, especially in winning for the second year in succession the Wellington Association Club Championship, this, he considered, was the highest honour a club could attain as it signified strength throughout the Club teams. He also congratulated the Senior team on going through the season without defeat and winning the championship. This was a meritorioui-} effort and they deserved their success.. The following officers were elected: —President, Sir Alexander Roberts; vice-presidents, added to last years list:—Messrs. J. W. McHolm, H. W. Kersley, R. Robinson; Club Captain, J. H. Dickinson; DeputyClub captain, J. O'Reilly; Hon. Sec., R. Mustard; hon. treas., B. T. Pegler; hon. auditor, G. L. Judd; management committee, E. J. Aim (chairman), J. Wall, C. A. .Muir, C. Dudding, B. Bennett, R. Buchan and R. W. Stehr; delegates to "Wellington Cricket Association, Messrs. E. J. Aim, J. H. Dickinson, B. T. regler and J. Wall; official recorders, J. Kerr, R. Deal, R. McLeod, R. Robinson. The Annual Report stated: Throughout the' season losses ol members to the Armed forces were heavy and upwards of 60 members are now serving in one or the, other branch of the Services, nevertheless the Club was able to enter and main tain five teams in the Wellington Cricket Association competitions, one team being sponsored by the Air Training Corps. The Senior team in winning the Championship, went through the season undefeated and equalled the record established by the 1927-28' tear.i. The third grade tecim won their championship, while the seconds missed the honour only by being defeated in the final match of the Season.

For the second season in succession the Club was successful in winning the Club Championship with 977 points. to their credit. Onslow were runners-up with 7 53.

Through the generosity q£ Mr. Scott, president of the Grafton Cricket Club, their senior team, winners of the Auckland Championship, were afforded .a visit to. Wellington for a match with our senior team. The match created much interest locally, and there was an excellent attendance at the Basin Reserve for the final day's play. After disposing of the Grafton team cheaply for 12D runs, Hutt appeared to be in a strong position with 3 wickets down for 83, but excellent bowling by Burke brought about a collapse and the side was all out for the same score of 129 runs. In the second innings Grafton closed, with 4 wickets down for 163 and our team replied with 7 for 149, the contest ending in a draw. The highlights of the match were, for our opponents, Burke's bowling in taking 5 for 35 in the first innings, and 3 for 44 in the second; and for our aide, Muir's sterling bowling performance in taking 8 for 55 in the first innings plus an excellent double with the bat, viz., 65 and 50.

Excellent service was again , given by the social sub-committee arid the sum of approximately £26 was hand ed to the treasurer as a result of their efforts. Social games were played against St. Patrick's Old Boys at Silverstream College and the Hutt Valley Cricket Association's Manage ment Committee. Both games were won by the Club and were most enjoyable fixtures. The Club dinner held immediately following the final match of the season played on the Recreation Ground, was again well attended and provided a fitting, opportunity for the meeting together in a pleasant atmosphere of the officers of the club, local and visiting players. The Bolt Cup was awarded to 11. W. Stehr for his excellent performance ill scoring 92 runs against Karori. The Bunny Cup for award to the most promising club.member was won by It. Robinson. The Fairburn Shield, which goes to the team scoring the most points ill the competitions was won by the senior team with 7 5 points. The following - players wore congratulated on earning honours performances during the season: It. K. McLeod, 7 wickets for 28 runs v. Light A.A. Regiment. R. Nettleton, 105 runs v. Institute. P. Judd. 7

■wickets for 33 runs v. Army. Ingham

122 runs v. Area Sports Club. Though there .is an acute .shortage of sports material the , jclub is lortunately situated. At the end ol each season it has been the polic> of the committee to replenish stocks and through this foresight there is now on hand sufficient material to provide for the coming season. The committee extends thanks to the ladies who attended throughout the season to provide afternoon tea for the players. The majority of these ladies have come along and giveji their services freely season alter season, and we are deeply appreciative of their .loyally to the club. Thanks is also extended to all those who helped in any way during the season. Team Performances Senior: Played ID, woii''ls, drawn 3, abandoned 1. Ch;tmpi6iishi]f) points 75. The committee! lias' pleasure in recordihg that after a lapse of fifteen years, the senior team was successful in* winning the Wellington' ■ t Cricket Association's Senior Championship, and in doing ; so, went through the season without defeat, finishing 17 points ahead 'of Kilbirnie, the runners-lip. The team was fortunate in being able; under war conditions, to field practically the same side throughout tlie season and with an excellent team spirit prevailing, developed into a' ,! vvell-bal anced and strong combination. The fact that the team contained a number of young players who performed well in their first season of senicw cricket augurs well for the future. The success of the 5 team is priiuai'ily due to the con sistency of a strong attack, supported by improved fielding in the key positions and on most occasions the task set the batsman: was simplified by dismissal of the opposition for a modest score. Considerable credit is due to R. W. Buchan for the excellent manner in which he led the attack; his figures, 6 0 wickets for 389 runs, average 0.-48 ■ speak for themselves and to him goes the hon-

our of heading the Wellington Cricket Association's averages. He

was unfortunate in securing them in a season when no ■ Representative

honours were offering. Buchan was ably supported by H. Chapman who secured 60 wickets'for 604, average 12.08 in his first complete season of senior cricket in Wellington. His sting at the opening, of an innings was responsible on many occasions for the dismissal of the early batsmen before they set, and contributed in no small measure to the success achieved. C. A. Muir, B. T. Pegler, and J. O'Reilly, also bowled well on those occasions when their services were called upon:'

The batting performances of the team showed a marked improvement over recent seasons, and the side was fortunate in possessing.' players who could bat right down to the last man. The failure of the opening batsmen lias been a major .'fault for

some years past," but this season their success was a feature. 1 11. Mus-

turd, a young pi-ayer who shows promise of developing into ail efficient opening batsman, had; a successful season and when partnered with C. A. Muir,r whose experience and capabilities as /in i all rounder have for many years ibeen' so valuable to the team, gave the 1 side some very useful openings. (It is 'pleasing to record the outstanding success achieved by tho ,,! captain,• It. W. Stehr who* so ably ledi'the side, llis batting was consistency-'itself, and he was extremely unlucky .on several occasions in just failing''to-reach the coveted century. His 1 -total of 764 runs was the second 'highest recorded in Wellington and 1 ihis 1 best performance since joining- >the>club. H. Chapman and B. 'Bennett'-'also played some valuable ih'riingis,:' and the wicket-keeping of J. H: Dickinson was a decided asset-to >thß " team. In addition, this latter player's rapid scoring was invaluable ■ at times when runs were required' quickly. It •vS interesting to ''record*- 1 that the team's average runs per wicket was 26.4 while the opponents was 13.1 runs per wicket, and : ' t'hat in 19 matches played, only on ;, four occasions was the full side batted. Second grade:— ; io matches, won 11, lost 6', drawiV 2: 1 Championship points 67. To a greater extent than usual, the sec'oiid grade team was comprised of yotong players who, though lacking 'the guidance of more seasoned iVl'&yers, performed consistently tfri'ou&hout the season. I'opplewell a'jid Lewton figured prominently in the batting, and Reid, a primary school' lad who was with the team only for .the first part of the season, showed exceptional promise. Excellent bowling figures were secured by McLeod and Murphy who were well supported by Dudding. "" '

Third grade: — Played. 17,, matches won 13, lost 4. Championship points 72. While the Social team lacked

a fast bowler, they nevertheless, due mainly to the possession of a dependable baiting t.itie, were able to

account for Lhe opposition on most occasions, and at the conclusion of the season secured a well earned victory over Institute in a play oil for championship honours. This team is to be congratulated on the • ' i' i 1 success achieved in recent seasons,

in which they have citliiV boon the winners or runners-up' of their grade championship.

Nettleton, in scoring ,340 runs, on the few occasions in., which he was able to play, showed that he is still a batsman' of class, llain and ,1 udd, both slow Jbunviers,,,were the most successful bowlers.

Fourth grade:—-Played 17, won 9 lost X. Championship points 57. In common with other junior teams the fourth grade had to rely almost

wholly on young players, nevertheless this side showed considerable keenness and " their performances were better than was anticipated, especially as some teams in this grade were comprised of experienced players. Deal in taking 43 wickets and securing the highest aggregate of runs is to be congratulated on giving an excellent all-round performance. * Fourth grade A.T.C.:- —Played 14, won 3, lost 11. Championship points 15. This team comprised exclusively of boys belonging to the Air Training Corps was severely handicapped by numerous changes in personnel, no less than 32 players taking the field during the season, con-

sequently a great measure of succes:/ was not anticipated. Ingham, who scored 27G runs and taok 33 wickets. showed considerable promise, and to Kerr, the captain, credit b due for the manner in which ho fathered the team in the face of considerable difficulty.