Annual sports meeting, 31 May 1893

The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 June 1893, p 3:

SYDNEY HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

President Mr. J. Coates; committee, Messrs. W. W. Watson, H. S. Detttman, W. G. Forsyth, W. H. Horton, H Hattersley; referee, Mr. J. Coates; judges, Messrs. T. B. Trebeck, W. Crompton, W. Williams, W. Holmes, and S. Spain; timekeepers, Messrs. A. Stewart, A. J. Studdy; judges of walking, Messrs. J. Sharpe, R. Coombes, and L. Stephenson; starter, Mr. J. F. Elphinston; hon. treasurer, Mr. G. Wardrop, hon. secretary, Mr. H. S. Dettmann. 

Officials for bicycle races: Clerk of course, Mr A. S. Jones; starter, Mr F. S. Passau; judge and timekeeper, Mr S. J. Wyatt. 

Officials for open and all schools handicaps: Starter, Mr. R. Coombes; clerks of course, Messrs. P. A. J. Benjamin and W. Biuning; referee, Mr. W. J. Rooney; judges, Messrs. F. A. Corti and W. T. M’Pherson; timekeeper, Mr. W. Kerr.

The Daily Telegraph, 1 June 1893, p 6:

The eighth annual sports meeting of the Sydney High School Amateur Athletic Club was held yesterday on the Association Cricket Ground, and was attended by some 8000, mostly young people. A programme of 22 events was run through, and in most instances close and exciting finishes resulted. The feature of the afternoon’s sport was the performance of W. L. Kerr, who started from scratch in the Three Mile Bicycle Race, and won with the greatest ease in 8min. 46sec., which is a couple of seconds faster than the best previous record made in this colony. The open running events were contested under the management of the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association, and the bicycle race under the management of the Cyclists' Union. 

Referee, 7 June 1893 p 3:

… the only possible fault that the most captious critic could find was that the interval between the events was too long. Mr. J. Coates, the head master of the school, was once again to be seen supervising everything, and it was pleasing to see this genial gentleman looking so well. The various club officials knew their business thoroughly, and with Mr. J. F. Elphinstone and Mr. G. Wardrop particularly busy, not a hitch occurred.

I notice that in the open races the Cyclists' Union had three officials only to manage their race, whilst the Athletic Association had seven for their two races. Now, seven are not too many, but some, or, at all events, more than one of those appointed did not put in an appearance, and the services of substitutes had to be availed of who, perchance, were not quite familiar with the rules governing the sport. 

The Daily Telegraph, 1 June 1893, p 6:

The various races resulted as follows :—

120 YARDS Handicap ; Boys under 14.— F. Lambert, 12 yds., 1; E. Walcot 9 yds., 2; H. Corbin, scratch, 3. Other starters: R. Allworth scratch, J. J. Smith 7 yds., Howard Palmer 8, R. Saunders 9.

100 Yards, Champion of School.— C. Tarrant, 1; P. Wicks, 2; C. M'Coy, 3. Other starters: J. J. Muir, H. Hattersley, W. Allen, H.R. Renwick, R. O. Nall, S. D. Chalmers, H. Munro, H. S. Dettmann, W. H. Horton, C. R. Nicoll, W. W. Watson, P. Mills, W. G. Forsyth. Time, 11 3-5th sec.

100 Yards Champion; boys under 15. — L. Fletcher, 1; P. Mills, 2; J. M. Forsyth, 3. Other starters: L. Teece, E. Walcot, B. Taylor, J. Stokes, J. J. Smith, A. J. Smith, J. T. Muir, A. McDonald. Time, 12 3-5sec.

75 Yards Egg and Spoon.— H. Hattersley, 1. Ten other starters.

220 Yards All-Schools' Handicap.— C. M. Johnstone, K.S., 9yds., 1; G. Maxted, S.G.S., 6, 2. Other starters : H. Wilkes scratch; E. W. Wilkes, K.S., 1; H. H. M'Mahon, S.G.S., 2; T. Murray, Fort-street, 6; S. Currie, S.C., 7; P. Burn, S.G.S., 7; G. B. Humphries, Fort-street, 7. Time, 25sec.

220 Yards Handicap, Boys under 15.— J. M. Forsyth 11yds., 1; P. Mills 12, 2; W. Amphlett 9, 3. Others starters: W. Raffan and L. Teece scratch, B. Taylor 1, R. Allworth 4, L. Fletcher and J. T. Muir 6, A. M'Donald 13, A. J. Smith 16, J. Stokes and E. Walcot 18. Time, 23sec.

Siamese Race, 100yds.— C. M'Coy and W. Allen 5yds., 1; J. J. Muir and C. Tarrant scratch, 2. Six other starters.

150 Yards Club Handicap.— First heat: W. Allen 9yds., 1; H. Hattersley 7, 2; P. Wicks 1, 3. Other starters: W. W. Watson scratch, J. J. Muir 1yd., H. S. Dettmann, W. G. Forsyth 4, J. Bulkeley, H. R. Renwick 8, C. Spain, P. Dettmann 10, S. D. Chalmers 15. Second heat: H. Gould 6, 1; C. M'Coy 8, 2; C. Tarrant scratch, 3. Other starters: H. Munro 1, W. H. Horton 3, E. O. Nall, J. Joseph 7, C. Bruce-Nicoll 8,8. M'Laren, L. Fletcher, L. Seaborn 10, P. Mills 13. Final: C. M'Coy, 1; H. Gould, 2; W. Allen, 3.

75 Yards Sack Race.— P. Mills, 1; W. Monahan, 2; H. Palmer, 3. Twelve starters.

One Mile Walk, Handicap.— H. Hattersley, 50yds., 1; J. Bulkeley 90, 2. Other starters: W. W. Watson, H.S. Dettmann, W. G. Forsyth, W. H. Horton scratch, C. Tarrant, J. J. Muir, B. Thorndike, H. R. Renwick 30yds., C. Bruce-Nicoll, P. Wicks 70, W. Amphlett 100, W. Allen, C. Paterson, C. M'Coy, L. Fletcher 110, S. D. Chalmers 130, H. Young 140, P. Mills, B. Saunders.

220 Yards Handicap. School Cup.— First heat: W. Allen, 13yds., 1; H. Munro, 2, 2; W. Amphlett, 16, 3. Other starters: J. J. Muir 2, P. Wicks 2, H. S. Dettman 4, W. G. Forsyth 4, H. R. Renwick 9, C. Bruce-Nicoll 10, S. M'Laren 15, L. Seaborn 15, 8, D. Chambers 20, P. Mills 20. Second heat: H. Gould, 9, 1; C. M'Coy. 12, 2; C. Tarrant, scratch, 3. Other starters : W. W. Watson scratch, W. H. Horton 2, B. Thorndike 3, R. O. Nall 9, H. Hattersley 10, J. Joseph 12, C. Patterson 13, J. Bulkeley 13, P. Dettmann 15, W. M’Neill 15. Final: Gould, 1; M'Coy, 2; Munro, 3.

440 Yards Obstacle Race.— F. Lambert, 45yds., 1; L. Fletcher, 20, 2; L. Seaborn, 22, 3. There were 15 starters for this event.

[Referee, 7 June 1893, p 3:

The Old Boys' 220yds Handicap was run in heats. In the first Clarence Macpherson won, after a hard race from scratch, from J. G. Bissett, 15yds start. C. E. Morgan, 13yds, walked away with the second heat from S. Spain, 10yds. and the handicappers evidently overlooked the fact that Morgan is identical with the well-known Sydney Harrier sprinter. In the final Morgan went from the jump, and landed home a comfortable winner from Bissett, with Macpherson third. Hattersley added the 300yds Ladies' Bracelet Handicap to his walking trophy from the 12yds mark, and Dettmann captured the prize hanging to the Half-mile Handicap. The other club events call for no special comment.]

220 Yards Old Boys' Handicap.— First heat: C. M'Pherson, scratch, 1; J. G. Bissett, 15yds., 2; G. Allison, 15, 3. Eight starters. Second heat: C. E. Morgan, 13yds., 1; S. Spain, 10, 2; A. Walker, 5, 3. Six starters. Final: Morgan, 1; Bissett, 2; M'Pherson, 3. 880 Yards Club Handicap. — P. Dettmann, 60yds., 1; W. H. Horton, scratch, 2 ; R. Singer, 60yds., 3.

300 Yards' Ladies' Bracelet.— H. Hattersley, 12yds., 1; W. M'Neill, 20, 2; C. M'Coy, 14, 3. Other starters: W. Watson, C. Tarrant scr., W. H. Horton, H. S. Dettmann, W. G. Forsyth 2yds., J. J. Muir, H. Munro 4, P. Wicks 5, H. R. Renwick, H. Gould 10, C. Bruce-Nicoll 12, J. Joseph, W. Allen 15, C. Spain 16, S. M'Laren, L. Seaborn, P. Dettman 18, J. M. Forsyth 20, P. Mills, S. D. Chalmers 24.

220 Yards Open Handicap.— E. A. F. Withers (D.H.), 10yds, 1; P. J. O'Donnell (S.H.) 7, 2; H. S. De B. Lopez (D.H.), 3. Other starters: F. R. De B. Lopez (U.A.A.C.) scratch, F. H. B. Gaden (U.A.A.C.) 6, S. A. Jordan 8, D. S. Hunt 8, G. Pitt (B.H.) 8, P. M'William (D.H.) 9, F. Smith 9, A. Jessen (S.H.) 11, R. H. Richards (D.H.) 12. F. S. Marks (D.H.) 13, J. Abraham (D.H.) 14. Time, 23 1-5sec.

[Referee, 7 June 1893, p 3:

Eleven turned out for the Open 220yds Handicap, and the result once more demonstrated that on a course always on the turn not more than six should compete in any one event, for otherwise back-markers have little chance, and accidents often happen. The race was a chapter of accidents, owing their origin in the main to P. J. O'Donnell endeavoring to squeeze his way through on the flags, and afterwards taking another runner's position without being the necessary two yards in advance of him. O'Donnell tried to pass Marks on the inside and gave him a rare bump. Another bump and down came the Association secretary, who in falling cannoned against Sam Jordon, who appeared to stand on his head for a moment. Jessen also came to grief, and the next moment turned turtle. Fortunately no one was much hurt. Marks and Jordan coming off worst, the former having a close shave from being spiked in the face, and Jordan hurting his hand. As no protest was entered, and the referee made no report to the judges, the placings of the latter were adhered to. The following is the result of the race.

220YDS OPEN HANDICAP

E. A. F. Withers, Darlinghurst Harriers, 10yds 1

P. J. O’Donnell, Sydney Harriers, 7yds ... 2

F. R. de B. Lopez, University A.C., scratch ... 3

Other starters: S. A. Jordan, Sydney Harriers, 8yds; G. Pitt, Bondi Harriers, 8yds; F. Smith, Darlinghurst Harriers, 9yds; A. Jessen, Sydney Harriers, 11yds; B. H. Richards, Darlinghurst Harriers, 12yds; H. S. de B. Lopez, Darlinghurst Harriers, 12yds; E. S. Marks, Darlinghurst Harriers, 13yds; J. Abrahams, Darlinghurst Harriers, 14yds. Won handily. Time, 23 1-5sec.]

440 Yards Club Handicap.— W. M'Neill 25yds., 1; P. Dettmann 25, 2; H. Hattersley 10, 3.

Three Miles Bicycle Handicap (open).— W. L. Kerr scratch, 1; A. Brown 285, 2; W. H. Lumsdaine 285, 3. Other starters: G. W. Whatmore 140, R. Harvey 190, W. J. Robinson 260, Walker 270, A. J. Griffiths 275, Barrett 275, Haddon 300, A. E. Selby 300, Arthur Brown 325, T. H. Barkell 330, E. Millikin 340, A. W. Robey 340, W. Stapleton 400. Before going a mile Kerr had overhauled Whatmore and the remaining of the competitors were pretty well bunched together. At two miles the watch allowed Kerr's time to be 5min. 42sec., and he was lying third, having the whole field beaten. Entering upon the last lap the champion shot ahead, closely followed by Brown, who kept him going all the way, and was only beaten by 3yds. The time put up, 8min. 46sec., stands as a record.

[Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 10 June 1893, p 11:

Walter L. Kerr, the Amateur Champion Cyclist of the colony, is fast getting into his old form. The spell he has treated himself to has worked wonders in the way of form. On Wednesday afternoon last, at the High School sports, Kerr, on a Humber, won the only bicycle race, a Three Miles Open Handicap, from scratch, in 8min, 48sec, which is a splendid performance, and established a grass record for the colony. If he retains his present form until September the intercolonial visitors to the Sydney Club's meeting will have a rough time of it.]

One-Mile Open Handicap.— R. Reid (F.L.H.) 45yds., 1; E. A. Fahey (D.H.) 40, 2; R. G. Craig, (U.A.A.C.), 110, 3. Other starters : F. Hawley (S.H.) 45, D. H. Monro (D.H.), 90, A. Jessen (S.H.) 90, G. W. Morgan (S.H.) 95, T. W. Watkins (S.H.) 100, R. H. Allars (E.T.H.) 105, D. Tough 110, H. T. Thornton (F.L.H.) 115, J. Wiseman (S.H.) 115, J. C. Cawood (D.H.) 115, H. Holden (F.L.H.) 120, A. K. Poolman (H.H.H.) 125, E. H. Bloomfield (B.H.) 130, R. Burn (S.G.S.) 140. In the first half-mile the field closed up considerably, Hawley and Fahey leading alternately. In the last lap Fahey led Craig and Hawley until 150yds. from home, when Reid spurted finely, and won by 5yds. from Fahey, Craig being third. Time, 4min. 38 1/2 sec.

Referee, 7 June 1893, p 3:

The “open” mile produced one of the best and most exciting races ever seen on the Association Ground, and Reid, of the Forest Lodge Harriers, won fame and another pot by getting first past the worsted, thus winning his third successive open handicap. He was all out this time, and only condition, gameness, and admirable judgment got him home. Champion Dalrymple did not start, being short of work, but had he gone to the post fit and well the time would not have stopped him. Result:—

R. C. Reid, Forest Lodge Harriers, 45yds ... 1

E. H. Fahy, Darlinghurst Harriers, 40yds ... 2

R. G. Craig, University A.C., 110yds … … 3

F. Hawley, Sydney Harriers, 45yds ... ... 4

A. K. Poolman, H.H.H., 125yds … … … 5

Other starters: D. H. Monro, Darlinghurst, 90yds; A. Jessen, Sydney, 90yds; G. W. Morgan, Sydney, 95yds; R. H. Allars, Post and Telegraph, 105yds; S. Spain, S.H.S. 115yds; J. C. Cawood, Darlinghurst, 115yds; H. Holden, Forest Lodge, 120yds; E. H. Bloomfield, Bondi, 130yds ; R. Burn, S.G.C., 140yds; H. S. Pulsford, Bondi, 145yds; J. G. Bissett, S.H.S., 150yds. Morgan soon worked his way to the front, attended by Jessen, but he shook the latter off and established a good lend at half a mile. On the far side he was fifty yards to the good, and (as the bell went must have had an advantage of fifteen to twenty yards from Hawley, Fahy, and Craig, with several others in a bunch. When opposite the stand, and with the same lead, Morgan turned it up, having spun himself pretty well out. On the far side Fahy seemed to have it, but immediately after the double mile winner at the late 'Varsity sports challenged him, whilst Hawley and Reid were right on top of them. Settling Fahy for the time Craig looked a winner, but Reid came at him at his favorite old spot opposite the far gate, and they ran locked together for a bit. Reid finally, close home, wore down the 'Varsity man, who dropped his hands just as Fahy came again, only to be beaten some four or five yards by the Lodger. Craig was two or three yards away third, with Hawley a capital fourth, just in front of Poolman. Time, 4min 38 1/2sec. Reid showed splendid judgment, whilst Craig ran in real good and game style. Fahy came a bit too soon, again fighting it out with his old antagonist Hawley. The last-named is going off a bit, and lacked his usual life and dash. Poolman, with perseverance, will assuredly land a mile soon. This concluded the day's sport.

See also: Evening News, 1 June 1893, p 6; Australian Town and Country Journal, 10 June 1893, p 38.