CRICKET.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1735, 5 September 1919, Page 10

CRICKET.

THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION.

The report to be presented by the Management Committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association to the association's annual meeting of delegates on Monday evening points out that the -cessation of hostilities in the Great War gave cricket an impetus, and, notwithstanding the check which the game received through the influenza epidemic, the season was a splendid one for both club and interprovincial matches. Among the cricketers who had made the supreme sacrifice since the last annual meeting was E. E. Crawshaw, killed in action. He was a sterling cricketer, and his loss was felt very keenly. He represented Canterbury on many occasions, and was a former secretary to the association. The association extends to the relatives of all cricketers who have fallen in action its sincerest sympathy. The, report then briefly reviews the grade competitions, which were won as follow: —First grade, Sydenham; second grade, A; third grade, Technical College. Sydenham, with 176 points, won the Petersen Shield; Riccarton, with 163 points, being second. Three interprovincial matches were played—two against Wellington and one against Auckland. In the first match against Wellington, played in Hagley Park, Canterbury lost by two wickets, and the northern team thus had the pleasure of winning the Plunket Shield for the first time. The return match was played in Wellington, and the Canterbury team, although 135 runs behind in the' first innings and having to face a total of 298 in the fourth innings of the match, won the match in handsome style by seven wickets. Auckland challenged for the Plunket Shield, and, after a most interesting game, Canterbury won by 192 runs, and retained the trophy. It is regretted that the annual match against Otago could not be arranged, and a hope is expressed that this match will be played during the incoming season. « Dealing with the progress of the Boys' Cricket League, which started with an entry of 19 teams, the committee states that, thanks to a guarantee by Mr J. S. Barrett, the finances of the league started upon, a sound basis. ''The result of the movement must be regarded as very satisfactory, and it should have a very large influence on the cricket of the future. Only the hearty support of cricketers and the public will make the league a success, and every cricketer, past and present, is urged "to do his utmost to assist the league, and it is hardly necessary to point out its benefits. Mr Barrett's generous action cannot be too highly commended, and the association is very deeply indebted to_him for his liberality." ' The report records the deep appreciation by the Cricket Association of the Canterbury Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association's organising ability and energy in its efforts to raise a sum of £BOOO to pay off the mortgage on Lancaster Park. It points out that all branches of amateur sport are indebted to the commercial travellers and warehousemen, who raised the fist instalment (£3000) of the £BOOO in a one-day aTt union. Thanks are accorded to the Christ's College authorities for their generosity in providing extra wickets, thus enabling the competitions to be carried on without curtailment, and the thanks of the association are very, sincerely tendered to those who donated trophies in connection with the representative games; to the umpires and scorers in the club-and interprovincial matches; to Messrs Hervey, Redpath and Ward for the use of their rooms for meetings; to Messrs F. Wilding, C. B. Clark and D. Reese for valuable services rendered by them »n the Lancaster- Park. Board of Control; and to Messrs Ward (hon. treasurer), E. E. Luttrell (hon. secretary), H. Rogers (hon. secretary Boys' Cricket' League), and W. R. Patrick (sole selector) for the manner in which they carried out their respective duties. The finances of the association are very satisfactory. The season opened with a credit balance of £23 17/3, and there is now a credit balance of £159 18/4. ST. ALBANS CLUB.

A plea for true democracy is made in the report which the committee of the St. Albans District <Mcket Club will present at the club's annual meeting this evening. After referring to the brighter outlook for the coming season, in contrast with the conditions which have prevailed in the last five years, the committee says:—"The signing of the Peace Treaty in itself does not smooth out all our difficulties. Real peace between men arid classes is not going to be achieved without a struggle, and in this struggle we are sure all cricketers' will help by extending the principles of the "grand old game" to their private and civic life. Our club, in common with many another, has, by the nobility and heroism of its members in the

service of the nation, established glorious traditions, which should last as long as life itself, and it will be for those who come afterwards to see that the achievements of their comrades—which, in many instances, alas, have been bought with blood—are in no wise sullied, always remembering that we have jan example which every member should I strive to follow."

The club secured third place in the Petersen Shield competition, and in the grade competitions the first grade team was third, the second grade A team third, equal, and the second grade B team fourth, equal. In view of the difficulties under which many of the games were played, the season might be considered the most successful of recent - .

Christmas presents were sent to all members who were on active service.

- The financial position was very satisfactory,' although the club last year was not self-supporting, and had it not been for the generosity of its officers there would have been a considerable debit balance. A large amount was spent in the purchase of material, but as the major portion of that material was still in good order the expenditure in that direction should be correspondingly less during the coming season. o<ving to the great advance in the price of bats and balls, the question of finance would have to be carefully considered during the season ahead.

The committee strongly recommends its incoming committee to give its earnest attention to providing a suitable and lasting memorial to the boys who have fallen, and also those who have served in the Great War. Mr Clyde Webster has donated to the club an inlaid "Scroll of Honour." 80UTH AFRICAN TOUK. Bv Cable. — Pre*B Association.- —Covi/right. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Rcc. Sept. 5, 9.45) LONDON, Sept. i. The Australian cricketers will sail for Cape Town, aboard the Ascanius, about September* 20, and will tour South Africa for six weeks.