CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 231, 23 September 1908, Page 4

CRICKET.

THE MOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. The following is the annual- report, to be presented at the annual meeting of the Xortb 'L'aramiki Cricket Association to-night hj- Mr. E, Whittle, honorary secretary: In submitting |[, ( . report and ha'lan.'osbcet for season ISW7-8 your committee lias much pleasure i u stating it has again been a successful one. Although the facilities I'of obtaining practice in the earlier part of the season were not so good as in former years, yet the standard of cricket shown was a'decided improvement all round, as the average* will show; and now the existence of n good turf wicket in the Recreation (Irouiiil, and Hie probability of others being laid down at Western Park, will materially help in the improvement .I'd advancement of the game. The senior competition f >r the Robertsou Cop was won <bv the New l'lvniuiitli Cricket tilth's Hast' End lean:, this being the third year in succession that this club has maintained the premier position. The junior shield was won by I'm New Plymouth Cricket Club for the lirst time.

In regard to ihter-assoeiation mulches only one. was played here, against Wanganui, resulting in a win lor Xoiili Taranaki. The Manawatu Association was unable lo make their return v;-il to this Association last season, lint have signified their intention of doing s o this year.

An additional and interesting match was arranged and played against the Xew South Wales teachers' team, wnci were touring the Xorth Island last season, and although they were a strong combination they were decisively -beaten by our representative team, who fair's excelled themselves that day, parliciilarly in the bowling and fielding departments of the. game. Although this match was not a financial success to the Association, .still it is considered so in the general interests of the game, ami it has indeed been very gratifying to your committee to notice the eulogistic references made in the Australasian papers: to the Xorth Taranaki Cricket Association for the reception of the Xew South Walers in Xew Ply-mouth.

The prospects for the forthcoming senson are most encouraging, as most probably matches -will be arranged against an Australian team, Canterbury, ami Otago. Amongst the various clubs very keen interest is being displayed in prospect of the approaching season, and there is every probability of the Saturday competitions being resuscitated.

The ha lance-sheet shows a debitbalance.of £1 4s nd, .which, after taking ■into consideration the expense of entertaining the New South Wales teachers' team, is very satisfactory.

In concluding this report your committee desire to thank those who have rendered assistance to the Association during last season, and also to again thank the Taranaki Herald. Taraniiki Daily News, and Inglewood and Waitara papers for space s o liberally .devoted to cricket.

The cricket contributor to the Kltham Argus writes:—The pronosal of ihe Kaponga Club that the! headquarters of the Taranaki Cricket Association should be removed from llawera to Kltham owing to the more central position of this town, should receive the support of player s here. Headquarters in Kltham wili be more suitable to Stratford (should they run a team), Toko, and Kaponga. but will not prove so convenient to Manaia as headquarters at llawera. I'roba.bly something may be done at the annual meeting of the Association.

iHawera, made an clforl In get mi eleven together lust summer. Iml liml In abandon tlie attempt. This year Md'arthy. Pratt, and Elliott intend •making an early call on probable players so ; ,s l„ get the old elub going. Time was when the llawera Club took a loading part in inlor-provinfial matches.