BULLS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2700, 8 February 1876, Page 2

BULLS.

(From our own correspondent.)

I would that the mantle of a Lillywhite were on me to enable me to do justice to the match at cricket between Marton and Rangifcikei, at Bulls on Saturday last. I have to say the Rangitikeis, although fighting on their own ground, were more than half an hour late, and then only mustered eight men, which, owing to the courtesy of Mr Anson, the captain of tho Martonians was supplemented by the temporary loan of Messrs E. Jackson, McArthur, and the veritable multum in parvo, Fitzherbert, The most exigent of cricketers could not have wished for a pleasanter day so far as the gentle breeze and the semi-clouded slcy were concerned ; but the ground was indeed execrable and must have been disheartening to the bowlers, whose best pitched balls bounded time after time over the wicket, much to the danger of the batters, as will hereafter bo seen. The toss having been won by the Martonians, Captain Anson elected to send their opponents to the wickets, and the umpires, Messrs Deighton and Pringle, having taken their places, as also Messrs Middleton and Reteineyer, who acted as scorers, play commenced. It is not my intention to give you a progressive account of the game as each wicket fell, but merely to notice a few of its mostsalient features and to append the score. Beresford, our well known Jehu, for if he does not generally drive furiously, he did on that clay, took the bat witli Dawsonas a companion, who proved a very short-lived one, being caught by Jacob at slip, from the third of Dermer's balls. Jehu's stylo was much admired, and kept the field moving, although owing to the bad state of the wickets, he was unable to play his usual game, and had to play back too much to be very effective ; the same may be said of Jacob on the Marton side, who nevertheless totted up a score of 22 in the first innings followed by a rapid and brilliant score of 12 in about six minutes in the second innings. Traftord, in his usual don't care sort of style, (but appearances often belie themselves) evident! j meant business, actually driving one forward for three, although the, ball struck his hand instead of the bat; # but nothing daunted, he continued playing, when the dentist, in the shape of Anson, took the opportunity of extracting two of his teeth by placing the ball on his mouth instead of the bat or the wickets, which much to the regret of all, especially the bowler, laid him on the green sward, hors de combat. Our new " Claimant " for cricketing honours showed pretty play for eleven, carrying his bat out amidst continued cheers ; but I have not space to criticise any further on this innings. The Martonians first sent in Jackson and Marshall to compete with 69, the former retiring with a ball from Fulton for seven, and the latter adding a good thirteen to the score. Jacob, the Martonian par excellence, caused Wilson, the Rangitikei captain, to scatter his field, and well he did so, for the former made some of his usual slashing hits, ultimately succumbing to the grasp of "multum in parvo," with a splendid score of twenty-two, amongst which there were only two units. Slieiwcll meanwhile was playing as becomes a good cricketer, but after adding 17 to the score had tor e the at the request of Fulton, who bowled in the straightest and most spirited manner throughout the game. Dernier followed,but found Traftord at long field off, who in spite of his injuries proved to be able to make one of the finest catches of the day. The illustrious Persian came next and prepared for great operation s,but un

fortunately tho enemy interrupted his progress by shelling the citadel during his attempt to regain his position. Notwithstanding the short holiday he spent at the wickets he showed signs of being able to play with a straightforward bat, a play that I seldom see practiced in this country. Our worthy R.M. kept the field on the alert for a time, and I was glad to see that he had not lost his old idea of sport ; but he too, like many others, had to give in to fate. Time being called, the players adjourned to luncheon, which was held, by the kind permission of the 11. M., in the Court House, Mr Evans being caterer to the hungry and thirsty souls, and supplying everything to the utmost satisfaction. In the second innings Wilson carried his bat out with nineteen at the back of it, and throughout the whole game was distinguished for his fielding, especially for his splendid catch of the excellenza, Jacob, who seemed bent upon running up the score of 50 to beat, the time, to spare being only thirty-two minutes. Anson, too anxious to make runs against time was "taken in " and put out " by Fulton who instead of delivering the ball, surprised the batter by knocking the bails off the wickets. On the whole I may say that the game was a good one, tho Marton team doing their best, and at the same time giving every opportunity to their opponents, especially by the loyal gift of Pitzherbert, who proved himself unequalled in the field, if not in the bat, which no doubt was attributable to the bad ground. Many other items of interest might be touched upon, but as I fear to weary your readers I must refrain, and close by ■wishing the Cricketers of Marton and Bulls many a jolly day in the future.