1949

'This year has, I think, seen a great recovery in the standard of athletics in the School. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the year's athletics has been the improvement in the senior part of the School, always previously our greatest single weakness in inter-school competitions.
But whilst we have more than held our own in competition this year, we have no cause for complete satisfaction. That the School has sufficient boys of ability is obvious, but we still lack the enthusiasm so essential to a winning team.
Mr. Ninnim and his assistant, Mr. Crispin, are to be congratulated on the success of their intensive training plan, in this they were aided by several of the more experienced seniors, among whom Fairman, Booth and Bowker were prominent. Only with the full appreciation of the value of progressive training and the desire to improve one's performance will this apathy towards athletic training disappear.
RUSSELL CUP SPORTS
In this, our most important athletic fixture of the season, the School gained third place, twelve Essex Grammar and County High Schools competing. Wanstead again won the trophy but did not, as in previous years, monopolise first places, and the competition was keen throughout.
We were rather unfortunate in two relays: in one we were first home but disqualified for a faulty change-over; in the other a dropped baton cost us a likely place. It was obvious that our boys had not trained to the extent of many of our rival competitors, and we gained only two first places, in the Under 15 440 Yards. (N. S. Davis) and in the Under 16 Relay: hardly a laudable effort for our team, which has so many boys of real ability.
At this sports meeting we meet the best of junior athletes in Essex, and we cannot hope to oust Wanstead from her position until our boys become more conscientious in their training.

BICKERSTETH CUP COMPETITION
At this sports meeting, which consists solely of field events, our team gave their finest display in gaining 2nd place with 81 points to Wanstead's 96. We were in fact the only challengers to Wanstead, as the third place was gained by Ilford with 51 points. It was most pleasing to see our team gain three places in the four pole vault events, as this is an event only recently introduced to our boys.
Final position: 2nd.
Wanstead 96.5 points, Monoux 81 points, Buckhurst Hill 57 points.

ESSEX YOUTH AND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Although these championships we held during the holidays, the School was well represented at the meeting and with our 8 competitors we gained three first places and three second places, our other two competitors being unplaced, but gaining Essex standard. Our entrants really pulled out their best and Bowker, winning the 220 Yds. in 24.5 sees., Davis 2nd in the High Jump at 5ft. 2 in. and Booth, 2nd in the 120 Yds. Hurdles in 16.4 sees., all returned better performances than existing School records. In addition, Turner was first in the Youths' Hurdles, and Sivell and Ind won first and second places in the Javelin Throwing. Finally, Booth is to be especially congratulated on reaching the Southern Counties' Standard in both Hurdles and High jump.

WALTHAMSTOW SCHOOLS' SPORTS
For the third year in succession the School won this competition, but it was noticeable that the other schools competing had reached a far higher standard than in previous years and certainly made our boys extend themselves fully to retain the trophy. It was in the Relay Events that our boys showed a marked superiority, and it was in winning three of the four Relay Races and gaining fourth place in the other that our team built up their winning margin.
Final position: 1st.

CAMPBELL TROPHY
In the first annual competition for the Campbell Trophy, a sports meeting for relay and team events only, the School tied for first place with two other schools. Our team gave a really grand display and earned success by their consistency; for, although we did not win many races, there were only a few in which we did not gain places.
This new competition is a welcome one, and one in which the School teams, with their usual success in Relay Racing, should do consistently well.

SPORTS DAY
Saturday, 9th July, saw the School Sports held in fine weather. Thc meeting was a great success, and the keenness with which the Houses competed for the Linda and Team Cups kept the spectators' interest alive throughout-indeed, it was not until the final races that the result was decided, Higham overhauling Spivey House, which had started with such an advantage in keenness points. Certainly there was more enthusiasm shown among competitors in this inter House competition than had previously been shown in School athletic meetings; twelve records were broken.
Thanks are due to Mrs. Redhead for presenting the trophies; to Mr. Ninnim for his very capable organisation; to the members of Staff, Parents and Old Boys for acting as officials; to the House captains and "whips" for their work in compiling the teams; and to Mr. Philpott for his work in preparing the track.

TROPHIES
Lady Leucha Warner Cup (880 yds. Senior): E. B. Fairman.
Ladies Cup (440 yds. Senior): A. Bowker.
Old Monovians Cup (1 Mile Senior): E. B. Fairman.
Midgley Cup (High Jump Senior): A. M. Booth.
Stewart Hatfield Cup (100 yds. Senior): A. Bowker;
Ron Williams Cup (220 yds. Senior): B. Black.
Linda Cup (House points): Higham House.
Philpott Cup (Javelin, Open): Sivell.
Team Cup: Higham House.