COLLEGE SPORTS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 425, 22 October 1875, Page 2

COLLEGE SPORTS.

Committee—Messrs Brown, Hamilton. Johnston, Million, Westenra, and Woodman. Judge : Mr O. C. Corfe. Starters : Messrs Worthy and Condell.

The annual sports in connection with Christ’s College were held yesterday on the grounds attached to the college, and despite the fact that during nearly the whole of the day a fierce nor’ wester was blowing, were very successful. The various events were well contested, the fields were good for each event, and the time made in the sprint races very creditable. During the proceedings the ground was visited by his Honor the Superintendent, the Primate, his Honor Judge Johnston, Hon E. W. Stafford, and a large number of ladies, all of whom took a keen interest in the various items on the programme. The members of the committee generally, Mr Johnston particularly, and the judge and starters, were indefatigable in the discharge of their duties, and deserve very great credit for the way in which the various events were got off. The high jumps were postponed, as also the fives, hence the prize for the greatest number of points has not yet been awarded. This postponement was rendered necessary by the high wind blowing during the day, which also, we may notice, interfered considerably with the vaulting. As we have said, the whole of the events were well contested, and the details will be found below, hence we need not refer to them here, except the two races of the day—viz, the Hurdle race and the Old Boys’ race: the former was up, to the last moment a very pretty race indeed, and but for an unfortunate accident would have proved one of the closest finishes of the day. All those entered jumped excellently, the three leaders Hamilton, Johnston, and Westenra making the running at a very warm pace, and keeping close together until the last hurdle was reached, when Westenra fell, throwing him out of the race, which was his almost to a certainty. This accident is the more to be regretted, as Westenra had run most pluckily in all the events he had contested, and jumped in fine form. For the Old Boys’ race—always the blue ribbon of the sports—a large number of old collegians had entered, but the majority of them after the handicap came out, thought their chances small and wisely stood out, twenty-one only out of the forty entered facing the starter. Of these, notwithstanding their previous reputation, the scratch men and those under double figures in the matter of start were not thought to have a very great show for the prize, and the result proved the correctness of this surmise, the first three—Tosswill, McCardell, and Waxman—all having been given double figures to start on. Tosswill, the winner, ran a good race both with judgment and a fair turn of speed, though McCardell, who ran second, looked likely at one time to take first honors, but he wanted stay when the tug came at the finish.

The Champion Cup, subscribed for by the old scholars, and intended for presentation to the winner of most points during the sports, was exhibited during the day on the ground, and is a very elegant piece of plate, well worth winning. After last year’s sports the old scholars determined to present to these sports some permanent memento of their connection with the College, which should also become an object of aspiration to the present and succeeding students. It was then resolved that a valuable cup should be sent for to England, which for one year should become the property of the boy who gained most points at each annual sports, his name and the events he won to be engraved thereon, and at the expiration of that time he would return his prize and receive a medal in its stead, bearing a suitable inscription. The necessary funds were remitted home, and the cup arrived to hand a short time since. It is a double handed tankard of solid silver 9f inches high and 5§ inches in diameter, having two urn shaped handles. The upper rim is embossed scroll work, the body being slightly frosted or dead silver, the lower portion is fluted, the rim of the stand being embossed. The inside is gold washed. The centre of the tankard bears the inscription—- “ Champion Cup, presented by old boys, 1875,” the College arms being engraved on the other side. Its cost, when landed, was £27, and altogether, it does infinite credit in every respect to the donors. Last year the Old Boys’ race was won by F, Sheath, the time being twenty-two seconds, or one second better time than that of yesterday, but the ground was then in slightly better condition.

Ihe following were the events as got off yesterday : Putting the Weight —Open to the whole school ; weight, 16Ibs ; six entries. G, Westenra (26ft Sin) ... ... 1 B. Moorhouse (25ft 3in) ... 2 E. Cotterill (24ft 10in) 3

Templar, Robinson, and Davie also competed. Westenra threw very nicely and clean, and had evidently more in him than the distance covered. Templer, of the other competitors not placed, was the only one coming anywhere near the leading trio with 24ft lin. Moorhouse, who took second prize, throws well, but lacks the grace and ease of Westenra. Cotterell, also, though nob a strong thrower, is yet a very pretty one. The distance covered was by no means bad, as a whole.

Throwing the Cricket Ball—Open to the whole school; six entries. B. V. Hamilton (103yds 2ft) ... 1 G. Westenra (87yds Ift Gin) ... 2 J. Davie (86yds Ift 6in) ... 3

There were six entries for this event, but it was plainly seen after the first round who were the likely winners. Hamilton throws long, but not nearly so straight as Westenra, the second prize-taker. The longest throw of the winner was 103 yards 2ft. Davie

threw well, but too high. The wind, though somewhat in their favor, was baffling, inasmuch as from the trees, &c, gusts came from all qnaiters. The other competitors did not succeed in coming anywhere near the three placed above. The longest throw of Westenra and Davie being adjudged equal by Mr Corfe, they t hrew over again, when the former won second place by a throw of 87 yards Ift Gin, Davie’s throw being 86 yards Ift Gin. One Hundred Yards Flat race, open to whole school. Niue entries. G. Westenra ... 1 F. Johnston f E. V. Hamilton f Robinson, Twentyman, Moorhouse, Davie, Templer, and Wilson also started. Mr Worthy got the lot away on even terms Westenra, Johnston, and Hamilton making the running in the order named, the rest in a cluster close up. After fifty yards had been gone, Westenra who had the race well in hand, increased his lead, Hamilton and Johnston making a good fight ail the way for second place, Westenra ultimately winning a capital race by about three or four yards, Hamilton and Johnston finishing equal on the post, the rest straggling. Time, llsec, One Hundred Tards Flat Race, open to boys under fourteen. Eleven entries. Knight (tertius) 1 Stafford 2 R. Strode 3 This was a good race. Knight assumed the lead shortly after the start with Stafford and Strode close to him, and ultimately won; the rest as placed. Time, ISsec, One Hundred Yards Flat Race, for boys under twelve. Nine entries. Watson 1 H. Mathias 2 Cox... 3 Watson had it all his own way from the start, never being headed from start to finish. Craig, who was thought to be a likely one for a place, did not get away from the scratch. Time, Msec. Quarter-mile ; open to the whole school; five entries. K. V, Hamilton 1 J, M. Davie 2 F. Robinson 3 This race was looked upon as being a cer tainty for F. Johnston, whose distance it is. but by an unfortunate misunderstanding as to the word to be given to go, he was left on the scratch. This is to be regretted, as the race would certainly have been a good one. Davie and Robinson were the first to shew in front, going at a good speed with Hamilton, who ran with judgment, third, Wilson in rear. In this order they went to the top of the turn into the straight run for home, when Hamilton put on a fine spurt, passed the two leaders, and ran in a winner by about three yards, the others as placed. Time, 61aec. Quarter-mile, for boys under fourteen. Stafford ... 1 Rhodes ... ... ... ... 2 This was rather a hollow affair, Stafford winning easily. Time, 68sec. Mile Flat Race—Open to whole school ; three entries. G. Westenra 1 F. Johnston 2 F. Whitcombe 0 A good start was effected, Johnston taking the lead, with Westenra second, and Whit combe, who ran heavily, third. In this order they ran the first lap. Time, Imin 20sec. Going into the second lap, Westenra took the lead, Johnston second, Whitcombe still holding his place in rear. Time, Imin 25sec. The third lap was run with the positions unaltered, except that at the top turn Whitcombe retired. It was now all to nothing on Westenra, the mile being too far for Johnston, who, however, ran very pluckily throughout. Time, Imin 28secs. In the last lap Westenra forced the pace, Johnston still close up to him, and the former ultimately finished three yards in front. Time of lap, Imin 17sec. Time of race, smin 30sec. Mile Race, for boys under fourteen. Four entries. H. Mathias 1 Rhodes 2 Rhodes went away with the lead at a merry pace, Mathias 2nd, Higgins 3rd, and Blakiston 4th, In this order they went round this lap, Higgins getting second place after a struggle. Time, 1 min 27 secs. Half way round the second lap Higgins began to force the pace, and went up to Rhodes, but was unable to hold it out, Mathias running well and strongly, and evidently looking like winning. They passed the post for this lap, Rhodes 1, Higgins 2, Mathias 3. Time, 1 min 35 secs. The third lap was run without much alteration, Mathias gradually improving his position, and passing Higgins shortly before coming to the post, Rhodes still holding the lead. Time, 1 min 30 secs. In the last lap Mathias began to go up to Rhodes, running splendidly, and at the top turn putting on a fine spurt, came in a winner amid loud cheers. A fine race for second place ensued between Higgins and Rhodes, ending in the latter winning by about a yard. Time of lap, 1 min 22 secs ; time of race, 5 min 64 secs. Long Jump—Open to whole school. Five

entries E. Y. Hamilton (18ft Sin) ... 1 J. Johnston (18ft) 2 G. Westenra (17ft Tin) 8 Long Jump, for boys under 14. Ten entries. Stafford (13ft Sin) 1 McGlashan (13ft sin) 2 B. Moorhouse (13ft 4iu) 3 Ladies’ Challenge Cup, for boys under 16. Nine entries. Hawkes 1 Boys 2 Tanner 3 Tanner led for some distance, when Hawkes came up, took the lead, and was never headed, winning the race, the rest as placed. Half Mile Race, for boys under 12. Mathias 1 Craig ... ... ... .. 2 This was a very good race, Mathias showing some very good running. Time—2min 59sec. Hurdle Race, open to the whole school. Two hundred yards over eight flights. Six entries. E. V. Hamilton 1 F. Johnston 2 J, M. Davie 3 The lot were got away to a very good start, all jumping the first hurdle together. At the second hurdle Westenra, Johnston, and Hamilton began to draw away, the former having the lead, Johnston second, Hamilton third, Davie and Robinson close up. The three leaders, especially Westenra, jumped very nicely indeed, and the order above named was kept until the last hurdle was reached. The pace was now pretty merry. Westenra was the first to take off,

hut did so ton far back, and his spike grazed the lop of the hurdle, landing him in some rough ground on the other side, and putting him out of the race, which, lar accidents, was his to a certainty. Davie followed the two leaders, Hamilton and Johnston, quickly Robinson and Woodman being too much i re »r to have a chance. Johnston challenge Hamilton for the run in. but the latter wa too swift, winning by about a yard, Johnston second, Davie third. Tune, 254 secs. Walking Race two miles, open to whole school, Rhodes 1 G. Westenra 2 Smith 3 As is usual in this race, a tremendous crowd of competitors of all sizes and ages made their appearance at the post, twothirds of whom, however, had not the faintest possible chance of winning the prize. The race is easily described. Rhodes went away at a early part of the race and won easily, Westenra, having hurt his knee in the hurdle race, not being able to walk with any speed. The only noticeable item in this beyond the really fine walking of the winner, was the plucky way in which Smith, who got third place, and who was a little bit of a fellow, walked his distance, finishing with a game spurt. Time, 17min 23secs. Vaulting with Pole, open to whole school. Two entries. F. Johnston (Bft Sin) 1 W. H. Woodman (Bft lin) ... 2 Both men jumped capitally. Ultimately, however, Woodman failed to top Bft Sin, which was cleared in fine style by Johnston. Vaulting with Pole, for boys under fourteen. C. Newton (6ft 4in) 1 Higgins (6ft Sin) 2 This was a capital struggle between first and second, both jumping excellently for boys of their age, and ended as above. Consolation Race, open to whole school. Eleven entries. Twentyman 1 Templer 2 Davie 3 Twentyman cut out the running soon after the start, closely followed by Templer, and Davie ultimately finishing as above. Time, 12sec. Old Boys Race. 200 yards handicap. Twenty-one starters, W, Tosswill (15 yds start) ... 1 H. McCardell (14 yds do) ... 2 J. Waxman (11 yds do) ... 3 The following also ran:—A. M. Ollivier, scratch; J. W. Davis, 4 yarns; C. Gould, 6 yards; G. Matthias, 10 yards; J. Waxman, II yards; T. Chapman, II yards; B. Peter, 12 yards; R. Searell, 13 yards; L. M. Ollivier, 13 yards; J. Gould, 13 yards; H. McCardell, 14 yards; A. Mathias, 14 yards; H, Cotterill, 14 yards; W. Tosswill, 15 yards; E. J. Cotterill, 15 yards ; T, Searell, 17 yards ; B. J. Hawkes, 17 yards; F. Davie, 18 yards; J. Martin, 18 yards; W. Woodward, 19 yards; W. Bean, 20 yards. e v , Mr Condell got the lot off by report of a pistol to a good start. Tosswill, M‘Cardell, and Vaxman soon began to show in front, M'Cardell leading for a short distance, but evidently not being able to stay. Tosswill when near home came to the front, took the lead, and won by about a yard, McCardell second, Waxman third, and the rest scattered. The scratch and short distance men were unable to get through, and were consequently not in the race. Time, 23secs. This concluded the sports, and those present adjourned to the schoolroom, where the prizes were presented as usual.