Melbourne and Geelong.
On Easter Monday (5th April), 1847, the Melbourne and Geelong Clubs met on the Melbourne Ground, where there was an attendance both numerous and fashionable, the Superintendent (Latrobe) and the Resident Judge (A'Beckett) being the most imposing of the "big wigs." The bowling of Mr. Matson, and batting of Messrs. Thomson and Sladen (three Geelon-geese) was declared "-to be unequalled in the colony, especially the bowling;" whilst on the Melbourne side, the batting of Messrs. George Turnbull, William Philpott, and Lieutenant Rush was " remarkable " (whatever that may mean); and infieldingMelbourne established its superiority. The score was :—Melbourne.—First innings, 99 ; second innings, 101. Total, 200. Geelong.— First innings, 45 ; second innings, 63. Total, 108. Won by 92. At 7 p.m. both Clubs dined together at Market Streets.
the Shakspeare Hotel, corner of Collins and
A new Club was formed in Melbourne, and great doings were promised on its behalf. It was called the Albion, and it was crowingly announced that a superior supply of bats and balls had been ordered from England, but little or nothing was afterwards heard of the movement.
A
NEW
CRICKET
GROUND.
The temporary play-ground at Batman's Hill was found to be in some respects not the best adapted for cricketing, and the club selected a more commodious and convenient spot on the south bank of the Yarra, between the river and Emerald Hill. It was a slice of the place that "Johnny Fawkner" turned into a cultivation paddock in 1835, and grew a crop of wheat there. Something like the beginning of the Flemington Racecourse, it was " jumped" by the Club, and an unauthorized occupation winked at by the authorities. In 1848, the Superintendent gave a formal permission to use ten acres of the area as a Cricket Ground, and the cricketers were so elated with their good luck that they proposed to work wonders there in the way of fencing and planting, and innumerable other important etceteras. The club happened to be at this time in a condition of comparative prosperity, and consequently it effected a good deal of what was so promised. There were 127 members, and they went to work with a will. The ten acres were soon enclosed with a strong four-rail fence, at a cost of ^ 3 0 13s. 4d., and 1116 yards of the ground turfed for ,£24 13s. 6d. September saw them not only out of debt, but when the outstanding subscriptions were got in, they would be ^"120 in credit. In the beginning of 1849, tne Melbourne Club was challenged to play a match against all Van Diemen's Land, but obstacles intervened to prevent its acceptance.
EUROPEANS
v. N E W
HOLLANDERS.
What might be termed almost an International match was got up in 1850. It was a trial of strength between eleven natives of Europe and eleven New Hollanders—or natives of New South Wales (including of course Port Phillip, not yet separated). It was played on the 18th November at Geelong, on the ground of the Corio Cricket Club. The wickets were pitched at n o'clock, and the play showed that although the New Hollanders were the best bowlers, their fielding was indifferent. The score was :—Europeans.—First innings, 25 ; second innings, 75. Total, 100. New Hollanders. -—First innings, 59 ; second innings, 42. Total, 101. And so the Antipodeans " saved their bacon" by 1. xx 2
