Cricket 1891

NOV. 26, 1891 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME; 481 WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CLUB. For some time past those interested in the development of cricket in Worcestershire have been taking measures with a view to enlist the sympathy of lovers of the game in various parts of the County, and by this means advance its status. Some three weeks ago a meeting was held at Malvern, and with excellent results. Thirty-five new members were enrolled, and in addition a promise was given by the authorities of Malvern College, to lend the School ground free with a guarantee against loss if the County would arrange a week there. With the same object, another meeting was held at Worcester on the 16th inst. The Earl of Coventry presided, and among those that supported him were the Earl of Dudley, Hon. Ernest Allsopp, Colonel Norbury, and Mr. P. H. Foley, Hon. Sec. of the Worcestershire County C.C. The Chairman said they wished to consider if they could strike ont any new line to make oricket more popular than it had been in Worcestershire. It was always a difficult matter to keep cricket up to the mark in any county. The first thing they had to attempt was to get more members for the Worcester- shire Cricket Club. If they got more members and more money they might be able to go further afield and play better cricket than they had done ; but without money it was impos­ sible for them to proceed in that direction. There was certainly plenty of cricketing talent among the gentlemen of the county. There was no reason why they should not employ more professional talent than they had done. Kidderminster, Dudley, and some of the large towns on the outskirts of Bir­ mingham ought to contain better professional cricketers than they saw on the Worcestershire ground. Mr. Foley said the object of the present movement was to get more mem bers, to play some second or even third-rate counties, and thereby attract people and take more gate money. Club and ground matches would be arranged for those who were not in tho first eleven, so that all the members of the club might have a chance of playing somewhere. It was also proposed that clubs who subscribed should have a member on the committee. For the last two years the income of the Worcestershire Club had not been sufficient to meet the expenditure. If they played second -class counties and had three-day matches that meant increased expenditure. If they engaged three professionals at ±5 each per match, and played ten matches, that meant ±150, whereas last year their outlay under that head was only ±*71. If they could get 150 more members they would do very well. He found that in the Black Country great interest was taken in County cricket, and if they played matches at Stourbridge, Kidderminster, and possibly Moseley, they would get good gates. Since the meeting at Malvern he had had letters from two profes­ sionals offering to play for Worcestershire, and stating that they were qualified. The Hon. Ernest Allsopp said it seemed to him that the meeting was drifting. It had not made up its mind what it wanted to do. Was it desired to go in for county cricket according to the Middlesex standard, or simply what they might call amateur county cricket ? If they desired to develop into a second or first-class county, the first thing they should try to do was to organise; there should be a central committee covering the whole of the county, and on that committee there should be representatives from each cricketing centre. If Worcestershire was to advance into the ranks of first-class cricket they must have an organisation and cricket districts with every centre properly repre­ sented on the committee. Mr. Foley observed that that was what was suggested as part of the improvement they contemplated. There would be a central committee, and clubs affiliated to the County Club would be entitled to representation on the committee. Lord Dudley proposed “ That this meeting cordially approves of the proposed seheme, and will do all in its power to further it.” This was seconded by Colonel Norbury and carried. In replying to the toast of the Chairman, Lord Coventry stated there was a strong feeling that they ought to have better crieket in Worcestershire. At present they had played Herefordshire, Shropshiie, and Staf­ fordshire. Mr. Foley did not tell them what other counties it was proposed they should play. Mr. Foley said they hoped to get Leicester­ shire, Warwickshire, and Cheshire. Lord Dudley subsequently gave a donation of £25 to the club funds, and also promised to bear the cost of enclosing the county ground. CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY CLUB. The first annual general meeting took place on November 7, in the Cambridge Town Hall, when Colonel Hamond presided over a repre­ sentative attendance. In the report of the executive committee, favourable mention was made of the financial outlook, and it was announced that next season the M.C.C. would probably be met at Lord’s. Votes of thanks were given to the University Cricket Club for the use of their ground; to the Cambs Cricket Association for pecuniary assistance; to Doctor Perkins for the use of his rooms at Downing College for committee meetings; to the auditors, and to the hon. secs. An abstract of the treasurer’s accounts was presented, from which it appeared that the subscriptions amounted to ±141 2s. and gate money £14 17s. 6 d., whilst the Cricket Association gave ±‘23 10s. 6 d. After payment of all liabilities there remained a balance of ±*36 13s. 4d. The amount of support received in subscriptions was regarded as very encour­ aging. Col. Hamond, of Pampisford Hall, was elected president for the ensuing year. A list of vice presidents was also agreed to, with some additions, and a general committee appointed. Mr. R. J. Moffat was re-elected treasurer. After discussion it was decided, on a motion by Mr. Olive, that for the ensuing year there be one honorary secretary, and to this post Mr. J. W. Iliffe (Cambridge) was appointed. He was also elected to represent the club at the ensuing meeting of secretaries to arrange matches. MIDDLESEX COUNTY CLUB. T ub annual general meeting was held at Charing- Cross Hotel on November 2C. Mr. V. E. Walker, presided. Messrs. I D. Walker and A. J. Webbe were appointed to attend the meeting of county secretaries to be held at Lord’s on December 8 at noon. It was arranged to play out and home matches in 1892 with Somersetshire, Kent, Yorkshire, Notts, Lancashire, Gloucestershire, Sussex, and Surrey. An application from G. Burton for a benefit match was granted, Burton to have the option of any home fixture. Some correspondence was read with regard to the visit of an Australian team, and the secretary was instructed to reply to Mr. Alcock’s letter. There was a strong feeling approving the action of the committee in de­ clining to arrange matches with the Austra­ lians in 1892. The accounts Bhowed a profit on the matches for the year of ±180, and there is a balance in hand of over ±300, in addition to the purchase of another ±200 Consols. It was agreed that a donation of ±50 should be sent to the Marylebone Club this year. The officers were all re-elected, and a reso­ lution passed acknowledging the exceptional services of J. T. Hearne and Bawlin. KENT COUNTY CLUB. An important meeting of the Committee took place at the Golden Cross Hotel, Charing Cross, on November 9, Lord Throwley (President) in the chair. The report and accounts for the past year were read and adopted. It was ordered that they should be printed and forwarded to all members before the annual general meeting in the spring. A letter was read from Mr. C. W. Alcock, who in previous years has acted as a delegate for the Australians at the meeting of cricket secretaries at Lord’s, stating that he had re­ ceived a formal intimation from Mr. Victor Cohen, the treasurer of the New South Wales Association, announcing that another team of Australian cricketers would visit England next year, and that it would be a representa­ tive one. Mr. Alcock proposed to arrange a programme for this eleven on the same lines as the last tour, and asked the Kent executive to assist iu welcoming the visitors. The sec­ retary was instructed to reply that the Kent committee did not see their way clear to arrange fixtures with the Australians, on the ground that it was practically agreed upon two years ago that before the visit of the next Colonial team, the Marylebone Club and the chief counties should be first consulted, and therefore until that was done any arrange­ ments with the Australians would be prema­ ture. It was resolved to play out and home matches with the eight other first-class counties, namely, Notts, Lancashire, York­ shire, Sussex, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Somer­ setshire, and Middlesex; whilst instead of playing any second-class counties two fixtures between the Gentlemen and Playors of Kent should be arranged, with a view of unearthing fresh talent. lt was decided, on the motion of Capfc. Austin, the manager of the Canterbury Week, to rebuild the old pavilion which has been used as a telegraph office there, and to place seats on the top to accommodate about 150 people. A letter was read from Wootton asking the committee to kindly grant him a benefit match next season, on the ground that since his accident at Huddersfield he had fallen out of first-class cricket, and probably would not be again required as a regular bowler for tl e county. It was resolved to postpone the request for the present. Pentecost, the Kent wicket-keeper, also sent a similar request, and with his letter he enclosed a doctor’s certificate to the effect that his eyesight was failing, and that next year he would only be able to play by wearing spectacles, if at all. It was decided that Pentecost’s request should be granted, but the question as to which match it should be was deferred until the next meeting. It was decided that in future the following scale of division of profits on home county matches should be adopted with the local clubs for the loan of their grounds ;—If the gross gate money exceeds ±70 but is under ±100 the local club is to receive 10 per cent, of the gross gate, and if it exceeds £100 then 15 per cent. Walter Hearne and Walter Wright were re-appointed ground bowlers at Canterbury ar:d Maidstone respectively. A hearty vote of thanks to Lord Throwley for presiding terminated the proceedings. Footballs This Brand i v u i v u u u . |S A B 3 Q L U T E L Y T H E B E S T City Agents—Parton &Lester, 94, QueenSt., Cheapside NEXT ISSUE DECEMBER 81