Hampstead Town's Easter tour in the Channel Islands proved the most successful and enjoyable of the many similar trips undertaken by the club.

A party of 31 assembled at Paddington Station on Thursday evening, amongst those making the trip being Mr. C.E. Timms (chairman of the club) and Mrs. Timms, Mr. W.J. Styles (hon. secretary), Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Drake, Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Needham, Mr. H.W. Pike and Mr. A. Parrett. The fourteen players and trainer comprised Messrs. A.G. Butcher, F.G. Butler, E.N.C. Cantrell, Travers Day, L.E. Evershed, G.F. Howell, H. Hughes, J. Humphries, W.C. Little, E.T. McCracken, Lewis Smith, R. Wardlaw, C. Wise (capt.), F.G. Young. About fifty supporters and friends, amongst them Mr. Gordon Raymond, a keen vice-president of the club, were present and gave the party a right royal "send-off" at ten o'clock. Reserved compartments ensured comfort on the train journey, which, however, owing to holiday traffic, proved a lengthy affair, Weymouth not being reached before 2.30 a.m. Although comfortable berths were provided for all in the SS. "Reindeer," which was boarded at 3 a.m., sleep was at a discount with most of the party, but a perfect sea passage left everybody happy though very tired. The "Reindeer" was scheduled to arrive at Jersey at 10.40 a.m., but owing to tidal difficulties she did not actually berth until 1.45, and for three hours was anchored outside the harbour, giving the party ample time to inspect the magnificent scenery of the approach to Port St. Helier.

A great welcome awaited them ashore, many hundreds of the islanders being on the quay, the football matches being regarded as the principal feature of the public holiday.

THE FIRST MATCH

After a necessarily hurried lunch and change, Hampstead took the field precisely at 3.15 p.m., against "Jersey Amalgamated" (a picked team of all the best players on the island). Nearly 4,000 people were present at Westmount, a splendidly-equipped enclosure outside the town, and a great cheer greeted the Hampstead players when they lined up.

The splendid sporting spirit of the Islanders proved the most notable feature of the tour; there was an entire absence of partisanship, and good play on both sides received equal applause.

Although obviously fatigued after their long journey, Hampstead put up a splendid exhibition in one of the fastest games they have experienced for some time, agaist the best of the Island players. Amateur football is very popular, and receives the greatest encouragement in the Channel Islands, where the teams are well up to the senior standard here. Great speed, with long and accurate kicking proved the special features of the Islanders' methods, but Hampstead displayed better understanding of the finer points of the game. Following a goalless first half, Jersey took the lead shortly after resuming, but before long Travers Day found the net with a good effort. Strenuous efforts were made on both sides for the winning goal, but time arrived with the score unaltered, and Hampstead well satisfied in the circumstances. In the local reports of the game McCracken, who gave a faultless display in goal, was given the greatest measure of praise, and special commendation was accorded to W.C. Little and Lewis Smith at right half and centre half respectively, and the left wing pair, C. Wise and G.F. Howell.

Throughout the trip the party experienced great hospitality from the Island football officials and spectators, and were accorded the freedom of the local institutions.