Sport 1967-68
Comment
This year marks the end of an era, no longer will Hemsworth Grammar School be noted for its sporting achievements but instead, rising out of the ashes like the Phoenix of Old, will come Hemsworth High School to take the glory. With this new name will almost certainly come 'new' sports, in fact, rumour has it that these 'new' sports will even go as far as to include the 'round ball game' (Football to the initiated). One unofficial game was played during Sixth Form games and one fiercely pro-rugby master actually deigned to take part in such frivolities. Perhaps this is a pointer to the future because not only was this game played but a team representing the under 14's played a team from Batley. What is in store for the 'fair' sex remains to be seen, but Hockey will no doubt continue and so too will the Staff Hockey match even without the familiar figure of Mr. Hamilton dictating decisions to the staff and pupils alike. Whatever happens, however, it is hoped, that the Sporting traditions built up over the years will not be allowed to lapse in the future, even with the influx of new pupils.
Cricket Team
Photo from Peter Webster. Thank you, Peter.
Back Row L-R: Mr. Minards, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Front Row L-R: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Rugby
Photo from Marrion Pearson. Thank you, Marrion.
Back Row L-R: Grant Smith, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Middle Row L-R: Neil Bowmer, 2, 3, Brian Marston, Peter Hryschko, 6, Trevor Nicholls
Front Row L-R: 1, Terry Mills, 3
This year the 1st XV have experienced their worst season for the last few years, winning nine, losing six and drawing three of the eighteen matches played. This, however, is mainly due to injuries which have dogged the side all year, and have made it impossible to field the same side each week, and not due to any lack of ability. The forwards monopolised the set scrummages due to the exceptional hooking of Pete Hryschko and the propping of Keith and Sandford; while in the lines-out Tate and Ernest Wrigglesworth have dominated. The Back Row despite being changed every week did not let the side down. Needham covered the field well and Nicholls 'marked' the opposition's stand-off. The half-back pair of Marston and Mills dominated play and while the centres and wingers have had a mainly defensive role this season, but when the centres decided to run with the ball, Roebuck and Studd scored their fair share of tries. Full-back presented the main problem but Basford (of International fame) and Peckett were the most successful. Of course, no team can be successful without reserves and in this the First Team were well equipped with such as Womersley, Rooker, Bowmer, Atkinson and Thorpe.
Mills, Marston, Hryschko, Tate, Nicholls and Lunn were selected to play for South Yorkshire and Marston, Mills, Hryschko and Lunn played in the Final County Trial, Hryschko being selected to play with Mills and Marston as reserves. The Sevens team did not win anything this season, but reached the final at Ilkley. At Llanelli, one of the country's foremost seven-a-side tournaments, apart from finding a new use for toothpaste, they reached the quarter finals. Repeat colours were given to Mills, Marston and to Tate for the first time.
The second team had an average season. Unfortunately, in the first half of the season the 1st XV made regular demands on their players and this led to an unsettled team and it was not until after Christmas, when most of the best Rugby was played, that the best team could be fielded almost every week. Mention must be made of Bouskill who managed to turn a full team out almost every week on his own.
The Colts were very successful winning all 18 matches and having only 52 points scored against them. The pack was very formidable particularly in the loose and gave excellent service to their backs who scored many tries, particularly Harewood. They won the Sheffield 9's, South Yorkshire 7's, Temple 7's, Losers' competition, Llanelli 7's and six of them played for South Yorkshire.
The U.14's, U.13's and U.12's continued with their enthusiastic approach and the U.13's in particular were very successful being undefeated all season.
Special mention must also be made of John Basford (photo below) who was selected to Captain the England Under 15's side against Wales at Twickenham and again at Cardiff Arm's Park. This is not only a great honour for himself, but also for the School. Basford was also the youngest member of the School's 1st XV this season.
Summer Sport
At the time of going to print the Summer Sports season had not begun, however they are all hoping for another successful season. A. Horsfall was appointed Cricket Captain and P. Hryschko Vice Captain.
Gym Club
From last October until December a Gym Club was held each week. Attendance by the senior side of the school was very disappointing but the juniors, as always, were very enthusiastic.
We would all like to thank Miss Jackson for the time she has spent in making the Club a success and we hope that a gym club will be formed again next year when we hope for more attendance by the seniors.
Linda Lindley, Celts V.
Hockey First XI
Photo from Marrion Pearson. Thank you, Marrion.
Back Row L-R Angela Ryalls, Gail Lawton, Ann Hancock, Marrion Pearson, Linda Lindley, Irene Fearnley
Front Row L-R 1, Ann Goodall, 3, Jacqueline Winder, 5
This year's first XI has had a very successful season conceding defeat only twice. The team has played well together considering only two players from last year's First XI remained. Five of our players moved straight up from the under-fifteens and although inexperienced proved themselves worthy members of the First XI showing consistently good form throughout the season.
At the beginning of the season the team lacked stability and the forwards were a little hesitant in the circle due to the fact that they had not played together before. However, later on, they gained more confidence and we were able to develop better co-ordination between forwards and halves, and our scores improved accordingly.
Earlier in the year three players, Marrion Pearson, Linda Lindley and Denise Longley, played in the Wakefield and District trials, Marrion and Denise being chosen as reserves and Linda being chosen for the 1st XI as goalkeeper and going on to be selected for the Yorkshire Junior XI and Northern England Reserve XI: achievements which serve to illustrate the general standard of play and the enthusiasm of the team. We would like to congratulate Linda on her excellent achievement; her play this season has improved outstandingly.
In spite of the Hockey Rally disappointment when Hemsworth were beaten in the 1st Round by Normanton, by the end of the season the team was playing very well together, thanks to the interest and excellent assistance of Miss. Jackson and since, next year, only three or four players will have left, the First XI should, with the same keenness, have even more success. We should like to thank the team for the support they have given this season and we hope that next year they do have an equally enjoyable and successful season.
Colours: awarded to M. Pearson, D. Longley, L. Lindley.
Played 16 - Won 10 - Drawn 4 - Lost 2. Goals for 64: Goals against 25.
M. Pearson (Capt.), L.6A.
D. Longley (Vice Capt.), U.6A.
Boys' Hockey
The success of the first XI was probably due to the large number of experienced players in the team who were admirably aided by some promising young players, and it is a pity that some of these will be leaving school at the end of the year. Tony Horsfall, the captain, and Brian Evans kept up a high standard of play throughout the year and, in fact, the general level of the play during the year was much higher than it has been in previous years. It is to be hoped that this standard is maintained next season by the new players who will be entering the teams.