SERVICES TO CRICKET

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1928, Page 4

SERVICES TO CRICKET

MESSRS. BEWLEY.AND BOTTRILL. After long and honourable cricketing careers Messrs. Austin Bewley and C. G. Bottrill, both foundation members of the New Plymouth High School Old Boys’ Cricket Club, resigned from active membership of the club this year, the former to take up other pursuits and the latter to join the Western Park Club. It was accordingly under circumstances tinged with a great deal of sincere regret that the members of the elub gathered yesterday to meet their former club mates and express their feelings in tangible form by presenting each of the guests with a gold-mounted and engraved tobacco pouch. Sounding the happiest note that the circumstances would permit, the president of the club (Mr. A. A. Bennett) said it gave him great pleasure to voice, on behalf of the other members, the club’s appreciation of the loyal services and keen interest that had characterised the connection of Messrs. Bewley and Bottrill with cricket. In all the vicissitudes of the game, they had always been ready and able to help it along, and he hoped the other younger members of the club would take as an example the loyalty and willingness that had been manifested. Mr. Bennett then presented the gifts of the players to their former club mates, and his eulogistic remarks on the work done for cricket by the two men were supplemented by the club captain (Mr. A. J. Papps). Acknowledging the compliments, Mr. Bewley said he had been very much taken aback when asked to attend the function, and the occasion certainly caused him a great deal of genuine regret. Playing successively for the New Plymouth, Law and Old Boys clubs, for the latter ever since its foundation in 1919 and for a great part of the time as captain of the senior team, he had been actively engaged in Taranaki cricket for over 30 years. During that time it had experienced many ups and downs. In the old days a team that could make 100 runs was certain to win, and no wonder, for the only level place on the sportsground was the pitch, the remainder being swamp, tussock and so on. Emphasising the necessity for practice if one was to make a. success of the game, Mr. Bewley mentioned that when he was at school he had seen as many as 45 members of the New Plymouth Club at practice together. He felt the young cricketers of to-day hardly realised the advantages under which they played in the matter of grounds and wickets. Though circumstances prevented him from playing this season he was just as keen as ever, and felt very deeply the value of the support the members of the club had always given him. He thought the reversion from six to four teams in the first grade this season was a sound move, and would help to raise the standard of both club and representative cricket. It was gratifying to see so many teams in the other grades. Mr. Bottrill said that in many respects he felt very keenly his departure from the club. He had been a member since its inception, and had enjoyed his Saturday afternoon’s cricket very much. His only reason for transferring to another club was that he felt he should give way to the younger old boys who were looking for a place in the team. His departure did not by any means, however, signify the cutting of old friendships. On behalf of the Cricket Association he thanked the club for its continued loyal support.