Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

22 Nightingale asked to be relieved from his duties and suggested that Mr Read, as a gentleman who had cricket in his heart, would be a suitable man for the post. Mr Read was willing to accept the Secretaryship jointly with Mr Nightingale but felt that he would be unable to undertake the duties alone. Mr Nightingale did not think the joint arrangement would work well as he might be let in for duties as onerous as ever, but he would prefer to have the duties of each clearly defined. The President thought that was a matter which Messrs Nightingale and Read might settle between themselves and they were then unanimously appointed joint secretaries. 26 The duties were not sufficiently onerous to prevent the newly- elected joint secretary from having another successful season on the field. Against Richmond, he scored 76 out of 146, then took five wickets as the visitors collapsed to 48 all out. He had 44 against Mitcham and in the same match ‘threw out’ James Southerton, 41 not out in a first innings win against Guildford and shared the only significant partnership in a first innings defeat by the Brunswick (Brighton) Club. 64 against the Bluemantles (Tunbridge Wells) followed. During this match, a new awning was installed on the pavilion, the President, Treasurer and Hon Secs distributing circulars inviting subscriptions to the cost. Then, after going off to play for the county in the summer vacation, he scored 68 against Dorking in September and 77 in the return fixture against Brighton Brunswick on the county ground. His father was included in the guests at the Mayor’s banquet in October. 27 Expanding Horizons By 1883, ten years after Read’s début for the county side, the Club had extended its horizons beyond cricket and had become a sporting and social centre for the town, and a sort of ‘Open Day’ in March of that year publicised its facilities for football, tennis and bowls. PRIORY CRICKET CLUB The sunny afternoon of Saturday last induced many to wend their way to the Priory Ground and it was gratifying to see how readily the advantages afforded by this ground were embraced. 26 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 20 March 1877 27 Reigate, Redhill, Dorking and Epsom Journal 5 19 June, 3 24 July, 4 11 September, 30 October 1877 Reigate Priory