Cricket in City

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 229, 27 September 1940, Page 9

Cricket in City

ASSOCIATION’S REVIEW OF LAST SEASON

Tho annual report of tho Manawatu Cricket Association states:—“Thirtytwo teams took part iu the Saturday competitions, which were divided into live grades. The sub-associations of Fcilding and liorowhenua also conducted competitions iu their own districts.. The season was marred by an unusually long succession of v.ct {Saturdays, play being abandoned &on live consecutive {Saturdays.

“Hawko Cup competition: Our representatives were successful in defeating the Waikato Association in tho challenge match for the Hawke Cujj played in Hamilton in January. AVaikato had held tho cup against all comers since! they won it from Manawatu in February, 1938. We were also successful in defeating Wanganui and Bay of Plenty in later challenges for the cup, played in Palmerston North. Owing to tho war it is doubtful whether Hawke Cup matches will bo played in the coming season. The question will be decided at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council in November.

“Friendly matches were played during the season against Wellington at Palmerston North and against Hawke’s Bay and Kilbirnic.

‘ ‘ The leading batting averages in representative matches were:—S. MeVicar 69.33, C. McVicar 43.40, while tho 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. “Saturday competitions: The senior A competition was won by City Club. The leading batting averages were:—J. Murchison (Kia Toa) 49.7, W. E. Norris (Palmerston) 45.6, AV. Pollett (Palmerston) 40.7, A. Carlisle (City) 40.6, S. McVicar (City) 40.2. The Justice and Edmunds Cup was wou by J. Murchison. The 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, 1. F. W. Hearsey 33 wickets for 334 runs, average 10.12. Tho senior B competition was won by Old Boys. Tho junior A competition was won by Optimists. The R. S. Abraham Cup for the highest batting average iu junior cricket was won by L. Hart with an average of 51.4. The junior B competition was wou by Public Service and the third grade by Marist. Tho junior cricket week which was to have been held in Palmerston North during the Christmas holidays was abandoned owing to lack of entries. Possibly 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 givo representative experience to tho younger players and thus improve the standard of play. “Nets and practice wickets: The association’s specially prepared practice wickets ivere again well patronised and thanks are duo to the groundsman, Mr. Foster, for his caro and attention to these wickets as well as for his excellent work in preparing wickets for competition and representative matches. Tho large practice nets imported by the association some years ago have stood up very well to constant use, but will soon need replacing. “Winsor Cup, presented to the best bowler in Plunket Shield cricket, was won by T. L. Pritchard, who has been a tower of strength in the Manawatu team and we congratulate him on being selected as New Zealand’s No. 1 bowler. “Finance: With a reduction in receipts from ground foes due to wet weather, and an increase in expenditure owing to the cost of sanding our Hawke Cup team to Hamilton, it was only to bo expected that the season would not be a favourable one financially. The incomo and expenditure account shows a surplus of £1 15s 3d, while the accumulated fund now stands at £282 18s 4d.

“Umpires: The members of tho Umpires’ Association who so willingly assisted us during last season aro deserving of our special thanks. Mr. Fred Hubbard, the energetic secretary of the Umpires’ Association, will be pleased to receive offers of assistance for the coming season.

“Prospects for season: Reports from clubs indicate that we can expect fewer teams in the coming season as already a large number of players are 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 tho game.” PALMERSTON CLUB The annual report of the Palmerston Cricket Club states:—

“Competitions: Two teams were entered in the competitions, one in the senior and one in the junior division. The senior team finished the season as runners-up to City by tho small margin of one point, while Old Boys were 29 points further removed. Tho competition was very enjoyable and a number of the games were closely contested. Tho batting of the individual members during the season was disappointing. AV. E. Norris with an avenge of 45-62 and

W. Pollitt 40-75, finished second and third respectively in tho Mianawatu averages and these two players werb left to do most of the run-makiing. Norris scored the only century for the club with 122 against United and was unfortunate in the first round to finish undefeated with 96 not out. The bowling was left to T. L. Pritchard, who was assisted by W. Millar and M. A. Onglcy. Pritchard earned the distinction of being the best bowler in the Dominion during the season and was awarded tho AVinsor Cup by the New Zealand Cricket Council. During the season he took 23 wickets in Plunket Shield matches, 32 in Hawke Cup and 83 in club matches, making a grand total of 138. Some of his best performances were 10 for 49 (v. Old Boys), 9 for 56 and 8 for 25 (v. High School), 8 for 11 (v. Kia Toa) and the “hat trick” (v. High School). Details are as follows:—Plunket Shield, 23 wickets, average 17.66; Hawko Cup, 32 wickets, average 4.87; club matches, S 3 wickets, average 6.8. The committee wishes to congratulate Norris on winning t Tie Captain Mitchell Challenge Cup for highest batting average and Pritchard on winning the Louisson Bowling Cup. Congratulations aro extended to Norris, Pritchard and Pollitt, who Manawatu in the Hawke Cup matches. , ‘ ‘ The junior team again performed well and had an enjoyable season. G. J. Kells topped the century mark and was assisted on all occasions by T. Madgwick, R. and H. Ormond, R. Carson, D. Harkness and H. Childs. “Tho committee extends congratulations to the City Club on winning the senior championship and Club in the junior grade. Tine club extends best wishes to F. L. Irvine, who is on active service and to the enlistments of R. Carson, S. Cutler, A. McNeile, W. Pollitt, M. J. Rodgers, W. V. Shannon and G. A. Robertson; also to D. A. R. Maloney, who is with tho army at Burnham, and to J. A. Ongley, who has left for England to join the Navy.” The repqrt places on record the services rendered the club by its officers, particularly Messrs. A. M. Ongley, M. Millar, A. AVakeliu and N. G. Ingham for their donations; to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Ongley who entertained club members at a tennis morning at the close of the season, and Mrs. W. E. Norris and Miss Harkness, who assisted on an afternoon tea day. CITY CLUB ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the City Cricket Club was held on Wednesday night when she president, Mr. J. R. Hardie, presided over a good attendance of members. In reviewing the activities of the past

season the chairman extended congratulations to the senior A team on 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. Bowling: T. Downes, 67 wickets, average 8.67 runs. Senior B: Batting, R. Weston, 209 runs, average 29.36; bowling, W. Cameron, 15 wickets, average 10.09 runs. Junior B: Batting, G. Gough, 343 runs, average 20.18; bowling, N. Finnie, 38 wickets, average 6.3. Matters were promising for the incoming season and the club should again play a prominent role. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Mr. A. E. Mfinsford; president, Mr. J. R. Hardie; vice-presidents, Messrs W. L. Fitzherbert, J. Hodgens, M.P., and A. C. McVicar; secretary, Mr. A. Carlisle; treasurer, Mr. J. Gavey; management committee, Messrs W. King, N. Lcet, M. Williams and S. McVicar; auditor, Mr. C. May; coach, Mr. A. C. McVicar; delegates to Manawatu Cricket Association, Messrs J. Gavey and W. King. The delegates were instructed to support the suggestion that one-day matches be playod for one round, after which the matter could be reviewed.

Tho chairman extended congratulations to the following members who have enlisted for military service:—H. Lang, E. Kelly, C. Me Vicar, K. AVii'by, J. Learmonth, G. Gough and G. Cameron. It was pleasing to see such a fine patriotic spirit in the club and best wishes were extended for a safe return.

It was decided to place on record the appreciation of tho services rendered by Mr. H. Lang as treasurer, Mr. Lang being on overseas service. It was also decided to place on record the appreciation of the services rendered to the club by tho retiring secretary, Mr. J. E. Gavey. Mr. Gavey has been secretary since its inception and much of its success was due to his ability. It was hoped Mr. Gavey would soon take up the duties of this office again. Tho chairman expressed the opinion that sporting activities should continue notwithstanding tho war and that cricket should bo maintained and 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 for essential duties. It was loft to the secretary to notify members when practice would commence.