COLLEGE SPORTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 120, 19 October 1874, Page 3

COLLEGE SPORTS.

Judge—Mr C. C. Corfe. Starters—Messrs Worthy and Condell. Committee—Messrs Barker, Bidwell, Gould, Hamilton, Lee, and Whitcombe.

The remainder of the events on the annual programme of these sports, which were obliged to be postponed owing to the bad weather on Thursday, took place on Saturday afternoon, and throughout were a complete success. The weather was beautiful, the attendance of spectators large, and all the events so keenly contested as to make the afternoon's sport thoroughly enjoyable. It has been often said that Englishmen, wherever they go, transplant to the laud of their adoption the amusements and institutions of the old country, and the fostering amongst the youth of the province a love for athletics, and the healthy rivalry and emulation arising therefrom, by sports of this nature, similar to those at Eton, Cambridge, and Oxford, cannot but be productive of the best results. We hope that year by year the College sports, which have now become quite as much an institution amongst us as those we have referred to are at home, will grow and increase alike in the number of events and the competitors, until we shall be enabled to see reproduced upon a smaller scale

the famous contests between various colleges —such as those between the dark and light blue. As the province grows in population the present educational system is bound to grow with it; once having set its hand to the educational plough, the province cannot retrograde, so that it is only fair to assume that we shall be able to- establish a series of competitions between the various colleges. But to return to the subject in hand, which is the sports of Saturday. As we have said, every event was contested with a keenness and a closeness of finish which has not been equalled in any athletic gathering in Canterbury. There was not one in which the prize was not hardly won, and victory secured almost on the post, the Old Boys' race and the Hurdle race particularly being splendidly contested, The former must have rejoiced the hearts of many " Old Boys" from the home colleges, recalling to their minds the friendly rivalry of days gone by in the playing fields of Eton, or by the Cam. The liberality of the Old Boys promised for future meetings will, it is hoped, stimulate the y6uthful athletes to still further exertions in the way of contesting the various events.

The Old Boys' race was the first on the programme, and created a great deal of interest alike from the large number of entries, and the fact that it was thought the handicap had placed all on abouteven terms. Fortius event M. Davie, with six yards start to his credit, was fancied by many, and Mathias, with nine yards, had many friends. A. M. Ollivier aud T. R. Moore at scratch, were looked upon as not being able to give so much start away, and the event proved this to be the case. The winner, Sheath, who started with twelve yards, was not thought much of, in fact, he was a dark 'un, but the plucky way in which he ran, and the judgment he showed in cutting down the large field, proves him to be a real good one. He has run before at the Anniversary sports, and has a good turn of foot, coupled with any amount of staying power ; Davie, who justified his backers' opinion by running a good second, made the pace very warm for Sheath, his tremendous length of stride telling. If the race had been ten yards further Davie would undoubtedly have ran in first. As it was it was won just on the post, and with nothing to speak of to spare. Davie, though not a pretty runner, has the advantage of a very long stride, and a good turn of foot, and was no mean antagonist. The third man, E. J. Cotterill, had sixteen yards start, which in 200 yards, was a good lift, and had he been able to extricate himself from the ruck would have put himself in a better position than he did. Waxman, who ran fourth, just managed to get a place, the ruck being very close behind him. The race was a very good one, and the handicapper is to be congratulated upon having been able to achieve that summum bonum of felicity, the ability to cover the field with a sheet at the finish.

The High Jump, open to the whole school, brought out four competitors; of these, E. V. Hamilton and W. Eobinson were fancied; Chapman, the winner, jumped rather heavily, but had extraordinary luck, the bar though touched two or three times by him during the contest, failing to fall. Hamilton's jumping was by far the prettiest of the whole field, he clearing the bar without any apparent effort, and had it not been that the jumps were taken very rapidly and that he got somewhat exhausted, he would have taken the prize. As it was, he did not touch the bar until the top height, 4ft 9in, had been reached. The High Jump for boys under fourteen brought out five little fellows, but all that need be said about this is to notice commendatorily the plucky jumping of Harman, the winner, and Fenwick, the second boy, both of whom jumped capitally. We may mention that the take-off was very bad and militated greatly against good jumping. The Ladies Challenge Cup, of a mile; open to the whole school; brought out a good field of twelve, of whom Westeura and Millton were fancied. The former proved the selection to be a right one, by winning a capital race after a game struggle. Fenwick, who came second,' deserves notice for the game way in which he ran, and the judgment with which he saved himself for the final lap. He won his place in the home stretch, after a capital spurt between him and Millton, who had held seond place during the preceding laps. Fenwick's run in was a very good bit of running, and he might have given the winner a push for it, had he made the pace a little sooner. The other competitors were not in the race after the first two or three laps had been gone, so no more need be said.

The Hurdle race of two hundred yards, over eight flights of hurdles, was one of the best contested races of the day, and had it not been for a bad jump made at the last hurdle but one, G. Gould, who worthily received the distinguished position of dux of the sports, would have added this to the lengthy list of his athletic triumphs. Eight competitors put in an appearance for this event, and they had to be divided into two heats. Owing, however, to some misunderstanding Hamilton who was in the second division, was not on the scratch at the start, and was therefore precluded from running. The first heat was well contested, all the jcornpetitors except Cotterill, who didn't appear to like the work of the timber on closer examination, taking their hurdles in fine style, and close together. \V. Robinson, the winner, however possessed more speed between the hurdles than his opponents, and run a good race, Johnson coming a capital second. The next heat only brought out C. Gould and Chapman, and as they both would have to run in the final they did not hurry themselves, Chapman taking his jumps very leisurely,'and allowing Gould to come away almost as he liked. The fiual heat was a splendid race. For this Robiuson, C. Gould, Chapman, and Johnson started, all getting away well. Gould made the mistake of not fori ing the pace on the flat previous to the first hurdle, as he had by far the best turn of foot of any in the race, and could easily have got the lead. All jumped close together until about the third hurdle from home, when Robinson and Gould drew away slightly from the others. In jumping the last hurdle but one Gould, who was neck and neck with Robinson, was thrown out of his stride by putting his foot in a hole, and Robinson just managed to get a slight lead, which he maintained to the post, winning a well-contested race. In the Half-mile race seven showed to the front, Mathias, the winner, taking the lead soon after the start and holding it all through. Cotterill, who ran second, did so very pluckily, and his rush at the end of the last lap, aud the game manner in which he spurted for the lead near home, deserveß notice. The race between these two was one of the closest contested of the events.

The Walking race, two miles, brought out a perfect cloud of competitors, about fifty starting. The greater portion of these, however, were never in it, the only competitors who had any show being C. Gould, Reeves, and Gerard. The race between these three was worth going a long way to see, and the struggle between the two latter in the last part of the concluding lap was as good a set to as we have seen here. Reeves made the mistake of walking in trousers, which impeded him greatly, distressing him unnecessarily ; but the plucky way in which both him and Gerald walked the entire distance was exceedingly commendable. Gould walked excellently, and had any amount of go left in him, never having been pushed throughout. The time, 18 min 3 sec, on dead ground too, was very fair. The Consolation races were both well contested, Whitcombe taking the one open to the whole school, and Knight that for boys under 14.

The sports throughout were excellently conducted, and the committee and all coucerned deserve every credit for the way the events were carried out. No delay ensued, and the whole was concluded shortly after 5 o'clock.

We append a list of the various events : Old Boys Race (200 yards handicap). 27 starters. F. Sheath, 12 yards 1 M. Davie, 6 yards 2 E. J. Cotterill, 16 yards 3 J. Waxman, 11 yards 4 The following also ran :—A. M. Ollivier and T. R. Moore, at scratch ; J. W. Davis, 3 yards ; G. Mathias, 9 yards ; M. Bowron, J. Gould, and W. Wood, 11 yards ; L. Ollivier, A. Mathias, and R, Searcll, 12 yards ; H. Cotterill, E. Deacon, H. McCardell, 13 yards; J. Collins, Hartland, T. Searell, D. Thompson, 14 yards ; W. Tosswill, 15 yards ; O. Thomson, 16 yards ; E. G. Hawkes and C. Miles, 17 yards ; M. Nalder, 18 yards ; G. Gordon and E. C. Reeves, 20 yards. A good start was effected, Sheath, Davie, and Cotterill showing in front after half the distance had been gone, Davie and Sheath making the running. The former tried hard to overhaul Sheath, but the latter had got too much go in him, ultimately landing a winner by about two yards, the rest as placed. Time, 22 sees. High Jump (open to the whole school). T. Chapman, 4ft lOin 1 E. V. Hamilton, 4ft 9»in' ... 9. W. Robinson, 4ft Bin 0 F. Robinson, 4ft Sin 0 Johnston, 4ft 7in 0 All got over clear until 4ft Gin was reached, when Johnston touched twice but got|over; on a third trial at 4ft 7in, Johnston failed to clear, and was out —one out at 4ft 7in. At 4ft Bin both Robinson's went out—Three out at 4ft Bin. The prize now |lay between Chapman and Hamilton, the latter never having touched. The former, however, touched the bar once or twice, but did not displace it. At 4ft 9Jin both got over, Hamilton after two tries, but he (could not negotiate the next height, thus leaving Chapman the winner, at 4ft lOin. High Jump (open to boys under 14). Harman, 4ft 1 Jin 1 Fenwick, 4ft 2 Mathias, 3ft llin 0 Williams, 3ft llin 0

G. A. Smith also competed, but went out at an early stage. Harman and Fenwick jumped remarkably well. Ladies' Challenge Cup. One mile. (Open to the whole school). G. Westenra 1 Fenwick ... ... ... ... 2 Millton 3

Twelve faced Mr Condell for this event, who got them away to a capital start. Westenra at once assumed the lead, going at a rare pace, closely followed by Millton, Pearce, and F. Robinson ; half-way round the first lap, Millton took second place, and in this order they entered the second lap. Fenwick, who had been in the ruck, now began to get through those in front of him, and improved his position in the third lap. Going into the last lap, Westenra still held the lead, closely pressed by Millton, with Fenwick third, and close up; Half way down the last lap Fenwick came with a rush, and challenged Millton for second place. After a short but game struggle, Millton had to cry ago, and Fenwick took second place, but was unable to overhaul Westenra, who finished first by about four yards, Fenwick second, Millton third. Time, smin 20secs. Time of laps: first, Imin.lOsec: second, 2min 35sec; third, 4min 3sec ; fourth, Brain 20secs.

Hurdle Race (open to whole school), 200 yards, over eight flights of hurdles. FIRST HEAT. W. Robinson 1 Johnston 2 Whitcombe 3

Cotterill also ran in this heat, but did not get further than the second hurdle. Mr Coudell dispatched them on very even terms, Robinson assuming the lead after the first three hurdles had been crossed, Johnston, however, keeping close up. Robinson made the pace too hot between the hurdles for other two, ultimately landing a winner ; the rest as placed. Time, S2seos. SECOND HEAT. C. Gould 1 T. Chapman ... ... ••■ 2 This was almost a walk over, both having to go in the final heat, aud Gould won as he liked. FINAL HEAT. W. Robinson I O. Gould 2 T. Chapman ... ... ••• 0 Johnston 0 All got away well, Gould, Robinson, and Johnston leading over the first two or three hurdles, Chapman being slightly in rear. In this order they ran until the fifth hurdle was reached, when Robinson and Gould drew away from the other two, crossing the sixth hurdle neck and neck. A fine race ensued until the last hurdle but one was reached, when Gould jumped into a hole after crossing the hurdle, and put himself out of his stride. Robiuson was not slow to avail himself of this advantage, which gave him a slight lead, and despite Gould's plucky efforts to overhaul him he ran in a winner by about a yard, the others close up. Half-Mile Race, for boys under fourteen. Mathias 1 Cotterill 2 Acland 3 Lee 4

Seven started for this race. On the word being given to go, Mathias at once put on steam, and came away with the lead, Lee second, Cotterill third, and the rest straggling. In this order they went halfway round the first lap, when Cotterill passed Lee, taking second place, and Tripp succeeded in taking third, Lee fourth, and

A.eland fifth, Mathias still holding the lead, and running very strongly. They passed the post for the last lap in this order, and near the top Acland took third place, and Tripp dropped back, Lee taking fourth. Coming down the straight for home, Cotterill, who had been gradually improving his position, came up to Mathias aud challenged him. A capital race ensued all the way down to the post, but Mathias, who ran as game as a pebble, had too much go left in him, and came in a winner, Cotterill a good second. Time, 2 min 45 sees. Walking Bace. Two miles. (Open to the whole school). C.Gould .... 1 Gerard 2 Reeves 3 A whole host of competitors, numbering some fifty, came to the scratch, and after a little delay in gettiug such a crowd away they were dispatched to a good start. We may at once dispose of all but four competitors, viz., Gould, Reeves, aud Chapman, by saying that after a short distance had been gone the remainder of the competitors separated into little groups, and went along talking and laughing in the most amiable manner, occasionally diversifying the monotony by a little sprint running. Gould at once assumed the lead, with Reeves second, Gerard third, and Chapman fourth. In this order they walked the whole distance, Gerard and Reeves making several plucky spurts, the former trying to get second place, but failing. In the last lap Gerard began to improve his position, gradually but surely gaining on Reeves, and from the top of the home stretch right on to the post a most plucky set-to occurred. Half way home Gerard got on even terms with Reeves, but they still kept neck and neck until within about a yard of home, when Gerard managed to forge ahead, and won second place by about two feet, Gould winning by several yards. Time—lßmin 3secs Time of laps- Ist, 2min s!?secs ; 2nd, 4rain 15secs; 3rd, 6min22secs ; 4th, Bmin 42secs ; sth, limiu 6ses ; 6th, 13min 33secs ; 7th, 15min 52secs ; Bth, 18inin 3secs. The winner was loudly cheered.

Consolation Race, 100 ya"ds (open to the whole school.) Whitcombe 1 Twentyman 2 Woodman 3

Nine started. Whitcombe cut out the running, closely followed by Twentyman and Woodman, ultimately Whitcombe won a well contested race by about half-a-yard. Time—Usees.

Consolation Race, 100 yards (for boys' under 14).

Knight 1 Hellish 2 Strode 3 Niue starters. This was a good race, and was won by Knight, after a hard struggle. This completed the programme. An adjournment was then made to the schoolroom for the distribution of prizes, the ceremony being performed by Mrs Worthy.

Previous to this being done, Mr CO. Gorfe, head master, addressed those present, expressing the gratification the sports had afforded from the keen manner in which they had been contested, and the capital afternoon's sport which had been given by the boys to the visitors. Referring to the Old Boys' cups, Mr Corfe said he had been informed that it was the intention of the Old Boya to give a challenge cup, which he regretted had not been done before, so that the names of Dobson, Moore, Stiffe, Ollivier, Morgan, and others might have been preserved amongst them in this way. The Old Boys had also intimated their intention of giving a challenge cup for every event open to the whole school, so that they would be in possession of a very handsome stock of prizes. The prizes taken by Gould and Reeves after the very creditable position they had attained in the University examination would show parents that though they worked boys hard they still left something in them. The boys had shown a most commendable spirit in subscribing towards the games fund, quite uninfluenced by the masters, and he hoped that the next thing they would try and establish at the College would be a gymnasium. [Cbeers.] No doubt if the governing body came forward to help in this matter, the public, not only of this province, but also of others, would subscribe, and thus enable the boys to make a start with it, and when once started, he thought the boys would be well able to keep it going bj means of subscriptions. [Cheers.] He trusted when they met on another occasion to be able to have something more to say upon this subject. [Cheers. | He would now ask Mrs Worthy to he kind enough to distribute the prizes won at the sports. |_Checrs.] Mrs Worthy then proceeded to do so as follows :

Mile Race, open to whole school—l, G. Westenra ; 2, W. Gerard. Mile race, open to boys under 14 —1, H. Fenwick ; 2, G. A. Smith. Quarter Mile, open to whole school—l, C. Gould ; 2, Johnston. Quarter Mile, boys under 14—1, H. Fenwick ; 2, W. Williams. Ladies' Challenge Cup—l, G. Westenra ; 2, H. Fenwick. Medals to former winners, Mathews and Westenra.

Hurdle race—l, W. Robinson ; 2, C Gould.

Half Mile, boys under 12—1, H. Mathias ; 2 W. Cotterill

One Hundred Yards, open to whole school —C.Gould.

One Hundred Yards, boys under 14—W H. Williams.

One Hundred Yards, boys under 12—H Mathias. Walking race, two miles —1, 0. Gould ; 2, W. Gerard.

Lour Jump, open to whole school —B. V. Hamilton. Long Jump, boys under 14—W, H. Williams. High Jump, open to whole school—W. Chapman. Hifih Jump, boys under 14—Harman Putting the Weight—W. E. Bidwell. Throwing the Cricket Ball—E. V. Hami'Consolation race, open to whole school— C. H. Whitcombe. . Consolation race, boys under 14—Knight. Old Boys' race—l, F. Sheath; 2, M. Davie. , , , Cup given by Old College boys for most points during sports—C. Gould. Cheers were given for the ladies, for Mrs Worthy and Mr Corfe, and the proceedings terminated. As will be seen, C. Gould takes the Cup for most points gained in events open to the whole school, the Junior Cup for most points gained in events for boys under 14, has not yet been awarded.