Page 872 - Reading Mercury

Brimblecombe) responded on behalf of the borough, “a small but pleasant part of the
land.” General Sir Frank Messervy then asked those present to drink the toast to “St.
Dunstan’s”—and Mr. Charles Thomas replied on behalf of that organisation. During
the evening entertainment was provided by Mr. Thomas, a blind singer from St.
Dunstan’s, whose rendering of “There’ll always be an England” was much
appreciated. Mr. and Mrs. Lowes each sang appropriate songs for the function. The
ball was decorated with the flag of St. George, and with red roses, and it was
noteworthy that the large proportion of guests carried a red rose. This was the second
such function that Mrs. Essame has arranged—and such was its success that it is to be
held annually.

WOKINGHAM SPORT
FOOTBALL
Wokingham’s senior team did not keep up their winning form when they visited
Chelsea on Saturday. Indeed, the team that lost 5-0 to Chelsea was scarcely
recognisable as that which beat Newbury on their own ground only a few days before.
Chelsea were undoubtedly the better side, but the score flattered them. For the first 15
minutes play was fairly even, but then a penalty was awarded—unjustly in the opinion
of some of the players—against Runnacles and, this being converted, the town
seemed to lose heart. By the interval Chelsea had added two further goals, without
reply, but then had to fight strongly to hold their lead. Poor shooting cost Wokingham
at least three goals, and, at the other end. Runnacles could not be blamed for the two
further goals he let through.
Three goals down, with only 20 minutes left for play, it seemed that Wokingham’s
“A” team were certain to lose to Broadmoor in their Ascot and District League match
on Saturday. But in those twenty minutes the Town rallied, and with a succession of
attacks scored five goals, to snatch the victory. Of these McVicker notched three,
Heald and Riddell sharing the other two. Visiting Sunninghill on Monday evening
they put up another good performance in winning by five of the six goals of the
match. David Sadler played a good game for Wokingham, whose scorers were
McVicker (4) and Riddell.
nd
Wokingham’s 2 team wound up their season with a 2-0 win over visiting Marlow
on Saturday, Stevens scoring both the Town goals. The first half consisted mainly of
midfield play, with few good shots from either side. The visitors’ passing was better
than that of the Town, but the finishing on both sides was weak, although Stevens had
bad luck with two scoring chances. On the resumption, Stevens moved to the centre-
forward berth and back-heeled a corner, well taken by Mercer, into the net to give
Wokingham the lead. Shortly afterwards the Marlow team was weakened when
inside-right Draper had to leave the field with a wrist injury; Wokingham’s second
goal was the result of another Mercer-Stevens movement, the latter having little
difficulty in heading the ball home.
Wokingham’s home Metropolitan League match with Tonbridge on Wednesday
was fast and interesting, with little to choose between the teams—but it was the
visitors who scored the only goal of the match and took two points from Wokingham.
For Wokingham, Turner (who was injured) and Bolton were outstanding.

BASEBALL
The baseball season started in Wokingham on Sunday, when the Wokingham
Monarchs entertained the Dulwich Blue Jays in a League match on the Barkham Road
Diamond. Although the local team lost by nine runs to six they were not disgraced,

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