Athletics 07 (1963)

Although the School athletics team enjoys a good deal of success, it is the result of natural talent fostered by a great deal of competition, rather than hard and systematic training by the athletes concerned. Just as Rugby players do not think about training until they return to School in September, so the vast majority of our athletes regard their sport as purely a summer activity. This "amateur-like" approach can be, and often is, defended by those who wish merely to enjoy a little pleasant exercise once a week. Fair enough! I have every respect for this attitude so long as these boys are also satisfied with performances well below what they are capable of achieving. For those who want to get the best out of themselves, there is not the slightest doubt that a great deal of hard graft must take place during the winter and spring. Then is the opportunity for field-events men to iron out faults of technique - this cannot be done during the season itself; then is the time for the sprinters and middle-distance runners to build strength through repetition work: systematic weight training, in varying degrees, is useful to all.

By the time this magazine appears, winter, we hope, will already be behind us, but during the Easter holidays much useful work can be done. There is a good cinder track near to your home, with excellent facilities, which is largely unused during the day. The cost of a training session, including a hot shower, is 6d. What about it? 

P.J.C.

INTER-SCHOOL MATCHES

There were the usual number of Friday evening matches, which were enjoyed by everyone, despite the Arctic conditions which normally prevailed. The Senior team, with Kerton, Hooper and Owen (Middle-Distance), Butterfield (Long and Triple Jump), and Strange (High Jump) consistent winners, remained undefeated until the last match, when Hampton G.S. relieved us of the St. Nicholas Shield for the first time.

Senior boys, organised by R. Russell and E. Cattermole, were again responsible for all the officiating at the meetings.

Colours were awarded to J. Hooper and M. Owen. Junior colours were awarded to B. Cassidy, A. Clements, K. Day and D. Miller.

RESULTS

SENIOR
St. Nicholas, 64 points; Rickmansworth G.S., 30 points.
St. Nicholas, 89 points; Shene G.S., 87 points: William Ellis School, 86 points.
St. Nicholas, 66 points; Chiswick G. S., 30 points.
St. Nicholas, 88 points; Harrow County School, 36 points: Purley G.S., 46 points.
St. Nicholas, 89 points; Raynes Park G.S., 79 points: Isleworth G.S., 66 points.

ST. NICHOLAS SHIELD MEETING

1. Hampton G.S.. 199 points; 2. St. Nicholas, 183 points; 3. R.G.S. High Wycombe, 155 points; 4. Haberdashers' Aske's, 148 points; 5. Thames Valley G.S., 140 points: 6. Queen Elizabeth G.S., 137 points.

MIDDLESEX SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONSHIPS

The following major placings were gained by boys from the School in the Finals' Meeting at White City.

Senior High Jump: P. Strange 1st
Intermediate Low Hurdles: D. Wallis 2nd
Intermediate 880 yards: J. Hooper 2nd
Junior High Jump: B. Cassidy 2nd

P. Strange and R. Butterfield (Triple Jump) represented the County at the All-England Championships at Chelmsford.

MIDDLESEX GRAMMAR SCHOOLS' ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION N.W. GROUP CHAMPIONSHIP AT KINGSBURY COUNTY SCHOOL, 10TH JULY.

The School won the Group trophy for the first time, beating Harrow County School by 6 points (242 to 236). Burrells and Butterfield broke the District record in their events, whilst Miller and Cassidy equalled the existing ones. The following boys won their way through to the Finals' Meeting by being placed first or second in their event:

SENIOR
880 Yards: M. Owen 2nd
1 Mile: V. Kerton 1st
Shot: J. Thompson 1st
High Jump: P. Strange 1st
Triple Jump: R. Butterfield 1st
Pole Vault: K. Bryer 1st

MIDDLE
880 Yards: R. Green 1st
1 Mile: D. Roy 2nd
Shot: C. Wall 2nd
Triple Jump: T. Burrells 1st

JUNIOR
100 Yards. D. Miller 1st
220 Yards: B. Cassidy 1st
440 Yards: C. Knight 1st
1 Mile: A. Powell 2nd
Shot: B. Cassidy 2nd
Discus A. Trueman 2nd
Javelin: G. Curd 1st
High Jump: K. Day 1st
4x110 Yards Relay: Miller, Cassidy,
Knight, M. Cook 1st

MINOR
High Jump: R. Russell 1st

At Chiswick, the School had a disappointing day on the whole; with only six competitors through in the Senior section our hopes of retaining the Bowles Cup were slight, but several below-standard performances relegated us to fourth place behind Isleworth, Chiswick and Hampton. Kerton ran one of his best-ever races for the School to win the Mile and break the long-standing record with 4 mins. 25.3 secs. K. Bryer, who had done all his training in a high-jump pit, and who had had no stimulus of competition throughout the season, surprised everybody, including himself, by winning the Pole Vault.

The Juniors were very strongly represented numerically, but only Miller, who ran very determinedly in the 100 yards, gained a major placing.

The following boys gained places:

SENIOR
1 Mile V. Kerton 1st (record)
High Jump: P. Strange 1st
Pole Vault: K. Bryer 1st
Triple Jump: R. Butterfield 2nd

MIDDLE
Shot C. Wall 2nd
Triple Jump T. Burrells 2nd

JUNIOR
100 Yards: D. Miller 3rd
4x 110 Yards: Miller, Cassidy,
Cook, Knight 3rd