THE MUFF CRICKET MATCH.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 848, 13 March 1877, Page 2

THE MUFF CRICKET MATCH.

When compelled by the stern requirements of a demon printer to leave the convincing ground yesterday, the attention of Europe was concentrated upon the two representatives of MrLoughrey’s side who now wielded the willow. Proudly they went forth, and the judicious captain of the opposing team immediately placed his men. Of their respective positions we need not say much, except to observe how infinitely refreshing it was to see the total absence of that stolid concentration on the game which marks other matches ; that promising young field Ollivier deserves notice, however, for the admirable manner in which he filled the arduous post of long field off. His duties were onerous, mainly of a recumbent kind, and he discharged them admirably. Nor must we omit to notice Wilson at slip. This is a rising cricketer, and we predict will be heard of again ere long. A deep hush fell over the multitude as a well known drapery representative took guard. The first ball is delivered and yet another, and still he manfully holds his ground. In vain does Warner send down balls that would make Hill of theA.E.E. pale with envy ; Jerry Fleming, attired a la Harlequin, tries the trick of stumping after Pooley, but still the score mounts up. Muffs in the pavilion, Muffs doing a wellearned refresher, gaze on the telegraph as the numbers go up with awe and wonder. But all are mortal, and so in cricket all are liable to err, the soft goods champion obstructs a trimmer of Warner’s with his leg, and the dread fiat goes forth in answer to the eager “How’s that?” Now steps forth a slender youth from the classic groves of St Albans, whose pale brow and attenu ated form speak of deep study—to see so gentle a form exposed to the rude buffets of Warner’s bowling evokes the sympathy of the lookers’ on, and as he goes to take up his place a murmur of commiseration is heard to rise from that part of the ground placarded “Ladies’ Reserve.” But he is a man, and no fear crosses his calm but slightly pale countenance. A whisper goes •(.un’ffi Tiv.v.’/o h+- practices inap’. l ock,

with three stalwart bowlers retained to trundle at him, and Loughrey looks knowing and jubilant. Well may he so, for before this youngster returns to his admiring friends to receive their congratulations, he has troubled the scorers considerably. And so the game progresses merrily, fun, frolic, and good humor being the order of the day, until both sides have had about enough of it, and agree to consider it a drawn game. So ends the first, but not we hope the last, Muff match we have had here, which must be regarded as a complete success. The scores were as follows : Loughrey’s Side. First Innings. Second Innings. Pavitt, runout ... 24 b Fountaiue ... 1 Hobday, 1b w, b Warner ... ... 9 b Palmer ... 5 Mann, c Warner ... 14 c Smith ... 14 Sawtell, st Smith ... 7 b Fountaine ... 1 Thomson, c Fleming b Ollivier 7 c Palmer ... 0 Ruddenklau, b Smith 3 b Fountaine ... 0 Loughrey, c Hale, b Ollivier 2 Hobbs, c Hale, b Ollivier 2 c Fountaine ... 7 Lawson, b Bruce ... 1 run out ... 5 Briggs, c Fountaine, b Ollivier ... ... 8 b Palmer ... 9 Cuthbert, not out ... 15 run out ... 1 Hulbert, b Ollivier... 4 c Warner ... 3 Bone, 1b w, b Bruce 14 b Fountaine ... 8 Ick, c Bruce, b Ollivier ... ... 6 b Browne ... 0 Coe, runout... ... 2 notout ... 3 Manning, c Fountaine 5 runout ... 0 Extras 3 Extras ... 3 Total 126 Total ... 60 Ollivier’,s Side. First Innings. Second Innings. Fountaine, hit wicket, b Briggs 6 b Thomson ... 0 Warner, b Loughrey 5 run out ... 5 Hale, b Loughrey ... 5 Ibw ... ... 3 Browne, b Sawtell ... 0 b Thomson ... 2 Crosbie, st Thomson b Loughrey ... 8 c Warner ... 8 Fleming, b Sawtell... 7 c Manning ... 11 Smith, b Thomson 1 c Loughrey ... 16 Siddons, b Loughrey 23 b Thomson ... 4 Palmer, c Mann, b Hobbs ... ... 1 notout ... 23 Ollivier, b Loughrey 7 c Briggs ... 0 Garforth, c Thomson, b Cuthbert... .. 7 c Hulbert ... 0 Mitchell, b Thomson 1 c Thomson ... 0 Bruce, c Cuthbert, b Thomson ... 3 st Mann ... 0 Jackson, not out ... 17 c Maun ... 21 Morris, b Thomson... 1 c Boss ... 0 Wilson, b Thomson... 1 Extras 2 Extras ... 4 Total ... 95 Total ... 97 THE dinner. The Muffs afterwards dined together at Radcliffa’s Hotel. A capital spread was provided, covers being laid for forty. Mr Fred. Hobbs occupied the chair, and Mr Sawtell occupied the vice-chair. The chairman in opening the convivial business of the evening, said that it was not intended to make this at all a formal gathering, on the contrary. The Chairman having given the usual loyal toasts, called on those present to drink a bumper to the highest scorer, Mr Pavitt, who would, had he been there, have received the magnificent trophy presented by the committee, The toast was drunk with three times three. Mr Briggs said that he had been asked to respond on behalf of Mr Pavitt. That gentleman was an enthusiast in the matter of cricket, and he (Mr Briggs) regretted that Mr Pavitt was not there himself to receive the gift. Ha felt sure that he would treasure it, and hand it down as a heirloom in his family as a reminiscence of the first Muff cricket match here. (Cheers.) The Chairman then gave “ Success to the Muff Cricket Match.’’ He trusted they might have many more such, as it tended to promote good feeling and unity amongst all. He should like to see two matches during the season. The toast was drank amid cheers. Mr Palmer responded, and hoped the losing side would challenge the winners at once to a return match. The other toasts were “ The U.C.O. Club,” coupled with Mr Sweet; “The Umpires,” coupled with the name of Mr Warner and Mr Sweet; “ The Bowlers,” coupled with Messrs Thomson and Browne ; “ The Ladies,’’ proposed by Mr Smith responded to by Mr Warner,