AUCKLAND CRICKET

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1077, 15 September 1930, Page 7

AUCKLAND CRICKET

LAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED ASSOCIATION’S REPORT The annual report of the .Auckland Cricket Association, to be presented at the annual meeting of delegates on September 25. states, inter alia: Although the advance made so far as finance is concerned is not so pronounced as that of the standard of play, the prospects for the future arc encouraging. The Parnell first grade team deserves particular mention for its performance in not losing any of its 12 matches, winning two outright, seven on the first innings and drawing three. This team is a fine examine of what may be achieved through #Lund organisation, regular and serious practice, and encouragement of keen young players. Tho club has many such players who will most likely gain higher honours next season, and who should play a big part in retaining the first grade championship for their club for several seasons. Unfortunately, many clubs suffered through delinquency in registering players in accordance with the rules of tho association. The management and junior committees had no choice other than penalising offending teams, and it is regretted that such measures had to be followed. It must be clearly understood that these committees will be even more severe in. imposing their penalties for such breaches during the coming season. DEFAULTS AND WITHDRAWALS The Management and Junior Committees were considerably hampered during the season through the defaulting and withdrawal of teams entered for the third and fourth grades. Frequently teams intimated as lot*' as the day matches were to be played that they could not fulfil their engagements. This led to unsual expenditure in the way of wicket fees, as well as completely upsetting the draw ot‘ matches for the season. Club officials are urged to take more care when entering teams for next season’s competitions to assure themselves that there is a reasonable chance of each team being maintained and kept at full strength throughout the season, otherwise severe penalties will have to be enforced. The receipts and payments statement shows a credit balance of £146 9s 9d, after making a further advance of £144 35s 9d to the coach fund. The revenue received from increased registration fees amounted to £6O 8s 6d. which was also utilised in paying the cost of employing the professional. It is possible that this levy will again be enforced next season, in order to finance this project. Little opposition is anticipated from.clubs, as each has an opoprtunity under the present coaching scheme of deriving benefit from Wensley’s tuition.

The Management Committee wishes to record its appreciation of the assistance rendered by Mr. Hugh Duncan for his untiring efforts as hotu secretary to the Coach Committee and organiser of a new scheme for winter practice: of the valuable services rendered by the president, delegates to the New Zealand Cricket Council, selectors, the Press, umpires, scorers and all who worked in the interests of the game. The report also refers to the Plunket Shield and the drawn game with Wellington, adding that, “the Auckland side played well throughout the series, and proved beyond doubt that it was the strongest provincial team in the Dominion last season.” Reference is made to the excellent work of A. F. "Wensley as playercoach. The association appeals to all interested in his work to assist in any way they can to further the endeavours of the committee.