BOTHWELL v OATLANDS TRADESMEN. This was the first match of the season between these clubs, which was played on the 9th at Oatlands, on the ground of the Oatlands Cricket Club. The Bothwellites looked with some amount of confidence as they defeated the Oatlands club by 30 runs the day previous. The weather was anything but propitious for cricketing, slight showers of rain falling at intervals, with a cold southerly wind, made the day unpleasant both for players and spectators. Play commenced at 11 o’clock. The Tradesmen winning the toss took the field, Bothwell sending to the wickets Taylor and Gossage to the bowling of Messrs James and John Lord; the latter quickly retired to the tent, being finely bowled by James Lord. Soper, being the next, was also soon dispatched by one of John Lord’s bailers. Allen after playing well for his 9 was clean bowled by James Lord. Taylor, who was playing carefully, by a piece of bad judgement, was run out after scoring 21, his figures being 6 twos, 1 three and 6 singles. Ibbott now came to the rescue, but after scoring a single, fell a victim to James Lord. The remaining wickets fell in quick succession; North only making a stand, and carrying out his bat for a well got 9, thus the first innings closed for a total of 54 runs. In this innings the bowling of the brothers Messrs James and John Lord was remarkably good, it being anything but an easy matter to get runs at either end. Bothwellites now took the field, and Hudson and G. Fleming were the first to handle the willow in defence of the Tradesmen’s wickets. A good score was expected from Hudson, who last year showed some masterly defence, but in Smith’s first over he was caught at long field, a fine hit, and well caught by Cooper. The vacant wicket was filled by J. Fish, who did not trouble the scorers. John Lord, captain, next put in an appearance, and he began in right down earnest, scoring off nearly every ball, Fleming during the time playing steady; between these two the field was kept in full occupation, Lord cutting and driving the ball to all parts of the field. Several changes of bowling were now tried. He at last succumbed to Ibbott, having driven one back to him, which was welcomely received, having scored 26 in real scientific style, his figures being - 3 threes, splendid cut and drives; 1 four, a fine drive; 2 twos and 9 singles. The brother James quickly followed, and after scoring 8 in fine style drew one of Smith’s on to his wicket. Aitchison, the hard hitter, was the next, when he at once commenced with 3 singles in his first over, the next over he sent one clean over the fence, a magnificent hit, for which 5 were run. Fleming, who was also scoring rapidly, made some beautiful leg hits. Those two caused the Bothwellites some trouble; all the bowlers they had were put on, but they could not persuade Aitchison to retire, until he had contributed 30, by some determined hitting, his figures consisting of 2 fives, 2 threes, 2 twos and 10 singles. W. Fish followed, and during his innings, Fleming was given lbw, after scoring 58 by some fine play, his figures being 2 fours, 4 threes, 12 twos, and 14 singles. The remaining wickets, Goldspring, Gooding, Long and C. Lord, soon fell, W. Fish carrying out his bat for a well got 7. The score when the last wicket fell was 151, being a majority for the tradesmen of 97 runs. It being now about three o’clock, and each having had one innings, they all adjourned to the pavilion, where a really sumptuous dinner had been prepared by Mr J. Fish, of the White Horse Inn. It is almost needless to say that simple justice was done to the good things provided. The Bothwellites now being 97 on the wrong side, and having a desire to alter the aspect of things ere they returned to their homes, at once commenced by sending in Soaper and Cooper, the assailants being James and John Lord. The latter, after scoring 4 was run out, making way for North, who also shared the same fate, so eager were they to get runs. Gossage was soon dismissed by John Lord; Hughes, after playing carefully for his 7, was well bowled out by James Lord; Cooper, who was also playing well, was run out after scoring 22 in fine style, his figures being 1 four, 3 threes, 3 twos, three singles; the remaining wickets fell quickly, the only double figure being Cooper. The innings closed for a total of 76 runs, leaving the tradesmen the winners in one innings and 21 runs. Annexed is the score: