CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 257, 27 September 1940, Page 8

CRICKET

CITY CLUB’S MEETING. The annual meeting of the City Cricket Club was held on Wednesday, when the president (Mr J. It. Hardie) presided over a good attendance of members. An apology for absence was received from Mr W, L. Fitzherbert. The annual report (as previously published) and balance-sheet were adopted. In reviewing the activities of the past season the chairman extended congratulation's to the senior A team oh winning the championship and also to the senior B and junior B teams on their performances. The club had a considerable amount of equipment on hand and the income and expenditure account disclosed a small credit balance. Congratulations were extended to A. Carlisle, who headed the senior A batting with an average of 40-50 runs, also to the McVicar brothers, who also batted well. Other leading performances were: Bowling, T. Downes, 67 wickets, average 8.67 runs; senior B, batting, 11. Weston 209 runs, average 29.36; bowling, W. Cameron. 15 wickets, 10.09 runs; junior B, batting, G. Gough, 343 runs, average 20.18; bowling, N. Finnic, 38 wickets, average 6 3. Prospects were promising for the incoming season, it was stated, and the club should again play a prominent role. The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr A. E. Mansford; president, Air Hardie; vice-presidents, Messrs W. L. Fitzherbert. J. Hodgens, M.P., and A. C. McVicar; secretary. Mr A. Carlisle; treasurer, Mr JGavey : management committee, Messrs \V. King, N. Leet, M. Williams and S. McVicar; auditor, Mr C-- May; coach, Mr A. C. McVicar; delegates to Alauawatu Cricket Association, Messrs J. Gavey and W. King. Alter considerable discussion the delegates were instructed to support the suggestion that one-day matches be played lor ono round, after which the matter could be reviewed. The chairman extended congratulations to the following, members who have enlisted for military service: Messrs H. Lang, E. Kedy, C. McVicar, K. Wilby, J. Learmonth, G. Gough and G. Cameron. He said it was pleasing to see such a fine patriotic spirit in the club, and voiced best wishes for their safe return. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to place on record the appreciation of the services rendered by Mr H. Lang as treasurer during a number of_ years. Mr Lang is now on overseas service. It was also decided to place on record the appreciation of the services rendered to tiie club by the retiring secretary (Mr J. E. Gavey). Mr Gavey has been secretary ol the club since its inception and much of its success is due to his ability. It was hoped Mr Gavey would soon take up the duties of this office again. The chairman expressed the opinion that sporting activities should continue notwithstanding the war, aiid that cricket should be kept going to give the younger men not of military age a game, and also for those men who might be kept in New Zealand lor essential duties.

MAR IST CLUB. At the annual meeting of the Marist Cricket Club, Mr E. Tottman was elected to the chair. It was decided to enter three teams in the Manawatu Cricket Association's competitions. The election of officers resulted: Patron, Lit. Rev. Monsignor MacManus; president, Mr J. F. Donovan; vicepresidents, ten were elected ; secretary, Mr J. M. O’Connell; treasurer, Mr B. Clifford; delegate to Manawatu association,, Mr E. Tottman; management committee, Messrs Donovan, O’Connell, Clifford, J. Bramwell, P. Fitzpatrick, E. Tottman, K. Singleton and W. Broderick; hon. auditor, Mr J. Delaney. The election of club captain was held over. MANAWATU ASSOCIATION. REVIEW OF YEAR. The annual report of the Manawatu Cricket Association states, inter alia: Thirty-two teams took part in the Saturday competitions. The sub-associations ot Feilding and itorowhenua also conducted competitions in their own districts. *1 he season was marred by an unusually long succession of wet Saturdays, play being abandoned on five consecutive Saturdays. Our representatives were successful in defeating the Waikato Associations ill the challenge match for the Hawke Cup played in Hamilton in January. Waikato had held the cup against all comers since they won it from Manawatu in February, 1938 Wo were also successful in defeating Wanganui and Bay of Plenty in later challenges foi the cup, played in sa|-5 a |- merston North. Owing to . the war it is doubtful whether Hawke Cup matches will be played in the coming season. The question will be decided at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council in November. The leading batting averages in representative matches were: o. MeVicar, 69.33 and C McVicar, 43.40; while the leading bowlers were T. L. Pritchard, 32 wickets for 156 runs, average 4.87, and T. E. Downes. 28 wickets for 297 runs, average 10.61. The senior A competition was won by the City Club. The leading batting averages were:—.! Murchison (Kia Toa), 49.7, W. E. Norris (Palmerston) 45.6, W. Pollitt (Palmerston) 40.7, A. Carlisle (City) ■ 40.6, S. McVicar (City) 40.2. The Justice and Edmunds Cup was won by J. Murchison. 11 ho leading bowlers were: T. L. Pritchard, 83 wickets for 565 runs, average 6.8; T. E. Downes, 67 wickets for 581 runs, average 8.67; J. Hcarscy, 33 wickets for 334 runs, average 10.12. The senior B competition was won by Old Boy« and the junior A competition by Optimists; the R.' S. Abraham Cup for the highest batting average in junior cricket was won by L. Hart with an average of 51.4 ; the junior B competition was won by Public Service and the third grade by Marist. The junior cricket week which was to have been held in Palmerston North during the Christmas holidays wad abandoned ou'ing to lack of entries. Pos sibly the war had something to do with the lack of interest displayed, nevertheless it is only by encouraging matches among the leading junior teams that we can give representative experience to the younger players and thus improve (lie standard of play. The association’s specially prepared practice wickets were again well patronised, and thanks are due to the groundsman (Mr Foster) for his care and attention to these wickets as well as for bis. excellent work in preparing wickets for competition arid representative matches, The Winsor Cup, presented to the best bowler in Plunket Shield cricket, was won by T. E. Pritchard, who has been a tower of strength in the Manawatu team and \vc congratulate him on being selected as New Zealand’s No. I bowler. •With a reduction in receipts from ground fees due to wet weather, and an increase in expenditure owing to the cost of sending our Hawke Cup team to Hamilton, it was only to be expected that the season would not be a . favourable one financially. The income and expenditure account shows a surplus of £1 15s 3d, while the accumulated fund now stands at £282 19s 4d. The members of the Umpires’ Association who so willingly assisted us during last season are deserving of our special thanks. Mr F. Hubbard, the energetic secretary o.f the Umpires’ Association, will bo pleased to receive offers of assistance for; the coming season. Reports from clubs indicate that we can expect fewer teams in the coming season as already a largo number of players arc engaged in military service. This is only to be expected and we shall have to rely on those not yet affected by the war to . carry on the game.