Challenge System Ends

Northern Advocate, 5 October 1948, Page 3

Challenge System Ends

Only two sub-associations objected to the zoning of the Dargavillc and Golden Bloom Shield competitions. They were Mangonui and MidWestern. The case Cor zoning was presented by Mr H. B. Massey, on behalf of the Whangarei sub-association, which, he said, had its club cricket seriously affected last season through having to defend the two trophies. The cost of gear and balls used also was embarrassing to a sub-association playing a series of games. He felt that zoning would give every sub-association the opportunity o p playing for the trophies, and the two best teams would fight out the final. The preliminary draw could vary each season, so that the same teams would not meet in the first round.

f Mr Massey’s motion was carried by !10 votes to four, Mangonui and MidWestern being the only dissenters, j A recommendation was made to the management committee that the first i round of the shield competitions be i olaved before Christmas. : ’ The final is to be played in alternate j zones each year. I Players eligible to play for the ' Golden Bloom Shield are to be under i2l years of age at the date of their j challenge match. I Previously the rules provided that ! a player could be 21 or under at the 1 beginning of the season, but, at the j instigation of the Mangonui associaI tion. it. was decided that once a player i attained 21 he was no longer a colt. THREE SELECTORS

The zoning system would give subassociations more representative games and more variety and would do away with the possibility of a team's challenge being upset, by bad weather. FARMERS’ DIFFICULTIES

! The question or system of selection ' was ciuickly disposed oi. ; Mr L. P. Dumbleton moved that i there be three, Mr W. Dunning proI posed an amendment for one, and most I speakers stressed the need for three ! selectors living in the same district,

Mr A. J. Mclntosh pointed out that Mangonui objected to zoning simply because most of its players were farmers and could not get away ito play representative cricket before the end of the- season. This meant that Mangonui could not field its strongest team' early in the season. Mr H. G. Agnew (Mid-Western) claimed that zoning provided a protective screen for the holder. It was explained, however, that under the zoning system, all sub-as-sociations would compete in the elimination games. Mr li. J. Hewin suggested that the zoning be given a trial.

j'who could receive nominations from | : all sub-associations and confer readily j in choosing Northland teams. ; j Mangonui, Bay of Islands and North- 1 ! ern Wairoa advocated three men re-1 sident in the Whangarei County. | A motion to this effect was carried | I by eight votes to one. j { The appointments will be made by | • the management committee. j