THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SOUTHAMPTON.

Press, Volume XII, Issue 1588, 9 December 1867, 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. At the time fixed for starting, the rain which 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 of 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 colours of the rainbow, and even silks 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 takp 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 Mis Stormes, and four of her daughters; there were the two handsome ladies whose father, John Peckham, for many 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 play in the match proved, and showed that they had not been at practice at Emery Down, at Bank, 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 the first to succumb, being bowled by Ellen Farmer, and then Miss Lucy Peckham 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 New Forest lingo. As Ellen Godden made a rattling drive for 3 — as good a crack as ever a cricketer gave a ball —they clapped their hands | with joy, and one of them shouted " Hit her 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 clrive for three from the same bat, followed by a two in tbe 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. Godden, by really good batting, made 13, and Lucy Peckham, by steady batting, scored 10; but the * field had yet some teasers to contend i with, for Mrs Stormes had taught her

daughters to play cricket aa well as herself, and two of them, Mrs H. Sims and Emily Storme3 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 13. But there was yet another of the same family to come, viz., Miss Emily 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 square-leg hit for 3 positively " bringing down the house." At last Polly was bowled by her mother, and the other wicket was soon had, the very interesting innings concluding as follows:— Lucy Mills, b Ellen Farmer 2 Emily Windebank, b Mrs Stormes ... 6 Lucy Peckham, b Mrs Stormes 10 Ellen Godden, b Ellen Farmer 13 Mrs M. Sims, run out 13 Emily Stormes, run out 10 Polly Stormes, b Mrs Stormes 12 Polly Windeban k, not out 3 Byes, 2 ; wides, 6 8 Total 76 Without loss of time the team, captained by the veteran Stormes, took the bat, the old lady herself and Sarah Longman being the first performers, with Ellen Grodden and Lucky Peckham bowling, and exceedingly well they bowled too. But the old lady fully sustained her reputation, for she defended her wicket with consummate skill, and our notes Bhow that her performances included, in rapid succession, a drive for two, ditto for two, leg-hit for two, <fee. " 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 9 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 Peckham ... ... 0 Mary Wort, run out ... ... ... 1 Mrs Russell, b Ellen Godden ... ... 6 Susan Farmer, b Peckham 0 Mrs Sims, not out... ... ... ... 0 Wides 8 Total 51