DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18542, 1 May 1922, Page 9

DUNEDIN CRICKET CLUB

SUCCESSFUL SMOKE SOCIAL. The Dunedin Cricket Club held a very enjoyable smoke social in Kroon’s Hall on Saturday night to celebrate the First Eleven's success in winning the Senior Championship Shield, Mr W. Fleming, club president, occupying the chair. There was a large attendance of club members, Otago Cricket Association officials, and representatives of the various local chibs. After the loyal toasts had been honoured, the chairman extended a hearty welcome to those present, more especially the old memlicrs, who, he was glad to see, were still taking an active interest in the club. Mr L. Joel, vice-president of the Otago Cricket Association, in proposing the toast of “The Dunedin Cricket Club,” said that although never a member of the club hun-,-elf, he had been associated with many Dunedin Club players during his long cricketing career. The club was nearing its thirtieth year of existence. This, of course, was the present Dunedin Club, and not the previous club, which he could remember playing on the Oval. The success of the club’s First Eleven last season had been achieved bv the determination not to admit defeat. The last match of the season was an example of this. Mr Joel, in conclusion, said that the club would! have bo look to its laurels if it wished to retain the shield, but he could candidly say that if the team played the game as it had done during the past season it would be very difficult to defeat. _ _ Mr E. S, Wilson, one of the original members of the club, in replying, recalled many anecdotes, and, waxing reminiscent, said that the year 1892 saw the winding up of the Warehousemen’s Cricket Club and the first Dunedin Club, both of which played on the Oval, which at that time was practically a swamp, and was unfit for cricket. In September, 1893. a meeting was called in the Shamrock Hotel to consider the formation of the club. On September 19. 1893, the present Dunedin Club was formed, there being present at the meeting Mr 31. Frner and his two sons. Bill and Alexander M’Lean, Bill and Bob Skitch- H. C- Low, Alf Kinsey. W. Fielden, Alexander M’Crorie, H. \ MTntosh, Jack Burt, and himself. Mr M. Fraer was e’ected the first president of the club. Mr W. Fraer was secretary. Mr H. C. Low treasurer, and Mr Bill Skitch captain. The club started with about 50 members, and put three elevens in the Geld, the Third Grade team winning all its ' matches, while the First Grade team defeated Albion in both matches. In the early days the members were very keen ‘on practicing, and it was quite common to sec 70 players on the ground during the evening. Mr Wilson continued-by referring to many of the fine members of the early days. The speaker then paid a tribute to the club’s late respected president, Mr T. S. Graham, who held that position from the second year of the present club’s existence until his death a few years ago. In conclusion, Mr Wilson congratulated the club on the success of the past season, and hoped that members would endeavour to take a keener interest in the chib, which had some fine traditions to maintain, one being that the teams always endeavoured to play the game in the proper spirit.—(Applause.) In proposing the toast of the ‘‘Shield Winners,” coupled with the name of Mr R. Torrance, captain, Mr G. A. Wycherley said that the old members were very pleased to see the Dunedin Club at the head of affairs again. The past season had been a keen contest, but by determination the Dunedin Club team had won. The team had played the game well, and its success was due more to the good all-round play than to individual brilliance. The keenness of the team was a great asset, and' it was pleasing to see the younger members coming on. The team was strong in bowling, and in Dunedin bowling is not strong all round’ Mr L. Casey was a very fine howler; he had taken 42 wickets, which was an average of 12, a particularly fine record. Mr L. Edwards had taken 22 wickets, which was also an average of 12 in good, all-round cricket. In past years the fielding had been n weak point, but last season the Dunedin Club ran second to the redoubtable Grange team, which appeared to have a mortgage on this cup. The last occasion on which the Dunedin Club had won the shield was in 1906-7. Bringing the shield to the south end of the town was a good thing, as the last time it had been brought south of the Octagon was in 1912-13, when Carisbrook B won it. _ 1 Mr Crosby Morris, president of the Otago Cricket Association, in presenting the shield to Mr R. Torrance, captain, said that he had much pleasure in handing over the shield to the Dunedin Club, but he could not say he hoped that club would keep it for a lengthy period, as he believed it should be handed round. Last year he had been pleased to present it to the Albion Club, and this season he had the same pleasure in handing it, over to the Dunedin Club. The general public had been dissatisfied at the action of his association in cancelling the North v. South match, and rescinding the previous resolution that the uncompleted matches should be finished. The Albion Club members had agreed to this, like the good sports they were, and they had accepted the position, and con gratulated the .Dunedin Club. Mr Torrance returned thanks on behalf of his team. ' Mr J. W. Mackcniy, in proposing" the toast of the “Otago Cricket Association,” said that as fine a body of men as had controlled the sport for many years, now had charge of cricket in Dunedin. They began with a debit! balance at the beginning of last season, but in spite of this they had financed the northern tour, engaged a coach, and conducted an art union. A good many players did not appreciate the work of the association, and did not give it the assistance which it deserved. There was a large number of cricketers who played for themselves alqne. Next season he hoped to see an improvement, and that all members would assist the governing body in its schemes. Mr Crosby Morris, in reply, said that the past season had been a somewhat strenuous one, but in spite of that the debit balance had been considerably reduced. He referred to several players who had devoted a number of afternoons to coaching the boys of the Otago Boys’ High (School. He looked to the future of this scheme with every confidence. From the schools would come the future senior players. _ With regard to grounds, the association had a' friend in Mr D. Tannock, who was keen to provide good grounds for the sports’ bodies. This was apparent in the improved condition of the Oval. Mr Morris then detailed the financial position of the association, and concluded bv wishing the Dunedin Club every success in the future. The following toasts were also honoured: “The Umpires’ Association,” proposed by Mr L. Oasev, and responded to by Mr H. Wilson; “Sister Clubs,” proposed by Mr J. A. Robson, and responded to by club representatives; and “The Press.” During the evening meet enjoyable items were given by Messrs Wise and Thomas fpic.no and piccolo), Mr C. H. Russell (recitations), Messrs R. Walls. J. Denker, J. Haggitt, W, Strang, and R. Bryant (songs). Mr Haggitt proved an efficient accompanist.