THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SANDHURST.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1790, 1 May 1874, Page 2

THE LADIES' CRICKET MATCH AT SANDHURST.

(FROM THE BENDIGO ADVBRTISBT, APRIL 8) 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 eveo in the old country— the home of cricket. The cause in which they were engaged, however— that of " heavenborn chanty" — overcame all scruples, and they came nobly forward to aid the destitute and the suffering. Sandhurst has the honour ot turning out the first twenty-two lady cricketers, and from the exhibition of their capabilities yesterday in this new field of love's labour they have added an additional charm to the game of cricket, and s'lown that, as a 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, and t!ie large, crowd of spectators who gathered yesterday to witness it evinced an amount of public interest in it far beyond what was expected. Eorsome weeks past the ladies had been practising the game on the Back Creek cricket ground, kindly placed at their disposal by the B. U.C.C, and the progress which they made was astonishing, for they picked up the points of the game with wonderful aptitude. At 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 tho ladies purpose handing over as gifts to the charities. Thegame was intended to be played on the Back Creek cricket ground, but unforseen 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 blue jackets and Bimilar hate — marched in pairs— red and blue being linked together — from the tent into the field, headed by the respective captains — Mr 3 Rae for the Reds, and Miss B. Rae for the Blues. Their appearance was very pretty and picturesque, and they were loudly applauded by the; on-lookera. It was suddenly discovered' that though the ladies had brought bats and wickets, they had 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 Reds should go to the bat ; and they Becured a total of 62 runs before the last wicket fell. The highest scorer was Mis 3 Kate Petrie, who obtaired',27runs. Thisyounglady not only acquitted herself well with the bat, but she trundled the ball with effect. Miss Nellie Rae, distinguished herseli by smart fielding, effecting a capital catch by which a good bat, Miss Clay, was got rid of. Miss J. Murdoch proved herself a firstrate bowler. After the lapse of half an hour the Reds took the field, and they put their opponents out for 83 runs. Miss B. Rae was top scorer with 36, not out; while Miss Gerber scored .10, and besides did good execution with the ball, bowling underhand with precision, and lowering six 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 Rae, on behalf of the ladies, replied, stating that the ladies had thoroughly enjoyed the game, and had the utmost gratification in knowing that their effort had been productive of a substantial addition to the funds of the charities.