CRICKET SEASON

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19129, 25 September 1936, Page 7

CRICKET SEASON

P.B. ASSOCIATION PAST YEAR REVIEWED REP, TEAM’S RECORD Despite disappoint ing performances against, the M.C.C. and the Manawatu association teams, the record of the Poverty Bay representative cricket team during the past year was a fairly satisfactory one, as reviewed in the annual report of the Poverty Bay association, prepared for presentation at the annual meeting next Wednesday.

The developments in the senior competition are also referred to, and the report mentions a number of other interesting features of the season. On the financial side, however,., the results of the year were, not satisfactory, a. Joss of £74 having been made, owing in part to the loss of Thursday revenue, and the additional expense in renewing gear. The report states, inter alia.:— “The past season saw the formation of a senior B competition by, a reduction in tile senior A grade to i'our teams. Unfortunately the bad state of the wickets dining tlie past season mitigated against being able to judge the effect of the change on the standard of play in the senior A competition, hut there is no doubt, that, apart from this probable advantage, the majority of the senior li players derived far more benefit and enjoyment under the new scheme. The thanks of the Association are due to the Civil Service, Gisborne, Turanganui and Whataupoko clubs for their consent and willingness to subordinate the interests of their clubs for the sake of cricket generally. The two latter clubs joined forces and called tlie new club High School Old Boys. Without the considerate co-ordination of the four clubs mentioned it would' have been impossible to carry the scheme through.

M.C.C. TEAM’S VISIT “During the. season the association was successful in obtaining a match with the M.C.C. touring team and although we, in common with the other minor associations, incurred a loss, the committee is sure that, their visit, to this town was of considerable interest to cricketers generally and that such matches tend to keep ujp the interest in the game among both public and cricketers. Further, seeing the world’s host in action is naturally of great assistance to the player anxious to improve his own game. Our sincere thanks are due to the large number of guarantors whose generosity alone made the match possible.

“The senior A grade championship was reduced from eight teams to four and the improvement in the standard of play which resulted, brought about some exceedingly close matches. The winners, tlie City club, are to be congratulated on again being successful in annexing tho premier trophy, the Barry CJup. The Alhambra Shield, donated to the run-ners-up, was won by the Marist Club. Tho points gained by the various clubs were:—City, 53; Marist, 45; Old Boys, 84; H. 5.0.8., 22. “Although the senior 15 grade was only started at the commencement ol tho season and was something™ IfT” the nature of an experiment-, it. proved very successful, six teams entering the competition. One fact worthy of note is that, it, must, go down as a record, for the number of completed matches played. Out of a total of 30 matches, 29 were fully completed and one only won on the first innings. Our congratulations go to the Civil Sendee Club for winning the Hope Cup, the trophy awarded to the winner of this grade. The points gained were:—Civil Service, 64; H. 5.0.8.. 53; High School A. 48; Marist, 40; High School E, 19; Gisborne Club, 16. NEW JUNIORS’ SUCCESS “There was one new entry into the second grade competition during the season, the Rugby Old Boys 0.0. and it augurs >vell for that club that it, annexed the Walker Shield in its first year. It is to be hoped that it will continue to function and we wish it every success. The Miller Cup, presented to the runners-up, was won by the Marist Club.

The inclusion of a further grade in the association’s competitions, the senior B grade, resulted in a shortage of entries in the third grade, owing to two of the previous teams in this grade being promoted into juniors. Under the circumstances it was found impossible to continue with the third grade during the past, season, but it is of paramount importance that this link between the primary schools and the association’s competitions should be reinstated at tiie earliest possible date and for this reason it is hoped that sufficient players will be offering to enable the association to' re-open this grade during the coming season. “Financially the past season was not as successful as previous years, the loss for the year’s working being £74 odd. In additing to a falling otf in the revenue, due partly to no Thursday competition, there was a considerable increase in expenditure for the year. It was found necessary to renew the practice nets and supports and also, a new wicket had to he laid down on the High School ground. The Oval wickets, too, were in such a deplorable, state at the end of last season that it was decided to give them a substantial topdressing and sowing in the autumn. As this had to be done before the football season opened it was found necessary to pint on extra labour in order to finish the work in time. All this was expenditure not usually met with, in a normal vear. hut it will be realised that the' expense was put into more or less permanent improvements, and while tho past season had been made to stand tho full cost similar expenditure should not he required for some time.

REVENUE FROM FEES LOWER, “There was a, slight increase in the gate takings, but a decrease in both registration and affiliation lees. ’The afternoon tea. receipts were less than the previous year, hut this was probably due to the discontinuation of the Thursday competition. “Regarding the M.C.C. match, the loss to tile association was in, the vicinity of £29 and we have to thank the guarantors that, this figure was not considerably greater. The record of tlie’ district representatives is given in detail in the report, the list of matches showing defeats at the hands of the M.C.C. and Manawatu teams, the latter game having been for the Hawke Cup: and wins in matches with. Waiapu and Hawke’s Bay. the Kirk Cup lining at. stake on tile- latter engagement. The appreciation of the executive is extended to Mestlames Rignall ami Lee, and alsq to Messrs. Rignall and Lee, for the, provision of afternoon tea, at tiie Oval on Saturdays, the work of the committee being productive of a financial profit apart from the social advantages. Thanks are expressed to Mr. W. I larrington Miller, for his donation of souvenirs for Poverty Bay players who mot (lie M.C.C. team, and 1 for contributions to the association’s funds ; and to a number of ether individuals and organisations for assistance of various kinds rendered during (lie .'past year. Tim report closes with the hope that, the. coining season will prove a successful one.