CRICKET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20851, 6 October 1937, Page 8

CRICKET

SOUTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING All the clubs affiliated with the South Canterbury Cricket Association were represented at the annual meeting of that body last night. The president. Mr A. E. Lawrence presided over the following delegates: Ven. Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan (vice-president), Mr B. R. Macdonald (patron). Messrs A. G. Simmers, R. G. Wilson (High School), D. M. Webster (Waimate), A. E. Fawcett (Fairview), R. C. M. Sunley, E. Earwaker (Old Boys). A. L. Hudson. R. Wilson (Timaru), L. C. Cunningham (Railway), A. G. Foster (Waimataitai). H. King (Washdyke), W. H. Tubb (West End), V. Hahn, L. P. Wood (Star), A. Rankin (Bruce's), D. F. Gillespie (Pareora), L. Johnson and H. Colville (Temuka). B. R. Macdonald. E. E. Scott (Geraldine), D. B. Murchison (Umpires’ Association), F. S. Cave (treasurer), M. J. Angland (secretary), and C. G. Reid (assistant secretary).

The president expressed the appreciation of the executive at seeing such a large attendance which augured well for the coming season.

President’s Review

In moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published) the president said that from a playing point of view last season had been a very successful one. There had been interesting competition matches in three grades, the usual inter-Associa-tion matches had been played, and a challenge match against the West Coast for the Minor Associations’ Shield had also been played. The Bristol Cup had come back to Timaru through the success of the Old Boys’ team, but the question of the rules governing the competition would be the subject of discussion later in the meeting. The president went on to say that the outstanding feature of the season had been the wealth of young talent coming into the game, which was a very good sign. The Association offered congratulations not only to the winners of the competitions but to all who played the game for the game’s sake, and upheld its highest traditions. Delegates might have noticed that efforts were being made in other countries to brighten up the game, and in New South Wales it had been decided to hurry players up and to give them out if they were longer than two minutes : '. coming in to take strike. The innovation might be tried in South Canterbury, and they might also find some simple way of penalising the side that was dilatory in observing the starting time rule.

Lack of Accommodation

Mr Lawrence deplored the lack of accommodation for spectators at the various cricket grounds and suggested that the Council be approached in the matter. He had made a tour of the grounds this week, and there were six seats only for the public, and they were all at the Park. He also stressed the need for coaching facilities, pointing out that there was a wealth of potential talent from Ashburton to Oamaru. Something had to be done, if only in a modest way, for the district included some important secondary schools, several associations and sub-associa-tions, and they should consider the possibility of pooling the resources of these districts and securing a wellqualified coach. The speaker touched on the lack of interest by maj associations, and said that Plunket Shield teams should be representative of provinces and not of cities. Speaking in regard to tours by overseas teams, Mr Lawrence said that M.C.C. visits seemed to expensive luxuries, and had resulted in losses to both New Zealand and England. In his opinion they should establish closer relations with Australia, and in support of this quoted the views of Jack Warrall ex-Austra-lian test player. If an Australian team containing some of the stars come to New Zealand it would be a wonderful fillip to the game in the Dominion.

Mr Lawrence then made reference to the difficulty experienced by the Association in regard to grounds. He paid tribute to the valuable assistance given by the Rector of the Boys’ Higli School, and said that in view of the fact that young people now had more leisure time, greater responsibilities rested on the civic authorities and sports bodies. The Association had had a great deal of trouble in regard to the preparation of wickets, and so far as the Park wicket was concerned, it would be possible to secure better turf in any private garden than that which had been put on this wicket. An expert had examined the wicket and had told him that the grass on it would never make a wicket, because it was the wrong sort entirely. This was a matter on which the Association should approach the Council.

Financial Position

Referring to the financial position of the Association, Mr Lawrence said that thanks to the co-operation on the part of all the clubs the Association’s finances had been restored to an even keel, so much so that the officers and management committee who would take over from that night would be able to look forward to the coming year without fears of financial embarrassment. It was doubtful If the Association had ever been in such a safe position. A portion of the debt incurred through the loss on the M.C.C. match in Timaru had still to be met, and while it could be said that the Association regretted this loss, plans were being prepared with the assistance of all the clubs to liquidate this liability during the coming year. The plain fact of the matter was that visits of M.C.C. teams were too costly for the revenue producing attraction they had in small centres, and some bigger ones too. as the last visit showed.

The speaker said that it was impossible to assess the value of the work of the Umpires’ Association and they were deserving of the support and thanks of every player. “This Association tenders them best thanks and hopes that the day is not far distant when each week official umpires will have control of all games. This is particularly desirable because of the importance of authority being present at the games in the lower grades,” said Mr Lawrence, who added that the Association might well appeal to more former players to give an occasional Saturday afternoon to promote the game in this direction. There was one point worth mentioning, and that was

that a little thoughtfulness might be shown by the players in making sure that transport was provided for umpires.

In conclusion, the president expressed thanks to the committee, the officers and various committees. The affiliated clubs had been most capably represented on the Management Committee, and it had been a pleasure to be associated with such a team of enthusiasts. Club spirit had been largely dormant before the wider vision of the interests of the game in South Canterbury. He also paid tribute to the principal officers, Mr F. S. Cave, who, for 28 years had been treasurer, and Mr M. J. Angland, who had been secretary for 14 years. They had pulled the Association through several very lean periods. In seconding the motion, Mr Macdonald said that it said a great deal for cricket in South Canterbury that most of the players played the game for the game’s sake, which was a healthy sign, and one which he hoped would long continue. Archdeacon Monaghan also congratulated the Association on having had had a successful year, and said that he thought a good deal of the weakness in the standard of play was due to lack of match practice. He commended to the Association the idea of playing mid-week games, say on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, on the knock-out principle. Each innings would consist of 20 overs, and he thought he could promise a cup for the competition from some of the old players. Such a competition he felt would create a good deal of public interest and the players would also derive a good deal of benefit and enjoyment from the games. The report and balance sheet were rdopted.

Election of Officers

The election of officers resulted.— Patron, Mr B. R. Macdonald; president, Mr A. E. Lawrence; vice-presi-dents, Ven. Archdeacon H. W. Monaghan and Mr W. Thomas; hon. treasurer, Mr F. S. Cave; hon. secretary’, Mr M. J. Angland; assistant-secretary’, Mr C. G. Reid; hon. auditor, Mr L. E. Eaton; resident delegate to New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr H. E. Lawrence (Christchurch); management committee, Messrs R. Wilson (Timar), E. Earwaker (Old Boys), H. Colville (Temuka), V. Hahn (Star), B. R. Macdonald (Geraldine), A. G. Simmers (High School), D. F. Gillespie, D. M. Webster, A. Rankin. W. H. Tubb (junior clubs); selection committees. Messrs C. F. Allcott, A. L. Hudson and C. Rix (first-grade) and D. F. Gillespie (second grade). The appointment of a third grade selector was held over.

Two-day Matches

A remit from the Star Club read. — “That during the 1937-38 season, oneday cricket be reverted to, with, if passible, a longer period of play.” In moving the remit, Mr Hahn suggested that games commence at 1.30 and conclude at 6.30, with an interval of 15 minutes for tea. On several occasions last season play finished early on the second day, and players had to go and play tennis to fill in the afternoon. One-day cricket was being played in Christchurch, where the wickets w’ere better and if they could make a success of it, then there was no reason why South Canterbury should not. The suggestion of midweek cricket was all right, but could they not meet the position by brightening up the Saturday cricket.

Mr Wood seconded the motion

Mr Sunley said that if they were going to improve cricket in the district, they would not do it by going in with the idea of hitting or getting out. To his mind one-day cricket had been wrongly named. It should have been called one-inning’s cricket. From the point of view’ of the players, the suggestion tended to deteriorate the standard of play. Mr Macdonald said that the experiment had been tried before and had not been a success. Mr R. G. Wilson said that when one-day cricket had been tried before, the season had been a very wet one. In addition to that very few of the clubs tried to play one-day cricket. He did not think that one-day cricket had really been tried out in South Canterbury. Mr Johnson supported the proposal, stating that he agreed with Mr Wilson that one-day cricket had not really been tried out. Batsmen and bowlers would have to alter their style of play, and they would get much more enjoyment out of the game.

Mr A. L. Hudson said that he had not been playing when one-day cricket had been tried, but all the players he had spoken to had been opposed to it. To his mind cricket was essentially a two-innings game, and on behalf of the Timaru Club he opposed the remit. On being put to the meeting the remit was lost by nine votes to six.

Remit Amended

On behalf of the Temuka Club, Mr Johnson moved, “That any club which enters two one grade of the competition register the players for each team at the commencement of the season, treating each team as a separate club.” Mr Simmers said that it was impossible for any club to do as was suggested in the remit, and he moved as an amendment that any club fielding two teams in the same grade be required to register eight players of each team at the commencement of the season.

Mr Sunley said that it w r as impossible for any club to register 11 players and adhere to it. If the remit was carried all the club spirit which had been built up in the Old Boys’ Club would be wrecked. There were players in the Old Boys’ B who would not play junior cricket, and who would not join up with other clubs, and if the remit was carried these players would be lost to the game. The second team, in the first instance, had been fielded for the good of the game, and so as to obviate a bye every Saturday. There was a possibility of one senior team dropping out this year, and if that happened then probably Old Boys would not field their second team. Mr Johnston agreed to accept the amendment, which was carried.

Remits Lost

A second Temuka remit, which was lost on the casting vote of the chairman, was, “That no replacements of players be allowed on the second day of play in any match.”

On behalf of the Timaru Club, Mr Hudson moved: “That in the event of a game commencing after the appointed time for the commencement, the team that is ready to take the field at the appointed time shall, if the captain of such team so elects at the appointed time for closing of play, and

the umpires are then satisfied that playing conditions are then favourable, be entitled to extend the time of play by the amount of time lost before the commencement of play, provided, however, that the captain of the team ready to take the field and desiring to extend the time of play must notify the opposing captain and umpires of his intention to claim such extension before the commencement of play.” After brief discussion, the motion was put to the meeting, the voting being even, and the chairman gave his casting vote against the remit.

A remit from Bruce’s Club read: “That unless six teams are entered in the third grade competition, only a senior and junior competition be played.” Moving the remit, Mr Rankin said that last year there were only three teams in the third grade, and that meant that, they played only on two out of every three Saturdays.

Mr Hahn moved as an amendment that the word “six” be altered to “four,” and this was carried.

Bristol Cup

The president moved on behalf ot the Management Committee that “the rules of the Bristol Cup competition be amended by the Management Committee to provide for the cup being competed for in the territory bounded by the Waitaki and Rangitata rivers, subject to the approval of the executors of the Bristol estate.” This would mean that in future the cup would be presented for the cricket championship of South Canterbury in which the winning teams in the South Canterbury Cricket Association s senior competition and the Waimate Cricket Sub-Union senior competition would meet each year to decide possession of the cup.

The motion was carried unanimously

Votes of thanks were passed to the newspapers and to Mr Angland for the use of his office.