SCHOOL SPORTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 110, 19 February 1937, Page 2

SCHOOL SPORTS

THE COUNTY ASSOCIATION. REVIEW OF YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. ELECTION OF THE OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Ashburton County Schools’ Sports Association was held in the Borough School last evening, the president (Mr J. Trevor Thomas) presiding. The annual report stated that the year commenced with a credit balance of some £43, and, thanks to good weather for the swimming and athletic sports, and the enthusiasm of the committees controlling these, a profit was shown, increasing the Association’s balance to over £SO. During the year the resignations of Messrs C. H. Miller, H. Watkins, the Rev. Father Kelly and Misses Clark, Litten and Mrs Erikson were received with regret. All these members were keen, and did yeoman service at the annual sports meetings. Held on March 21, in glorious weather, the sports were, from an athletic point of view, wonderfully successful. Entries exceeded those of 1935, and great enthusiasm was shown by all the youthful competitors. The championship banners for the school gaining most points were won by Ashburton East in both boys’ and gilds’ sections, while Lyndhurst won the Country Schools’ Shield, Etian Body (Lyndhurst) won the boys’ championship, and Pauline Erikson (Borough) won tire girls’ championship for the second year in succession. The John Grigg trophy for overhead ball was won by Borough School A team, after an exciting contest. The Swimming Titles.

The annual swimming carnival was held in the Borough baths on March 13. Owing to inclement weather the carnival had been postponed twice, and this had its effect on the entries, which fell from over 500 in 1935 to 400 in 1936. The cold weather, too, caused a great many scratchings in some of the events. The Milsom Cup for the school gaining most opints was won by Ashourton East; the boys’ championship by S. Holmes (Methven); girls’ championship by Monica Cleary (Convent); the Barnett Cup for relay teams of four (two boys and two girls) was won by Methven A for the second year in succession.

Competitions in two football grades were played—junior and! midget. Unfortunately, it proved impossible to play a senior grade, as the boys were not available. Keen and interesting football was witnessed in all the games played. Ashburton East won the junior competition, and Allenton the midget grade. In the games with South Canterbury, at Timaru, the seniors were defeated, hut the juniors had a victory. A senior team travelled to Christchurch to play the Christchurch town representatives, but suffered defeat. The annual seven-a-side tourney was very successful. The senior and junior cups were again won by Ashburton East; the midgets by Allenton; and Lyndhurst won the country section. The seven-a-side for country schools south of the Ashburton River was again held at Mayfield, Eiffelton A retaining possession of the Rugby Cup. Basketball competitions in two grades were held, while friendly games were arranged for other teams not taking part jn the competition. Aslibuiton East won.both the senior and junior competitions. The annual seven-a-side-drew large entries, and very keenly fought games made the various grades most interesting. The senior grade was won by Borough A,, while Ashburton East won the junior grade. Lyndhurst A was successful in the country section. Survey of Other Sports. Cricket —Only one grade was played owing to lack of suitable grounds. The shield was won by Ashburton East. A representative team was chosen to play a High School team at the end of- the season, and managed to defeat the latter after an interesting game.

Friendly 7 games of baseball-rounders were played between Borough and East, in order to provide a summer game for the boys not playing cricket, and these proved most enjoyable. Senior and junior division rounders were played, with four schools competing. The trophy was won by\ Tinwald, while Borough was successful in the junior grade.

The committee had decided, owing to tho lack of suitable wickets, the cost of material and other difficulties, that in future only one team from each school would take part for the cricket shield. In place of cricket, baseball-rounders would be played, and this innovation, it was hoped, would allow teams from each standard to compete with teams from the same standard from other schools, allowing for many more children to take 'part in games. It was also felt that this game would fit junior boys to take part in cricket 'as they developed. An Excellent Year. Moving the adoption of the report, the president congratulated the Association on tho excellent year it had registered, especially in the question of finance. He said there were 35 schools in the County, but only 21 had registered.- Flo did not know where the fault layi, but an effort would have to be made this year to rectify it. He eulogised the work of the several committees of tho Association.

The motion, seconded by Mr E. S. Chamber's, was carried. Mr J. H. Grigg, patron of the Association, forwarded a donation of £5. It was agreed to write thanking Mr Grigg for his generous donation. The following officers were elected: — Patron, Mr J. H. Grigg; president, Mr J. Trevor Thomas; vice-presidents, a large number was elected, together w'ith the chairmen of all school committees; committees: sports, Mr S. G. Macfarlano (chairman); football, Mr E. S. Chambers (chairman); swimming, Mr W. Hunter (chairman); basketball, Miss J. Spillano (chairman); cricket and baseball, Mr H. Colquhoun (chair-

man); rounders. Miss K. AY. Hewson (chairman); auditor, Mr E. Loftus; secretary 7 and treasurer, Mr S. A\ 7 . Gower. AVhen the question of the fixing of a date for the annual sports was discussed, Mr Macfarlane moved that the question should he deferred till the second term quarterly meeting of the Association.

Mr Chambers said that now the bugbear of tho proficiency examinations was out of the way, there was not much difficulty in the way of holding the sports in November. The motion was carried.

Mr Colquhoun said the swimming committee had agreed that it would he impossible to hold tho annual swimming sports this y T ear. Baths had been closed because of the epidemic restrictions.. The meeting supported the decision of the committee.

It was stated that there were three sections of sports played under the Association for which there were no trophies, and it was decided to make an endeavour to rectify the deficiency. It was decided to record in the minutes the Association’s appreciation of Mr Macdonald’s services as secretary.