ONE STRONG, ONE WEAK

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 355, 12 September 1933, Page 5

ONE STRONG, ONE WEAK

Stratford Cricket Teams

; PROPOSAL AT ANNUAL MEETING Counter Proposal—Two Even . t eams QUESTION STILL UNDECIDED Contending that the only way to create more interest in cricket in and to provide the means tor making a bold bid for the championship, Mr. V. J. Henderson moved at last night’s annual meeting of the Stratford Cricket Club that the club field and A and a li team, the former to bo representative of the club’s strongest players. He admitted that ui the past two teams of even strength had done well in the competitions, but considered that the strongest team should be put in the to represent the club. Mr. C. Massey supported the motion, adding that lie had always been j an advocate of a strong team and a ; weaker team. The cricket public j should be catered for as much as pos- | siblcE ! Mr W. J. Hall favoured the mo- j tion and expressed the opinion that ; the public should be provided with j the best exhibitions possible—for the j good of the game and for the good j of the players. There was no doubt, ; he said, that if players were capable | they would be given every opportuu- I ity to bat and bowl. Mr L. Hancock said that a large amount of interest bad been maintained in the performances of the dab’s teams last year. The season 1 had been more successful than in the | past when a stronger and weaker j learn had been fielded. Mr A. Gorringe opposed, the mo- : tion on the grounds tnat the B piay- , ers would not be keen to take the 'field when they could count on deteat previously. Mr A. C. Walker said that the fielding 0* a senior and junior team had been overlooked. He considered that the club should field a strong ; senior team and a junior team. Mr Henderson said that the juui- j or competition was contested mainly j by school teams —(there were not many j entries in the competition. I

Mr L. B. Sandford said that lie favoured the fielding of two teams of fairly even strength. He suggested that the second team should include at least two of the club’s best players so that it could maintain a reasonably strong position. Mr Beere favoured a senior aj;d junior team. >Mr Sandford said that in view of tfie state of the junior competition in the past it would bo folly to enter a junior team. The constant; defeat of a weaker team would have the effect of discouraging the enthusiasm of the players. » The club’s decision on the question

would have a great effect on cricket in the district, said Mr. Hall, in (oxpressing further support for the 'motion. If one faced facts, it would bo admitted that the standard of cricket in the south was not as high as that in the north and the only remedy was to field the strongest possible teams. It would be useless to put two or three strong players in each team and “send them to sea” to .meet their opponents, with the possibility of making up the eleven with schoolboys. The senior competition in the south last year had not created the interest it should, and it had been entirely enjoyable foxplayers. If the Stratford Club fielded a strong A team it would have the pleasure of seeing the team rank high in the provincial championship competition. “Do not place a desire to win over the desire to play cricket,” said Mr Hancock. He said that the game should be played for the game’s sake. Mr Massey said that unless the club fielded a stronger team it would lose all public suppprt. Mr Hall and Mr Hancock debated the question. 'Mr Young said that he was strongly in favour of the club fielding two teams of even strength. He contended that where a weaker team was continually defeated the players became discouraged and often passed to other sports. If one strong team won the champioship the game would not be improved, and he did not think the public would lend it any more support. The discussion continued at length.

Mr. Sandford moved an amendment that two senior teams be fielded, one to be the strongest possible, but one to include at least two of the best players. The motion lapsed. Mr Beere moved a further amendment that the club field a senior and junior competition. Seconding, Mr Walker said that a good junior competition could be built up. The amendment was lost on the voices.

Even voting resulted on the original motion for two senior teams, and the chairman having voted against it, expressed reticence at exercising a casting vote. It would be desirable, he considered, to secure definite information from the Association as to e. junior competition. Doubt that the club could muster enough members for two senior teams was expressed and the meeting agreed to defer decision until after the Taranaki Association meeting-