CRICKET

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 48

CRICKET

GRANGE CLUB

In the presence of a large number of members aud supporters., the official opening of the Grange Cricket Club for the season was held at the North Ground on Saturday ofternoon. The president (Mr E. A. Hamel), in declaring the, season open, advised the members to play the game in the best •spirit. In that way they would add to the popularity of their club, which had a particularly good record. There was no reason, lie .said, why the game should not prosper in Dunedin, which had one of the finest coaches in the Dominion in Mr F. T. Badcock and one of the best grounds in Carisbrook. The club’s own ground -could, with the co-operation of the members, be made an excellent cricket area. In Alessrs Chadwick, Knight, and Galland the club had three of the finest workers whom lie had known in his long cricket experience, and he urged members to follow their example. He wished mcmibeis a pleasant season's cricket. The president of the Otago Cricket Association (Air J. Al. Fraser) congratulated the chib on possessing such a capable secretary as Air AV. A. Rowland, and he urged members to retain his services for as long a period as possible Dunedin cricketers were inclined to belittle the weather rather too much, but he thought that the greatest difficulty was the shortage of first-class grounds. He did not. however, think that the cricketers of Dunedin helped themselves sufficiently 1 lie clubs must help the Cricket Association to put its finances in order. The association had a heavy programme before it, including a tour to Canterbury and Auckland. Nevertheless, witli the help of cricketers, it should be able to meet its expenses. He hoped that the ■club would have a very successful seasonMr VV. Al Beal, a former president of the club, urged members to endeavour to attain a higher degree of team work, and expressed the hope that they would derive the maximum of enjoyment from their games. UNIVERSITY CLUB The Otago University Club’s season was officially opened at Logan Park, where there was a large muster of members. lhe president (Mr F. Al. Hanan) said that this was the third season during which the club had been in existence, and he thought that members could justifiably look back with pleasure on its record. During its first season it had had 30 members and had been runner-up in the Second Grade A competition. Last season it had had three teams and had won the championship. On e pleasing feature was that none of the teams during the two seasons had defaulted through shortage of-players. The prospects of the club were particularly good. It was assured of 12 new members, and it was expected that the number would reach 18 or 20. It was for the committee to decide whether an additional team was to be entered. The club had instituted a new method of coaching, a Coaching Committee of four having been appointed to give tuition to all members. The president of the Otago Cricket Association (Mr J. M. Fraser) said that the attendance at practice spoke favourably for the success of the club during the coming season. He congratulated the club on having among its most staunch supporters Alessrs G. W. C. Macdonald and \A . J. Strong. Their services as umpires were particularly valuable. He wished to impress upon members the fact that the association was looking to the clubs for al] the assistance it could obtain. He hoped that if an appeal for assistance were made the University' Club would respond as everybody knew students could. He wished members an enjoyable season. The president of the Students’ Association (Air J. AL Butler) said that the history of the club, though short, was quite remarkable, aud lie thought that it was m every way desirable that a University team should be admitted to Senior Grade. The game of cricket was definitely on the rise in New Zealand, and he was glad to see the University taking such a hearty interest in the sport.

CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITION A CENTURY TO HAYES. CHRISTCHURCH, October 11. The first cricket matches of the season were played on Saturday under summer conditions. A hot nor’-west wind was blowing, and the wickets and outfield were hard and fast. The first century of the season was scored by XV. Hayes, of West Christchurch, who were all out for 228 (Hayes 102, Gregory 57) against Riccarton. Powell took four wickets for 30 and Rix four for 75. Against Old Boys, Lancaster Park were dismissed for 88. Harris took three wickets for 28 and Escott three for 27. Old Boys scored 132 for the loss of five wickets. St. Albans against Old Collegians scored 243 (Crawford 45, O’Brien 67. G. L. Talbot took four wickets for 74 and Heasley four for 75). Old Collegians scored 24 for the loss of one wicket. East Christchurch against Sydenham scored 237 (Mullan 83, Brosnahan 43). Watts took five wickets for 74. Sydenham scored 12 for the loss of one wicket. MERRITT RETURNING TO ENGLAND LONDON, October 9. Alerritt is returning to England to play for the Rishton (Lancashire) Cricket League. MATCHES IN SYDNEY SYDNEY, October 10. Bradman made 246 against Randwick for St. George in 205 minutes; Salmon, of Alosman, 195, against Western Suburbs; Jackson (Balmain), 183 against Gordon. Callaway, of Alarrickville, took six University wickets for 40.