The annual sports in connection with the Rushden Cricket Club were brought off on Monday on their ground under the most favourable circumstances. The weather was exceedingly fine, the course was a very good one, and a large number of spectators had the privilege of witnessing a good afternoon’s sport. The programme was considerably in advance of that of previous years, and the way in which it was carried out reflected much credit upon the management, which was vested in the members of the club, with Mr C Claridge as an energetic hon. Secretary. The judges—Messrs J T Colson and H Bull—performed their duties in a commendable manner, as did also the starter—Mr F Knight—whilst the close finishes and absence of the usual expressions of dissatisfaction sufficiently testified to the impartiality and care of the handicappers—Messrs W Denton and C Wilby. The Rushden National School Band were present during the afternoon, and, under the leadership of Mr W Brawn, pleasantly enlivened the proceedings.

Note: A long list of results follow showing the wide area from which competitors had come, including Northampton, Earls Barton, Bozeat, Kettering, Yardley Hastings.

CRICKET CLUB SPORTS—This annual reunion came off in the Cricket Ground on Monday afternoon, and the weather being very fine there was a good company present. There was some little delay in getting a start, but when once the sports were commenced everything went as merry as a marriage bell. Some excellent music was discoursed between the races by the National School Band, led by Mr. G. Bacon. The arrangements were all that could be desired, and were under the management of the members of the Cricket Club, and the number who entered the flags for the different events and the close finishes of others spoke well for the handicapping of Messrs. W. Denton and C. Wilby; while not a single objection was taken to the awards of the judges, Messrs. C. H. Simpson and J. T. Colson. Some capital starts were made from the "firing" of Messrs. J. Mason and C. Wilby, who in the absence of Mr. F. Knight, acted as starters. The programme, which we give below, calls for no special notice. In the boys' race Warren won both his heats and the final very easily. Evans won the 100 yards open after a good race by two yards, Parker being close up to Dobbs for third-Evans 1, Dobbs 2, Parker 3. In the 100 yards amateur, Swift, of Leicester, with one yard's start, had it all his own way, winning by two yards from S. Denton, T. King a good third, there being no fourth runner. In the 440 yards open race Johnson won, with Stevenson second, the 440 yards amateur race being run in one heat, J. Denton winning after a good race by a yard, S. Denton and Ashford making a dead heat for second place, which on running off was won by Denton easily. Smart won the 880 by several yards from Abbott second, only about four passing the tape. Throwing the cricket ball was won by Essex, of Raunds, with Cobley, of the same place, second. The following was the programme of events and the results:—150 Yards Handicap Flat Race, for boys under 14, six yards allowed for each year under that age. First prize value 7s. 6d., second value 5s., third value 2s. 6d.— First heat: 1C. Warren, Denford, 30 yds.; 2 A. Bacon, Rushden, 30. Also competed: Head, Knight, T. Baker, A. White, C. Sanders, Rushden. Second heat: 1 A. Pruden, Rushden, 42; 2 H. W. Attley, Ringstead, 30. Also competed: E. Greaves, S. Allen, W. Chambers, A. Lawrence, Rushden; Small, Northampton. Final heat: 1 C. Warren.— 100 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional). First prize, £1 10s.; second, 10s.; third, 5s. — First heat: 1 T. Parker, Higham, 4½; 2 A. Tcmkins, Northampton, scratch. Also competed: T. Laughton, Bozeat; G. Stevenson, Wellingborough; J. Stuart, Yardley; J. Nursey, Rushden. Second heat: 1 W. Evans, Higham, 2; no other passed the tape. Other competitors: W. Johnson, Bozeat; A. Bounds and J. Wilson, Wellingborough; W. Allen, Northampton; J. Dobbs, Bozeat. Third heat: 1 C. Foreman, Rushden, 7; 2 P. Wright, Wollaston, 6. Also competed: T. Alley, Northampton; T. Draper, Higham Ferrers; J. Mabbott, Wellingborough; N. Gilbert, Rushden; Sharp, Wilby. Fourth heat: 1 D. Dobbs, Bozeat, 5; 2 G. Smith Yardley, 1½. Also competed: H. Farrer, G. Small, and T. Abbott, Northampton. Final heat: 1 W. Evans, 2 D. Dobbs, 3 T. Parker.—100 Yards Handicap Flat Race (amateurs). First prize value £1 5s.; second value 10s.—First heat: 1 T. King, Rushden 7; 2 G. Bull, Rushden, 3. Also competed: W. Essex, Raunds F.C.; C. Mason, Higham Ferrers; H. Billingham, Rushden. Second heat: 1 S. Denton, Rushden, 4; 2 C. Bull, Rushden. Also competed: G. Whiteman and J. Warren, Denford. Third heat: 1 J. Swift, Leicester, 1; 2, W. Ashford, Irthlingborough, 3. Also competed: Jos. Denton, Rushden; T. Green, Kettering. Final heat: 1 J. Swift, 2 S. Denton, 3 T. King.—440 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional). First prize, £1 5s.; second, 10s.—First heat: 1 G. Stevenson, Wellingborough, 30; 2 W. Johnson, Bozeat, 22. Also competed: W. Evans and T, Parker, Higham Ferrers; J. Dobbs, Bozeat; A. George, Wollaston; T. Abbott, Northampton; G. Prickett, Rushden. Second heat: 1 T. Draper, Higham Ferrers, 25 ; 2 D. Dobbs, Bozeat, 25. Also competed: A. Tompkins and T. Alley, Northampton ; G. Smith, Yardley; J. Mabbutt, Wellingborough; Sharpe, Wilby; N. Gilbert, Rushden. Final heat: 1 W. Johnson, 2 G. Stevenson. 440 Yards Handicap Flat Race (amatear). First prize value £1; second, 10s.—1 J. Denton, Rushden; 2 S. Denton, Rushden. Also competed: W. Essex, Raunds F.C.; G. Whiteman, Denford; C. Bull, Rushden; J. Swift and G. Bull, Leicester; W. Asbford, Irthlingborough, H. Billingham, Rushden; T. Green, Kettering. 880 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional). First prize value £1; second value 10s. —1 J. Stuart, Yardley, 45 ; 2 T. Abbott, Northampton, 40. Also competed: A. Tompkins and T. Alley, Northampton; J. Byrne, Irthlingborough; D. Dobbs, Bozeat; W. Mason, Rushden; P. Wright, Higham; Monk, Wilby; N. Gilbert and O. Ellis, Rushden.—Throwing Cricket Ball at three stumps, at a distance of 30 yards. First prize, 3s.; second, 2s. —1 W. Essex, Raunds; 2 Cobley, Raunds.

Rushden Feast Monday was kept up in the time-honoured custom. The village was full of life, and every person seemed on holiday bent. The usual concomitants of a general fair were to be observed on the Green and in the field at the back of the New Inn, each and every stallholder seeming to do a thriving business. In addition to the ordinary amusements on such occasions, the Fourth Annual Athletic Sports organised by the Rushden Cricket Club also took place in the Cricket Ground, Wymington-road, for the purpose of augmenting the funds of the Club, and passed off successfully. A very good programme was arranged, the card containing no less than eight events, and some excellent running was shown. The weather, which looked rather threatening in the middle of the day, was all that could be desired. The first event was a 100 Yards Handicap Flat Race for Professionals, which was carried off by W. Evans, of Higham Ferrers, who has shown considerable improvement of late. The 100 Yards Amateur Flat Race was won by W. Codgbrook, of Rushden, with eight yards start, beating the favourite, J. Swift, of Leicester (scratch), easily. The 150 Yards Boys' Race fell to G. Ballard, of Rushden (42), who ran very pluckily. H. Taylor, of Wellingborough, was made the favourite for the One Mile Amateur Bicycle Handicap, but he, however, unfortunately fell soon after starting in the final heat, and the honours were then carried off by T. Johnson, of Rushden, who is comparatively only a learner. He rode very prettily, and also gamely, and was much applauded at the finish. A 440 Yards Professional Handicap Flat Race was won by T. Draper, of Higharn Ferrers. Some little exhibition of feeling occurred at the conclusion of this race, as it was thought F. Coles, of Wellingborough, could have won if he had pleased. A similar race for amateurs was won in fine style by G. R. Wagstaffe, of Rushden, with 12 yards start, beating J. Swift, (scratch) and E. Parker (12), Leicester, who were made hot favourites. P. Wright, of Wollaston, was successful in the 200 Yards' Handicap Hurdle Race for professionals. The concluding event was a Half-hour Go-as-you please Race, in which there were 11 competitors. Great interest was manifested in this race, and it was ultimately won by E. Haddon, of Foleshill, who started from scratch. He ran 5 miles 230 yards, and the second man, Ridley, went 5 miles 130 yards. The Rushden Temperance Band, under the leadership of Mr. W. Skinner, was present. During the afternoon some excellent selections were played, and at the conclusion of the sports dancing was heartily indulged in. The Committee of Management consisted of Messrs. C. Bull, J. Claridge, F. Colson, J. Mason, C. L. Bradfield and T. Bull, and they are to be congratulated on the manner in which the course was staked out, and the general arrangements made by them. The handicappers were Messrs. C. Wilby, and W. Denton; starter, Mr. S. Colson; and judges, Messrs. F. Knight and J. Claridge. Mr. F. Wood, the 25 miles champion, officiated as timekeeper in the last event.

Appended are the details of the different races:—

100 Yards Handicap Flat Race (professional)— First prize £1 5s., second 10s., third 2s. 6d.—Heat 1: 1 W. Evans, Higham Ferrers, scratch; 2 J. Ashford, Doddington, seven yards. Won by a yard and a half. H. Freeman, Earls Barton, 7, also ran. —Heat 2: 1 G. Smith, Yardley, 1; 2 D. Dobbs, Bozeat, 5½. Won easily. J. Jeyes, Higham Ferrers, 7; and H. Briggs, Earls Barton, 7½, also ran.— Heat 3: 1 T. Draper, Higham Ferrers, 6; 2 T. Laughton, Bozeat. Won by a yard and a half. J. Dobbs, Bozeat, 6; C. Hart, Earls Barton, 7; and W. York, Kettering, 8, also ran.—Heat 4: 1 J. Tebbatt, Earls Barton, 6; 2 T. James, Raunds, 8. Won by three yards, but James had a hard run for the second place. T. Parker, Higham Ferrers, 4½; F. Cooke, Wellingborough, 5½; C. Agutter, Earls Barton, 6½; J. Hanger, Rushden, 9; and J. Bollard, Wollaston, 11, also ran—all who had entered.—Final heat: 1 Evans, 2 Draper, 3 Smith. Won by about a yard; capital race for second place. Draper led for a considerable distance, and was only placed behind Evans a short distance from the goal. Time 11 secs.

100 Yards Handicap Flat Race (amateurs)—First prize value £1, second 10s., third 2s. 6d.—Heat 1: 1 J. Swift, Leicester, scratch; 2 W. Codgbrook, Rushden, 8. Won by a yard and a half. W. Ward, Wellingborough, 5; A. Head, Raunds, 11; S. Elstow, (15 years) Rushden, 16, also ran.—Heat 2: 1 H. Tunn, Rushden, 9; 2 G. R. Wagstaff, Rusden, 6. Won by a yard. E. Parker, Leicester, 6; A. Houghton, Irthlingborough, 5; H. Godson, Wellingborough, 5: and F. Houghton (13 years), Irthlingborough, 18, also ran.—Final heat: 1 Codgbrook, 2 Wagstaff, 3 Tunn. Won by two yards, and a good distance separated the second and third. Time, 11 secs.

150 Yards Flat Race, for boys under 14; six yards start allowed for each year under this age.—First prize, value 7s. 6d.; second 4s.; third 2s. 6d. 1 C. Ballard, Rushden, 42 yards' start; 2 A. Pruden, Rushden, 36; 3 H. Gilbert, Rushden 36. A capital race between the first and second boys for first place which was won by a breast. R. Clark, Rushden, 6; H. Groome, Rushden, 18; R. Knight, Rushden, 24; C. Warren, Rushden, 24; A. Warren, Rushden, 36; F. Clark, Rushden, 36; and S. Massam, Irthlingborough, 36, also ran.

One Mile Handicap Bicycle Race (Amateur)— First prize, value £1; second, 10s.; third, 2s. 6d.— Heat 1: 1 T. Johnson, Rushden, 60 yards' start; 2 J. Draper, Northampton, scratch. D. King, Rushden, 70, also ran but did not finish. In the first lap Johnson had stolen on King, and Draper on both. Just before the completion of the second lap, Johnson put King behind him, and a couple of laps after the latter retired from the contest. There was then a spirited race between Johnson and Draper, and all the efforts of the Northampton man did not prevent his Rushden opponent winning by a machine length. —Heat 2: 1 A. Smith, Northampton, scratch: 2 H. Taylor, Wellingborough, 40 yards' start. J. Penness, Rushden, 60, also ran but fell out in the fourth lap. Won by a couple of yards. There was a good race in the seventh and last laps between the remaining two. Taylor made a desperate effort to dispossess Smith of the slight lead which the latter had, but failed.—Final heat: 1 Johnson, 2 Draper, 3 Smith. Taylor also rode, but fell in the first lap. There was little in the race till the last lap, when Draper pulled upon Johnson, but the latter passed the past a length and a-half a-head. Time, 4 min. 25 2-5ths secs.

Quarter-mile Handicap Professional Race.—First prize, £1; second, 10s.—Heat 1: 1 F. Coales, Wellingborough, 25 yards, start. Won by three yards. None of the others passed the post. W. Evans, Higham Ferrers, 12; G. Smith, Yardley Hastings, 13; F. Cook, Wellingborough, 30; T. James, Raunds, 40; and J. Hanger, Rushden, 42, also ran.—Heat 2: 1 A. Bounds, Wellingborough, 25; 2 G. Stevenson, Wellingborough, 30. E. Haddon, Folsehill, 10; J. Mabbutt, Wellingborough, 32; J. Tebutt, Earl's Barton, 34; and D. Dobbs, Bozeat, 35, also ran.—Heat 3: 1 T. Draper, Higham Ferrers, 38; 2 H. Allen, Wellingborough 40. Allen led all the way till within a few yards of home, when he was overtaken by Draper, F. Laughton, Bozeat, 25, J. Ashford, Doddington 36; W. Hawkes, Wellingborough,30; and J. Dobbs, Bozeat, 38, also ran.— Final heat: 1 Draper, 2 Bounds, 3 Coles. Won by a yard, the same distance between second and third. Time, 52 3-5ths sees.

440 Yards Handicap Flat Race (Amateur)— First prize, value £1; second, value 10s.—1 G. R. Wagstaffe, Rushden, 20yards; 2 H. Tunn, Rushden, 25. Overtaking Tunn soon after the start, Wagstaffe ran away from the rest and won easily by several yards. J. Swift, Leicester, scratch; E. Parker, Leicester, 12 yards; and A. Houghton, Irthlingborough, 12, also ran. Time, 57, secs.

200 Yards Handicap Professional Race (12 flights).—First prize, £1; second,. 7s. 6d.; third, 2s. 6d.— Heat 1: 1 J. Mabbutt, Wellingborough, 14 yards; 2 G. Smith, Yardley Hastings, scratch. Won by two yards. E. Haddon, Foleshill, 5; T. Laughton, Bozeat, 10; J. Ashford, Doddington, 18; and J. Dobbs, Bozeat, 12, also ran.—Heat 2: 1 F. Coles, Wellingborough, 3; 2 Pliny Wright, Wollaston, 14. Very close finish, Coles, who ran well, won by a yard. H. Freeman, Earls Barton, 10; and G. Stevenson, Wellingborough, 12, also competed.— Final heat: 1 Wright, 2 Mabbutt, Smith and Coles equal third. Won by two yards. Time, 27 secs.

Half-an-Hour Go-as-you-please Race— First prize, £1; second, 7s. 6d.; third, 2s. 6d.— 1 E. Haddon, Foleshill, scratch, who went 5 miles 230 yards; 2 Ridley, Northampton, 260, who went 5 miles 130 yards; 3 W. Hawkes, Wellingborough, 400, who went 4¾ miles; 4 W. Coggins, Raunds, 750, who went 4½ miles. Also ran, but did not finish: J. Byrne, Irthlingborough, 400; F. Cooke, Wellingborough, 400; J. Jeyes, Higham Ferrers, 450; H. Parish, Rushden, 600; F. T. Chettle, Rushden, 800; F. Chettle, Rushden, 700; and A. Martin, Rushden, 1,000. Haddon ran in capital form, and was loudly cheered throughout.