"HOW WE BEAT THE FAVORITE."

Evening Star, Issue 11677, 8 February 1902, Page 2

"HOW WE BEAT THE FAVORITE."

’ss* not a tele of victory Where Soar and Briton *tood Ip stern endeavor, band to hand, In contest far the Transvaal lend, To fight as foemen shopld! But just a simple story Of equal fight, < Where friends with friends fonght just fibs same In eager trial, for friendly game, And strove with all their might. The Albion champions had to bat 'Gainst Grange, of Northern fame. But Downes and Baker proved too good. Though Cramoad did lay on the wood. And Hunter played the game. The innings closed with seventy no, - And things looked none too bright, For the best bat in all par towns, . Together with the “ smiter” Dpwnei, Oft, make a stubborn fight. But Spence and Geddes both were there To howl the men down straight. And Winsor, too, was on the spot.; So in Grange ranks there came * rot, They totalled fifty-eight. Again the Albion men went in • To wrestle for the fray; . And Cummings hit with mighty force. Though, as luck had it, none of course With him for long could stay. But help, where help is wanted, Will often come at need; So Spence stayed in, whilst Cummings sowed Till eighty-one was on the board, Though’ Baker bowled with speed. With ninety-five to get to win It looked an easy thing; But Baker caught at thirty-nine, And Downes bowled in the nick of tune. Caused Albion men to*sing. Now keen excitement held us; The cracks, they all were out; And every ball was bowled with vim. For Albion men now meant to win, And all helped in the rout. Gibson and Spence and Hunter Let no ball touch the ground; _ And Williams, too, behind the sticks, Was like a very box of tricks; For Peake, too, cheers went round. But to delay no longer, We had tan runs to spare, And thus this keenest fight was won. And thus the Grange were fairly dona, And cheered us then and there So here’s to Spence and Hunter, Cummings* and Geddes too;Gibson and Peake, and fleet M Kay, Cramond and, Uttley, Black and I Say: “ Luck ” to Williams’s crew. And here’s to Captain Baker, And all his merry men, ■Who played the game as keen to win As if results meant bags of “tin.” Hurrah! for cricket, then, —Contributed.