OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 65

OTAGO CRICKET ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL REPORT.

The following report will be submitted to the annual meeting of the Otago Cricket Association: — Your committee, while regrettanf, tne lack of enthusiasm still only too apparent among "oricketarß generally, think that the past season may be looked upon as satisfactory from many points of view The association, with the generous assisttance of supporters of the game, was ablo to secure the services of two coaches — Charles Wordsworth (Sydney) and F. Ayles (Melbourne),— whose time was cheifly devoted to the coaching of colts and cchool boys. Tiiis section of play«rs. however, did not take advantage of the opportunity to the extent anticipated. The coaches also put in some useful work with the players selected to practise for representative matches. On the 9th November two North -v. South end matches were played at Carisbrook: one between teams selected from First Grade and the other for Second Grade players. Both matches furnished enjoyable games, the senior match resulting in a win for the South End, while in the junior engagement the North won by a narrow majority. Northern Tour.— Mainly through, the energies of Mr C. G. Wilson a thoroughly representative team was got together to journey to -Auckland in the 'hope of wresting from the locals the Pluuket Shield. It reflects greatly to the credit of the members of this team that they should pay their own expenses and give their time in the hope of bringing the honours io Dunedin. Under these opecial circumstances it was particularly unfortunate that time alone probably prevented them from carrying out their design, as the match witb tbe champion province resulted in a most unsatisfactory draw. It is somewhat absurd that such a result should have been possible in a match of the kind— after the., team hod travelled such a distance fofr the sole purpose of meeting the Shieldhdders. It is sincerely, to be hoped that the New Zealand Cricket -Council will see that all Plunket Shield matches are in future played to & finish. In this match in question the Otago team scored 338 in their first " innings, the captain (C. G. WSson) leadfing tfae way with a magnificently compiled 144, E. C. Howden 33, H. G. Siedeberg 39, C. Hopkins 21, A. H Fisher 19, F. Williams 17, G. G. Austin 12, M. Rutherford 11, lending valuable assistance. A. Howden (am ex-Otago representative) bowled well for Auckland, and secured seven wickets for 87 runs. Auckland responded with 196 (Relf 64). Otago then put up 159 (Williams 35, Wilson 28, Hopkins 18, Rutherford 14, Austin 13, Torrance 13", not out), leaving their opponents '302 to win. Playing for the draw Auckland, at call of time, had made 160 for five wickets. Fisher, Torrance, and Wordsworth all bowled exceedingly well for Otago. The team - next played Wang&nui, and -won easily, scoring 330 and 242 for six wickets, against 216 and S6. H. G. Siedeberg was in good form, with soores of 109 and 55, not out, and Wordswortih and Torraince bowied consistently well throughout the match. Napier was the scene of the next engagement, and here, too, your representatives were easily •uccessful, beating Hawke's Bay by 191 runs. Otago scored 340 (C. G. Wilson 188) and 164 for six wickete; against 144 and 169. Torrance was again to the fore with the ball, coming out with the splendid averages of seven for 51 and seven for 42. Mr T. T. Ritchie officiated as manager during the tour, and the members of the team and the association are greatly indebted to him for the time and attention he devoted to their welfare and for the able manner in which he filled tihe position.

The Canterbury Match. — After the success achieved by Otago on the northern tour, their match with Canterbury at Dunedin was looked forward to with a vast amount of interest. The visiting team included Hkunptirevs, ifoe» Kent professional, and Arthur Sims, who had just returned from the Old Country, where he had indulged in a good deal of cricket. Otago supporters were confident that their team could this time be relied upon to show their tru© form against fcheir old opponents. Disappointment awaited them, for although Canterbury in their first innings had at one time lost eight wickets for 58, the total eventually reached 206. Bad catching- was again accountable for Otago losing grip of the match, though every credit is due to Orchard and Boxfihall for the complete manner ip wfoich -they took advantage of our nwstakea. Otago never showed any form with the bat in either innings, and their combined efforts realised but 77 and 143. As Canterbury's second eesay totalled 2§9, onr men were decisively beaten-. Otago v. Southland. — The Otago team journeyed ' to Invorcargilil, though pot tfcoapouchly representative, was conpidterea # good side, but the display given by them was very feeble. The wicket no ijoufct accounted for tihe poor cricket shown fcj both sides, and Southland won a low scoring xtiEvtdh with totals of 94 and 104 against 57 and 44. Tbe batting successes

ware nil, but Wordsworth, Mackersy, and] Cumi»gß did the damage with the ball, j Second Grade Representative Match. — j A Second Grade representative team journeyed -to Ohristdhurch at the New Year and played -fcbe Canterbury Junior representatives. The home team was too strong and won easily by scoring 164 and 413 (closed for seven -wictets) against 106 and 162. Poor fiekhng helped the big score in : Oamtarbury's second innings. ColunVb (35 . and 49), Du-thie (58), Shelton (27 and 10) showed good form with the bat Club fSricket.— The weather at tEe beginning of the 6eason was most unsuitable for cricket, and the- continued postponements of matches doubtless jdisheartened nrainy players. The Carisbrook Club won the First Grade shield by the narrow margin of one point over Dunedin; Albion gained Second Grada honours with another undefeated record, while the Grange Club showed themselves to possess the pick of the coming cricketers bj appropriating both the Third and Fourth Grade shields. The fielding trophy was also awarded to the Grange Club. • General. — The committee must again express its indebtedness to fbe Umpires' Association and congratulate it upon the able manner in which it has carried ouit its ditties. Cricketers one and all, we feel sure, appreciate the efforts of tfhese gentlemen who give up so much . of their time to officiate in club matches, aiwi we would like to see more of our old (players join fine ranks of the association, as if they bad a big membership members would not be called on to give up every Saturday as is tihe case in many instances at present. Players are urg>ed to assist the association by accepting umpires' decisions witih good grace. We have again to compliment the Albion and Grange Clubs on the improvement of the North Ground, and very pleasant games can now be had there. Towards the close of last season Mr A. M'Lean tendered his resignation as a member of the executive owing to being transferred to Alexandra. The members of the association made him a small presentation prior to his departure in recognition of his past services. Mr C. R. Smith, '■president of the association, took a trip to the Old Country at fhe dose of last season, and the members of the association took occasion to wish hinf bon voyage. Your committee received with regret tho resignation of Mr F. H. Campbell as a member of your executive, and they here wish to express tiheir appreciation <*f the many valuable services rendered by him in the interests of the game. • Finance. — The saason was commenced with an overdraft of £100 4s lOd, and the balance sheet now submitted shows a credit balance. This i 6 a most satisfactory state of affairs, considering the association paid visits to Southland and Auckland. The result was chiefly obtained through the art union inaugurated by the association, which showed tlhe very haaidsome profit of £185 3s Id. The Art Union Committee deserve great credit for the splendid manner in which tifosy carried tlbe affair to such a 6ucc3ssful icsue. Too much praise cannot bo bestowed on Messrs C. G. Wilson T. G. Seoular, J. Hope., and J. Clarke (Mornington), as they really did the lion's share oi the work. Your committee desires to express their appreciation of the generous manner in wihicih those interested in cricket add the general public responded to tlhcir appeal. The association is negotiating for the services of a coach for the coming season, and if arraogememts are completed as the association anticipates, cricketers will have the services of a first class all-round man. { Thanks. — The thanks of the association are due to Messrs D. H. Thomson and E. J. Austin, who acted as your delegates to tbe N.Z.C.C, and who have looked carefully after the interests of Otago cricket during their term of office. To the Otago Rugby Football Union for .generously granting your association a "benefit match in aid of its funds ; to the press for prominence given to the affairs of the association and orioket in general. j Prospective.— The New Zealand Cricket Council is negotiating for a visit from an Australian Eleven on terms that / should prove satisfactory to the various associations, and should this visit eventuate it should be the means of giving the game a much needed impetus. —___«« ' During the year 29 committee meetings were held, and attended as follows : — T. Ritdhie 28, C. G. Wikon 24, J. Hope 21, ' W. Maclean 21, J. Clarke 20. A. Restieaux 15, J. Beck 13, <T .7. Clark 12, L. C. Gooch 5 (out of a possible 11, he being elected in place of A. M'Lean, resigned). ! Conclusion. — In retiring from office, your committee thante Jhe clubs for tlhe support accorded them, and trusts its successors will be treated in 'ike manner. j The following are the batting and bowling averages in representative matches: — ,

Batting. .5 5 ° 2 B gog o .I°O £ ►5 £2 ?5 X s < C G Wil=on .. 10 472 — 188 47.2 H. G. Siedcberg .. 7 233 1 109 39.6 j C Hopkins . 8 200 — 57 05 M. Rutherford . 10 186 1 42 20 G R. C. Torrsmce 8 97 3 42 19.4 G. G. Austin 4 70 — 23 17.5 E. C Howdeu ; 2 34 — 3-3 17 C Chsdwick ..2 16 1 9 16 F. Williams ... 7 90 1 35 15 F. Ayles 8 104 1 47 14 8 C Wordsworth 10 105 1 51 11.6 C Beal .... 4 34 1 29 11 3 H. C. Watson ..2 17 — 13 8.5 A. H. Fieher 4 28 — 19 7 E. O. Blamires '2 10 — 10 5 W. Henderson ,2 10 — 10 5 TV. Mackersy . 2 5 14 5 A. Eckhold .. v 2 8 — 8 4 — M'FarlarMS .* 2 9 — 9 4.3 A. Martyn . .' 2 5 — 5 2.5 J. R. Burt ... 1 2 — 2 2 E. Cummings ,2 2 — 2 1 J Brydonc . . 2 11 — 1 0.5 Bowling. 1 -S a c fi m 2 = "<* "2 o § •- 2 P%g X £ < E. Cummings.. 64 4 — 20 4 5 E. C. Howden 36 2 — 7 17 W Mackersy 65 2 — 33 4 8.2 R. C. Torrauce 1101 59 1 404 33 12.2 C Wordsworth 1056 53 5 376 25 15.04 A. H. Fish«r . 610 38 — 178 10 17.8 ' G. G Austin 138 9 — 40 2 20 I M. Rutherford 523 25 4 227 11 20.6 • H. G. Siedebers; 120 4 — 50 2 25 I C. Hopkins 102 1 — 66 1 56 I