Saturday 24 May - Kangaroo Flat Cricket Ground, Sandhurst
Sandhurst 1
Melbourne 9 (half time 0-6)
Melbourne win by 8 goals
Goalkickers: Lempriere 2, E. Longden 2, Murray 1, Upton 1, F. Baker 1, JV Cook 1, Waldron 1
The metropolitan side sent a touring party of 20 to Ballarat, and before the match they took in the local sights. Due to rain they were unable to visit the mines as planned, and they must have lost some players along the way as when the match was set to commence it was discovered that Melbourne had only 18 players available.
Even worse, Sandhurst only had 14 and instead of playing with uneven teams or calling the match off Melbourne captain Bob Sillett loaned his players Boys and Jenvey to the opposition.
Despite evening up the teams Melbourne were still the better side, scoring first through new recruit Murray two minutes after the kick off. From the restart Melbourne were soon into attack again, and Lempriere doubled their advantage. He added another not long after, and the game was dead as a contest. Three more goals before half time gave them a huge lead.
The teams commenced the second half immediately without a break, and Sandhurst took on two more players to give them an 18 vs 16 advantage. It didn't help them, as JV Cook goalled almost straight from the restart. Another one not long after to Longden extended the margin to eight before Sandhurst kicked a consolation. The home side put in an improved effort from there but they were repelled by Melbourne's defence, and Waldron kicked his side's 9th. The visitors could have had double figures but missed a number of easy shots.
Best were Murray, Upton and W. Longden. Loanees Jenvey and Boys were both amongst the best for Sandhurst.
The match had originally been scheduled for Back Creek Cricket Ground but it was discovered to be too small.
Notes
The Longden goals were by the elder brother
Media
Bendigo Advertiser - 24/05/1879
Argus - 26/05/1879
Australasian - 31/05/1879