Saturday August 15^th, 1863         

(Highlighting of Parnell’s performance is by me)

Cricket

South Wicklow V. Bray

The return match between these Clubs was played at Avondale on the 4^th Inst., and resulted in an easy victory for the former club with 123 runs. The Bray Club, as will be seen by the return of the score, played 3 men short.

The South Wicklows were the first to go to the wicket against the bowling of Messss. A. Plunkett, G. Croasdale, and R. Starkey, some good play being exhibited by Messrs. Parnell, Bayly, W. Oliver, and K. Edwards, the former making a splendid hit to leg for 6. W. Oliver handled the willow in first-rate style, placing 20 to his credit on the score sheet, all being out for 93.

The Bray men then went in represented by A. Plunkett and G. Croasdale, but owing to the superior bowling of Messrs. C. Parnell, E. Bayly, and J. Jones, they were soon disposed of, the former being beautifully caught out by Mr. A. Manning at long; and the latter very soon succumbed to a splendid underhand ball from Jones which walked into his timber yard, going out for a duck. Mr. R. Starkey made a stand for a well made 18, the last wicket going down for 36. In the 2^nd innings of the South Wicklow men the principle contributors to the score were Messrs. J. Jones, who made 24 in rattling style; J. Connell puzzled the bowlers, playing in a style that elicited from the lookers-on continued outbursts of applause, Mr. A. Manning carrying out his bat for 12. Their opponents then went to the wicket, having to make 161 to win, but their wickets fell in rapid succession , all going out for 37, which evidently showed that they were no match for the South Wicklow players. The longstopping of J. Connell and R. Croasdale being worthy of special mention, as also the fielding of the South Wicklows. There was a large attendance of  the neighbouring ladies and gentry on the ground during the day.

The following is the score:-