HOROWHENUA CRICKET ASSOCIATION.

Shannon News, 31 October 1924, Page 3

HOROWHENUA CRICKET ASSOCIATION.

SEASON OPENS NOVEMBER Ist. A meeting of delegates of the Horowhenua Cricket Association was held at. the Jubilee Hotel on Wednesdaynight, when the following were present: —Messrs Anderson, I'ietcher, Edwards, and Moody (Levin), Twist and Knox (Otaki), Parker (Bahui), Young and Hall (Weraroa), Reeve and Brazier (JParaparauniu). Mr. Anderson was elected chairman, and apologised for the absence of Mr. K. A. Sloan (secretary) who had, unfortunately, met with an accident.

Correspondence was read from Messrs A. Hawke and D. S. Mackenzie, regretting they were unable to accept the positions of president and solo selector respectively. '■-»

Letters were also read from the various clubs in the district nominating a team each, while Levin intimated that they desired to enter two teams, an, "'A" and a "B." The club asked that the "B" team be allowed thirteen piayers. v "*

llegrot was expressed at the resignations of Messrs Hawke and Mackenzie, it being pointed out that both were good men, and keen. Mr. W. N. Anderson was unanimously elected president. The appointment of a selector was fully discussed, and it was deemed advisable to have two, one for "the northern end and one for the southern. The question arose whether the rules would allow the appointment of two men, but as nothing could be found in the books it was decided that two be appointed.

Mr. Reeve nominated Mr. Tom Parata for the southern end and this was agreed to. In the event of Mr. Parata declining to act it was agreed that the southern delegates appoint someone to iill the vacancy. Mr. L. W. Fletcher was elected for the north.

The matter of allowing the Levin Club to play thirteen men in their "B" team caused a deal of discussion. Mr. Moody pointed out that the club possessed quite a number of young players and that it was desirable they should be encouraged. He thought by allowing two extra men it would help to equalise play.. If something was not done for the younger members it meant that they would get no game. Mr. Edwards pointed out that some of the "B" team were mere school boys and that the dub had no wish to; dishearten them. Cricket- was now booming and the more clubs playing tho better it would be, He hoped the suggestion would be agreed to.

The chairman said at one time it looked as if there would be no cricket in Levin, but several young players had come forward and desired games. He thought it advisable to give them all the encouragement possible.

Mr. Reeve considered it would be in the interests of cricket to allow the suggestion to stand. A stipulation might be made that the team bat eleven but field thirteen. Young players, he maintained, should be encouraged, but he regretted that the matter had not been brought forward earlier, if it had been discussed at~a previous meeting there might have been prospects of Otaki and Parnparaumu hav: ing similar teams. The chairman stated that in Levin" a coach had been appointed to help the juniors. Mr. Knox agreed that the 13-men idea was a good.one and thought it would foster play. : Mr. Young said he considered the A and B teams would have to be kept quite separate, regarded almost as separate clubs. He, however, thought the suggestion a fine one, and considered it would be a good idea to have a few, older heads among the younger players. Mr. Twist asked if there would be an age limit, but was assured that there would be no need for such, it being pdinted out that several old players were even below the standard of younger ones.

Mr. Reeve said the idea was to bring out the young players and give them every encouragement, -and he thought an age limit necessary. Mr. Fletcher then moved that the B team be allowed to bat 13 players. He pointed out that tho M.C.O. rules did not permit of 13 men being allowed to field.

Mr. Young differed and said the practice of playing additional men had been carried out in other places. He moved that the B team bat and field 13 men.—Seconded by Mr. Twist, and carried. It was decided that the opening day be Saturday, November Ist,

Mr. Young moved that no fixtures be drawn for the Levin race-day (22nd) pointing out that, no doubt, quite a number of players would be anxious to attend. ■_, Mr, Reeve moved that fixtures be drawn for that day, stating players would not be sports to forsake cricket ■for racing.--Seconded by Mr. Fletcher. After further discussion it was decided not to play on race-day. Mr. Keeve moved there be no fixture for the 27th December as many players would be away for the Xmas holidays. —Seconded by Mr. Young, and carried. The following fixtures were then drawn:— . November Ist: Paraparaumu v. Otaki at Paraparaumu. Rahui, a bye. November Bth:- Paraparaumu v. Rahui at Paraparaumu, Otaki, a bye. November 15th: Otaki v. Rahui at Otaki, Paraparaumu, a bye. For the first Saturday in the northern end Shannon will play Moutoa at Shannon, Levin "A" will meet Weraxoa, while Levin "B" will have a bye. Other fixtures were left to the northern delegates to arrange. It was agreed to play games between North and South on December 13th and February 16th. It was stated that Mr. Bebbington had decided to give a trophy for competition, conditions yet to be arranged. The question of boundary hits was discussed and it was generally agreed that boundaries should be as uniform as possible and shorter than in the past, say about 55 yaTds, a lot, of course, depending on the configuration of the ground. It was agreed that a hit to the boundary be four, but if the ball landed over the boundary line six be scored, Mr. Anderson thanked members for

attending the meeting, considering the attendance very satisfactory, lie regretted that the last meeting was so poorly attended and was sorry to see the Shannon delegates absent from the present meeting. He also thanked members for electing him president, and said-he would do his best for cricket in' general. . . ~ Mr Reeve moved that the next meeting be held in Levin.—Agreed to. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.