Colts Cricket Team Had Successful Season

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 15

Colts Cricket Team Had Successful Season

By

NOT OUT

An interesting aspect of the cricket season that has just ended was the success of the colts’ team, under Mr W. R. Patrick, the Southland Cricket Association’s coach. The policy adopted this season was that suggested by the coach himself in his first season in this province, but the idea was supported only by the Marist and Old Boys’ Clubs, so that a colts’ team failed to materialize at that time.

This season Mr Patrick was given about 20 young players ranging from 16 to 20 years of age, and these boys have been taken on week-end tours to play country teams, with remarkable success. Their first match was played at Lumsden against a really good team, which includes a promising player named Buckham who has made 1300 runs for the season. On this occasion the visitors were beaten by 20 runs, but they have since played 10 matches without a loss.

Not only have they done their own cricket a lot of good but they have also assisted the country teams and helped to create a spirit of keenness wherever they have been. The result is that promising boys can be found all over Southland, at Ohai, Wairio, Nightcaps, Lumsden and Balfour.

The Southland coach finished up a very interesting season by taking his team through Central Otago, playing three matches and winning all three very easily. Assisting the coach was L. M. Uttley, one of the keenest cricketers in New Zealand, who made 143 runs at Cromwell. J. Ingram, from the Railway Club, also accompanied the team and bowled successfully. It has been suggested that the association should leave these boys with the coach for another season, as it is felt that one season is scarcely long enough in which to train a cricketer. Mr Patrick expresses himself as well satisfied with the result of the season’s progress, and especially with the great interest his team has shown in the game.