The Oxford Cup

runners-up they will be in future years. Squash is not highly regarded in Tetnple so a defeat in that came as no surprise. Even the chess was lost. Woe, most definitely, is us.

The spirit of the House was, however, not noticeably affected by this sporting debacle—a cynical observer might be tempted to suggest that they couldn't care less—but doubtless the arrival of small luxuries such as showers and lockers in the catacombs and pretty-coloured biological charts on the notice-board helped keep up morale. The showers are futuristic-looking devices which appear ready to take off for Mars at any moment and they even encouraged certain conservative types to feel that an occasional wash might not be such a soul-searing experience after all.

In the wider field of School activity Templars, as usual, lent the occasional helping hand, or stick in the majority of cases. Taylor, in all probability yearning for the black eyes, cauliflower ears and general blood and blasphemy of the rugger season, took over the original thankless task-1st XI goalkeeper, a fact which no doubt accounts for his mid-term nervous prostration. He is to be congratulated on the award of his hockey cap, as, too, is 'Johnson on receiving his colours. Crowe, after serving in the 1st XI, went to reign elsewhere—as captain of the 2nd XI.

In retrospect, then, apart from holding our lead in the Work Cup we have not had a very successful term as far as material rewards go. Still, after all, we have to let other Houses have these cups now and again, just to make winning them back seem even more creditable. That, at any rate, is our story and we're sticking to it.

THE OXFORD CUP, 1953-54

(Holders : THE GRovE) The following table gives the points gained up to date :-

Points School Awarded Grove Manor Queen's Rise House Temple Senior Rugger 20 — 20 — Junior Rugger ... 10 10 — Senior Cricket ... 20 — Junior Cricket ... 10 Rowing (1st Division) 20 20 Rowing (2nd Division) 10 10 Athletics, 1st ... 20 20 Athletics, 2nd ... 10 10 Cross-country, 1st • • • 10 — — — 10 Cross-country, 2nd • • • 5 5 Swinuning, 1st • • • 10 Swimming, 2nd • • • 5 Squash ... • • • 10 10 Tennis ... • • • 10 Shooting (Team) • • • 5 Fencing ... .• • 5 — — 180 20 35 30 30