OTAGO CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 5

OTAGO CRICKET

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT SUCCESSFUL FINANCIAL YEAR The sixty-third annual report of tho Otago Cricket Association states that last season 52 teams took part in tha various grade competitions as follows; —Frst grade 8 teams, second grade A. 10, second grade B2 10, intermediate 8, second grade,Bl 10, third grade 6. The respective winners had been:—. First grade, Carisbrook; intermediate. North-east Valley; second grade A, Green Island ; second grade 81, Taieri; second grade 82 - , Dunedin; third grade, Green Island. The report goes on to review briefly the representative matches and tlx* “ Country Week ” tournament, and! full scores and bowling analysis of the Plunket Shield matches in which tha province was engaged are appended. In recording the fact that the Clark Fielding Trophy had been awarded to the Carisbrook Club the committee expresses the hope that all clubs will uso every endeavour to improve their fielding. Congratulations are extended to the Club on having celebrated! its 75th anniversary, and to D. A. R. Moloney in having been appointed cap. tain of the New Zealand team for tha match against Sir Julien Calm A eleven. V. Leader is also congratulated on winning the Wycherley Trophy for the best bowling performance in representative games. STANDARD OF CRICKET. in the matter of the attempt made to introduce reforms which might improve the standard of cricket in Otago the report states: “ At the close of the season the question of the standard of cricket in the province was discussed, and a sub-committee was set; up to bring down a report as to how the game could be improved in Dunedin. This sub-co imnittee spent a great deal of time in going into tho matter, and brought down a «yery comprehensive report, recommending that drastic changes be made in that tho city be divided into four districts, and that the senior and intermediata grades be limited to four teams. A special meeting of the committee was called to deaf with the report, and after a thorough discussion the subcommittee’s proposals were defeated, and the position as regards clubs remains as at present. Many valuablo suggestions, however, were made aD this special meeting, and it is hoped that some of the suggestions made will be put into practice in the coming year.” The departure of Mr J. A. Dunning to take up an important position in. Queensland is referred to with regret. Ha had been, the committee states, one of the stalwarts of Otago cricket for many vears, both in the field and in an administrative capacity, arid the best wishes of the association and cricketers generally would be with him in his future career. “It is pleasing to record,’ the report proceeds, “ that the endowment fund h&o been established, and tho statement shows this account to be in a very satisfactory position. If His fund is successfully carried on it shon d prove of great advantage to cricket in Otago ill the future.” Regret is expressed at the deaths during the year of Mr C. W. Rattray, a past president of the association and an ex-captain of Otago representative teams; of Mr James Baker, who had represented the province on many occasions; and of Mr Reginald Cherry, an Otago player of more recent years. COACHING. Messrs A. Galland, A. Knight, and 0. Everson were appointed to coach the schoolboys during the past season, and each carried out his duties to tha entire . satisfaction of the Coaching Committee, and those young players who had been taken in hand should benefit from the excellent tuition they; have received. Thanks are expressed to the Umpires’ Association, the Rugby Union, and to a long list of individuals and committees who had assisted in various ways during the year, and the report concludes with an expression of appreciation ot the support given by the ground members, whose assistance had been mainly responsible for the satisfactory financial position of the association. “ The prospects for the coming year, appeared particularly bright,” says tho committee, “ as we were looking forward to a visit of an Australian team, >aded by the famous Don Bradman, which was expected to give cricket a great impetus throughout the Dominion Unfortunately the Empire i* at present involved in a great war, which, if it continues, might mean tha curtailment of all branches of sport.’ The statement of income and ex< penditure shows the receipts from ground members to have been £429 2# in a total income of £639 10s 7d. Tha profit on the year’s working was £ll7i 19s sd.