THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SOUTHAMPTON.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 164, 8 February 1868, Page 3

THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SOUTHAMPTON.

{From the Sporting Life?) The fun which was expected to arise from the match at Southampton between two elevens of the Ladies' Cricket Club from the New Forest was completely spoiled by the wretched weather. It was originally announced to be played on the Antelope Ground, and the greatest possible interest was excited in the event, an interest which was increased rather than otherwise by the announcement that the locality had been changed to Abbot's Park, a Portswood, in consequence of a peremptory prohibition to its coming off at the Antelope being issued from the rectory of the parish of St Mary, the most lucrative living in Southampton, and the incomefrom which is chieily derived from the Deanery lands of which the Antelope ground forms part. Some few approved of the prohibition, but the majority looked upon it as an attempted deprivation of a day •of rare amusement. Little knots of people were engaged in all quarters on Friday in busy conversation on the subject, and when Abbot's-park was secured for the match general satisfaction was expressed. But the elements were against it. At the time fixed for starting from the New Forest the rain, Avhich had been steadily falling for some time, poured down in torrents, and as there was every prospect of its continuance, many were of opinion that it was useless to attempt the journey to Southampton. But sixteen brave women were to be found who were daunted neither by wind nor weather, and so about eleven o'clock two omnibuses were to be seen conveying through the town a party o ladies, decked in handsome ribbons and colours. Arriving on the ground, they appeared sprucely attired for the -occasion. No bloomer costume, not even crinoline prohibited, but sashes of red and blue, their hair bedecked with ribbons of all the colors of the rainbow, and even silk and muslins of every hue and shade, such as showed that they were out for a holiday and meant to observe it. But still the rain poured down For five hours they were obliged to take shelter in a booth, where a good dinner was given them by Mr Hind, the worthy host of the Antelope. At four o'clock the rain abated, the spectators began to assemble, the ladies turned out into the field, and the fun commenced. Though there were but eight a side to bat, the full complement of eleven was made up in the field. Talk of them not knowing anything about cricket! Why, the field was placed out with as much judgment as old hands could display ; but there was no longstop required, for the dress of the wicket-keeper when she stooped down served as a net to stop the ball. There was the veteran Mrs, Stormes, and four of her daughters ; there were the

'two handsome ladies whose father John Peckbam, for in any years followed the New Forest hounds, and the Windebanks, and the Newbolts. They turned out as if cricket was their regular pastime, and so the the play in the ■match proved, and showed that they had not been at practice at Emery down at Bant, and at Bolton's Bench for nothing. A roar of laughter announced the commencement of the play. Lucy Mills and Emily Windebank were the -first to wield the willow, to the bowling of Ellen Farmer and Mrs Stormes, who appeared to be known by them all as " mother," and in a little monarchy peculiar to themselves was recognised as Queen. The bowler herself shouted " play," and the ball was delivered with correct aim, played with an upright bat, and well stopped in the field. Miss Lucy was she first to succumb, being bowled by Ellen Farmer, and then Miss Lucy Beckham took the bat, but soon lost the company of Windebank, and Ellen Godden appeared at the vacant wicket. Now the excitement became great, for the play was good. Both :stood up well to the bowling, and their companions shouted to them their approval in true New Forest lingo. As Ellen Grodden made a rattling drive for three —as good a crack as ever a cricketer gave a ball—they clapped their hands with joy, and one of them shouted " Het hei* hard, you wuzbird." We are unable to describe the particular species to which that bird belongs, but the term was very freely used. Then came another drive for three from the same bat, followed by a two in the same direction, but at length Godden's wicket was taken by Farmer, and the joy of the field knew no bounds, for they clapped their hands, they danced a hornpipe across the ground, and they rent the air with their shouts of enthusiasm. G-odden, by really good batting, made thirteen, and Lucy Peckham, by steady batting,

scored ten ; but the field had yet some work to contend with, for Mra Storn.es had taught her daughters to playericket as well as herself, and two of them, Mrs M. Sims and Emily Stormes made a long stand, so much so that there was a consultation, which ended in Susan Farmer taking the ball from her sister, and the end soon came, for in her first over a short run was attempted, there was a shout of " shy at the wicket, you wuzbird," and down went the stumps, Mrs Sims having made thirteen. But there was yet another of the same family to come, viz., Miss Folly Stormes, and she, too could wield the willow, and the score mounted. Ellen Farmer again tried her hand at bowling but Miss Polly stood her ground, a rattling squareleg hit for three positively " bringing down the house." At last Polly was howled by her mother, and the other wicket was soon had, the very interesting inning concluding as follows : Lucy Milts, b Ellen Farmer ... ... 2 Emily Windebanfc, b Mrs Stormes .. 5 Lucy Peckham, b Mrs Stormes ... 2 Ellen Goclden, b Ellen Fanner ... 13 Mrs M. Sims run out ... ... 13 Emily Stormes, run out ... ... 10 Polly Stormes, b Mrs Stormes ... 12 Polly Windcbank, not out ... ... 3 Byes, 2; wides, 6 8

Total 76 Without loss of time the team captained by the vertcran Stormes took the bat, the old lady herself and Sarah Longman being the first performers, with Ellen Godden and Lucy Peckham bowling, and exceedingly well they bowled too. But the old lady fully sustained her reputation, for she defended her wicket with consumate skill, and her notes show that her performances included, in rapid succession* a drive for two, ditto for two, leg-hit for three, &c. " Well done, mother !" was the repeated shout of the players, and she really batted well, but at last •was bowled by Ellen Godden, amid clapping of hands and a roar of enthusiasm. Sarah Longman's nine were well made, but afterwards there was no great performance with the bat, and when the innings concluded a heavy shower of rain cleared the ground, the score being : Mrs Stormes, b Ellen Godden ... 24 Sarah Longman, b Ellen Godden ... 9 Ellen Farmer, b Lucy Peckham ... 3 Mrs Newbolt, b Lucy Peckhom ... 0 Mary Wort, run out ... ... ... 1 Mary Kussell, b Ellen Godden ... 6 Susan Farmer, b Peckham ... ... 0 Mrs Sims, not out ... ... ... 0 Wides 8