Athletics 16 (1973)

The Senior Athletics was successful again this season but less so than hitherto. We won the Borough Championships but were narrowly defeated by Harrow County in the N.W. group of the 1913 Inter Schools meeting 101-100pts. Three of our Seniors won County Championships: S. Pinsent (Hammer); M. Bennett (Discus) and N. Wade (400m). Wade, school athletics captain, had a very successful season and lowered the school 400 metres record to 50.6 secs.

By dint of excellent team work from fourth and fifth forms combined, the Intermediate team won the Borough Championships and the N.W. group meeting of the 1913 Inter-Schools A.A. meeting. P. Darrell lowered the school record for 100m Hurdles to 14.6, gaining third place in the County Finals and also triple-jump exceeded 39 feet in the County Finals. M. Dane threw the Intermediate Javelin 140 feet in the County Finals and .should do very well next season as should A. Essex with either the Discus or the Hammer. N. Owen was rarely beaten over 400m and D. Putt produced some fine 800m. running, his best time being close to 2 mins 10 secs. P. Foley ran some good 1500m. races and with improved consistency should also do very well next season. The fact that all these boys have one or more years in this age group means that our Intermediate team should be strong next season. There were some good performances from the fifth formers of the team and there was keen competition for places, especially in the short sprints. As a result, in these races and in the relays we were usually highly placed.

The junior team had few cups to show for their efforts, largely because we lack talent over the full range of events. We do, however, have some good individuals. De Beger won the Borough Championships Pole Vault title and is eligible for this age group next year, and Earwood was Borough Champion Hammer Thrower. There were some good performances from C. Orlans, A. Jones, R. Britton and A. Blundell and they should help reinforce our Intermediate team next season.

The Minor team seem to have a fair share of talent although events are limited at this level. We did have two Borough Champions in A. McKenzie (Hurdles) and M. Johnson (800m.) and the relay team was second. In the 1913 Inter Schools Group meeting we again produced good performances in 100m., 800m., and relay and won the trophy. This, added to our second place at Senior level and our first place at Inter level enabled us to win the overall trophy in the N.W. group meeting.

P. GIBSON.