1866/67 Match 4 - 22/4/1867 : Kiama C.C. vs Gerringong

Report

On Easter Monday, the Kiama and Gerringong cricketers met in a friendly rivalry; but the play seemed to be all in favour of the Kiama team. The match was decided by one innings; and Kiama was victorious with 89 runs and two wickets to spare. The Gerringong players were doubtless at a great disadvantage in not having the services of Mr J Williams, whilst some unusually excellent play was exhibited by several of the Kiama team. An unfortunate dispute at the close of the innings, Gerringong refusing to give up to the victors the ball for which the game was played, though they acknowledged themselves beaten. The Kiama players thereupon declared that they would not meet again with the same representatives from Gerringong in the cricket field; but we hope that both parties will reconsider their decision, and effect an amicable settlement of the dispute.
Kiama Independent and Shoalhaven Advertiser. Thursday 25 April, 1867.

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO THE EDITOR OF THE KIAMA INDEPENDENT
SIR:- I cannot help troubling you with my opinion in regard to the shabby way in which the Gerringong cricketers treated their opponents on Easter Monday. After fairly giving up the match, feeling themselves beaten, then refusing to give up the ball was, I need scarcely say, not only against the laws of cricket, but also anything but honourable. Whether it was ignorance, or the absence of manly principles in the majority of them. I will leave it to others, who were present to judge. Nevertheless, justice requires me to express my conviction that the disagreeable occurrence may be attributed to the absence of one or two of their men who were prevented, by some means or other, from attending. I am informed that the Kiama cricketers do not intend to meet the same representatives from Gerringong again “in the manly game”, which is not to be wondered at. Such conduct on the part of men who call themselves cricketers, is not only deserving of exposure, but contempt.
Your etc
THOMAS KING
Kiama Independent and Shoalhaven Advertiser. Thursday 25 April, 1867.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE KIAMA INDEPENDENT
SIR:- In your last issue appeared a communication signed Thomas King, containing statements which, if allowed to pass unnoticed, could not fail to produce a wrong impression wpon the public mind, and reflect anything but credit upon those parties to whom the writer referred. As I happened to be one of the unfortunate victims of this attack, I consider it my duty to lay before the public a few facts in connection with the cause thereof. Some weeks ago it was arranged by a gentleman in Gerringong (a cricketer of course), and some of the Kiama men, that a match should be played in Kiama on Easter Monday, between eleven from each place. When the day arrived it proved anything but favourable for a cricket match, having rained during the most of the previous night, and at intervals in the morning. Notwithstanding all this a few from Gerringong repaired to “the intended scene of action”, but the gentleman who had made the arrangements and a few of the others “skilled in the art” did not put in an appearance. After vainly waiting a considerable time in hopes of their arrival, those present decided upon trying their skill against their more practical opponents; the result is well known.
Now, Sir, during all this time the Gerringong men were under the impression that a return match was to be played, and that the successful party in both fields were to receive the ball played for. Such is the usual arrangements in cricket matches, and if any special arrangement had been made, should it not have been communicated to the gentleman who acted as captain of the Gerringong team previous to their commencing to play that an understanding of this kind had taken place? All disagreeable consequences would thus have been avoided. Mr King, amongst other things, charges his opponents with ignorance (of cricket I presume). I cannot but think the term is more applicable to Mr King himself who, as I am informed, instead of applying to the captain of his vanquished opponents for the ball claimed by him, merely made application to three or four who were late in leaving the field. Not receiving an answer according to his wishes, he rushed into print, and favoured the public with his opinion of the matter in anything but flattering terms to those concerned.
Mr King has set the matter forth as a wilful breach of faith and corrupt violation of the laws of cricket, deserving, as he himself expresses it, of exposure and contempt, which it would most assuredly be nothing short of were it in realty as represented by him; but I beg to assure Mr King, his compeers, and the public generally, that it was nothng of the kind, but merely a slight misunderstanding which could and would have been easily rectified and not Mr King resorted to such harsh and extreme measures.
Trusting, Mr Editor, as you are always favourable to the cause of reason, justice and truth, you will devote to this communication a corner in the columns of your valuable journal.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant
JAMES CAMPBELL
Kiama Independent and Shoalhaven Advertiser. Thursday 2 May, 1867.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE KIAMA INDEPENDENT
SIR:- I was very much surprised to find in your last issue the result of an erroneous idea of Mr James Campbell’s. That gentleman evidently thinks he can accomplish impossibilities when he fancles the odium which rest upon those whose champion he is, will be removed by his efforts or the efforts of anyone else. Mr Campbell says:- “On account of the rain only a few came to Kiama, and a few did not; and that the few who did come made up their minds to play, minus the few who did not come”. Why Mr Campbell indicates his men as a few I know not, unless it be that he is not aware of the number it takes to play a cricket match; but I should like to know what the disadvantages he mentions had to do with their refusal when requested to comply with the arrangements made previously to the commencement of the match, Mr Campbell speaks of the impressions they were under – rather a lame argument – and to prove them wrong. I may tell Mr. Campbell that such is not the usual arrangement in cricket matches. I think Mr Campbell might have reserved part portion of article which pointed outthe duty of course I should have purchased (in accordance with his notion) as mt remarks in regard to it will militate not so much against his fellow-player as himself. In the first place, I must inform those of the public who were not present at the scene, and remind Mr Campbell that there was not such an official to whom I might apply; well for them and him had there been, for a circumstance, rather ssuming to the bystanders, would have been presented. In the second place, I thought (in my ignorance) that those who talked most and loudest were then supplying a captain’s place, and ostensibly the proper ones to apply to, being the identical three or four who were last to leave the field. I may also tell Mr Campbell that cricketers do not generally leave the field as he did, unless they left behind these men qualified to conduct the final arrangements identical to a match. I dare say he knows of the habit old cricketers’ have of giving three cheers at the conclusion of a match, such being led by the defeated, implying that although vanquished pro tempore they are not yet beaten. But I have forgotten myself. These proceedings should take place after the ball has been handed over to the victors, but as no ball was given to the victors in question, I suppose his set was justified, or perhaps I was too inconsiderate to expect him to stay in the inclement weather for this little ebullition of British spirit.
Now Mr Editor, you will see the folly of Mr Campbell in replying to my previous communication, as he has not only proved mt statement, but his inability to elucidate anything relative to cricket. It is scarcely for me to state that there was a special arrangement on the ground preceding the match, the Kiama men being so courteous as to permit their opponents to choose what they would play for, as well as making it optional with them whether they would play at all ot not on such a day. Mr Campbell has not told the uninformed that they agreed to play for a ball, consequently, I am under the necessity of doing so. As to Mr Campbell’s impressions they are all moonshine. I am not the only one who heard them decide that the highest scorer on their side should be presented with the ball, were they so fortunate as to win the one provided for them in such an event. I would have curtailed my remarks did I intend to take further notice of the affair, but as I do not I have troubled you thus far.
Mr Campbell will no doubt think me insufferably presumptuous, considering I am an ignoramus, and if he thinks my remarks savor too much of ire, my excuse to him is, the circumstance called it forth and must justify it. Though I detest quarrelling, Mr Campbell will ever find me ready to resent any net which my principles condemn.
Yours truly
THOMAS KING
Kiama Independent and Shoalhaven Advertiser. Thursday 9 May, 1867.

Kiama Vs Gerringong

2-Innings Match Played At Church Point, 22-Apr-1867, Inter-Club

Kiama Win 1st Innings by 90 runs

Round	1
Home Side	Kiama

Gerringong 1st Innings 48/10 All Out (Overs 12.2)

Batsman	Fieldsman	Bowler	Runs
T Love	c Thomas King	b Thomas Campbell	1
John York		b John King	2
Joseph York		b Thomas Campbell	2
James Sharpe*		b John King	0
T York	not out		29
J Wilson	c James King	b John King	0
John Sharpe		b John King	2
George Miller		b John King	0
J Garrett+		b John King	4
A. Campbell		b Thomas Campbell	0
James Campbell		b Thomas Campbell	3
extras		(b0 lb0 w5 nb0)	5
TOTAL		10 wickets for	48

Bowler	O	M	R	W
Thomas Campbell	6.2	0	23	4
John King	6	0	20	6

Kiama 1st Innings 138/8 Closed (Overs 28)

Batsman	Fieldsman	Bowler	Runs
John King*		b J Wilson	0
James King		b J Wilson	0
Joseph Thompson		b J Wilson	0
Thomas Campbell	c J Garrett	b Joseph York	17
Thomas King	not out		67
William King+		b T Love	5
Dixon King	c J Wilson	b T Love	20
J Craig		b Joseph York	3
C Day		b J Wilson	2
R Allen	not out		11
W.C Hines	dnb		-
extras		(b4 lb0 w8 nb1)	13
TOTAL		8 wickets for	138

Bowler	O	M	R	W
J Wilson	12	1	40	4
Joseph York	7	1	35	2
T Love	6	0	30	2
James Campbell	3	0	20	0

Compiled by Bill Peters for the Kiama Cricket Club. Not to be used without permission. Last updated 01-Apr-2016. Send comments to Bill Peters about this web page.