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House Reports 13 (1970-71)

HOUSE REPORTS (1970-71)

ABBOTS HOUSE REPORT.

It is pleasant to report that Abbots are House Champions for the first time since 1968. Even more pleasant is the fact that this victory was achieved by a genuine collective effort. Of course, there were outstanding performances: T. Barber's winning the 880 yards in the school sports in a new record time comes easily to mind - but essentially high positions were secured from a basis of standard points and team effort. Almost inevitably one or two boys at, or near, the top of the school let themselves and the House down by failing to appear for Sports Day, or by remaining cynical and unco-operative over the House competitions during the year, but these boys were few, and ultimately they were the only losers.

The year began with the Senior Rugby Team finishing third, Considering that the available talent was modest this was a fair achievement, M. Barber, Plowman and Tilley played with great drive, and one remembers volatile contributions from Arkey who, incidentally, took part in every House Sports competition except athletics.

Middle Rugby brought three victories, clearly there was great ability in this side and they played some powerful rugby, ably led by C. Thomas, Johnston, Huddleston and Lee. With players of the calibre of Barber, Wise and O'Connell still in this group next year, the prospects look good.

Badminton produced a disappointing result of third, despite the fine form of Smith, who is the most accomplished player in the school. The match against Kings (eventual winners) was needlessly sacrificed by failure to turn out a full team. Captaincy requires reliability off the court as well as ability on it.

Cross country was also a disappointment. The Seniors produced the largest number of entries, yet despite this, and an excellent run by Arkey, they finished fourth. In contrast the middle group won their competition, but unfortunately the Juniors finished a poor fourth, although they too had the most entries. Not only in this, but in other events too, the first form made a comparatively poor showing. One looks to them to make far greater effort next year. The basketball team, ably led by M. Barber, could only manage third position, though, on paper, they looked to have the ability to finish second. Spirits were restored by the good performance of the Junior Rugby Team in winning their competition most convincingly. Partington led the side sensibly and was well supported by the whole team, in particular by Wilford, whose strong running overawed what often proved to be very timorous opposition. Chess, a new house competition, left us an equal third position. This was perhaps an expected result since our players were fairly junior boys, or seniors who had "played, once or twice in the past".

Swimming produced its, by now, usual first place overall, achieved mainly through some good swimming from the seniors, following a good standard points effort throughout the House. There was excellent individual effort from Hale and the Thomas brothers.

The hockey six-a-side competition yielded another first position, with Walton and Gowers leading the way to victory over the three other Houses. In drama we merited last place, in spite of the hard work of Aldred as producer and his excellent character acting in the play. He was sadly let down by the rest of the cast, who all too clearly did not know their lines. One must, however, make mention of the excellent scenery created by Jolly, Teasdale and Platt.

First position in the art competition did much to revitalise the House effort. The Literary competition, too, brought maximum points. There were twenty-four entries and Bradley, C. Thomas, Brading and Davis are to be congratulated on coming first in their particular groups.

Abbots' cricket was not for the connoisseur. The Seniors fell down seriously as batsmen, and owe much to Rowe, the captain, whose tenacity gave the side their only victory, with an eventual position of third. The Middle Cricket Team, capably led by C. Thomas, shared first position. They should have been first in their own right, but managed to lose to Kevere largely through failure when batting to appreciate where the short singles lay. Their bowling, however, was usually penetrating: what the straight ball could not achieve a direct hit on a plantain usually could. The Junior Cricket Team finished third, for which we must be thankful since only the captain Round looked or played like a cricketer. The batting, bowling and fielding of the remainder was of a poor standard.

Fittingly it was Sports Day which clinched the overall victory for Abbots. A splendid effort throughout the House ensured a useful points advantage in each group before the day of the finals, and excellent performances on the day itself gave the Middle and Junior athletes runaway victories in their sections, Good performances were too numerous to list. A word of praise for the Seniors who, with few finalists and modest ability, forced their way into third position. In the Athletics competitions, Crombie and Tilley were notable for their good work and leadership.

We extend our good wishes to the senior boys leaving this term and thank them for their past effort and support for the house. So long as those members of the House who remain continue to show enthusiasm for the competition as they have done this year, then our next aim to increase the winning margin - could well be achieved next year!

R. G. BIRCH, G. S. JOINER

BEC HOUSE REPORT.

For the second successive year Bec finished as runners-up in the House championship. We maintained this high position not only because of the individual efforts which our rivals seem to rely on to achieve success, but also because of a sound team effort. The re-introduction of weekly House meetings has acted as a stimulus to greater house spirit within the school. particularly amongst the juniors. It has also enabled those less gifted at sport to take a more active part in House affairs.

The year's competition started well for us, with an early lead. This was mainly achieved by good results in the senior section of the House, with a victory by the Basketball Team, led by N. Hing. We were runners-up in the Rugby and Badminton. This early lead was not maintained, but this cannot detract from the amazing consistency by the House in competitions, falling below second place on only eight occasions, yet winning only two competitions.

Of the individual performances within the House, credit must be given to our conscientious House Captain, G. James, and his fellow senior team mates, N. Hing (basketball), D. Hughes and M. McClelland (rugby and swimming), S. Martin and D. Cox (rugby and athletics), and the Szelewskis, without whom a Bec team would appear incomplete. In the Middle School, Drinkwater and Wignall led the swimmers to victory, and J. Szelewski and A. McClelland were prominent in both the Rugby and Athletics competitions. Thanks must also be given to D. Cummings (L6) for his efforts in the production of the House play and to Ransley whose unswerving devotion to the House did not go unnoticed.

May I take this opportunity of thanking Messrs. Dixon and Hughes for their tireless efforts on behalf of Bec over the last year. Mr. Hughes will be sadly missed next year, and we wish him every success in his new post at Tavistock.

UNKNOWN, possibly G. JAMES

KEVERE HOUSE REPORT

This year was a disappointing one for Kevere as we were deprived of the House Championship rather too easily. We again won many competitions, but wo also suffered several bad defeats. Nor is the future re-assuring as our greatest successes came from our Seniors, many of whom have left. However, the Juniors showed promise and it is clearly up to the Middle group, who gained no outright firsts, to increase their efforts.

We must repeat last year's plea for more boys to enter competitions to gain standard points; they may not win, but they can contribute valuably to the House (and to their own education!). Some of our teams, recognising their weakness, were too easily discouraged; they must remember that though first place may be beyond their grasp, third place or even second place may not. The whole competition can depend on so-called weak teams raising their performance above that expected of them.

The Juniors enjoyed a fair measure of success, winning both cricket (under the skilful captaincy of White) and Cross country (with Ayres and Thomson our first runners home). They also did very well to come second in the Rugby as the XV contained as many as ten first formers.

One of the year's highlights was the drama competition which contained three fine productions. The Kevere play, Shaw's The Sixth Form College, is a very difficult one, but it was only just edged into second place. G. Morgan, the producer, deserves much credit for extracting such convincing performances from his cast; again, the back-room boys, led by S. Lockwood and A. Page. constructed an excellent set and some original special effects. In the Literary Competition, winning essays were submitted by A. Craig (Senior) and Matthews (Junior), but unfortunately we failed to produce sufficient poets to compete with the massed bards of Abbots!

The Seniors made a clean sweep of the four major sporting events—a fine achievement, possibly without precedent (?). They were perhaps lucky to meet a weakened Bec XV in the Rugby Final, but in the Cross country, Cricket and Athletics they emerged clear winners. Obviously this success owed much to our "stars", but they were well supported by less able performers who compensated for a relative lack of skill by their determination and enthusiasm, as an example, S. Lockwood's effort in the Senior Mile may be singled out

We must bid farewell to several stalwarts, notably R. Allard, A. Craig. S. Lockwood, G. Morgan, A. Page and M. Robinson, who have contributed much to the House over the years. Three other leavers, B. Johnson, M. Newing and D. Warby have been outstanding members of Kevere and this year they have efficiently organised House teams, as well as competing with distinction in practically everything! D. Warby, an excellent House Captain, led by example and his efforts to help junior teams were particularly appreciated. To all these leavers go our thanks and good wishes for the future.

E. A. COX. I. R. CLARKSON (Assumed, as no names in magazine)

KING'S HOUSE REPORT

It is customary for losers to congratulate winners after a competition, and this Kings House now does. In March of this year the competition appeared to be completely open, however from the Spring onwards Abbots must surely have sensed victory and worked vigorously for their deserved success.

It is also customary for there to be an appraisal of the year's performance. Although the competition was lost, many members of the House put in a sustained effort which led to many notable achievements. This result may be explained by the lack of interest from average performers, who are now provided with many opportunities in the House competition to show a variety of skills. It is a cliché to say that winning is not as valuable as participating. Hackneyed or not, if it was more fully appreciated the House might have expected a better result. Participation in the House competition provides a variety of experience valuable to an individual's general education.

Small cameos remain of the year's activities, an incomplete record with perforce many names missing and many events unrecorded. In Middle Rugby. G. Parish's coaching efforts, B. Nash's determination and R. Blundell's proneness to injury are easily recalled. J. Hunt's scrum-half skills and I. Summerhayes penetration in the three-quarters, were highlights in the Senior Rugby. The Badminton team, I. Summerhayes. D. Infante, N. Ransley, G. Parish and D. Beaumont were invincible. Excellent runs were produced by S. Shellard and K. Harris in the Cross Country.

The highlight of the Spring Term was the House Play. The Tiger's Bones by Ted Hughes. This was produced by M. Ramseyer who displayed maturity and sensitivity in his producing and acting. In this he exhibited unsuspected ability and brought the House in as winner against severe opposition. Indeed, one other House Play had a majority of the School Play cast. Art and Literature, despite a variety of choice in media produced only a handful of entries.

Cricket results were erratic, the Juniors being nineteen all out on one occasion. However, T. Thornley revived the Middle Cricket aided by batting from R. Blundell and T. Fazakerley and bowling from S. Blackburn, P. Haynes and A. Parfitt who dispatched five batsmen in five balls. Sports Day itself will be remembered for the sprinting of A. Martin and C. Elias, a welcome newcomer.

All that can be done now is to thank the House Captain, I. Summerhayes and all those who helped him, and to look forward to next year.

M. A. WILSON, P. TANNER.

1971 School Magazine

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