ATHLETICS Having survived ten weeks of ice, snow, freezing rain and yet more ice, in a winter that could only be compared with 1947 by those who knew, it was little short of a miracle that any athletics was held at all. After the spectacle of the River Ouse and all its ice blocks flooding to serious proportions as a result of the sudden thaw, just two weeks remained in which the games programme of a term could be attempted on the severely hit playing fields. A gesture of magnanimity conceded one week to the hockey players, thus leaving the athletes with the following programme • — Saturday, 16th March—Inter-House Junior Long Run. Monday, 18th March—Inter-House Cross-Country Run. Wednesday, 20th March—The Mile Races (Intermediate and Senior). House Athletic Trials. School Athletic Team Trials. Thursday, 21st March—Athletic Match v. Bootham School (Home). Friday, 22nd March—Sports: Preliminary Heats. Saturday, 23rd March—Athletic Sports. Such a programme, of course, spared no thought for any individual's feelings, wind or limb, but was essentially a desperate measure and an endeavour to salvage something from the wreck of a term. There could be no question of the customary Standards programme for the masses being held, but the fact that over a hundred competitors participated on Sports Day alone was proof enough that the gamble succeeded and was fully justified.
INTER-HOUSE JUNIOR LONG RUN At the junction of Westminster Road and Water End, the 60 runners lined up for the start, a start which, with the building of the Clifton bridge, clearly cannot be repeated in future. The 2.7 mile course presented a good test of stamina on the homeward journey against a biting wind and with heavy conditions underfoot. Several runners were nominated as likely winners, but the eventual winner, D. J. Emsley (G.), took the prophets completely by surprise. P. S. Oglesby (Q.), third last year, was runner-up but he could make no impression on the winner in the run-in. The winning time was 17 min. 35.1 sec. For the team cup few could compete with The Grove packing, which clearly won them the day. HOUSE TOTALS 1. 2. 3. 5. 6.
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Grove Queen's School House Temple Manor Rise 33
