ATHLETICS
SOUTH OF THE THAMES JUNIOR CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
EPSOM CAIGER PREMIER MAN
TUNBRIDGE WELLS SCOOP THE CLUB BOARD.
Sporting Life — Monday 12 March 1894
TUNBRIDGE WELLS SCOOP THE CLUB BOARD.
EPSOM CAIGER PREMIER MAN
SMART RUNNING BV EPSOM POOLE. BDRPOOT, THE PUBLIC IDOL, LOSES THE TRAIL. Referee, Stephen John chardson (Sro%Tixa Likk). Starter and Timekeeper; H. aht, Judges: 8. I>amltert, Hampstead H.; E, J. Clarke, Epsom II.; P. R. Thomas. Tunbridge Wells H.:J. O. Deter. u, Southwark H.; W. C. Gillson, Aleiander United H.; E. J. Pry, Falcon H.; J. Etheringtou, Cambridge M.; K. J. Eagles. North Surrey H.; A. C. Kdlick, Tunbridge Wells H. Chief Clerk of the Course: G. Jamieson. Wandle U. Chief Trad Layer: W. B, Whte. Surrey B. Hon. Treasurer: C. W. P. Pearce, Palcon U. Hon. Socretanes: Albert G. Hearn and Harry Gilbert.
From the Bishop of A — to the members of the Shoeblack Brigade — a tolerable margin — who is not a sportsman in his own mild way?
Battersea, Clapham, and Wandsworth contain the full quantum. That is to say, if the immense crowd present round and about the East Hill Hotel, Wandsworth, on the Common, and in Trinity Read on Saturday to witness the above race b any criterion thereof. No one can gainsay but that it was the greatest cross-country show onearth.
Let us seee who was there !
Why — Messrs. J. B. Forman (S-MUh London Harriers). "GotehoundKn ght. M'Arthur, hon. s ;., and T. Lloyd (St. Rs nurnnt A.C.), Banks (well known to the Polytechnic Hntriers), C. W. Metalf (hon. sec. Manchester Unity Oddfellows Club. Ac.), C. E. Groom (late csplam Hastings A.C., and now of Watford), Pills Holloway, K. l/caver, Joo Daffern, J. M. Warrencr, Prank Dorking (Finchley Harriers). P. W. Yexley, T. I.egassick (late Wesibourne A.C.), W. Baloy (Cobham). Largo (King's Head Hotel, Epsom). Embiot.m (Kpsom), W. H. Ruudle (captain), H, Brown. Penfold, Admiral Ascough. P. Thomas, Blake (trainer) (Tunbridge Wells Harriers), and Mite" Scales. How very ill the latter looked! Sincerely do wo hope that before the lambs' tails have ceased hanging Irom the nut bushes that the genial little chappie will himself again. During the that ensued prior to the start renewed confidence was expressed in the ability Uurfoot win outright. On our inquiringoi toe affable Tunbridge scribe how their crack was, repli.'tl, "Oh! r'ffht ths mail, thanks." our dying da.v shall never forgot the expression of his mates'ronnteuancos when their pet finished third. And then, in a serious but sportsman-like tone, one of theirs told us that Barfoot had overshot the trail.
Later on it was admitted that the bits o'paper were woefully scarce. Naturally a runner's head became like a badly packed trunk — everything seemed to be breaking inside it. "Have you seen the paper?" one inquired. That was the burning question of the run. Very harmless proposition this on our part. It is to the effect that the course shall be indicated by flags next year. That was redeeming feature in the National at Blackpool.
For many moons F. Caiger. of the Epsom Harriers, hud been mentioned as bound to win good race. Well, he got left in the Junior, at Wembley Park. So did we. Glad, indeed, tint he was marked dangerous; forsooth took him in our trio of Saturday! Now Caiger is going to win, " said wo to Bcaley, of Ockham renown, we passed along under the wall towards "Ramslade," a pretty house, from whose bow windows a bevy of charming girls watched the stronger (?) sex at play.
["we passed along under the wall towards 'Ramslade,' — not a house I've ever heard of. Check. It was on West Side. "Williams" was living there in 1899, selling his racing bike, asking for parts etc. See 1899-07-15 and 1899-03-04,Presumably "the wall" was the prison?]
Why, I never knew Caiger — or Poole, for the matter of that — to be better trim, " replied the scarlet runner. "l'll eat my hat it there's one of them within two lengths of their brushes the finish." Ah! That famous athlete's (H. A. Heath), runner in was right. How well Caiger ran! As did his pal, G. Poole.
The representatives the salts town [i.e. Epsom] administered pepper to their field this journey. Quite right, for the Primrose Hoops are the premier colours, are they not?
Falcon Freshwater ran in the pluckiest manner poss ble, and C. Chnrcber, of the Hastings Harriers, stamped himself b.o an athletejof great promise. What slashing sprint m was that between A. Satchell Harriers) (No. 337 the card), and C. H. Cottle (No. 7 on the card) (Alexander United Harriers). The former secured shop 43 only by the skin of his teeth. An exciting raxzle dazzle, too. ensued up ths straight when O. Melliard Harriers) (182 the card) W. J. Stephen, of the same nest (188 on the card) had go. Just well fur the Alexander United Hamers that ticked off No. 7. Hade suoh difference on the club )>oll.yoa know! Auuty Hearn and her novice nephew. Harry Gillett, deserve every credit for the excellent manner in which they supervised the arrangements. A notability, mounted on his bonnie grey mare, namely. Suh-Divis onal Inspector Gillies (E Division), must accorded hearty vote of thanks. Mainly through hit tact and energy clear course was kept for all. Neither should Inspector Colgaai or Sergeant Hardy passed unnoticed, for they rendered invaluable services on the occasion.
The course was up Trinity-road, across the Common to the Windmill, turn to the left, then over Railway Bridge, Chivalry-road, across Bolingbroke Common (keeping hills the right), over Wandsworth Common Railway Bridge, on to Common, to where directed by Flags, turn sharp to the left across Common to Burntwood lane, down about half-mile, then enter Mr. Maxwell's field, coming out at Clapham Rovers' field, entering Heathfield-road, on to Common to Bramblebury, and over same course again, finishing at Bramblebury.
PLACING AND TIMES THE FIRST FIFTY MEN.
Time. Position. Name, Club. m. s. 1 . . . P. Epsom . . . G. Poole Epsom . . . . . . O. Bnrfoot . . . Tun. Wells 60 2H| 4 . . . K. W. Hosier . . . Tun. Wells 61 6 . . . C. T. 11. Freshwater Falcon . . . C. Churoller . . . . Hastings 6116$ 7 . . . H. Penfold . . . . . . Tunbridge 61 29 8 . . . P. 11. Sluchbcry Falcon 61 9 . . . L. Vine Redbill 10 . . . W. C. Sutton . . . N. Surrey 61 11 . . . J. H. Stapley . . . Southwark 61 53 12 . . . J. Kay Walworth 61 61 13 . . . E. Roper N. Surrey 65 14 . . . J. Fetios Boro' Poly IS 15 . . . H. M. 8 mpson.. H. Hill 20 . . . E. Die: rich 62 23 17 . . . E. Hodgson Southwark 62 25| IS . . . J. I. White Redhill 62 27 . . . Hastings . . . .. North Surrey . . . . . . H. Smith North Surrey . . . 62 21 . . . G. James Kpsom 62 41 22 . . . K. Hakim Epsom 62 . . . 11. South West Kent 62 21 . . . W. Elms Tunbridge19 . . . J. Ballard Southwark 52 . . . Q. Cox Tunbridge 62 60$ 27 . . . G. T. Hart Falcon 62 . . . H. Woodcock . . . North Surrey . . . 62 . . . J.R. Falcon 62 30 . . . Evcnson Cambridge 62 67 31 . . . V. Jenncr Hostings 32 . . . C. H. Briant . . . . . . Walworth . . . A. G. Wooliven.. Alexander United 53 . . . T. Helm Wnndle 63 12$ 35 . . . J. 13 S 3 . . . T. Hodgson Southwark . . . .. 63 17 37 . . . L.Slroatfield . . . Hmu 1111 . . . J. Roliei-tson 18J 9 . . . C. Welsh Tunbridge 53 20 . . . Adams . . . . . . .. Ilaatings 2lt 41 . . . W.Surfield HcrnoHill 22 42 . . . W. Bolt Tunbr dge 63 22$ . . . J. Satehell Wandle 63 27 . . . C.Coitte AK'xauderUnited 63 23 . . . J, Hammond . . . West Kent 63 29 . . . Townsend . . . Southwark 63 30 . . . A. Tucker . . . . . . . . . Brixton 32 . . . O. Melliard Falcon 53 . . . W. Stephens Falcon 34 . . . S. Ford Red Hill 35 man, A. o.
HE RACE
. Xo wee di(Bculfy experienced I u'nic the men np. Kverjr of!loI though worked \T, th a I!, and that famous boxer. Hurry Spurdeo, proved of great assistnuco with tbs ropes. Certainly suth immense assemblage has seldom been seen a race this description. Tom Roderick and Kirby, the woll-known trailers, bear us out in this. I-'irst break the line was G. Holmes, the Harriors. O.it oi .nity led to the common, then coloured jersoys combined, and next shone out prominently the Tunbridge jacket carried Uirfo.d. At the halfdistance the order of running far the loaders were coucerued read — Position. Name. Club. K. s. 1 . . . . . . C. Burfoot Tunbridge. — 2 G. I'oolo Kpsom . . . 3 8. Churob-r . . . lldatings F. Cii|t--r Kpsom.. Vine Itedhill . . . . 23 . . . 1 11. Wold J. Kay 7 Walworth 24 T. Rnbarla . . . . . . . . . Earlstirlti 24 JOJ 9 R. W. Hosier Timbriil
It was noised abroad that met with pitch poll out in the country. Quite the surpr packet, (. Poole. How delighted looked — unload, all the division wero line and large! Quite to Premier form you see. Of course they ore. and first up lliH road for the finish came the primrose hoops, gallantly borne and Pool%. the llrat-nouied landed first past the post. After Poole came Burfoot, Then the others followed rapid succession. It was soon evident that Tunbridge had taken first club honours once again. Han with the sumo combination tactics as ever. Hastings division ran very pluckily. did examateur walking chain) ion. l-nlcon Jnllie. E. E. Hakim, of the Primrose division, finished Xo. 22. Comes of good old stock. How the scrip will when celebrates his chum's victory! Tom White, of course, will present Catger with new crown, and Boh Nighlingall raire his sweet voice in song of praise. Hood old Athletic Epsomitcs! After "All right and had won, with Poole occond, those smiling faces were ouly dead-heated by their tasty rosoties. Josta miuute. W% were siafe that Mr. Pmst sported the College l-ark Harriers' colours instead Mr. Quick. CLUB PLACINGB. Totai. Points. Position Club. Points. Position. Club. Points. 1 . . . Tunbridgo Wells 103 II . . . Bed Hill 304 .. North Surrey 12 . . . and South 8 . . . Falcon Lambeth 477 4 Epsom 217 . . . Cambridge 485 . . . Southwark 828 14 . . . Boro'Polytechnic . . . Alexander United . . . . . . West Kent 014, Walworth 7 . . . College Park 021 Wandlo — . . . Surrey Beagles <2 . . . Herne Hill 18.. 713 10 . . . Hostings 372 an I'ocident, C. Cottle, No. 7 of the Alexander United Harriers, was ovei looked, but after the official sheet was issued the mistake was pointed out the referee, and roclihed accordingly. Alexander very properly were placed No. in the club list in lieu No. 10, and Walworth and tied. ' After high tea was over and ful. histice had been done to the toothsome / — provided host Whale decks wore cleared for Cigar and song. The chair was taken by president H. Wright, and there was an overflow crowd to support him. Special meution can made of that versatile comique, Fred Lester. big bit above the ordiuory run of smoking concert choristers. Capitally sang in praise of "Our Neighbourhood." and creeled big stream of merriment whilst on his "bicycle." Ruled supreme Tom Powell's psrody. It embraced sparkling hit on all ths topical songs of the time. Mr. P. Brion look the whole Bast Hill cheese with his laughable bit. " Gallery and Boxes." is comioal gem of the first water. Evaiwons applauded Harry Fletcher. Twas amusing his rendering of" Down by the Sea." Likewise P. Gilbert's ditty. " Hr. iVmovoa." Fairly knocked the good company. H. Packer! his American oouems would say. he a perfect caution for provoking laughter. Roars of it greeted P. Dunstone'a Kinging the " Simple Pimple/' as a poetical fellow. Mr. R. Ilaniooiube would indeed prove had beat. the evening the medals were presented, and a vote of thanks proposed and all those who had assisted in making the "Junior South" the mammoth success it attained.
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WORKMEN AS ATHLETES.
Mr John Burns, M.P.. speaking at the conclusion of sporta hold in the cricket ground, Wandsworth Common, said he read in that evening's papers that Samuel Laing, chairman of the Brighton Railway, said that day that it was obvious that demand for shorter hours could only be met by employing a larger number of men, and that the directors found that m reducing the hours of labour there was considerable cost added to the working expenses, and that as they had to pay three men of two for certain work the old rate of wages, the charge was a heavy one.
It was a pity Mr Laing did not say this twelve months ago. Now the question was, how were workmen, and especially railway men, to spend their leisure? To himself, as a workman and an athlete, nothing gave him greater pleasure than to the railway men not going, as it was prophesied they would, to spend their leisure the public-house, but at cricket, cycling, football, and other sports. The workers seemed determined that their leisure time should devoted to the development of their physical condition, which meant their moral condition, because was a believer having a cultivated mind a sound body.
For all the working hours were getting short enough to enable the young to resort to the cricKet field, the football field, and the tennis court, and for the older men to go to the libraries and the polytechnics.
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