NELSON.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1204, 2 December 1873, Page 2

NELSON.

Monday night.

The game began shortly before 10 o'clock. The ground is prettily situated at the east end of the city. Like the Wellington ground ib is surrounded by hills on all sides, except citywards. The hills here are closed in, and on the seaward side are beautifully covered with shrubs and rose-bushes now blossoming. Terraces have been cut on the slopes, which made a natural grandstand, from which a good view of the game was afforded.

As the gome proceeded the hill» were dotted thickly with spectators, mostly ladies, who seem here to outnumber men by two to one. To the south, through gaps in the near hills, a glimpse of the back range of grampians is obtained. The day was beautiful. The morning was very hot, bub at noon a breeze from the sea made it cooler.

Powell and Knapp began the Nelson innings, but their wickets fell quickly under Robinson and Sweete's bowling. The only stand made was by Cross and Denshire.

There is nothing of note to record during this innings. Auckland's fielding was smart. Buckland bowled the last part vice SAveete. Auckland began with Cotton and Buckland, opposed by 0. Cross from the north end, and Wix -from the other. Singles came at first, both men batting carefully. At eight Cotton was bowled out by Cross. Mumford followed, and in the same over was bowled out.

Cheers from Nelson greeted this. Bellers was the next man, and the cricket now became good. The fielding, bowling, and batting were up to the mark.

At 20 Bellers was bowled out by Knapp, vice Wix.

Dufaur joined Buckland, who was scoring slowly, a drive for two by the latter being the only hit for some time. Buckland next succumbed, bowled out by Cross after playing well for 28. Yates came in, and soon got to the mark. His hits and general play were first-class. He cut Cross twice for two.

The Nelson total was soon reached,

Yatea next drove Knapp for three, followed by a cut for two. Dufaur, who had played steadily, now let out at the bowling, and runs came very fast. He hit K. Knapp quickly to leg, but C. Knapp fielded smartly, and only one run was got. Dufaur' then cut and drove Cross for a brace of pairs. More hitting brought on Blundell at Knapp's end. Longstop let the first ball go for three. Dufaur shortly after gave a good drive off cross between cover and long off for three. Several byes were now run, and seventy went up. Eighty followed quickly, and Nelson became resigned to the prospect of a good beating. At one o'clock Dufaur was bowled out for twenty-five by Blundell, after a fine innings —well manipulated—five wickets down for eighty-eight. ; Luncheon intervened. Afterwards King and Yates resumed. After a bye King cut Cross prettily for three, but was soon bowled by Cross off an overpitched ball. [Robinson followed, .and drove the first for two. Yates then hit Blundell to one side for three, following ifc up by another for two. Robinson meantime made a few, and 100 appeared. Soon after Robinson played one of Blundell's into the wicket, seven wickets down for 10G. Swecte was Yates' next partner, but was not a profitable one, as he ran Yates out badly in the next over but one. Eight wickets for 114. Alpe faced Sweete, who now drove Bluudell over his head for 3. Alpe shared Robinson's luck, nine wickets for 125. Cross called down cheers by his splendid fielding at point. Lankbatn, the last man, played well, getting a good drive off Cross for two. Sweete drew Blundell twice for two. Lankham made four more when Sweete was bowled out by Blundell, and the innings closed at four o'clock. In the second innings of the Nelson team nothing worthy remark occurred. All were put out for a total of 40 by five o'clock, leaving Auckland victors in one innings with 5G runs to spare. The following are the complete score :—