ONE-DAY MATCHES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19623, 18 October 1933, Page 5

ONE-DAY MATCHES

CRICKET IN SOUTH CANTERBURY CARRIED BY NARROW MARGIN By 13 votes to 11. delegates to the South Canterbury Cricket Association, at a special meeting held last night, decided to play one-day matches during the coming season. A decision was also made to allot two points for an outright win, one for a win on the first innings, and none for a draw or loss, in all grades. The meeting was the outcome of a notice of motion by Mr R. G. Wilson, that rule 41 be amended so as to provide for one-day matches during the coming season. There were present—Messrs W. Morrison (president), W. Thomas (vice-president), F. S. Cave (treasurer), M. J. Angland (secretary), W. Grant, R. Seaton (Star), S. D. Mason, J. Gresham (Celtic), R. C. Sunley, A. D. Leslie (Old Boys), H. Gutteridge (Temuka), R. G. Wilson (High School), P. W. Islip (Umpires), H. Hobbs (Railway), L. B. Pearson (Pareora). N. Phillips (Washdyke), R. E. Judge (Oddfellows), A. W. Fawcett (Fairview), W. H. Tubb (West End), A. H. Colville (Waimate). In moving his motion, Mr Wilson said that he would like to see one-day matches given a trial, for it would tend to brighten the game. The public should be considered to some extent. He did not suggest that batsmen should go out and hit sixes indiscriminately, but they could score at a much faster rate. The innovation would tend to induce teams to start more punctually, although there was some doubt on the point. He also argued that old cricketers were strongly in favour of the change. More Enthusiasm Needed. The chairman seconded the motion, stating that there was need for more enthusiasm and more flair in the game here, and the proposal was the remedy. He had played in England and in Australia, and the smaller clubs all played one-day matches. He had spoken to some old players, and they were emphatically of the opinion that one-day matches should be given a trial. The grounds on which the games were played were public grounds and thev had been placed at the disposal of the Association to provide recreation for the young men. and the public. He suggested that they might give the scheme a trial until Christmas, and if it was a failure, then they could revert to the old system. Mr Mason said that he was surprised to hear the chairman speak the way he had, for he felt that he had been influenced by the views expressed through the Press. The speaker said that he was totally opposed to the move. They had decided to invite an Australian team to Timaru. and they would not improve the standard of play by tip-and-run cricket. Mr Gutteridge said that personally he was much in favour of the proposal. but his club was opposed to it. Support for Motion. Mr Seaton, on behalf of the Star Club, supported the motion, stating that all the senior members of the club were in favour of it. He also mentioned that when in Australia he had visited several centres where one-day matches were played, and he had thoroughly enjoyed the games. Messrs Grant and Islip spoke in support of the motion. Mr Thomas said that delegates had been instructed how to vote, and in a sense they were wasting time. His memory of cricket in South Canterbury went back a good many years, and he did not agree with Mr Mason's remarks. In the old days, the public supported the game, and the matches then were of one-day. He did not' regard the proposal as an experiment; they were simply going back to the old days. It was the two-day matches in senior grade which had lost them public favour. If the matches were played to a finish, as they would be in one-day games, then the public would turn up. "Hit and Miss Cricket.” Mr Gresham opposed the motion, instancing the Mercantile League in Wellington, where, he said there were 80 teams playing in four sections, and they all played hit and miss cricket. There were former Plunket Shield men playing, and when it came to representative cricket, they could not stand up against a second rate senior team. Replying, Mr Wilson said that he had not suggested sacrificing the players, but he did think that they should do something to brighten the game. On being put to the meeting, the motion was carried by 13 votes to 11. The voting was as follows: For—The president, Mr Thomas, Mr Cave, Timaru (1), Star (2), High School (2), Pareora (1), West End (1), Railway (1). Umpires (2)—13. Against—Celtic (2). Old Boys (2), Geraldine (2), Temuka (2), Falrview (1), Oddfellows (1). Washdyke (D It. The secretary (Mr Angland) did not exercise his vote. Points. Discussion then ensued on a notice of motion by the Star Club, that the motion carried at the annual meeting allotting four points for an outright win, three for a win on the first innings and one for a loss, and two for a draw, be rescinded, and that the points for all grades be two for an outright win. one for a win on the first innings, and none for a draw or a loss. The previous motion was rescinded unanimously. As an amendment to the Star motion, Mr Islip moved that the two and one points apply to the seniorgrade only, and that the 4. 3. 2 and 1 system Km M other grades. The arr.er.dm.ev.- v ; • red by 13 votes to 12. and the motion was carried. By permission of the meeting, discussion was permitted on a motion passed at the annual meeting that the draw for the first round govern the second and subsequent rounds. Mr Grant said that last season, the hands of the match committee were tied, and as a result some teams had to suffer. The matter was fully discussed, and eventually it was decided by a big majority to leave the draw for all grades to the discretion of the match committee. Honorary Members. On the motion of Mr Mason, it was agreed to admit honorary members on a minimum donation of 5/-. Opening of Season. The South Canterbury Association has received six entries in the firstgrade, seven in the second-grade, and six in the third-grade The Drav Teams drawn to meet High School will play on Saturday but the official opening will not take place until October 28. The draw for Saturday is as under:— First Grade. School v. Old Boys, at Rectory.