CRICKET

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 66286, 5 October 1925, Page 5

CRICKET

PIAKO ASSOCIATION

The annual general meeting of the newly formed Piako Cricket Association Avas held in the Theatre Royal Rooms, Te Aroha, on Thursday evening last. Delegates from the Matamata, Gordon, Manawaru, Waitoa and Te Aroha Cricket Clubs were in attendance, namely: Messrs J. Landclls and R. 11. Dale (Matamata), S. Brooks and F. Montague (Gordon), W. Howard and N. J. McNeill (Waitoa), W. A. Wright and 11. Magill (Manawaru), and T. Turner (Te Aroha. Apologies for absence were received from the Waharoa and Morrinsville Clubs. Mr J. Land el Is Avas appointed chairman, and explained to the delegates present that a meeting of delegates from the various cricket clubs in surrounding districts was held at the end of last season, when it Avas decided to form an association to control the sport in the districts concerned, and that the meeting now being held Avas to confirm that decision or not. It was unanimously decided that the Association be formed, and that it be named the Piako Cricket Association, the headquarters to be at Te Aroha. It Avas further resolved to affiliate with the Auckland Suburban Cricket Association, so as to enable a representative team from this district to take part in the country cricket Aveek held annually at Auckland. Every endeavour Avill be made to induce the Paeroa and Morrinsville clubs to link up with the Association, and championship matches will be played for a trophy (either shield, cup, or some other suitable article) to be decided on later. It is intended to run the matches in sections, the Matamata, Gordon, Waharoa and Manawai-u clubs to form the South Section, and the Morrinsville, Paeroa, Waitoa and Te Aroha clubs to form the North Section, the Avinners of the respective sections to meet in the final for the championship on a ground to be arranged. The affiliation fee from each club to the Association Avas fiixed at £1 Is for the season, to be paid on or before October 24th. It was resolved that the championship matches start on the 31st October, and that three rounds be played by each section, the matches to be declared on the first innings, with the exception of the final, which will be played to a finish. To meet the country clubs matches Avill be postponed during the harvesting season. The moneys of the Association are to be banked in the post office. The starting time of matches was fixed as follows: South section, 11 a.m.; North section, 1.45 p.m. The following is the draw for the first round: — SOUTH SECTION October 31st; Gordon v. Manawaru at Gordon; Matamata- v. Waharoa at Waharoa. November 7th: Manawaru v. Waharoa at Manawaru; Gordon v. Matamata at Matamata. November 14th: Gordon v. Waharoa at Waharoa; Manawaru v. Matamata at Matamata. NORTH SECTION October 31st: Te Aroha v. Morrinsville at Te Aroha; Paeroa v. Waitoa at Paeroa. November 7th: Te Aroha v. Waitoa at Waitoa; Morrinsville Paeroa at Morrinsville. November 14th: Morrinsville v. Waitoa at Morrinsville; Te Aroha v. Paeroa at Paeroa. ELECTION OF OFFICERS The election of officers for the Association resulted as follows: Patron, Mr F. W. Walters (Springdale); president, Mr W. A. Wright (ManaAvaru); vice-presidents, Messrs W. H. Long (Te Aroha), A. W. Johnson Waitoa), J. Orr (Gordon). Dr. Laurenson (Matamata), G. Sheehan (Manawaru). The vice-presidents from the Waharoa, Morrinsville and Paeroa clubs will be elected later. Secretary and treasurer, Mr T. Turner (Te Aroha); general committee, to consist of two delegates from each club; executive committee, Messrs 11. Magill (Manawaru), N. J. McNeill (Waitoa-, R. H. Dale (Matamata-, G. Jenkinson (Te Aroha) and the secretary; hon. auditors, Messrs H. Lewis and A. H. James (Te Aroha); representative selectors, Messrs W. Howard and W. A. Wright. Mr W. H. Long (vicepresident) was appointed to act in conjunction with the secretary in operating on bank account. Mr W. HoAvard (Waitoa) has kindly donated a bat to the winner of the batting average in championship matches, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The Association also decided to award trophies to the winners of the batting and bowling averages for the season.

Several important matters were discussed, one of which was umpires, and clubs are to be asked to nominate one or more umpires for their respective clubs for the season, nominations to be in by 24th October. The secretary, Mr T. Turner, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his zeal and efforts in bringing the Association to a head, delegates unanimously agreeing that it is what has been needed to encourage the game along, and for the betterment of cricket generally. A hearty vote of thanks to the chair closed a very successful meeting. OPENING OF THE SEASON Despite the unsettled state of the weather on Saturday last, a number of local enthusiasts (15) rolled up to the Bridge Domain for the opening practice, and some good showings were made with both bat and ball. As the championship matches start at the end of this month practices will be held of an evening and every Saturday afternoon. All intending members are request-

ed to gel in touch with the secretary, Te Aroha Club, as soon as possible. A match has been arranged between the Te Aroha and Waitoa Clubs for Monday, October 26th (Labour Day), commencing at 11 a.m., and will be played at Te Aroha.