CRICKET CONTROL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 89, 14 March 1934, Page 9

CRICKET CONTROL

EASTER FIXTURES. JUNIOR TEAM TO TOUR. A meeting of the management committee of the Manawatu Cricket Association was held last night, when Mr A. M. Ongley presided. Others present were Messrs C. Sigley, E. J. Werry, R. S. Warwick, J. Gavey, W. H. Wilson, N. Gallichan, G. Griggs, W. E. Norris and It. Brace.

The Southern Hawke's Bay Association wrote thanking the committee for the hospitality extended its team on the occasion of its visit to Palmerston North.

The Wellington Cricekt Association acknowledged receipt of Manawatu’s invitation to an Easter match. The writer stated that the matter would be kept in mind when the Easter arrangements were being considered. It was also mentioned that the association’s letter of protest anent the treatment accorded R. Hatch on the southern tour by Wellington had been received.—Received, the chairman remarking that little further could be done in connection with the protest. The New Zealand Cricket Council, in giving a ruling on the dispute between the U.S.C. A. and Combined Services Clubs in the mid-week series, stated that the finding of the management committee had been upheld. The decision of the management committee was in favour of U.S.C. A. on the ground that the player Gray had not been a member of the Services team on the day in question. The liangitikei Association telegraphed stating that they were otherwise engaged at Easter and would not be able to meet a Manawatu team. — Received. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Werry, it was decidd that the senior and junior B competitions close on the 24tli and the junior A on the 17tli inst., unless rain interferes with play. It was further decided that the third grade competition close on the 24th and the mid-week series on the 21st.

Arrangements were made for a team drawn from the Junior B clubs to meet a Wednesday eleven on Easter Monday.

E. Hollier and D. O’Brien were registered as members of the Combined Services Wednesday club. The attention of clubs was directed to Rule 41 and to the fact that unless defaulters were posted before tlie close the month the claim became void. The secretary was instructed to advise the clubs of the position by letter. Mr Griggs reported that the junior team, which would tour Hawke’s Bay at Easter would play a two-day match on the Friday and Saturday and a one-day game at Hastings. CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES.

With a view to inviting suggestions for the betterment of competitive play and the game in general, the Wednesday clubs were invited to be represented at a round-the-table conference at the conclusion of the committee meeting.

In introducing the deputation, Mr Wilson stated that ho had advanced a suggestion that representatives meet the committee in tlie hope that good might come of it.

The chairman expressed pleasure at the strides made in mid-week cricket and assured the representatives present that the committee would endeavour to further tlie game in any direction possible.

Mr Wilson commented upon tho advisability of amending tho hour of the commencement of the mid-week games, 1.45 being too early for many players. Mr G. McGregor (Optimists) supported this contention, suggesting that the starting hour be 2 p.m. Mr Redward (U.S.C. A) suggested that the 15 minutes grace be strictly enforced.

Mr McGregor stressed the advisability of restricting the mid-week series to bona fide Wednesday players only. Mr Redward asked wha.t was tho status of tho Wednesday competitions, pointing out 'that, if not ruled as a junior competition, senior players were eligible to participate. The chairman, in reply, stated that the only restriction was that Saturday seniors were not eligible. However, the by-law had been waived in certain instances to strengthen the weaker teams and for the betterment of the competition. Mr Matson (U.S.C. A) stated that J Gallichan had done valuable work for the B team and it was a pity that the Optimists Club did not also have a senior member to improve the standard of play and to develop the younger members.

Mr McGregor pointed out that a senior player would be of more advantage on the practice field for there was a da.nger of that player monopolising things on match day. •Mr Brace maintained that the strengthening of U.S.C. B and Services B by the admission of a senior player had improved the competition 50 per cent. Mr McGregor considered that unless the competition were restricted to bona fide Wednesday players the enthusiasm weakened. In his opinion it was preferable to restrict the teams to those who attended regularly rather than cater for senior players who were casual in their attendance at matches.

The chairman pointed out that the two teams leading in the mid-week series were clubs which did not have the assistance of senior players. Mr Redward suggested the introduction of a by-law to prevent participation by players arriving at a late stage of the game unless prior to the commencement permission had been secured from the opposing side. The chairman said that a team could field substitutes on application, but it had to be declared for whom the substitute was filling the place. Further, it was a practice to declare the teams before play commenced. Mr Worry considered that the enforcement of the declaration of teams would overcome the difficulty. Mr Matson mentioned the difficulty in respect to umpiring owing to the inexperience of some of the players who were called on to act in that capacity. He suggested that three competent players from every club be formed into an umpires’ association. Mr Redward enquired whether a team could play an unregistered player as a substitute. The chairman, in reply, stated that a substitute was only entitled to field with the permission of the opposing skipper. Mr Wilson thanked the committee for the opportunity afforded the Wednesday players of presenting certain aspects before the committee. He had taken‘note of four points: The time of starting of matches, the definition of a Wednesday player, the evident lack of a knowledge of the rules by players and the advisability of the formation of an umpires’ association. At the conclusion the chairman thanked the delegates for their attendance, assuring them that the various points had been notedl and would be given consideration by the management committee. He suggested, however that the Wednesday clubs confer prior to the opening of next season and then form a sub-committee to present suggestions to the management committee.