HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 208, 17 August 1927, Page 4

HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL

ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE. The annual steeplechase of .'.he Hastings High School was held yesterday in glorious weather, th® recent rain having made the course ideal The way. which ran over innumerable fences and ditches, was about five miles in length, and the whole school was required to start. It speaks volumes for the keenness of the “house” spirit that, of over 100 boys covering a gmelliffg course with honour as the onlv reward not □ne failed to finish. JUNIOR EVENT. The junior event was run off at 2.30 p.rti. Steednfan minor (Purple) immediately assumed the lead, with Smith (Green) and McKinley (Slue) in close attendance, which order was maintained crossing the fences and ditches of the racecourse and town to the two-fnile check, where Ansev (Green), the winner, moved up from eleventh to fifth. At the four-mile flag the order was McKinley. Smith and Apsey all going strong. Apsev then took the lead, only to lose it half a mile from home.- He put in a well-fudged run. however, over the last quarter and was leading hv inches at the last ditch. From then on he drew away to clear the last hedee and fence 50 yards ahead cf McKinley, with Smith finishing fast, close up Time, 3.smin 44sec. SENIOR RESULT. In the senior event Cameron (Green) early took the lead from Gloyn minor (Green). O’Neil (Green) and Esam (Purple). This order was maintained past the racecourse .check and the three-mile flag where Cameron was steadily drawinc away from his nearest attendants. At the four-mile post Cameron had a substantial lead, but at the water-iump he had to return to check. The lead then passed to Glow minor. Esain and O'Neil in that order. Cameron, however, by a tremendous effort, -e--gained the lead, and at the last hedge led Glovn minor bv a yard. A "rent uel was fought out over the last 300 yards, with Cameron still leading, but much distressed. Glovn minor nut in a great burst to snatch a win by a foot in the last half-dozen strides, with Esam jnst beating O’Neil by a yard for third place. Time. 33min 25sec. OTHER RACES. The teams’ event was Ivon in both junior and senior events bv substantial margins In view of the stiffness qf the course and the number and difficulty of the obstacles, the races were run in exceptionally fast times. A handicap event over the same course resulted in a win for Smith (Green) on 44 min. in 32min fsec. and in the senior event for Esam (Purple) Imin. in 32min 28sec.