MARCHING CONTEST

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 81, Issue 7273, 6 November 1950, Page 5

MARCHING CONTEST

TE AWAMUTU ASCOTS PERFORM WELL

WIN AND PLACE IN EVERY EVENT Taking part for the first time this season in marching contests, the Te Awamutu Ascots, at Waitoa on Saturday afternoon, performed remarkably well, winning the B grade for which they received the Coombe Cup and gaining a place in each of the other events, being beaten in the street march by only one point, and the number of points in the other events were commendably high.

The competition was staged by the Waitoa Marching Girls Association and it was the first put on by them and they are to be congratulated on the success achieved.

After heavy rain both during the Friday night and Saturday morning, the afternoon was fine and warm, one small shower giving the officials, girls and spectators some anxiety, but the shower was of short duration. Seven teams entered, but Green Arrows (Putaruru) defaulted.

The Hamilton Citizens team did not take part in the street march as they did not arrive until a quarter to three as some of the team had a social function to attend. The Hamilton Citizens were the only team to qualify for A grade with 405 points, but they had to give way to the Aroha Grenadiers (Te Aroha) in the costume class, for the latter won by 99 points to 97 B, the Ascots gaining third place with 961 points.

The Grenadiers costume of red and white is a particularly attractive one, being neat and simple. It not only gained the eyes of the judges, but of the spectators also, for the latter were heard to comment most favourably on the uniforms.

The proceedings opened with the street march which was headed by the Te Aroha Boys Band, under the conductorship of Mr Bruce Cochrane, followed by the Te Aroha Legionaires (red and grey), Waitoa Militairs (royal blue and white), Young People’s Club (Cambridge, red and white), the Te Aroha Pipe Band, under Drum Major Norman Good, the Te Awamutu Ascot (green and white) and the Aroha Grenadiers (red and white). The march started at the railway gates and the parade swung along the street to the Waitoa school grounds. There was a large number of spectators and men at the Waitoa factory ceased work to view the passing cavalcade: the best view was undoubtedly obtained by the men, who watched it from the top rungs of the huge chimney stacks of the factory.

Last season this scribe commented on the fact that many of the street marches were far too long and on Saturday that fault was in evidence. The girls are naturally keyed up and taken with the subsequent competitive marching, the strain is apt to be unduly severe and unnecessary. It is recognised that the street marches give the spectators a chance of seeing the girls and also that the street marching has a valuable publicity value, but their length could be cut down without loss of those advantages. The criticism is not meant unkindly, for the Waitoa Association were staging their first contest and they staged it very well, but the point is made early in the season so the mistake can be obviated in the future.

On arrival at the grounds, which were in good order, the costume judging was commenced and after its close, the competitive marching began.

The first team to march was the Te Aroha Legionaires, trained by Mr C. T. Geary, and led by Miss M. Poole, who is only 15 years old and was the youngest leader on the ground. Six of the girls are of school age and all are in their teens. They made a good showing and should, with further practice, do well. The Ascots marched third, and under the able leadership of Miss Joy Main and with the capable training of Mr E. Costello, their instructor, they marched with confidence, grace and precision. The team’s success in the B grade, was well earned, and it should give the team that measure of confidence that will increase their marching abilities considerably. The Ascot team, I venture to say, will be a team that will this season take its place among the top-ranking teams. Congratulations Miss Main and girls. The Young People’s Club team from Cambridge were unfortunate in that one of their number was stricken with illneess prior to the march and though she pluckily marched, the team were concerned about her and it affected their marching. The appearance of the Hamilton Citizens team, who marched last, attracted considerable interest and Miss Betty Wilson and her team gained a heavy round of applause as they completed the course. The Ascot team marched to the tune Sir Charles Forbes, played by the Te Aroha Pipe Band. Miss Main gained second place in the leader class and she thoroughly deserved the placing. She received hearty congratulations on her own atid her team’s successes.

The team comprised Miss Joy Main (leader), Pat Woodhouse (marker), Heather Spence, Joy Crysell, Jeanette Trigger, Mona Clarke, Alma Turkington, Desna Dawson, Alma Clarke.

Encouraging telegrams of good wishes were received from Mesdames Adams (sen.), L. Bennett, T. Craig, F. Carter, the Natzke family, Mr D. Main and the McLeish family. Such messages are always appreciated. Results Best Leader, Miss Betty Wilson (Hamilton) 112 points, 1; Miss Joy Main (Ascot), 108 points, 2; Miss E. Wilson (Militairs) and Miss M. Poole (Legionaires) 106, equal for third. Open March: Hamilton Citizens, 405 points.

Coombe Cup, B. Grade: Ascot, Te Awamutu, 379 points, 1; Grenadiers, 3738 points, 2; Militairs, 3651 points,

Costume: Grenadiers, 99 points, 1; Hamilton Citizens, 971 points, 2; Ascot, Te Awamutu, 961 points, 3. Street March: Grenadiers, 315 points, 1; Ascot, Te Awamutu, 314 points 2; Young People’s Club, Cambridge, 311 points, 3:

The Officials

President, Mr W. J. Oates; committee, Mr J. Wathen, Mesdames N. Jeffs and R. Coombe; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mrs M. J. Oates; marshal, Mr R. Crawford; judges, Messrs R. Crawford (chief), T. Sklenars, N. West, R. Taylor, Robertson, Toms and S. Nicholson; costume judges, Mesdames H. Kerr and G. Lingard; dressing room stewardess, Mrs M. Bailey; records clerks, Messrs J. Wathen, R. Walker, P. Neilson, and McCarthy.

Bands: Te Aroha Pipe Band; Te Aroha Boys’ JBrass Band. Commentator: Mr L. J. Douglas.