BANDY AT KLSKNIIAM 



359 



To resume my regular theme, which now appears to be skating instead 

 of hunting (we have not yet attempted to try and kill a fox in the snow 

 after the manner of Mr. Ashton and Mr. Bathurst). Let me give an 

 account of the great bandy match between two teams composed of 

 members of the Essex and Puckeridge Hunts, which came off on Saturday, 

 February i6, at Elsenham, the beautiful country seat of Sir Walter 

 Gilbey ; and further tell how at the same place and upon the same day 

 six Essex ladies met six representatives of the Puckeridge Hunt in one of 

 the most exciting hockey matches on the ice that it has ever been my lot to 

 witness. 



No more charming place within the confines either of Essex or Herts 

 could be found for the exhilarating pastime of skating than the beautiful 

 lake some nine acres in extent lying in the grounds of Elsenham Hall. No 

 pains had been spared to ensure the ice being in capital order, every vestige 

 of snow had been swept off, and all the cracks carefully filled up — it must 

 have involved a good deal of work. Sir Walter and the late Lady Gilbey, 

 however, it is needless to add, never considered trouble and expense when 

 the comfort and pleasure of their guests and friends were concerned. A hot 

 luncheon for at least sixty was served in a marquee on the ice, and two huge 

 coke fires gave a cheery look to the wintry scene of bare trees and snow- 

 clad fields. 



It was settled that the ladies' match should be played first, and shortly 

 after 2 p.m. they took up their respective positions. The Essex, who were 

 captained by Mrs. W". Sewell, were fortunate in winning the toss, and 

 decided to play with the wind, which blew with a good deal of force down 

 the lake. To make matters fair, however, it was arranged that with each 

 goal made ends should be changed. A word as to the costume of the fair 

 skaters. The Essex were distinguished by their black straw hats with 

 red bands, and white worsted gloves, while their opponents wore white 

 satin scarves. 



Starting off from the centre with the usual bully, the Essex, aided by 

 the wind, soon carried the ball down to their adversaries' quarters, and a 

 well-directed shot by Miss Dora Prance taking effect, ends were at once 

 changed, and the Essex, instead of being the aggressors were the attacked, 

 and had all their work cut out defending their goal. Miss Tait, who was 

 playing back, in her eagerness to prevent the Puckeridge scoring picked up 

 the cork and threw it, a privilege only allowed to the goalkeeper ; a free 

 hit, however, was not claimed, and the game went merrily on. Miss 

 Gertrude Prance, playing very hard, carried the ball some way up the 

 ground against the wind, but Miss Emily Gilbey getting hold of it ran 

 down with a rush ; however, Miss Meggs, the Essex goalkeeper, stood her 

 ground, and amidst shouts of applause prevented her scoring, and saved a 

 goal, but only for a time, for Miss May Spencer was not to be denied, and 

 after a rapid run she shot the ball through the posts, thus equalising 

 matters. Give and take was now the order of the day until Miss Ida 

 Blyth, getting well away, ran the length of the ground before being caught 

 by Miss Gertrude Prance, who, coming right away past all her adversaries, 

 secured a brilliant goal. 



The home team were now thoroughly roused, and Miss Ida Blyth, again 

 getting away with the sphere, carried it down. Miss Ethel Spencer scoring 

 the second point for her side. It was two goals all, and very nearly the 

 call of time, for the second period of the three twenty minutes arranged 

 for play, when Mrs. Sewell, who was playing very keenly, managed to 

 score. Commencing the last period, it became pretty evident that which- 

 ever side could get a goal against the wind would win, for all the points 



