This was the first of three games played by JM Meldon's Irish XI in England. RH Lambert could not play in this match, though he did in the remaining two, and TC Ross's injured knee did not allow him to bowl, but in spite of all this the team was fairly strong. It was Surrey's 2nd XI. The Surrey county team was playing Essex at Leyton and in this season Surry ended up as Champions. The match ended as a draw greatly in Ireland's favour. Surrey needed 59 to win with only 2 wickets left at the end. Each side completed an innings on the first day and Ireland led by 21 runs. TC Ross, batting at no. 3, played a fine innings of 85 and support came from Browning, Kilkelly, Jackson and JM Meldon. Surrey were dismissed for 163 - Crawford and Williams scoring most of the runs. Harrington and LH Gwynn did practically all the bowling and each took 4 wickets.

On the second day Ireland scored 175 of which Lucius Gwynn made 63 in his best style, JW Hynes made 32 and EL Vint 25. Surrey, 196 behind, started badly and lost Latham, Lohmann and Stuart cheaply. Then Crawford, Williams and Parvi all offered stubborn resistance and the game was drawn. Harrington bowled 28 overs and took 4 for 37. The all-round work of Crawford was outstanding for Surrey - in the match he scored 45 and 42 and took 3 for 35 and 6 for 63. PWG Stuart, who batted no. 3 for Surrey, was to play for Ireland in 1903 and 1904, while ME Parvi, who also played for Surrey in this match, had played for Phoenix CC a couple of years previously. GWF Kelly, a Stoneyhurst schoolboy aged 18, made his debut for Ireland in this match. At the other end of the spectrum Harold Jackson made his debut at the age of 40.