CRICKET

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 11

CRICKET

SEASON OF CELTIC CLUB REVIEWED MANY GAMES STOPPED BY RAIN “The season was not altogether a successful one from a playing point of view as unfavourable weather was experienced on many Saturday afternoons, with the result that many of the games were either postponed or abandoned, states the annual report of the Celtic Cricket Club, Gore, to be presented at the annual meeting of the club next “The senior team did not show its usual consistent form with the bat,” the report states, “with the result that it failed to follow'up the success of the bowlers. The club congratulates the Mataura Club on winning the competition. The junior team had a particularly successful season, and although it was beaten by Mataura in the play-off, the side put up some big scores. G. .McKinnell and R. McCartney, members of the team, were selected and represented the Southland junior team against Otago. “The effect of the war upon sporting activities has been fully discussed, and members are aware that the clubs are in for a difficult period. With the increased petrol restrictions, country clubs are going to find it difficult to continue their usual matches. However, the club feels that every effort should be made to keep the game alive, and even though the regular competition games may have to lapse, efforts should be made to innovate a series of friendly games. “The effect on the club’s membership was noticeable. 0. P. Anderson went into camp very early in the season, and was later followed by R. Agnew. Both these players have given excellent service to . the dub, and their safe return will be earnestly hoped for. Anderson is at present on the headquarters staff in Cairo and Agnew is in England with the 2nd Echelon.

“The finances of the club are in a sound condition and considering the increased cost of material, the position is very satisfactory. Representative games found the club well represented, and W. Southern, D. Agnew, V. Stephens, J. Taylor and D. M. Dunnet were selected to play for Eastern. Taylor and Dunnet also represented Southland at Dunedin during country week.. “Now that the High School is erecting buildings on the playing area at the hostel, the club has had to vacate its ground. This step has been rather a blow to the club, as it had gone to considerable expense of laying down a new concrete wicket, and there is a distinct possibility of having to lay down another wicket on the new grounds which have been placed at the disposal of the Eastern Southland Cricket SubAssociation by the Gore Borough Council.”

MARIST CLUB REVIEW OF YEAR’S WORK

“Three teams were entered in the Southland Cricket Association’s grade competitions. The third-grade team won the Washer Cup and the club as a whole experienced a most successful season, despite inclement weather,” says the annual report of the Marist Cricket Club which will be presented at the annual meeting on Monday. “The club congratulates N. F. McGowan, T. N. Forde and J. O’Sullivan on their inclusion in the Southland team, K. Forde on his inclusion in the junior representative team, and M. Milne on his winning the Warburton Shield for the highest aggregate runs in the third grade for the 1939-40 season.” The grounds laid out by the club, at the Marist School had proved an invaluable asset for both match play and practice. The club would like to express its thanks to the Marist Brothers for their unremitting care of the ground and in particular to the Brother who officiated so faithfully at the mower in the preparation of the grounds. The financial position of the club was quite sound. The club began the season with a credit balance of £B/19/1 and today the credit balance was £l/0/7 with outstanding subscriptions amounting to £2/12/6. The committee wished to emphasize, however, that it was compelled to bear a heavy burden in attempting to carry on .the club’s activities without the financial support of all club members.