The 19
24-25 season may be regarded as one of the most successful seasons experienced in Otago cricket, the most notable achievement, of course, being the winning of the Plunket Shield by the Otago representatives. For many years Otago teams have striven to gain this coveted trophy, but, although they put up several good fights, it was not until this season that their efforts were at last rewarded. It is gratifying indeed to think that the shield has been won this season by a team of purely local players. Now that we hold the trophy every effort should be made to strengthen our cricket in order to retain it, and this is a matter that causes some concern, as on this season’s form there is a dearth of promising material in the senior teams. Probably only about 15 players fit for representative cricket could be chosen from the four senior teams, and this is a state of affairs that does not provide a very bright outlook for the future, especially in view of the fact that such seasoned players as Blamires, Torrance, and Chadwick are not likely to represent the province much longer. Before the next season opens some scheme should be devised for improving the cricketing powers of the most promising youngsters in the junior teams. Several of these juniors show much promise, but unless they are coached early in their cricketing careers, they are likely to form bad habits which will be difficult to eradicate. In the absence of an official coach, the more experienced senior players could do the game a great deal of good by devoting some of their time to the coaching of these youngsters, and their efforts would undoubtedly bear fruit in future years.
Time for a break
The great Easter festival is still subject to the immemorial rule which makes it a movable occasion. Easter Day may fall as early as March 25 and as late as April 23, the calculation being based upon a system concerning which a vivacious bishop, asked to explain, once said: "I am not an expert mathematician, and I don’t want to go mad." The exaltation of Easter Day follows upon the sombre pathos of Good Friday. Without self-surrender of some kind there can be no honest triumph. While it is right to bear in mind that Easter is not originally or essentially a secular festival, the holiday element should not be ignored. Easter Monday, in particular, is set apart for free-and-easy relaxation. Whether at St Clair or at Otago seaside "cribs," the day is properly celebrated with its own gay rites. Not a word of sombre severity shall darken our final allusion to the occasion. Let everything be done decently and in order, according to the apostolic instruction; let there be fun and frolic, the "hours of light laughter, with thought that comes after," the glad merriment of children and the subdued happiness of grown-up folk who still cherish the child-feeling at heart — and then back to work! — editorial — ODT, 9.4.1925
Compiled by Peter Dowden
