PETERSFIELD.
CRICKET.—PETERSFIELD v. HAMBLEDON.—The return match between these Clubs was played on the Petersfield Cricket Ground on Thursday last, and drew together a larger assemblage of spectators than has been seen on the Heath on any similar occasion for many years. The long-established character of the Hambledon Club, and the rising reputation of its more juvenile competitor, were deemed by the public a guarantee for something worth seeing, and they were not disappointed. The score did not exhibit long numbers, but this was not owing to any want of skill in batting, but rather to the very excellent fielding displayed on either side. Petersfield went in first and scored 41 runs; Hambledon, in their first innings, fell short of this by four runs. Petersfield next scored 56; and Hambledon, when their last man took the bat, were within a very few of the same number, and presently reached 54. The game was now ‟who shall,” when a fine catch came in the way of Mr. C. Chase, and he was not the man to miss it, and thus closed a most interesting and exciting game. Hambledon had ‟imported” a bowler for the occasion, in the person of a Mr. Smith, whose steady underhand and uniformly straight balls were very teasing, but many of them were admirably met, especially by Lillywhite, Lucas, and Underdown. Mr. Gammon’s bowling was much admired; as was also that of J. Etherington and Clear, on the part of Petersfield. The only drawback upon the pleasure of the day was an incident which occurred towards the end of the game. A ball, delivered by Mr. J. Etherington to Mr. Sidney Lunn, came hard to the leg, and, on passing the wicket, rose and was caught at by N. Beagley, the wicket-keeper, and, slipping from his grasp, fell into the hands of the longstop, R. Stephens. Lunn said the ball struck his foot; Etherington asserted that he touched it with the bat. The umpire (Beagley) on being appealed to, said that his attention was called away at the moment, and he declined to give a decision. Some angry words arose, and for some time the harmony which had hitherto characterized the play seemed placed in jeopardy, but was at length restored on appealing to the other umpire (Mr. B. Cooke), who gave Lunn out, and he at once retired from the wicket. With the exception of this slight contretemps, the best possible feeling exists between the two Clubs. The following is the score:—Petersfield, first innings, 41; second ditto, 52. Hambledon, first innings,37; second ditto, 54.