THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SANDHURST.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1174, 8 May 1874, Page 3

THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SANDHURST.

[HEXDIOO ADVERTISER.] It certainly required a very considerable amount of courage on the part of the ladies to undertake to play a cricket match in public. The thing was unprecedented as far as Australia was concerned, and such a remarkable event as a ladies' cricket match has seldom happened even in the old country —the homo of cricket. The cause in which they were engaged, however—that of "heavenborn charity" —overcame all scruples, aud they came nobly forward to aid the destitute and the suffering. Sandhurst has the honour of turning out the first twenty-two lady cricketers, and from the exhibition of their capabilities on April 7th in this new field of love's labour they have added an additional charm to the game of cricket, aud shown that as r. healthy exercise, it is alike fitted for the gentler as for the sterner sex. The match was originated in aid of the funds of the hospital and asylum, anil the large crowd of spectators who gathered yesterday to witness it evinced an amount of public interest in it far beyond what was expected. •For some weeks past the ladies had

been practising the game on the Rack Creek cricket ground, kindly placed at their disposal by the 13. C. C. C, and the progress which they made was astonishing, for they picked up the points of the game with wonderful aptitude. A.t first it was expected that they should play in the bloomer costume, as being less likely to interfere with their freedom of movement than any other, but the innovation was considered too startling for a British community, and the idea was given up in favour of an attire of the ordinary shaped dress, made of calico, with a coloured jacket to distinguish the respective sides. These dresses the ladies purpose banding over as gifts to the charities. The game was intended to have been played on the Back Creek cricket ground, but unforeseen circumstances prevented it taking place there, and it was played in the Camp.reserve. At 1 o'clock the ladies, in full costume, arrived in three carriages. The wickets were pitched in one of the cross-walks by the umpires, Mr J. Latham and Mr John Glen, who officiated in the absence of the Hon. A. Mackay. Everything being in readiness, the ladies—the one side wearing red Garibaldi jackets and sailors'hats, and the other bluejackets and similar hats—marched in pairs—red and blue being linked together—from the tent into the field, headed by the respective captains— Mrs Eae for the Eeds, and Miss B. Eae for the Blues. Their appearance was very pretty and picturesque, and they were loudly applauded by the on-lookers, It was suddenly discovered that though the ladies had brought bats and wickets, they bad forgotten the ball, but this difficulty was got over by one of the umpires producing one of Duke's best. The respective captains having tossed for innings, it was decided that the Eeds should go to the bat; and they secured a total of Go runs before the last wicket fell. The highest scorer was Miss Kate Petrie, who obtained 27 runs. This young lady not only acquitted herself well with the bat, but she trundled the ball with effect. Miss Nellie Eae, distinguished herself by smart fielding, effecting a capital catch by which a good bat, Miss Clay, was got rid of. Miss J. Murdoch also proved herself a firstrate bowler. After the lapse of half an hour the Eeds took the field, and they put their opponents out for 83 runs. Missß. Eae was top scorer with ,36, not out; while Miss Gebcr scored 10, and besides did good execution with the ball, bowling underhand with precision, and lowering s ; x wickets. Miss Clay caught out Miss Luthwhyte by a splendid lefthand catch, which evoked tremendous applause, and brought the innings to a close. One innings each only was played, and victory, therefore, rested with the Blues. Mr Coffin acted as scorer. When the ladies had assembled in the booth, Mr Abbot, chairman of the Hospital Committee, thanked the ladies for the successful effort which they had made on behalf of the charities, and the gentlemen present sang, "They are jolly good fellows." Mrs Eae, on behalf of the ladies, replied, stating that the ladies had thoroughly enjoyed the game, and hid the utmost gratification in'knowing that their effort had been productive of a substantial addition to the funds of the charities.