PETERSFIELD.
CRICKET.—The opening match for the season took place on the Heath, on Monday last, upon the improved ground pleasantly surrounded by permanent seats, between eleven members of the club and eleven members of the 12th Hants rifles, when the weather was all that could be desired, with the exception of being a little too cold. The club winning the toss first went to the wickets, and handled the willow with such effect as to run up a score of 213 in the first innings and continued throughout the day under fortune’s favours till the conclusion of the game, when our gallant ‟Sons of Mars” were unmistakably placed ‟hors de combat,” clearly proving, in this instance at least, that ‟there’s nothing like leather,” and that with balls made of that material they were masters upon their own ground. At half-past six the cricketers and their friends, to the number of 50, sat down to a capital spread at the Dolphin Hotel. Capt. Seward R.V., in the chair, and Mr. John Underdown (secretary of the club), in the vice-chair. The usual loyal and other toasts appertaining to the gathering, were given and responded to in cricketing fashion. During the evening some excellent songs were given, and throughout harmony and conviviality reigned triumphant.