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Cricket Club

Though many started last season's cricket with heavy hearts, it proved to be one of the most enjoyable seasons for some time. Apart from the fact that the season ended on a note of optimism from the cricketing viewpoint, sadly incongruous with external events, many friendly games were arranged. In particular, a trip to Feilding will be a happy memory, as long as memory lasts. The welcome we received there was overwhelming. The journey itself was entertaining. One member seemed intent on collecting the biographies of fellow passengers, while others kept the occupants of the carriage informed about passing trains. Among other anomalies, two Field's Expresses were crossed. Evidently the second was a duplicate should the first go astray! We live in stirring times. These digressions are inserted to show that cricket is the open sesame to many things. The game itself was lost by four runs owing, it is rumoured, to bad captaincy!

Other games were with an Old Students' team at Scots' College, with a Women's Representative team at Prince of Wales Park—the ladies won easily, though I think they would be gracious enough to concede that half our batsmen were run out—and two Sunday games at Levin, for which we have to thank the Horowhenua Cricket Association. In one of these games we came a rather bad second, but the return match was narrowly won thanks to some exhilirating hitting by Peter Wilson and some splendid bowling by W. Tucker, Esq. In this game Sandford and Farrell, from Otago, were amongst the runs. A badly gashed nose sustained by one of our players was treated on the train by a party of St. John Ambulance trainees who rather welcomed the presence of a prospective victim.

A resume of friendly games would be incomplete without some mention of two matches played under the leadership of John Murphy at Maidstone Park. Remember that perfect day late in November? The results of both these matches which were played against teams from St. Pat's. Old Boys' Club were obscured by the attraction of certain barrels which contained something more substantial than mere fun. But let that go . . . It went!

As for Championship fortunes, the Seniors were a little disappointing. On paper they had a strong team, with acquisitions in A. P. Cobden and E. M. Hay from Christchurch, but things didn't go well, especially during the middle part of the season. A deficiency in really effective bowling seemed to be the main trouble, though J. B. Stephenson, and Manley at the beginning of the season, brought off some fine performances. J. A. Ongley didn't get going very often, though his batting was as delightful as ever. There is no doubt as to who is the best stroke player in Wellington. Sheffield, as captain, also did not strike his best form and the same might be said of Harpur, Wilson and Vietmeyer, though all three performed well on occassions. W. G. Smith kept wickets well and improved his batting average considerably. During the season N. H. McMillan left for camp.

The team had a great eight point win from Wellington in its last match.

The Second Grade co-operative had quite a successful season. We had a moral victory over the winners of the Championship. (This was due to venomous bowling by W. Drake, who afterwards performed creditably for the Seniors. Time alone deprived us of victory that day). Games that were lost, were lost narrowly, and altogether with a little luck we might have won the Championship. Any member of the team will tell you that. Outstanding performances were registered by Betts, whose forceful batting and energetic fielding were pleasant to watch, Sandford, Craig, G. W. Smith, Densem, Knowsley, Edgeley, Greig and Parker, the last four as all rounders. Of these, Greig and Parker also did well for the Seniors in the final match. Some other batsmen collected a few runs on easy wickets.

It would be both un-Christian and uncharitable to bring the performances of the Fourth Grade team too clearly into the light of day. The team suffered from population problems and migratory movements; Walker, Devine and others often receiving a call to a higher service. Coleman was most consistent while McWilliams, James, Caird and Burgess were also prominent.

Though the Sixth Grade social team were orphaned by the loss of their patriarch, Ted Blacker, under G. D. Richards they maintained their high position in the competitions. In the run-making department the main contributors were B. C. Campbell, J. Jeffs, H. E. Moore and R. R. Roberts. Jeffs, with G. A. Hoffmeister, provided the backbone of the bowling. With advancing years Roberts seems to have lost some of his former nip off the pitch.

The Eighth Grade team were again under the trusted leadership of that hardy perennial, John Murphy. At the end of each year he expresses his determination to relinquish the captaincy, but each year he resumes his rightful place at the head of the team, and we hope he will continue to do so for many years to come. This year his perseverance was rewarded for he had the double gratification of compiling many runs himself and of seeing his team amass upwards of fifty points. Other bats-men who caught the eye were Ramage and Mulqueen. O'Sullivan and Martin (until he was called up), provided the mainstays of the attack, with Collins an additional force later in the season; furthermore, P. C. P. McGavin not only made a marked advance in the technique of batting, but also figured conspicuously in opening partnerships against opposing teams, and in witticisms against his own team.

In conclusion, to all those who are now serving overseas, the Committee wishes very sincerely a safe and happy return. In the meantime cricket will not be the same.