CRICKET IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1933, Page 3

CRICKET IN TARANAKI

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES PAST SEASON’S DEVELOPMENTS. REVIEW OF MATCHES PLAYED. Representative cricket in Taranaki ing the past season and some of the problems with which cricket is faced today are reviewed in the annual report of the Taranaki Cricket Association. “As far as representative matches are concerned the past season in Taranaki has been a comparatively quiet one, says the report. “Two representative matches were played, one against South Auckland for the Hawke Cup and the other against Wanganui. In the Hawke Cup challenge at Hamilton South Auckland made 243 and 106. Taranaki made 134 in the first innings, and requiring 216 to win was all out for 128, leaving South Auckland the winners by 87 runs. Birch (40 in the first innings) and Dormer (58 in the second innings) were the best performers for Taranaki with the bat. Christensen, with ’ five wickets for 41 runs, was the most successful Taranaki bowler. Against Wanganui at New Plymouth Taranaki gained a decisive victory by an innings and 32 runs. Wanganui made 106 and. 175, Eggleton taking four wickets foi*27 in the first innings and Nasmith five for 35. In the second innings Barker took three wickets for 19 runs and Larkin three for 20. Taranaki made the substantial score of 313, Nasmith making 155 not out and Norman Giddy 50. “In addition to these matches a Victoria University College touring team played enjoyable holiday matches against a South Taranaki team at Hawera and against a North Taranaki team at New Plymouth. “The annual match between North Taranaki and South Taranaki for the Graham Cup had to be abandoned on account of rain. South batted first for 181, S. Betts making 57, and North had four wickets down for 163 (Norman Giddy 40 not out) when stumps- were drawn. North Taranaki thus retained the cup. EFFORTS TO ARRANGE GAMES. “Efforts were made at the commencement of the season to arrange further matches with outside associations, but these were unsuccessful. The chief difficulty with all associations last season was the expense involved in sending teams on tour, and owing to the economic conditions the Taranaki Association deemed it advisable to pursue more or less a policy of mark time. It is to be hoped, however, that this will not always be the case. “As the Taranaki Association has practically no finance and is to a large extent merely an executive committee of the north, south and country divisions for the purpose of arranging and controlling representative fixtures, it has very little scope for carrying into effect any considered policy of development as far as cricket within the province is concerned, but this is a matter in which the respective divisions are vitally interested. For that reason a few comments are offered on recent developments in cricket, and th> suggestion is made that the management committees of the respective divisions give consideration to the points raised. “The Hawke Cup competition has again been under review by other associations. Wanganui has decided to come back into the competition, but there is still disagreement over the method of playing for the trophy. Some associations favour direct challenges as with the Rahfurly Shield in Rugby; others the grouping of associations under various schemes. The Wellington Association has objected to minor associations in its district retaining players for Hawke Cup matches when they are wanted for Plunket Shield fixtures. These are points worthy of consideration, as a delegate has been appointed to represent Taranaki at the annual conference in Christchurch in November, and it would be helpful to him to know the feeling in this province.

“The question of brightening cricket to make it more attractive to both players and public has been seriously debated by several associations. The fact must be faced that spectacular. cricket and match-winning cricket are by no means synonymous, even in Taranaki, and the suggestion has been made that in order to make the game more popular a bold campaign should be waged against dull defensive cricket. Mr. W. H. Winsor, secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council, has even suggested that the opposing side be awarded one run, or perhaps more, for every maiden over played. Another suggestion made by Mr. ; Winsor with the object of brightening the game is that inter-club .matches be restricted to one day, as in South Taranaki, the North Country, and all the North junior grades. These suggestions have their disadvantages as well as their advantages, but they could profitably be debated. SCHEME OF DEVELOPMENT. "In cricket administration, as in everything else, to mark time is fatal, and the suggestion is made that the controlling committee of each division give serious consideration to the drawing up of a definite scheme of development in their respective districts, extending say over several years. Finance is of course one of the first essentials. Possibly such schemes could best be evolved along the following broad lines:—(l) Finance; (2) extension of the game, particularly by giving assistance and encouragement to schools and young players leaving school; (3) improvement of grounds and wickets; (4) brightening and popularising ' the game for both players and onlookers; (5) systematic coaching where such is possible. "The importance of establishing a fund - to give effect to any scheme of development cannot be stressed too much. If, for instance, the Taranaki Association had such a fund from which to subsidise the travelling expenses of players engaged in representative matches it would enable the province to put much stronger teams in the field, because players are often debarred from taking part in such matches owing to the expense involved. “This brief report would not be complete without reference to the feet that the opening of the Stratford-Main 'Drunk railway has brought a hitherto isolated portion of Taranaki into close touch with the rest of the province. -It Is to be hoped that before long an annual interchange of matches will be arranged between Ohura and a team from North or South Taranaki. =