Aberdare County School Sports.

Relay Race Thrills !

ABERDARE STAGE THRILLING FINISH TO WIN

Keenest Event for Many Years.

(BY A STAFF REPORTER.)

From every standpoint the Aberdare Boys’ County School sports, held at Robertstown or Thursday, was a most successful affair. The weather was all that could be wished for a field day of this nature, whilst there was a big attendance of spectators which included a larger number of parents than in past years.

The standard of competition was very high, the keenness and enthusiasm which pervaded the whole proceedings being greater than in any event at the School Field for some years.

Foremost of the afternoon’s thrills was the grand victory of the Aberdare boys in the inter-school relay race competition, in which they put up a performance unparalleled in the school’s history, and kept the much prized trophy in the school for the first time for many a long year.

This event is always eagerly anticipated, and it was more so this year when it was known that some teams with enviable reputations were entering the fray.

It was the big event of the afternoon, and there was a flutter of excitement after it had been through the megaphone that “the inter-school” would be the next event staged.

All eyes were on the group of runners standing on the track near the cricket pavilion who were receiving instructions prior to leaving for their appointed positions on the track.

Once more the megaphone was in use, announcing the colours of the various schools who were competing. Programmes were being much used at this particular moment and on all sides could be seen excited spectators scribbling down the particulars which were so necessary in making the race more interesting by denoting who was who in the event.

ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE.

The runners positioned, there was an electric atmosphere during the period prior to the firing of the pistol hy sportsmaster E.J. Excell on whom the main burden in organising the school sports has rested for many years now. He puts all he can into making the event a success, and it must be said that a visit to the sports at any time goes to prove that his efforts are not in vain.

To return to the inter-school event—the runners for the first 220 yards are on their toes in readiness, and then “bang,” the pistol has gone and each individual is careering down the track as fast as his feet will take him, thinking of nought but the glory of the school which he represents.

There is disappointment in the Aberdare ranks, for the home representative is in the rear, and failing to make leeway. All hopes were now centred on the second runner who will carry the baton 100 yards to runner No. 3.

The first change over took place and Aberdare was again behind, but by the time the second change over for the third lap was made, Aberdare had gained one position—last but one.

Lap No. 3, and Moore had the baton, and then excitement reached a very high pitch for it was seen that he was gaining steadily on the other runners. Gaining, gaining, gaining, and at last passing in front!

There was vociferous cheering now. Moore (who was the day’s Victor Ludorum) had done the trick, and Aberdare was well in front, Barry (winners 1937), Porth, Mountain Ash, Dynevor (Swansea), Lewis School, Pengam, were all in the rear.

GRAND FINISH.

To loud shouting, “Moore, Aberdare,” “Moore, Aberdare,” he completed the finest 220 yards burst ever seen in an inter-school event at Robertstown! and passed the baton to Dennis Hoggins (son of Mr. R. V. Hoggins, the school’s commercial master) who was to run the final quarter of a mile.

Hoggins, who is a good stayer, increased the lead a little, but in the last, 150 yards or so, it was seen that the. green and white runner (Barry) and the red and white (Mountain Ash) were closing up. There was now wild cheering, all eyes being on the runner. in white upon whom the glory of the local school depended!

Nearer and nearer the tape he came with the distance between him and the Mountain Ash runner (now second) getting gradually less. Everyone held his breath, and then there was a vociferous cheer, Hoggins had breasted the tape yards ahead, the Mountain Ash man coming in second, and the Barry representative third!

It was a grand race that will remain indelibly stamped on the minds of those who witnessed it.

The time was two minutes one-fifth seconds. There was no other topic of note at the ten tables during the interval, everyone talking highly of the school’s performance, whilst the pupils, especially those of the lower school, cast hero-worshipping glances at Moore and Hoggins as they walked by.

Aberdare won the inter-relay competition at Pengam some weeks ago, and were second at Dynevor and Barry.

An exciting finish was also witnessed in the inter-house relay race when the fourth runner gained about 15 yards in the last forty to win the honour for Dewi House. Llewelyn were second, with Penri and Tudor third.

In the junior inter-house relay race, Llewelyn, Tudor and Dewi finished 1,2 and 3 respectively.

The half-mile was won by Dennis Hoggins (scratch) who stole the lead from R. Morgan in the latter half of the last lap. Morgan, who was a good second, had a handicap of 20 yards, as did Fowler, who was third.

Hoggins did really well to win this exacting race so soon after competing in the gruelling inter-school event. He evidently possesses plenty of stamina!

A. Morgan (popularly known to the pupils as “Podger”) won the distinction of being the school’s “strong man,” for he was successful in the javelin, discus, and shot events (open to middle and senior school), which were introduced into the school’s sports programme for the first time.

In the discus event he succeeded in throwing 94 feet, whilst in putting the shot his distance was 32 feet, and in the javelin event it was 117 ft. 8ins.

I noticed that he had been aw school rugby colours for season 1987-38, and along with many others, 1 could appreciate his value in the scrum.

THE AWARDS.

The full results in these events were as follows:—

Throwing the Javelin: 1 A. Morgan; 2 D.O. Davies; 3 M.T. Williams

Putting the Shot: 1 A. Morgan; 2 T.L. Moore; 3 G.C. Watkins and R. Jefferies (tie).

Throwing the Discus: 1 A. Morgan; 2 A. Williams; 3 D.R. Jefferies.

Other results were as follows:—

100 Yards handicap, for pupils of Forms 1a and 1b: Heat 1: 1 W. H. Rees (scratch); 2 T.R. Evans (2 yards); 3 R.H. Griffiths (5 yards). Heat 2: 1 D.W. Tenant (1); 2 M. Evans (3); W. Evans (2). Heat 3: 1 G. Jones (10); P. Roderick (4); 3 R. Jenkins (1). Final: 1 W.H. Rees; 2 D.W. Tennant; 3 P. Roderick and M. Evans.

100 Yards (Middle School) Handicap: Heat 1: 1 D. Hoggins (-1); D 2 D. Bonnel (4); 3 R. Morgan (3). Heat 2: W. James (2); 2 G. Clarke (5); 3 K. Fowler (3). Final: 1 D. Hoggins; 2 W. James; 3 D. Bonnell. Time 11 1-5th secs.

100 Yards Senior Scratch (final): 1 Trevor Moore; 2 D. Hoggins; W.J. Davies. Time 10 2-5th secs.

High Jump (Middle School): 1 D. Silvanus; 2 Dennis Hoggins; 3 K. Fowler, Height: 4-ft. 5-ins.

Long Jump (junior): 1 E.V.G. Evans; 2 J.L. Jenkins; 3 J.M. Swift. Distance 15-ft. 8-ins.

100 Yards Hurdles (senior) scratch: Heat 1: W.J. Davies; 2 T.L. Moore. Heat 2: 1 T. Taylor; 2 D.J. Jones. Final: 1 T. Taylor; 2 W.J. Davies; 3 T.L. Moore. Time 13 3-5th secs.

100 Yards (junior) Handicap: Heat 1: E.V.G. Evans; 2 O.L. Thomas (2); 3 B. Richards (2). Heat 2: 1 D.R. Banyard (2); 2 H.S. Hewings (4); 3 J. Swift (4). Final: 1 E.V.G. Evans; 2 D.R. Banyard; 3 H.S. Hewings. Time 12 2-5th secs.

High Jump (junior): 1 E.V.G. Evans; 2 J.L. Jenkins; 3 G. Horton.

Long Jump (senior): 1 T.L. Moore; 2 W.J. Davies; 3 Handel Evans.

100 Yards Hurdles (Middle School) Scratch: Heat 1: D Silvanus; 2 R. Arthur. Heat 2:1 D. Hoggins; 2 T.J. Davies. Final: 1 Hoggins and Silvanus (tie); 2 R. Arthur. Time 14 1-5th secs.

220 Yards Handicap (Form 1): 1 W.H. Rees (scratch); 2 D.W. Tennant (scratch); 3 A. Hughes (scratch

80 Yards Hurdles (junior) Scratch: Heat 1: E.V.G. Evans; 2 D.J. Phillips. Heat 2: 1 E. Price; 2 A. Davies. Final: 1 E.V.G. Evans: 2 E. Price; 3 D.J. Phillips.

Long Jump (Middle School); 1 D. Hoggins; 2 T.J. Davies; 3 L. Thomas and G. Rees (tie). Distance, 17-ft. 9-ins.

High Jump (senior): 1 T.L. Moore; 2 D. Hoggins; 3 W.J. Davies.

220 Yards Handicap (Middle School): 1 D. Bonnell (3); 2 F.B. Williams (2); 3 R. Morgan (3). 220 Yards Handicap (junior): 1 E.V.G. Evans (scratch); 2 D.W. Rees (scratch); 3 O.L. Thomas (4).

440 Yards Handicap (Middle School): 1 M.T. Williams (15); 2 K. Lee (20); 3 R. Morgan (15).

220 Yards Handicap (senior): T.L. Moore; 2 W.J. Davies; 3 G.C. Clarke.

50 Yards Sack Race (junior): 1 A. Thomas; 2 L. Williams; 3 E.J. Lewis.

440 Yards Handicap (senior): 1 T.L. Moore; 2 D.R. Jefferies; 3 D.O. Davies (all scratch).

SPECIAL PRIZE.

It was a happy gesture on the part of Mr. George Jenkins, a school governor (who was acting as judge ) to offer a prize to the boy who had tried hard to win a prize but had failed. In the opinion of the judges, Kenneth Fowler was well worthy of recognition in this respect.

The past students’ race this year was won by Mr. Glynne Jones, of Llwydcoed, who is at present a physical training instructor at Pontypridd Educational Settlement. He was formerly instructor the Bolton Wanderers English League (Division 1) Club.

Another runner to put up a good show in this race was County Coun. Alwyn John who, in addition to being a past student, is also a governor.

The W.M. Llewellyn Cup, which is held for a year by the Victor Ludorum, was won for second year in succession by T.L. Moore, who won five first, one second, and one third, and figured to advantage in inter-school and inter-house events.

Dennis Hoggins (who with Moore did much to keep the inter-school relay race cup in Aberdare for the first time in many years), was a worthy runner-up.

The prizes were presented to the successful competitors by Mrs. W.R. Williams, wife of the head master.

T.L. Moore, the Victor Ludorum, and the members of the Aberdare relay team were given a rousing reception as they came forward to be presented.

School rugby football colours were awarded to T.L. Moore, T.S. Rees, A.H. Lewis, W.A. Williams, Howard Parr, A. Morgan, G.O. John, D.J. Bowen, G.C. Watkins, A. Williams, W.J. Thomas, C.G. Lewis, D. James, M. Lewis, T. Jones, and T.J. Edwards.

Mr. W.R. Williams, B.Sc. (head master), thanked all who contributed to the success of the sports specially mentioning Mr. E.J. Excell, the popular sports master.

The judges were Messrs Geo. Jenkins, A.J. Clarke, C. Jones, Sidney Stephens C.C., E. Stonelake. J.P., A. John C.C., D.T. Davies, J.T. Bowen, J.R. James, J.P., (Council chairman), J. Jones and T. Botting, with ex-Police Supt. E. Rees and ex-Police Supt. E. Jones; recorders, Messrs Ceredig Jones and T. R. James; stewards, Messrs. W.D. Towler, R.V. Hoggins, P.E. Phillips, S. Evans, W.E. Roberts, H.I. James, A.L. Trott, D.A. Lewis, and D.H. Price; starters and handicappers, Mr. Aubrey Roberts and Mr. E.J. Excell; timekeeper, Mr. T. Brinley Reynolds; hon. Treasurer, D. Gordon James (Form VI); hon secretaries, J.S. Boobyer (Form VI) and D. Gwynfryn James (Form VI).