CRICKET REVIEW

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 153, 10 September 1941, Page 5

CRICKET REVIEW

THE P. AjME> T. CLUB

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

In his review of the, past season at the annual dinner of the P. an<t T. Cricket Club, the president, Mr J. D'. Rivctt, said as under:—

Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to preside once again on the occasion of the annual dinner of the P. and T. Cricket Club. I think I can siay that it is to our credit that we are able to meet during times of war as we did in times of peace, and I sincerely trust that we will continue to do so.

In reviewing the season I say without fear of contradiction that the P. and T. Club acquitted itself well. Shortage of plaj r ers made for many difficulties but in spite of we were able |to honour every game for which we were scheduled, and at one part of the. season were running second in th«s comjjetition. The standard of play was good and most important of all, our Club maintained its reputation for good sportsmanship. This I consider the greatest thing in all games and we should be proud of it.

It w r as to be expected that we would lose some of our best players owing to military service, but fortunately Ave were able to fill tne gaps and give a good account of ourselves. I would like to refer to those members of our club who ar(* now with the forces overseas and in paying a tribute to them I think we ci'.n say with certainty that they will play the game in fighting Hitler in the same clean spirit of true cricketers. I am glad to see that they have not been forgotten on the toast list.

Referring to our friends who are With us this evening, I can only tend to them a hearty welcome *on the club's behalf and I trust all be* fng well that tliey will again ha with us next year when the annual dinner is heid. It has never been • our aim to accumulate funds, but rather we have endeavoured to cul tivate the social side, and this I f eel has boon directly responsible For our club holding together sr» well in difficult times.

Now, I trust that you' all will thoroughly enjoy yourselves this evening and that this gathering will be the means of making new friends and meeting old.. I sincerely trust that the club will be able to function during the coming season with the same degree of success as. it has fn the past. We all realise that wft cannot hope for cricket on a wider ?cale while the war is on, but we can at least hold the fort, 'till the boys come home,' and I 1 consider that our first duty. May we all join together in the hope that the clouds that darken the horizon at present will soon be past, and that by next rear Ave will be able to play the good old game, stronger In numbers and with no gaps in the teams we field. Thank you ladies and gentletnen.