The morning of Steeplechase day, 3 February 2011, was drenched in sunshine and against the cold, blue canvas of a spring sky hopes were high. What we thought was eternal soon gave way to grey suburban clouds which threatened to dampen our spirits, but mercifully the heavens held their applause. Undeterred, the grounds staff prepared the arena for the colourful 'race-for-the-gate' and for the eagerly awaited gladiatorial finish.
True to form, the junior girls event began at 2.15pm and the race was on. All eyes were on the current title-holder Phoebe Walters (M), but first to cross the line was Georgina Whitehouse (M) followed one second later by Erica Sanders (G), after a gut-wrenching sprint to the finish, to take the First B-Block Girl trophy. A torrent of Mitre girls then cruised across the line to take the junior team trophy by a huge margin.
In the meantime, the senior boys and senior girls had got under way at 2.30pm and half an hour later spectators were treated to a second sprint finish between Frank Flight (O) and Sam Graham (S), who came first and second respectively and were separated by only a second. School House then stormed the finish thick and fast to take the senior title by 43 points, just 68 points ahead of Orchard.
Phoebe Whittome (F) crossed the line in fine style to win the senior girls' event, 26 seconds ahead of former junior champion Emily Gething-Lewis (F) and followed by a second surge of Mitre girls who clinched the senior title.
Enough had happened to make this a vintage Steeplechase, but all was not over as the junior boys took their mark at 3.15pm and just over 24 minutes later Douglas Redfern (P) jogged across the finishing line with not so much as a hair out of place and well over two minutes ahead of former champion William Hughes (N).
Priory gained further honours as Dominic Bennett (P) crossed the line in a time of 26:54 to take the First B-Block Boy trophy - a fitting end to a spectacular afternoon which would not have been possible without the valuable efforts of the Grounds staff. Thanks are owed, as ever, to all staff and students for timing, judging and marshalling the course.
Dr H.G. Gould
Junior Boys Winner - Douglas Redfern (P)
First B-Block Boy - Dominic Bennett (P)
Junior Girls Winner - Georgina Whitehouse (M)
First B-Block Girl - Erica Sanders (G)
Junior Boys Team - New House
Junior Girls Team - The Mitre
Senior Boys Winner - Frank Flight (O)
Senior Girls Winner - Phoebe Whittome (F)
Senior Boys Team - School House
Senior Girls Team - The Mitre
Posted on
Mon, February 7, 2011
by Dr H G Gould