RUATANGATA V. MAUNGAKAIUMEA.

Northern Advocate, 10 March 1888, Page 3

RUATANGATA V. MAUNGAKAIUMEA.

Leaving Ruatangata at 8 a.m. the Ruatangata team, after a ride of two and a half hours, arrived at Maungakaramea. En route the assemblage of such a large number of horsemen carrying with them, in the eyes of the un-initated, weapons of terror struck dismay into many a rustic heart, many taking the team for an advanced guard of the Kussian Army, that intends at a distant i period to take possession of New Zealand. The road to Maungakaramea runs through the Kaitara district, and pretty settlement of Maungatapere, thence on to the barren ranges intervening between the volcanic craters of Maungatapere and aud Maungakaramea. Here many of the team experienced the vicisitudes o ? mountain climbing, as several almost perpendicular peaks had now to be scaled, and precipitous descents to the lower regions (not Daat'es) to be made. The country in this locality presents a decidedly broken, and hungry aspect, and it was with feelings of relief, after surmounting ranges and peaks innumerable, our eyes at last beheld the promised land of Maungakaramea, and the pretty homesteads scattered about the district. Our destination was the racecourse, situated on the property of Mr Adams. Here several clumps of native bush judiciously spared from the general forest devastations now going on in New Zealand, adds to the beauty of the landscape, and a prettier site for a racecourse or cricket ground could not be found. We advise the residents to try and purchase the paddock, and make a domain of it. Play commenced soon after our arrival and the Maungakaramea captain winning the toss, decided to take the wickets, and sent Messrs Watson's to oppose the bowling of Messrs Whitelaw and Hammond. No great stand being made the home team were sll disposed of for 28 runs. Ruatangata then assumed the defensive, and ran up the score of 40 runs. At this juncture play ceased, in order that the cricketers might partake of a sumptuous repast (which even the great G.A.S. could not have adversely criticised) prepared by the Maungakaramea ladies, who, with the assistance of the home team were most untiring in their endeavours to see that the wants (which were many) of the Ruatangata inner man were fully provided for. After doing more than just'rje to the good things the goods provided, (the ladies we should say, beg their pardons) cricket was resumed by Maungakaramea handling the willow. Mr Harp, the local man, probably desirous of conferring a high favour on both teams, and in order to inform them that he (the " Harp of Maungakaramea " not the " Harp of Erin ") was the proud owner of a bit of blood, here started a race between a moke of his, and some other animal possessing we believe four legs, greatly to the inconvenience of the gentlemen at the wickets, and thereby caused an interruption of the game, till the horses were forced to retire fiom the track. The second innings of the Maungakaramea eleven closed for 31 runs, leaving Ruatanejata 20 to win, but this, alas ! was not accomplished without the loss of 6 wickets. The Ruatangata club thus winning the match by four wickets. The batting on both sides was certainly a poor exhibition, and the visitors small scores must be attributed to the strange ground, and the exhaustions of energy requisite to surmount the steep ranges en rouet. At the close of the game three cheers were called for each club, and I need hardly add the ladies were not ommitted. Too much cannot be said of the hospitality shown to the visitors, who before leaving were again regaled with another rer>ast, and at 5 p.m. bid farev/ell to hospitable Maungakaramea. We must not omit to mention that the visitors disposed of their ducks eggs to Mr Harp, the local storekeeper, who purchased them for cash, at the market price, and we are sure, that it is true reason so many players exhibited the poor form they did. Hard times and the desiro to realize a little of the necessary were the real causes. Maungakaramea, pleaso note on it, (no offence to Mr Noton as that gentleman was most decidedly on the wicket) abounds with crickets, and and cricketers, and from the number of both seen on the ground, the embryo Club will some day send forth a SpofForth and a Murdock. The crickets showed ereat partiality for the visitors and their belongings, and the team departed if not riddled in body certainly in wearing apparel, and one member was heard to remark that the crickets had eaten a hole in his stirrup iron. The return journey being speedily accomplished the team separated well pleased with their days outing. The scores are as follows : — MATJNGAKABAMKA IST INNING&. E. W. Watson, ct Street . . „ 1 A. W.Watson, \y Whitelaw .. .. 1 W. Noton, ct Wilson 4 J. Miller, b Hammond . . . . . . 0 T. O'Carroll b Whitelaw . . . . 0 R. Atkinson, b Whitelaw . . . . 0 F. G. Watson, ct Minchin . . . . 1 H. Swaffield, run ont 2 W. Crawford, b Hammond . . . . 9 H. James, b Whitelaw. . . . „ 0 J. Wilkinson, not out 1 Extras 9 Total 28 BUATANGATA IST INNINGS. R. Hodge, b Noton 7 T. Wilson, run out 0 M. Whitelaw, b Millar. . . . . . . 3 Hammond, run out . . . . ,_ . 5 G. H. Minchin, b Noton . . . . 0 Garside. b Miller .. , ... ... 13 H. Hocken, b Noton .. „ .. 0 F. Street, ct James . . . . . . 3 F. Cutforth, b Noton „ \. .. 0 W. Cutforth, ct Noton.. .. .. 1 Chubbs, not out.. .. ,\ „ 1 Extras ..< „ 7 Total \ .. 40 MAT7NGAKABAMEA 2ND INNINGS. W. Crawford, ct Wilson .. \ .. 4 E. W. Watson, b Whitelaw . . \. . 0 A. W. Watson, b Whitelaw . . \ . . 0 W. Noton, b Garside . . . . \ 4 J. Miller, run out . . . . \ . 0 F. Watson, ct Whitelaw .. \\' 6 T. O'Carroll, b Whitelaw .. „'• 1 H. Swaffield, ct Hammond . . . . 2 J. Wilkinson, run out \ 3 j E. Atkinson, b Garside .. ..I 4 H. James, not out • \ 1 j Extras, | 6 Total, . . • Vsl BTJATANGATA 2ND INNINOS. I G. H. Minchin. ct Swaffield . . . . \ j Chubbs, not out l\ ! Garside, ct Wilkinson | Whitelaw, b Miller r\ ' R. Hodge, ct WilFnson . . . . :* 1 , T. Wilson, b Noton 0 \ . Hammond, b Noton 0 •F. Street, not out .. „ . o, I Extras, j> \ Total, for six wickets . . . . 20 1