ATHLETICS, PLAYGROUND GAMES & CRAZES , CROSS-COUNTRY RUNS & OTHER SPORTS,

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PLAYGROUND & OTHER GAMES

‘HAND TENNIS’
 
Hand tennis is being played between the boy in foreground and the one by the poplar (still from 1953 film)

DGM mentioned "hand tennis" - no rackets required, just a bit of chalk nicked from any classroom and a worn-out old tennis ball!.
Indeed so - Dave Workman, a particular pal of mine, was particularly adept at this sport - he could put a spin on the ball, without any artificial aid, that you wouldn't believe! (Andy LeeDGM mentioned "hand tennis" - no rackets required, just a bit of chalk nicked from any classroom and a worn-out old tennis ball!. Indeed so - Dave Workman, a particular pal of mine, was particularly adept at this sport - he could put a spin on the ball, without any artificial aid, that you wouldn't believe! (Andy Lee)

... who can remember that great British sport that took part in the late 60's and early 1970's at the RLS at least? That of the craze for Hand Tennis.

Everyone who usually tried to duck out of games would willingly rush to draw up a court at break and lunch on the driveway to the school from the pavilion entrance or anywhere else where a piece of tarmac had not been commandeered. Then spending their time thumping a ball using their hand as an imaginary tennis racket, getting all hot and sweaty and enduring endless arguments (McEnroe had nothing on some of them - perhaps he could have learned from

RLS) arising over dubious decisions never mind no 2 courts were they same size. Oh what endless hours of fun. (Tony Guest)

My daughter plays tennis and thus moves in the tennis clique - but at no time in all her history of playing the game have I ever run across hand tennis being played ANYWHERE. Did we invent it at RLS? Was it the circumstantial width of the tarmacced drive that lent itself to this sport? When was it invented? Was it a derivation of the '66 entry? Or will some older, wiser member lay claim? (ash howe)

Those who wonder what ‘hand tennis’ may be can see two boys can be seen playing hand tennis on the RLS 53/4 film under the elm at the rear entrance near  Bert Peade’s coke pile! It was included in Vince’s Reuinion 2002 School Song video on-line. (Robert Priddy)

It was well established upon my '65 arrival, Ash. Forehand was a tinge easier than backhand!

Have fond memories of a young guy in our class dropping his new parker fountain pen (blue and gold of course) after a volley and yours truly getting in a smash on his bonce while he stooped down. (anon)

Hand tennis was definitely played at RLS during my time and not just during Wimbledon . Many a sore hand before resuming lessons. French cricket was also popular during the summer term especially at the mid-morning break. Anyone know why it was called French Cricket? (Brian Mutton)
French Cricket - from the RLS film 'A Day at the RLS' 1953

The game was unique to RLS, at least as far as I've been able to find out.  My brother, a Bush Elms lout,   never came across it, and various chums in other local schools also never played it (and didn't show much interest when demonstrated).  I suspect it was that unique width of road that led to its popularity - no need to draw sidelines, and 'out' decisions were easy.  If I remember correctly the road tapered so that courts were thinner at one end of the road than the other - which was the broad end?

You could tell a lot about the character of the masters as they drove in to school during the hand tennis season - some driving off the path to avoid disturbing the games in progress, others trying to push through anyway. Who's bringing the tennis balls and chalk July 6th? (Pete Isaac) I can report that Hand Tennis was played upon that very same tarmac drive as early as 1961/62. (Andy Lee)

This pastime was on the go during the early 50's, and we have no claim to be the originators. In the absence of a suitable opponent, hand squash was in order, providing you could clear the section of wall against which 1st formers were flicking their cigarette cards. One craze to sweep the school in the 2nd year was Jacks or Gobs, call it what you like. And of course, the perennial pastime of eroding the fabric of the brickwork, by grinding hemispherical holes with an old penny whilst awaiting the morning bunfight. (Phil Kingham) As a family we were introduced to Indoor Cricket by Macca. Blue Peter researchers discovered that kids were playing the game and had them do a demonstration in the studio. David was doing the bowling. He had a superb natural action. (Richard Hall)

Hon Member Bailey wrote: The "new" (Coles-inspired) 6A hut had to be the most boring place on the planet.  Choice of recreation - Bridge or lump it."

JOHN ... not sure when or how it arrived, but during my days the main form of entertainment in the hut was Bebe table-top football, the coin slot having been tampered with to provide free access. (Bebe football, for those whose memories need jerking, has two teams of players on rods which are spun to 'kick' the ball).

Casting aside modesty purely in the interests of sociological record, I should point out that Non Hon Member (but Hon Member Howe's best chum) Steve Hennessey and I were the undefeated world champions. There were nine balls and matches were played over two 'legs' - ie a total of 18 goals - so that each pairing had a match using the red and blue players, and one turn each at dropping the balls in to start play.

For dropping, substitute in our case spinning. Perhaps because my fingers were (still are) much smaller than average I was able to hold the ball in the aperture with my finger on top. I perfected the art of pressing down and sideways so that spin was imparted to the ball, projecting it straight to one of our front-line players who would use the pace and spin to hammer it (with a high success rate) straight into the opposing goal.

We more often than not scored at least eight goals on our 'home leg' and thus proved impossible to beat, although I do remember us having to come from seven goals adrift on one occasion to draw and force a play-off, which we won. There was no rule to suggest my method of re-starting the game was anything but legal with the only law, an immutable regulation, being that handles must be gripped at all times during play and not spun with the fingertips only. The four corners of the pitch had little recesses which 'caught' the ball for corners, which were taken by pushing in the attacking rod nearest the goal being defended. I seem to recall the aforementioned Hon Member Howe, uttering many and varied expletives, taking out his frustration when losing by taking his corners with excessive force. (Chris Stratford)

Chris Stratford posted:  "Steve Hennessey and I were the undefeated world champions." Yes, alright, alright. Grant you that. The partnership of Stratford and

Abo-Ben-Henderson did win the odd game. But that was doubles. I seem to recall I was the SINGLES champion (unless my memory has those rose-tinted glasses on again? Any counter-claims?).

"There was no rule to suggest my method of re-starting the game was anything but legal with the only law, an immutable regulation, being that handles must be gripped at all times during play and not spun with the fingertips only."

Absolutely - NO spinning. Detracts from the skill and majesty of the beautiful game. But I would put to you, Mr. Stratford, and indeed to the members, that your method of ball insertion may have been within the letter of the law (although I never saw any laws at all actually written down) but was definitely contra to the spirit of rods.

"I seem to recall the aforementioned Hon Member Howe,uttering many and varied expletives, taking out his frustration when losing by taking his corners with excessive force." (ashley howe)

Of course what has been missing so far is the description of a 'proper' Table Football game. It probably would have had a glass lid which would prevent the players from spinning and a wire cage around the entry hole which would severely limit the 'spin action'. But of course the 6A hut version was missing both. I wouldn't suggest it was broken in the hut, but was probably somebody's 'throw away'.

I was always more of a fan of the controlled wrist movement with an occasional full spin and of course lifting the whole table up by the bars when the ball did get stuck in the corner or between ranks. My favourite position was always defence in doubles, with the occasional 'rocket' goal from the defensive 2.  (Chris Fribbins)

Further to comments about the origination of hand tennis and whether it was/is peculiar to RLS, I have to report that, during a rain break at Wimbledon today the camera picked out a young (too young for RLS) lad wearing a blue and yellow cap (baseball variety) clearly playing hand tennis!  He was good too! (David Maltby)

ROAD RUNS - CROSS-COUNTRY

I recall that during my first year we were suddenly told that instead of football there would be a cross country run. I know we started off down Upper Brentwood towards Gallows Corner but after that my mind, and my legs went numb. I could not walk the next day and missed school. There was absolutely no preparation for this event. It was assumed that 11 year old boys should be able to run about four miles without any lasting effects. Unfortunately, in those days, fitness was not a fad as it is today. By the third form, our games period was extended to a whole afternoon and was a welcome relief from classroom lessons. I hate running! I hate running in groups! I hate running alone! I finally stopped it about two months back and have sensed a wonderful feeling of self indulgence since then! At RLS my maximum weight was 119 (8st 7lb) and unfortunately today I am slightly heavier at 200 (14st 4lb). The attitude towards games back then was very cavalier. Organization was scant and people  "just turned up". Of course, someone organized a referee (or umpires) and tea but that was about it. If it was a home game you just turned up at the school and away games on a weekend meant you had to get there by yourself. This is a far journey from the way things are here with air conditioned coaches to take players to high school games. Cheerleaders, Boosters, medical staff, trainers etc. Still, I suppose it didn't do us any harm (except to gain a few pounds!) (Mike Merry)

I think the road runs were intended to protect the football pitches from excessive damage in wet weather. There was a shorter return route in the first & second years through Belgrave Ave. I can recall boys catching passing buses, using their Lambretta, & being given lifts by friends. On one of my first runs I remember a couple of young mums near the Squirrels Head looking rather embarrassed as they reviewed the talent passing by in underwear. I can recall a couple of soccer games held in thick fog. It was impossible to see more than a few yards. One hung around until a commotion approached, a group of boys with the ball. After joining in for a while, the ball & boys disappeared into the gloom. No-one knew what the score was. It was a strange & eerie feeling out there on the ground alone in silence. I can also recall enjoying school breaks playing tracking in the snow across the soccer fields in fog. It was possible to get quite disorientated out in the middle. We used this excuse to arrive late back for French with Hargreaves once - & got away with it! (John Hawkins)

Polgreen was it John? in your year? It was he who taught me how to win the school cross-country races - and I was always thankful that he left so that I had the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. I would not have rated my chances in competition with him! There were several schools of thought relating to that 'orrible hill up to the mansion. Polgreen advocated taking it easy up the hill while others less thoughtful flogged their guts out. Then, as soon as the hill levelled for the run round the mansion and back down he would put in a sprint, pass everyone, fly DOWN the hill and leave all opposition floundering for the relatively easy run in along the long flat cinder path. I watched him do it when I was in the third year, won the junior race in my fourth year and the senior race for the next three years - all using his tried and trusted method. None of this ever stopped me HATING cross-country! But the things one would do - just once a year - for the glory of the house!!! (DGM) In the mid 50's, this event took place, I think, from a park north of the Eastern Avenue. We would take the path out north, cross Lower Bedfords Road and thence into the grounds of Bedfords Park. The route went around the house, now demolished, and back retracing steps. There was a pleasant little stream running through this 1st park which we delighted in damming on the occasions we participated in such exertions. The wisdom attained by the fifth form resulted in: a jog out of the park, into the safety of the bushes let the other keen ones get well ahead stop after two illicit ciggies the baying and panting hounds would return splash muddy water onto fellow conspirators join end of the exhausted field and jog, looking cream crackered, over finish line. it was of course imperative NOT to come even close to the front runners at this juncture, for fear of being chosen for the school team. Am I right Greg in Oz??? Rise Park has connotations with after-school activities, mainly with the opposing gender, and therefore only fit to be published under plain wrapper. Thinking about it, I seem to have followed the above type of conduct throughout my adult life (tut tut) which explains a lot. (Phil Kingham)

I have absolutely no idea what Kingham is talking about. My cross country runs were done with the maximum of effort, only 2 paces behind the sports master of the day (Taffy, as I recall), tending to his every need. David Gregory)

All I recall about it is proceeding so far along the route from the start, concealing oneself in the undergrowth until the more energetic types were returning and joining them for the "final" part of the course! (Bob Tucker)

It sounds to me as if this some sort of ' rite of passage ' which was a part of our rich RLS heritage. I certainly remember it happening. What puzzles me is: 1) If it was such a common occurrence, why didn't more of us (oops, I mean them!) get caught more often? 2) Did each generation think that they invented the scam or was the knowledge passed down as part of some arcane ceremony? Come to think of it I MAY have been lead astray by my elder brother. Bruv? (GAL)

I feel confident that the latter part of #2 above applied.  This would be EXACTLY the sort of seditious training that would be grapevined down from year to year. I was going to ask why all those anti-energy-expending, non-sporty types would opt to do cross-country (nasty, messy, muddy, cold, wet, savage, ache-promoting, pointless pastime!)  in the first place - but then I realised that the answer is obvious!  The activity, as described so succinctly in these annals, was the perfect solution.  No other Wednesday afternoon sporting activity offered so much unsupervised time and could be "organised" to involve the least possible raising of sweat. Why were they not caught more often?  I would imagine that the staff just could not be bothered!  Out of sight, out of mind and the staff were probably equally grateful for the chance of a sly ciggie!  Surely none of the staff actually ran the course, did they? (DGM)

All this talk of Cross Country skiving prompted a quick furkle through my box of RLS memorabilia to refresh my memory on the other aspect of the subject - the "serious" running! As I recall it years 1, 2, 3 and 4 were eligible for the Inter House Junior race and the 5th and 6th years contested the Senior race. Again as I recall it there was very little point in 1st and 2nd years entering the competition except to make up the numbers. I don't remember who was the Roman Athletics captain in 1958 but, whoever the persuasive, smooth-tongued b*st*rd was, he'd obviously done sufficient homework to have noted my previous performances in mile and 880 yard races so I was shang-haied into the Roman team in my third year.  I came about 7th or 8th and HATED every minute of it! However, Harry Askew noted that I was the first 3rd year home, patted me on the back and said, "Well done - you'll win it for us next year."  It sounded more like a CCF order than an encouragement. And that was it for the next four years.  Expectation and Commitment To the House Cause weighs heavy on young shoulders. I swore that I would never run more than just the one Cross Country per year and continued to hate every minute. In the 5th year I was exceedingly grateful to Polgreen (can't remember his first name - was it Doug or John?) for showing me how to win the Senior race.  His tactics worked for the next two years. From the comfort of my chair after all these years I STILL can't see the attraction! (DGM)

Of course I remember the ploy - there was a convenient cattle trough near some trees, up a rise to the right as one entered Bedford's Park, behind which one could sit with one's chums and puff in reasonable privacy whilst enjoying a good view of the returning full-circuit completers. (I use the grammatical device 'one' to avoid any implication that I may have been involved in any such disgraceful flaunting of the spirit of sportsmanship.) (Andy Lee)

Why was it that myself and my two friends seem to be the only ones that were whacked for the much-repeated cross country stunt? (See below from "The Whack"): Four whacks and you joined the elite few who reached this plateau. Scotty McGregor George Delmonte and myself became members of the group after completing about half a mile of the annual cross country, sitting in a ditch until the leaders made the turn and came back again, and tagging along behind them to come in fourth, fifth and sixth. Harry Askew took this as a personal offense, he being an Olympic athlete (third in the 100 years high hurdles at the Wembley games in 1948). The next day in George's study we watched his hair lip positively tremble as he told us how we had insulted Mr. Askew by making a laughing stock of the annual cross country run. We were then sent outside and one by one bought in to get our four and, to add insult to injury, apologize to Harry while trying not to rub the hurt bit. Was it that in latter years this stunt was not considered "whackable" or what? (Mike Merry)

Two paces behind Taffy Thomas would have ensured that you were cosily inside the brick shelter-thingy for the duration of the afternoon as I'm certain that Taffy's idea of supervising a cross country afternoon would be to shout "Go" (with a heavy Welsh accent) and then take refuge until the  perspiring mob returned! Maximum effort my a***!! (DGM)

Mike, If you'd had the sense to come in last, second last and third last - or even dead-heating for last place - I'm sure Harry would just have commiserated with you for your lack of athletic ability, twitted you on the state of your lungs and taken the matter no further. However, I do wonder whether any others on the staff considered this to be too severe a punishment, unfitted to the crime, and therefore became rather less vigilant in future? "making a laughing stock of the annual cross country run". (DGM)

That ozzie b*gg*r Gregory is trying to drop me once more into the sh*t, by doing what he does best. (porkies), about the running that is. (Phil Kingham)

I beg to differ, Mr B.  We never did cross-country that I remember, it was always a "Road Run" up to Ardleigh Green, down the Arterial Road to Gallows Corner and back down Upper Brentwood Road to school.  Paul Hardern always used to complete the course in about 20 minutes, the little licker. And we couldn't skive because that obnoxious bastard Reynolds used to patrol the shortcut from the Arterial Road to the School and send anyone he caught back round the long way!   Just once, myself, Steve Byrne and possibly Steve East turned hard right up Castellan Avenue and attempted to hide in the roads behind the school.  Inevitably, the miserable sod caught us there, too! Why did I dislike road runs?  Well, apart from not being able to run, it was because they were the wet weather alternative to cricket, so whenever we did one it was always raining!! (John Bailey)

We too had the annual Cross Country from Rise Park through Bedfords Park and back - the House competition (by the way the complaint that all the 'athletes' seemed to be in the Danes, applied to my years as well). When it rained on Games, we had to run up Upper Brentwood Road, down Main Road, back up Balgores Lane and back into the school via the back roads.  Of course like many we had to run/walk to the Sports Pitch (behind the Library, which later became a primary school) for Football - so that we could protect pitch 1 & 2 (I am not sure where pitch 3 was) and Pitch 4 - which was used for some football, lunch time football - if we could get away with it, and watching the cadets trying to get the glider off the ground. I am sure health and safety would have had something to say about running on concrete/tarmac paths in studs - it was like skating on Ice, and made the studs super sharp when you caught somebody with an awkward tackle (was there any others). (Chris Fribbins)

I have been reading with interest the comment on the X-country running, but have been disappointed that there has been no comment about the "pipe bombs" that were a regular part of the activity in my time. These were placed under trees roots and detonated without loss of limb!! I believe. I, of course, was not involved in that activity but, in addition to those that took an alternate route, the "bombers" were a regular feature - home made I believe (sugar and fertilizer?). Was this only short lived or did other years continue the practice? (Peter Cowling)

This boy is an example of how one person can ruin things for all, without thought for others :-) In my day a master would usually park up in Bedfords Park, and take the register as boys passed by.  I can recall Sus Pender doing that. This meant that after changing at Rise Park, one would have to borrow a cycle to ride cross country, hide the bike in a convenient bush, trot past his car, then cycle back to change and go home. Skiving for you lads was so much easier.  We had to work at it! (John Hawkins)

Boy! Do pay attention! There was the cross country run as a regular alternative to footy and the occasional road run which was due to rain stopping play elsewhere. Cross country was skiveable, road run wasn't. Cross country could be made enjoyable, road run couldn't. I'd completely forgotten the misery of the road run until this thread started. When I moved on to Southampton Uni we also had a compulsory cross country run. The only difference was that if you were really keen and finished it quickly you got sent off for a second run! Yes, things actually could get worse, mind you, with an ex Royal Navy Petty Officer (professional sadist) running the show what could you expect? (Christopher C. Broadbridge)

I note the skiving discussion here and following postings.  I had heard of the whacks (MJM refers) and I was a good boy but a very poor runner.  So was I the ONLY boy to complete the course?  After the first two or three runs, I would stop at the top and have my ciggie in perfect peace, alone, at the end of the pack and admiring the view.  I would be so late back that all others had bathed and gone and the organiser (Willie G?) would have to wait for me (It was sometimes nearly dark in winter).  He just asked me to hurry along. So he didn't care whether I ran the whole course or not.  He preferred not. (MJM)

We could of course have tagged on the back of the pack but then the whole object of the exercise would have been lost. There was a large crowd gathered at the finish line, who could resist such an audience? This wasn't just one of the weekly runs, this was the school championship with Gordon Ownen, Lindy Robinson, Ted Theobald etc. all trying to win. We basked in the cheers that day. Of course, 99% of the watchers knew that Scotty McGregor, who smoked 15 cigarettes a day, could not have been in the front group. George Delmonte's exercise was dancing at the Ilford Palais, there was no way he could have been there. As for myself, I did play football and cricket, swim and box but running was definitely not a sport I was known for one of them and everyone knew it! Ah! the cheers and jeers and the look on Harry Askew's face. He just didn't know whether to believe it or not. We tried to brazen it out but Harry was suspicious. Instead of laughing he went red in the face and became very pi**ed of and upset that someone should actually try and make a fool of him. This attitude was even more prominent the next day in Scruff's study. Scruff of course could allow no boy to take the pi** out of a master and he came down heavily on us. McGregor of course was doing his best to be sorry. He didn't mean to make fun of Mr. Askew. He didn't mean to mixed up in the front group. He had hurt his leg etc etc., all of which Scruff listened to without a hint of sympathy. I thought it was quite harmless at the time but Harry, with his semi-neadathal looks (triangular shaped face when seen from the side with the nose as the point of the triangle and the receding chin and forehead) his long black hair falling across one eye and his weasel like features, was looking very hurt standing by Scruff as we were read the riot act. When you think of it, Olympic athlete or not, he must have been a bit twisted to stand and watch that bamboo come down twelve times on three different backsides, padded as they were with gym shorts and CCF pants that we had prepared with, fully knowing what was coming. Still, that was all of 45 or so years ago and Harry is probably just bones now. (Mike Merry)

I recall the use of those substances in bomb-making but not particularly in connection with cross-country running.   It does however, remind me of another "incident" (in c. 1959) when a number of us were hauled up before GHRN having been caught putting calcium carbide in puddles around the school and igniting the acetylene bubbling to the surface - fairly spectacular in its way.   We got a grilling from the prefects (a bit big for their boots most of 'em) followed by the audience with the Head at which he asked his "adviser", Boozer Graham, what punishment he thought we should suffer.   His answer: " put 'em in a room full of Hydrogen Sulphide".  He asked me what I knew about H2S and seemed surprised when I was able to answer but, surprisingly, I don't recall that there was any punishment at all, in the end! (Bob Tucker) No, the cross country was far less energetic if only because by our time there was rarely a master present and he never partook of the running activity himself. Also, one got a hot shower at the end which, looking back, was pretty stupid prior to a mile or more walk to the nearest bus stop in the middle of winter. No, we didn't go cross country running to run! As mentioned elsewhere, footy was pretty elitist, if one wasn't in the top twenty two one didn't exist and there were no talent scouts looking for fresh blood. Footy at Balgores with the associated fag-free walk each way was not my idea of fun. (Chris Broadbridge)

I wonder how many people remember the annual purgatory of the X-country race which started in Rise Park and wound it's way uphill through Bedfords Park to the watertower gate before returning back to Rise Park. This event was always held in early spring when the weather was usually bloody cold and windy and the ground was sopping wet and knee deep in mud. I can still picture the sight of 120 odd freezing kids all clad all in white T-shirts, shorts and plimsoles lining up along the width of the football pitch in the park waiting for the start. As soon as the gun sounded everybody seemed to set off in a mass sprint amid much nervous laughter - it was like a stampede, though most people stopped running by the time they were out of sight of Bongo or whoever was in charge. This presented much opportunity for skiving, dodging round to a friends house and having a few woodbines etc.. (so there must be a few good stories out there !). (Steve Hyde)

I remember doing the race, possibly 5th form. Unfortunately I was one of the few who took it semi-seriously so don't have any funny memories, except the sprint at the start you mentioned. All I remember is trying unsuccessfully to overhaul messrs Ball and Evans (Mervin) at the finish. (Cliff J.)

Yes I remember well the Bedfords Park X-Country for it was here that I committed an act of 24-carat skullduggery, now to be revealed after thirty years! As the race commenced during heavy ground conditions, and during the inevitable sprint for position, I delivered a sly, yet firm tackle from behind, causing the unsuspecting recipient to collapse like a sack of sh...spuds, headfirst into the mud. In no time at all, baying, laughing runners were trampling the now desperate body, some even delivering swift kicks to the arse. Even as he attempted to rise, flashing plimsolls repeatedly booted the almost lifeless schoolboy who could only meekly respond with "stop it"!! The unfortunate victim was one Nigel Sole. Sorry mate! (Spencer Pratten)