CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 3779, 5 April 1875, Page 2

CRICKET.

Bt “Lookbr-ok.”

The last of the Gup matches was finished on Saturday, and resulted in a victory for the Merchants and Agents’ team. This will, in all probability, be the final match ef the season, unless the talked-of one between the D.C.C. and the South Dunedin can be arranged for next Saturday, which is not at all likely. A retrospective glanee at the season just closed furnishes matter for pleasant reflection, inasmuch asit affords ample proof that cricket is progressing and becoming highly popular in Dunedin. The Challenge Cup Match Committee are to be congratulated upon the success which has attended their efforts. In arranging a piogratnme for the season, these matches occupied a prominent place, and, despite some adverse opinions expressed as to the advisability of carrying them out, have proved an undoubted improvement upon the ordinary matches pranged during previous years. Tne competing teams (bar one} have shown more of the true cricketing spirit in contesting these matches than has been exhibited for years past. The matches have been all weU contested, and the elevens have worked harmoniously together for a common object, namely, to win, irrespective of petty personal jealousy —the discordant element which has exer-’ cised such a blighting influence upon cricket in Dunedin for years past, and which has been the source of any unpleasantness and bad feeling which may have prevailed, has fortunately been kept in check this season by the good sense of the majority. Want of unanimity bun been tne ban© of cricket in Dunedin for vcrts, Misohiefqmkers have unfortunately had plenty of scope for their contemptible practices, and have found too much sympathy among cricketers generally. Let them confine their operations to their limited sphere, and air their astute opmions for the special dilectation and enlightenment of their particular and deluded followers. The Oup Match disagreement and the Xnterprovinoial Match Committee resignation are two notable instances of the harmless puerility ■o frequently manifested. We have been I

*° quit# a charming variety of audh ch’iriiahexlubitiona doting the last two or three years. Tta limited expenenoe, however, of the exhibitors is of itself sufficient explanation and perhaps excuse, as it istheir misfortune more raan their fault, and wo mutt not be haxd on them.

At a general meeting of cricketers,; held during the early part, of the season, it will b? remembered that Mr Rattray broached the question of a visit from a Victorian team, n-wd sketched out a plan l of operations. It was then found impossible to carry tut the project, but a very veneral wish was expressed that steps should be taken to ensure a visit from an Australian team during the following year. It may interest cricketers to learn that a letter on this subject has been received from a leading Sydney cricketer, and that in all probility the matter will be warmly fayken up in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. New South Wales has come to the front this season, and has managed to gain two decided victories over her rival—one on foreign soil and the other on her native heath—a performance in one season unprecedented in the annals of Colonial cricket. It is to be hoped that Mr Rattray will be with us soon enough to see the consummation of the wished-for event.

Referring to the reverses of the season, the humiliating defeat at Christchurch assumes painful prominence. The large score, made by the Canterbury men would, under ordinary circumstances, have been cut down one-half. The unaccountable leniency of the Otago men i ma^er °f catches was something won- *° k 0 seen In order to be credited... There was a screw loose somewhere. mystery their steps pursued I know not, but this I know, that, like other mysteries, this one will remain for ever unsolved. That eventful first day will be long remembered by the toiling ones, who, “from mom till dewy evs, plied their laborious and seemingly never* ending task. In addition to the Christchurch match, two other outside games have been played, one with Invercargill, the other with Oamam. These matches are now likely to take place annually, and this fact may be taken as ah indication of a growing interest in cricket among country clubs. The play of the season, on the whole, Jias been an improvement upon that of past yhate. The ground, too, of the D.C.C. has been kept in better order, and the pavilion has been rendered more convenient for members.