BOYS’ CRICKET MATCH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 681, 7 May 1875, Page 2

BOYS’ CRICKET MATCH.

—o— One of those agreeable little episodes that servo to enliven the dull routine of ordinary up-country life took place yesterday, when tho Alexandra boys and Clyde youngsters met together on the Clyde Cricket Ground to test their skill in the noble game of cricket. The day, luckily, was beautiful; the attendance was good of the friends and relatives of the young ones, especially from Alexandra, which township showed an ex-, ample that Clyde might well imitate, aiF many more might have been there who failed in attendance, and everything seemed conspired to render the meeting what it was —a joyous affair for all those who were present. Nor could one feel otherwise in looking at their gladsome faces, flushed with health and exercise, as well as the excitement of the mimic combat in which they were so earnestly engaged. As to the game itself it required no prophet -to tell cn whose side victory would He, as from the ontsetjthe Alexandrians showed a proficiency far beyond that attained by the Clydians ; indeed, nothing else could be expected, considering the respective ages of the boys their continued practice—to their credit be it spoken—-and it must be said the greater interest evinced by them in the game than the lads at Clyde, who it is to be hoped w ill not be cast down by their “licking,” but, taking heart of grace, will endeavor, by assiduous practice to wipe out the blot from their escutchions of two defeats that now remains recorded against them.

As an instance of the all absorbing interest taken in the game by the Alexandra boys two youngsters, about seven years old, in default of any other mode of conveyance stumped all the way thither on foot, and on their journey home were picked up by Mr M‘Donald, of the Criterion Hotel, who was returning in his buggy. The enthusiam that will endow boys so young as this, with the energy to trudge on foot 14 miles over the weary road stretching between the townships needs no comment beyond the observation that, if the boys at Clyde will become imbued with a similar spirit the next match that takes place will be more worthily contested. The game lasted about throe hours, and as shadowed forth, ended in a complete victory for the Alexandra boys, who were entertained at the Dunstan Hotel to a spread, and returned home in the afternoon satisfied with their little banquet, and elated with their success.

The Band kindly played, in their usual manner, for a dance in the evening, when a goodly assembly of our Alexandrian friends tripped the light fantastic toe with their Clyde neighbors.