Whist
The weekly whist drive and dance in aid of the Town Silver Band continues to prove popular, and on Saturday there was the usual large number present.
The prizes went to the following:
Ladies - 1 Mr J. Wornham (playing as lady), 2 Miss Flynn, lowest score Mrs Daniels.
Gents - 1 Mr H. Cutts, 2 Mr H. Clark, lowest score Mr H. Hatchett.
Lucky chair, Mr F. Ward; spot dance competition, Mr P. Saunders and Miss K. Smith.
Football
Greg Cup Semi-Final
Buntingford 4. Stevenage 2.
Considering the weather and the treacherous state of the ground, the match between Buntingford and Stevenage, played on the town ground on Saturday, was quite a good one.
There was a moderate attendance when the teams lined up several minutes later than the advertised time of starting.
Stevenage, who kicked down the slope for the first-half, were soon away, but were repelled by Thorogood, whose long kick sent H. May away on the left wing; after beating the visitors right back, May sent in a fine shot which went over the bar.
The visitors' quintette then got away, and through a misunderstanding between the home backs, the ball came across the mouth of the home goal with six or seven players after it; a melee followed, and from this Leech pushed the ball into the corner of the net to give Stevenage the lead. A few minutes later further pressure on the visitors' left wing caused the home defence a good deal of trouble, one shot skimming the goal-post.
Following a run by Wallis and Birkett, the latter shot at goal, and the ball, striking the visitors' left back, turned into the net.
In the second-half E. Moule put in some excellent work, one of his efforts being remarkably good. E. Hatchett and Rayment were also in the picture with some fine passes, which were turned to good account.
By this time the rain, which continued to fall heavily, had made the ground in a treacherous state, the players finding it very difficult to keep their feet. A break through by Stevenage resulted in Leech scoring with a fine shot. The next goal came from Wallis, who scored for the town from close range.
During the ensuing exchanges, the Stevenage defence was seen to advantage, but their goalkeeper was eventually beaten by W. May, who sent in a beautiful shot from 20 yards out. There was considerable excitement when the visitors were pulled up for an infringement on the touch line, but the resultant free kick, taken by E. Hatchett, went wide. A few minutes from the end, Birkett added another goal for the Fords by driving the ball through a crowd of players and into the corner of the net.
The two teams kept their tempers better than their feet, and it was noted that the only free kicks were for offside or an infringement on the touch line. As the ground was in such a bad state, it would be unfair to comment on the play of the individual members of the town team, but one word of praise must be voiced by E. Moule, who again proved himself a fearless, clever and speedy winger.
As Hitchin Imps won their match on Saturday they meet Buntingford in the final on Easter Monday. It is unlikely that the match will be played at Hitchin.
Births, Marriages, and Deaths
Marriage
Hatchett-Deards - On February 26th, at Layston Parish Church, by the Rev. A. Howard, Vicar, William, only son of Mr and Mrs Hatchett, of New Town, Buntingford, to Annie Gertrude, daughter of Mr and Mrs Deards, of High Street, Buntingford.
Death
Keen - On Wednesday, March 2nd, at Church Street, Buntingford, Stanley Fuller Keen, aged 18 years.
Wedding
Hatchett-Deards
A pretty wedding was solemnized at Layston Parish Church, on Saturday last, February 26th, the contracting parties being Mr William Hatchett and Miss Annie Gertrude Deards, both of Buntingford. The Rev. A. Howard, Vicar of Layston Parish Church, officiated.
Mr Hatchett has been captain of the Buntingford Football Club for four seasons. He has played for the town club since being demobilized from the Army, and has always set a standard of clean sporting play.
The bride, who was attired in cream silk moracain with veil and orange blossom, was attended by two bridesmaids - Miss Hatchett, sister of the bridegroom (who was dressed in Wedgewood blue silk moracain, with hat to match); and Miss Renie Randall, a niece of the bride (who wore a dress of pale blue crepe-de-chine, with pink rose-buds.) She was given away by her father, and the duties of best man were carried by her brother (Mr Leonard Deards).
On leaving the Church, the happy pair arrived at the home of the bridegroom, to receive congratulations from his father and invalid mother, and after the reception - which was held at the home of the bride - journeyed to London for a short honeymoon.
The presents numbered between 40 and 50.