ODDFELLOWSHIP AND SPORT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 4 May 1925, Page 4

ODDFELLOWSHIP AND SPORT.

CRICKET CHAMPIONS. The Loyal Masterton Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, tendered.a., social fo the Oddfellow's’ Cricket Clubon Saturday night. • - Bro. S. J. Geary, V.G., presided, and stated that the Lodge officers and members wfished to congratulate the Cricket Club oil winning the junior championship two years in succession, and holding the Bradbury Cup. It was undoubtedly a credit to the Lodge and Order,, and the members should continue to foster the clean sporting spirit which alone tended to keep the members together. Mr W. C. Perry gave a very interesting review of cricket in the Wairarapa during the past 40 years, and congratulated the club on its efforts.. Members were urged to be careful in the steps they took re forming a senior team, but it was quite safe for the Oddfellows to enter a senior team if the names of those submitted were going to give it their whole-hearted support.. The players wrnre available, and as Oddfellows/a senior team should gain further laurels. Bro.*A. Torrance (captain) expressed pleasure at the way the boys had kept the team going, and thanked the Lodgo for the support always rendered the club. He emphasised the necessity of making sure of a full muster of willing members in support of a senior team, and with the members already • available, if they donned the Purple and / Gold colours, there was nothing to fear. Bro. W. Darvill (vice,-captain) endorsed the remarks of Captain Torrancff and was delighted with the sportsmanship of the club, not forgetting the sports of other clubs who took part in. the junior competition . The two seasons he had played for Oddfellows hai been the means of convincing him that cricket was the best game of all, and it was feally a credit to the club t« have had such a willing body of players to further the interests of good clean sport. Mr. James (Druids) _ .congratulated the club on winning the Bradbury Cup, and paid a tribute to all who took part in the junior competition, and asked members to foster the juniors as mueb as possible, learn to play the game, and he himself would continue to try and strengthen the Druids’ Club, as he considered the lodges would benefit by keeping the boys together in outside sport. Bro. T. Vovee (president of the Cricket Association) in presenting the cup to the Club, laid stress on the importance of discipline in .the field, which, had been So pronounced with >,the Oddfellows and had certainly tended toward the victory achieved. “Your Club should, -under the circumstances, be able to place a good senior team in. the field next .eason,” he said. But, as a cricketer, Bro. Vovee urged, the members to make sure of the same loyal support as has been evident- in the juniorgrade. ’ Bro .P M. Smith (president of the Club) thanked all for their remarks, and urged members to take heed of the advice tendered by Bro. W. C. Perry , and Bro. T. Vovee. The club was on a good footing. They also had a popular secretary in Bro. A. P. Smith, who always kept the bovs together, and all re-, cognised the ability of Captain Torrance and Vice-captain Darvill. - The following toasts were honoured:: The King, The Manchester Unity, Cricket Club, kindred societies, donor of cup. the Cricket Association. 1 - v Visitors from a "Western Australian Lodge.and a Napier Lodge were given a Lodge} Welcome, and an enthusiastic, mothering enjoyed a reunion which will_ ”0 doubt, keep cricket in view and produce another successful season next year. _ /