CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1919, Page 7

CRICKET.

0 THE INGLEWOOD PROTEST. (By Spectator.) A full and free discussion is very often the best means to get over any misunderstanding, but there is also a danger that if too much latitude iB granted, member* may become unruly. Something of this nature occurred at Thursday's meeting of the North Taranaki Association. Great interest was taken in the delegates' meeting, which was attended by many club enthusiasts; chief interest centring round the protests of Waireka and Inglewood against New Plymouth. Right from the outset it was apparent that club partisanship was going to sway the feelings of delegates, and the discussion was narrowed down to club details and internal dissensions. The chairman, Mr. E. Whittle, admitted mistakes had been .made in not standing strictly by the 1 rules at the outset of th 3 game, and becoming elastic from the start, he thought that they might allow a certain spirit of toleration to continue regarding the games. On the surface it is a small, mfctter that a player participates in a week. Yet this has caused ail eruption that may mar cricket for therest of the season. Whilst delegates werp. all keen on stating they desired to show «-sporting -spirit, the speeches were', far from, what might be expected from those whose aim it should be to sink individual differences in order to further the game. Waireka, although one-of the protesting teams, took no part in the debate. Not so the Inglewood and New Plymouth delegates, who held the floor on several occasions, and the bickerings and recriminations of these representatives were anything but good for the delegates of younger clubs. Mr. Darton (Inglewood), in his zeal to make a good case for his club, struck the first discordant note, when ha introduced the "pot-hunting" term. Probably he used a bad term, but, whilst the mistake was his, Mr. Willis (New Plymouth) did not improve the situation by taking advantage of this slip of the tongue, by rubbing it into the Inglewood Club for apparent want of enthusiasm in regard to pushing the game ahead outside their own particular circle. Mr. Stainton (secretary), smarting under the hostile criticism, also "rubbed" it into the country club, until the chairman was compelled to call the meeting to order. What may have been the custom in the past, whether good or evil, cannot be undone, but it appears to me that the New Plymouth delegates were a little too keen or outspoken in their remarks, and these utterances, instead of blowing away the cobwebs of discontent, may weave a web that may entangle and stifle the game. Had the chairman insisted upon one man one speech, better progress would have been made, and the bitterness engendered prevented. Again, had the committee elected at the'commencement of the season met and amerded the rules, trouble may lave been averted, but this neglect has been partly responsible for the difficulty. That Inglewood felt strongly the justice of their protest is borne out by their declining to withdraw it, and that they had a measure of support from the meeting is shown by the voting, six delegates favoring the protest being sustained, against eleven for its dismissal. Now that the matter has been thoroughly ventilated, it should be dismissed from the thoughts of members. Inglewood is too good a club to lose. Their position in the competition demonstrates that, and it would be very unfortunate if any unpremeditated statement of a delegate caused the club's retirement from the remainder of the fixtures. Cricket is "booming" in New Plymouth, 13 of the 16 elevens playing being town teams, and it should be the desire of the enthusiasts to foster the game in the country and make every effort to Tevive the same interest there as obtains in towns. Having won their cage, it remains to be seen what New Plymouth will do in the matter, but if they are wise they will act With discretion, and any surplus Saturday players they ha/e will need to be used wjth discretion. It would be a splendid thing if these cricketers could be available to assist Albion and Waireka in their games, and by doing so Inglewood would find the Thursday elevens more evenly balanced, and the bone of contention removed.

NEWS AND NOTES. Cricketers generally do not take kindly to the suggested "A and B" £ .mes. Many believe that the competition matches should proceed, and that the selectors should pick certain players to practise., and then judge the ability of the men at the practice nets. They point out that this is the invariable custom in other centres, and should be followed here. Whilßt there is something in this, there is also another side to the question. In the Thursday championship there are only four teams and two rounds completed. If the series are continued, the final will be Teached long before the autumn leaves are falling, interest being consequently lost when the weather is still favorable. Again, trial games would give the younger players further opportunity of playing against the expert batsman and bowler, and must derive advantage therefrom. It would be idle to deny that the Albion and Waifeka players must profit from these games, whilst their less fortunate comrades, by attending the games and by Using their powers of observation, should also derive some benefit. With 40 on for no wickets, Old Boys continue their game against Freezing Works to-day. The latter do not anticipate a win, but hope to make Old Boys go all the way. If cricket is continued during the holidays, several familiar faces will be absent during the contests. However, it Will give the lesser lights an opportunity to distinguish (or extinguish) themselves.

The Saturday competitions are unfortunate in having two playing days abandoned through stress of weather. Last week a good deal of interest was taken in the continuation of the TikorangiHigh School game, but the rain curtailed what promised to be an interesting contest. ° Stainton has been run out three times in succession. Quickfall is a natural "slogger." He landed a sixer in his second innings last Saturday. Johnson, of the Old Boys' team, is one of the best fielders in the competition. Old Boys' fielding was vastly superior to New Plymouth, whilst the latter's catching was also faulty.

The freezing Works seniors to play Old Boys, at Sports Ground, will be the same as previous Saturday. Juniors, at Show Grounds.—Elmes, Hoskin, Wadman, Goodall, Sutherland, Papps, Barriball, Haskell, N. Kinsella, Way, Murdoekj emergency, Marsden.