Presentation Watches & Trophies

Lot 2639    Day 2    Presentation Watches & Trophies

Estimate $1,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

MINIATURE CRICKET BAT, handcrafted in silver (205x31mm), no maker, front inscribed 'Presented/To/L.Buck/For Obtaining the Highest Scrore/XLVI/In the Late Interprovincial Cricket Match/Nelson .V. Wellington/Feb. VI - 1864'. Very fine and a very rare early piece of cricketing memorabilia.

The following courtesy of National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past - from 'The Colonist', 16 February 1864.^"THE NELSON AND WELLINGTON CRICKET MATCH.^^This match was played on the Wellington cricket ground, Mount Cook, on Saturday, 6th instant. The Wellington papers give very elaborate descriptions of the game. The Spectator says:- The match, contrary to all expectations, resulted in a somewhat easy victory in favor of Wellington; it being well known that our cricketers have had but little practice recently, and the betting was five and three to one against them. With regard to the play during the match, it was, in our opinion, on the whole, decidedly good and careful on both sides, perhaps particularly so on the part of the Nelson team, although we must admit that there was occasionally some bad fielding.^^The Independent declares that betting on the match was even much more in favor of Nelson, odds being freely offered up to 2 to 1,7 to 1, and in some instances so high as 10 to 1 being offered; while even bets were made that Wellington would be beaten in one innings. The result told a different story, and as the last named paper said, the prestige of the Nelson cricketers has been for a time eclipsed, for twice have they striven and twice been beaten.^^Of the Nelson Eleven (says the Spectator) the batting of Messrs. Atmore, John Price, Mortimer, and Alfred Baigent, was very good; Mr. Harris was an excellent "point;" Mr. Knyvett (captain of the Eleven) was a very efficient wicket-keeper, and Mr. Tunnicliff a capital long-stop, particularly in the second innings. On the Wellington side, the wicket keeping of Valentine was exceedingly good, although we are of opinion that good as he is in that respect he is better at "point;" the batting of W. Brewer, Sewell, Waters, and Buck (captain of the Wellington Eleven), was excellent and admirable, the defence of the two latter being both strong and masterly, the difference between them being that while the hitting of the latter was in his usually fine and brilliant style, the play of the former was neat and graceful; the fielding of Ramsay and Meredith was first-rate, that of Welch, of the Taita, was decidedly bad, but in the second innings he partially redeemed his character by making a splendid catch. The bowling of Landers, Buck, and Brewer, was very good, and especially that of the two latter in the second innings. The weather was fine and calm. The large number of spectators, including a sprinkling of tho fair sex, that assembled to witness the contest, fully proved the great interest felt in the match; an excellent band was on the ground, which added not a little to the enjoyment of all present. It is much to be regretted that the ground, although the only available one near Wellington, was very unsuitable for tho trial of so important an issue, being rough and uneven, and houses and fences being also very much in the way. We hope, however, that by next year this evil will be remedied, and that the new ground which has been set apart for the purpose will be got ready, and be thoroughly prepared for all future contests. ^^There was a dinner after the match, on which occasion bats were presented to the two highest scorers in the respective elevens by the chairman, who, in proposing the health of the Nelson Eleven, which he did in very flattering terms, said: "The interest that had been evinced to-day by the success that had been achieved by the Wellingtonians was manifested in a great many ways, not the least pleasing of which was the Betting on foot a subscription for the purchase of a presentation bat to the highest scorer on eacn side, and one to the Victoria Club, to be used as "umpire's bat" at all matches. The worthy chairman then turning to Mr. Atmore said, Permit me nominally to present you with a bat this evening as the highest scorer on the Nelson side, and to inform you that a silver bat will be forwarded to you as soon as completed, which I, hope you will allow to descend to your children as an heir loom. Addressing Mr. Buck, the Chairman presented a similar testimonial, as also to Mr. Waters, as representative of the V.C.C., a bat bearing a suitable inscription." - Mr. Knyvett briefly returned thanks on behalf of the Nelson Eleven, and humorously remarked that they were all very gratified at the kind way in which the Wellingtonians had given them a good licking. He was sincerely grateful for the hearty manner in which they had drank the toast, and concluded by proposing "The Eleven of Wellington." Drank with honors.- A trifle of political talk, touching the most absorbing topic of the Provinces, thus cropped out, by Mr. Borlase proposing "The Province of Nelson" He considered the interests of Nelson and Wellington were identical in the great question at present occupying attention. Auckland and Otago were each like a large fish attempting to nibble off both ends of the Cook's Strait Provinces; therefore it devolved upon the two places named, to stick together and act as a counterpoise to the wailings of Auckland and Otago. No matter what part of Cook's Strait the site for the Seat of Government would be fixed on, it must do Wellington some good. He had much pleasure in coupling the name of Mr. Mortimer with the toast of "The Nelson Province". Drank enthusiastically.- Mr. Mortimer remarked that he was only a small minnow amongst the large fishes, but he sincerely thanked the company for their expression of kindly feelings, and he hoped that the two Provinces would become like a bundle ot sticks - not to be separated."