Winona had a short preliminary talk with Dora Evans, who commanded the rival team, and as soon as the clock in the pavilion pointed to 2.30 the Captains stood out to toss.

“Heads!” cried Winona.  “It’s tails!  Your choice!”

“We’ll bat, then,” decreed Dora.

Winona placed her field at once, and Dora, after a whispered word or two to her team, selected her first bats.  One was a business-like looking girl who hummed a tune as she came, with ostentatious carelessness; the other, stout and dark, blinked her eyes nervously.  It was manifestly impossible to judge their capacities beforehand.  Betty Carlisle was to take the first over.  She had a high overhand action, and sent the ball down the pitch at a good pace.  Lottie Moir, the dark-haired damsel who faced the bowling, was cautious.  She played the first ball respectfully back to the bowler.  The next, being of good length, she played quietly to long-off for one.  She was evidently not out to take risks, and the rest of the over she did not attempt to score.  Her partner, Meg Perkins, was a fairly brilliant, but more reckless player.  The first ball she received came down at a good pace, but well on the off-side of the wicket.  A well-timed cut sent it flying to the short boundary for two.  Perhaps the success turned her head a little.  The next ball pitched well to the leg-side; she made a mighty stroke at it, not allowing for the break, and missed it altogether.  Next moment she was walking ruefully back to the pavilion.

Phyllis Knight, the next bat, was evidently regarded by the Binworth team as a champion.  She was tall, and decidedly athletic looking.  Winona nodded to Irene Swinburne, celebrated for her twisters, and Irene went on to bowl.  Phyllis had a long reach, which she employed successfully in driving the first ball she received right along the ground into “the country” for three.  Seaton began to look rather glum.  The next ball she stone-walled.  Irene was growing desperate.  Phyllis was waiting with her bat slightly raised.  “Now if only I can drop the ball just under that bat, out she goes!” said Irene to herself, and sent the swiftest she knew how.  Phyllis made a slash at it, evidently thinking it a half volley, but alas! her bails flew, and the Seaton contingent were roaring “Well bowled!”

None of the rest of the Binworth team approached to Phyllis’ standard, though they played with caution, and their score mounted up steadily.  At the end of their innings sixty was up on the board.

The Binworth Captain now arranged her field, and Winona sent in Bessie Kirk and Irene Swinburne to face the bowling of Meg Perkins at one end, and Phyllis Knight at the other.  At first things did not go over well for Seaton.  Bessie Kirk fell a victim to Meg’s crafty slows.  She played too soon at a short-pitched ball, and spooned a catch to mid-on.  Irene at first scored merrily, but growing foolhardy was clean bowled by Phyllis Knight, to her huge discomfiture.