OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14616, 31 August 1909, Page 6

OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCITION

ANNUAL RETORT.

file following report will be submitted 10 the annual meeting of the Otago. Cricket Association:— ; Your committee, while regretting tho lack of enthusiasm still only too apparent among cricketers generally, think that tne past season' may bo looked upon as satisfactory .from many points of view; fho'association, with the generous assistlance of supporters of tbe game, was: able to secure the services of two coaches— Charles Wordsworth (Sydney) and F. Ay cs (Melbourne),—whose time was clieiHy devoted to the coaching of colts and' ixhool lxivs. This section of players, however, did «ot take advant-ago of the opportunity to tile, extent anticipated. The coaches al-:o- put in some useful work with the players selected to praetiso for representative matched.'. Out the 9th November two North v. South end matches wore played a" Carisbrcok: one between teams selected from First tirade and the other for Second Grade pla-yeiß. Both matches furnished enjoyable games, the senior match resulting "ill a win for the South End, while in the junior engagement the North Won l>y .1 .narrow majority. 'Northern Tonr.-Mamly through the energies of Mr C. G. Wilson a thoroughly representative team was got together to journey to Auckland in the hopo of wasting from the locals tho Plunket Shield. It rcllccts greatly to the credit of tho members of this team that they should pay their own expenses and give their time in the hope of bringing the honours to Uunodtn. Under these special circumstances it was particularly unfortunate that time alone probably prevented them from carrying out their design, as tho match with the champion province resulted in a most unsatisfactory draw. It is Eomowhat absurd that such a result, should have been possible' in a match of tho kind—after the team bad travelled such a- distance for the sole purpose of meeting the .Shifidholdcrs. It is sincerely, to bo hoped that the New Zealand Cricket Council will'see that, all l'hmkel Shield matches aw •in future played to a finish. In tiro match intptcsdon "the Olago team scored 338 in their . first innings, the captain (C. G. Wilson) lending the way with a magnificently compiled 144, E. C, Ilowden 33, H-, G. fSicileborg 3D, C, Hopkins 21, A. H, Fisher 19, F. Williams 17,' 0. (»■ Austin 12, M. Rutherford 11, lending valuable aciistanee. A. Howden (am ex-Ot-ago representative) bowled well for Auckland, and secured seven wickets tor 37 runs. Auckland 1 responded with 126 (Relf _ 61). Otago then put up 159 (Williams 35, Wileou 28, Hopkins 18, Rutherford 1 14, Austin 13, Torrance 13, not out), leaving their opponents 302 to win. Playing for tho draw Auckland, at call of lime, had made 160 for five- wickets. Fisher, Torrance,, and Wordsworth all bowled exceedingly well for Otago. The team, next played Wanganui, and won easily, scoring 330 and 242 for six wickets, against 216 and 26. 11. G. Sledoberg was in .geed form, with scores of 109 and 55,' not out. and Wordsworth and Torraince bowioJ consistently well throughout the match. Napier wa6 ihe scene of the next engagement, and here, too, your representatives were easily successful, beating liawke's Bay by 191 runs; Olago scored 340 (C. G. Wilson 1881 and lot for.six wickets; against 144 and 169. Tor-ranee was again to the fore with tho ball, coming out with the splendid averages of seven for 51 and seven for '(2. Mr T. T. Riichic officiated as manager during the tour, and the members of the team and tho association are greatly indebted to him for tho time and attention he devoted to their welfare ar.d for the able manner in which he filled the posiiion.

The Canterbury Hatch.—After the succces achieved''by Otago on Mio i:c;lli«n tour, their niatch vit;h Canterbury at Duncdin was looked forward to with a vast amount of interest. ' Tho ' visiting team included Humphreys, 'tho Kent professional, and Arthur Sims, \yho had just returned from the Old Country, wliere lie lukl indulged in a jjood doai of Otago supporters were confidwt that their tsain cot)ld this tiino be delicti. upon to show "their- tnio | form against their old opponents. Disappointment awaited them, for although Canterbury in th«r first innings had a-t one time lost eight wickets for 58, the total eventually reached 206. Bad catching was again accountaUo for Otago losing grip of the match, though every credit is due to Orchard and Boxshall for the completo manner in which they took advantage of cur mistakes. Otago never showed auj form with the bat in either innings, and their combined efforts realised but 77 and 143. As Canterbury's second eesay totalled 259, our men wove decisively bcaton. Otago v. Southland.—' I'hu Otago team whidi journeyed to Invercargill, though not thovoug'hlii representative, was considered a g<xxi side, but til© display given by tihcni was' very foeblc. The wickot no dopbt accounted for t : Hc poor crickct shown by both sitfcs, Mid Southland won a low scoring match with totals of 94 and 104 against, 57 and 44. Tk batting successes

Aero nil, but Wordsworth, Mackcrey, and Cumings did the damage with tho ball. Second Grade "Representative Match.— A , Sccond Grade representative team journeyed to C'hristclnirch at tho New Year and played the Canterbury Junior representatives. The 'home team was too strong and won easily by scoring 164 aJul 41i (closed for soven wickets) against lOf and' 162. Poor fielding helped the big score in Camtarbury's .second iimingi Colunib (35 and 49), Duthic" (56), Shcltan (27 and 10) showed good form with the bat. Club Cricket.—The weather at the beginning of tho season was most unsuitable for crickct, and tlio continued poitponomente of. raatohes doubtes didnartaicd many players. The Cambrool; Club won th© First Grade shield by the narrow margin of oiio point over Dumxlin; Albion gained Second Grade honours with another umbteata] record, while tho Grange Club bhow'ed themsolvca to possess tho pick cf t.he coming cricketers by appropriating both the Tliird and l'ourth Grado shields. The fielding trophy was also awarded to the Grango Club. General—The committee must again ex: pret« it.s indebtedness to the Umpires' Associal ion and congratulate it upon the able manner in which it lias carried out its ditties. Cricketers one and all, we feel sure, appreciate the efforta of tiles; gentlemen who'give'up'so. much .of their timo to officiate in club'matches, and we'would like to sec more of our old players join the rank? of the association, as if they had a big membership members would not bo caJlcd on to give up every Saturday as is flic case in many instances at present. Flayers arc urged to assist the association by accepting umpires' decisions with good grace. Wo .have a'gam to eomplimont the Albion end Grange Gluts on the improvement of - the North Ground, and v«y pleasant, games can now bj had there.

Towards- l-he\clo.v. ot las,. season Mr A. 11-Leau tendered his resignation as a member of the executive owing to being transferred to Alexandra. The members of the association made him a small presentation prior to bis departure in -recognition of his past wrviws. Mr C. R. Smith, president of the association, too!; a trip to tho Old Country at the dose of lasl season, and the UK-mbcre of the association took occasion to wish him bon voyago, lour committee received with regret tho iviifnation of Mr 1". 11. Campbell as a member of your executive, and they hero wish to express t'heir appreciation of tlie many valuable services rendered by him in (he intercuts of the game. Finance,— I Ths sjason was commenced with an overdraft of. £100 4s lOd, and the balance sheet now buboiitteil shows a credit bianco, This i§ a mbst satiifacton elate .of

affairs, considering tho association paid visits to Southland and Auckland. The result, was ohielly obtained through the art union inaugurated by tlia association, which showed the very handsome profit, of £185 3s Id. The Art Union Committee deserve great credit for llie splendid manner in which they carried tlus affair to such a swoassful issue. Too jnuch pmisc cannot bo bestowed on Messrs C. G. Wilson, T. G. Scoular, .1. Hqne, and ,T. Clarke (Morningtcnl, as t.lioy really did the lion's sharo ui ths work. Your committee desires to express their appreciation ©f the generous manner in which those interested in cricket nixl the general public responded to their appeal. The association is negotiating for the services of a coach for (ho coming season, and if arrangements arc completed as tho association anticipates, crickelfll's will have t.ho services 0 f n f trst c j asj all-round man. I ha-nks.~-Ijio thanks of t-ho association n.iv duo to Jles-rs D. It Thomson ami K. .1. Austin, who acted as your delegates to lib? N.Z.C.C., ami who havo looked carefully after the intwests of Otago cricket during t.hoir term of office. To the Otago Hm;l;y l'oolball T'nion for generously granting your a»-:ociatioii a benefit malch in aid of its funds; to l.ha press for promijienoe given to the affairs of the association and orieke-f. in general. Prospective.—The New Zealand Cricket CounoU is negotiating for a visit from an' Australian Eleven on tonus that should provo satisfactory to the various associations, and should this visit eventuate it should bo t.ho nic-anS of giving tho game- a uracil needed impetus. During tlw year 29 committee meeting wore bold, and attended- a s follows:—!'. RiWhio 28, C. G. Wilson 24, ,7. Hope 21,. W. Maclean 21, ..I. Clarke 20, A. Rcstieaux 15, J. Beck 13, Clark 12, L. C. Gooch 5 (cut of a possible 11, he being elected in place of A. Sl'Lean, resigned). Conclusion.—ln retiring from office, your committee Ihtinloi the olubs for the support accorded them, and trusts its miceessora will lie treated in like manner. Tho following are tho batting and bowling averages in representative 'matches; —

Batting. I . § s !? •S 2 „ " ° so .5.° o !> ■ h is n as -5 C G Wilson !1C 472 -. 188 47.2 11. G. Sied-sberg . 7 233, 1 103 D 9.6 C. Hopkins 8 203 - G7 25 M lTuthertord 10 ISO 1 42 20.fi U> C. Torrance 8 97 3 42 19.4 G. G. Austin '. -1 70 - 21 .17.5 E. CJ. Howde-- 2 iil - 31 17 C. Chadwick •. 2 iG 1 9 1G P. Williams , V 90 1 35 15 F. Aylss ... 8 104 1 47 1-1.8 C. Wordsworth " 10 103 1 51' 11.6 C. Beat 4 34 1 29 11.3 11. C. Watson 2 17 — 13 8.5 A. 11. Fisher 4 23 — 19 7 E. O. Blamire3 , 2 10 — 10 5 W. Hcndcnon 2 rO — It 5 W. Mackersy 2 5 1 4 5 A. Ee-kliold ■„ 2 B—B4 — M'Farlano 2 !) — 9 4.1 A. M-artyn , 2 5 — 5 2.5 J. It. Burt .j 1:2 — 2 2 E. Cummings , . 2 2 — 2 1 J. Brydone . 2 . 1 — l 0.0 Bowliks. g « ta , » -S m J' J s tl 3 0 § S! W 3ft K £» ■< E. Cummings. GI 4 — 20 4 5 E. C. Howxlen lIG 2 — 7 17 W. itjekersy G5 2 — 3:1 4 8.2 R. C. Torrance 1101 59 1 401 11 12.2 C. Wordsworth 10;G 53 5 37G 25 15.01 A. If. Fisher 610 38 — 178 10 17.8 G. G. Austin 138 9 — 40 220 SI. ItutherfoTd . 523 Jo 4 227 11 20.0 H. Cr. Siedeberg 120 4 — 50 2 23 C. Hopkins 102 1 — 5G 1 CG