SHENSTON IAN 88 - Old Silhillians Association

SHOOTING
After being the Coach and later Master i/c Shooting for nearly 26 years at the
School I have had a lot of fun and great pleasure in trying to teach quite a large
number of boys, and a number of young ladies how to shoot competitively whilst I
have been able to continue my own sport. It has been a great pleasure to see some
of those who have continued with their shooting after they have left the School
making their names in the sport. •
I could not be more pleased that, in my 'swan song' year, we at last had two
members who were placed in the British School Championship and the same two,
Richard Price and David Griffin, both being members of National Junior Squad,
being selected to shoot in the Schools International Match, both in the England
Team. I hope that I shall soon hear that they have both qualified for the Senior
Teams.
I cannot go into retirement, without thanking the Headmaster(s) and the
O.C's of the C.C.F. under whom I have served, for allowing me to carry out the
duties of Master i/c Shooting, thereby allowing me to teach the art of shooting for
fun, and to keep up with my own shooting, which has given me a number of
International Honours, and a number of trips abroad with the Great Britain
Teams. My greatest honour came in 1978, when I was selected to be the Adjutant,
and Coach to the British Schools Shooting Team which toured Canada. That year
the team managed to win a record number of trophies, badges and medals, not to
mention $987 which was shared between them — I did not win one thing!
I sincerely hope that the shooting group will continue to flourish in the years to
come, and that the members will 'bear up' in the fight against the elements, which
you meet in the art of shooting; if they can overcome them, then they will learn the
discipline they need to be good shots.
S.E.S.
The School Shooting Team has enjoyed a most successful season, due to a
strong group. The school's `A'team, whose members included Mark Read, Richard
Price, John Read, Polyanna Jennens and David Griffin, were declared the winner
of their division in the British Schools Small-Bore Autumn Leagues 1987. The 'B'
team also acquitted themselves well in this competition. In the Spring Leagues both
teams were placed 2nd, slipping up in one match.
Two members, Richard Price and David Griffin, were placed 4th and 11th
respectively in the Individual Championship and both were selected to shoot in the
Schools International Match, Richard in the England 'A' and David in the England
'IV Team.
The younger members gained invaluable match experience which will have
prepared them for their role as senior members of the team next year. Fiona
Tocher and Polyanna Jennens proved themselves equal to the task of enduring the
chauvinistic attitudes of some of the team's members.
Mr. Skippings, who retires this year, will be sadly missed by the team. His
effort in rebuilding the range and his patience in coaching the team have been
greatly appreciated by all. We wish him well in his retirement.
M.S.D. Read (Captain).
BADMINTON
The school teams have had another busy season with some degree of success.
The under 16's team reached the semi-final of the county inter-schools tournament
and the undet 14's team reached the finals of the same tournament in their age
group. The under 12's team were undefeated which is encouraging for next season .
Colours have been awarded to Stephen Havers, Leigh Skillett, Adam
Hogarth, David Eccles, William Laidlaw, Niall Faber, Richard Moore and Mark
Shepherd.
Lower school colours have been awarded to James Mayer, Philip Hughes and
James Munro.
Results for the 1987-8 season are:
Played Won Lost For Against
Over 16's 3 1 2 9 20
Under 16's 4 3 1 26 13
Under 14's 5 4 1 31 16
Under 13's 7 4 3 49 38
Under 12's 3 3 0 36 0
CHESS
DMH.
On the whole, this has been a disappointing season as far as results are
concerned. The first team was unlucky to lose all its matches against strong
opposition by narrow margins, and so come fourth in the first division of the
Birmingham League. They also lost narrowly to King Edward's Camp Hill in the
Times' competition — they went on to reach the last eight nationally. Philip Holt
on board one won all his games except one, was awarded full colours. (He is also
Warwickshire U18 champion). Robert Crawford and David Pearson also played
well.
The 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams all played well below potential — a reluctance to
practise and learn about the game has meant that too many players are just not
progressing. The IIIrd form team were doing well until they arrived at Handsworth
Grammar School in no mood to play, and lost very quickly. We hope next season
will bring greater success.
Our thanks to Mr. Ayers for the time he has spent on transport and
supervision.
G.Baker
SQUASH
The facilities for squash in the school have been immeasurably improved by
the construction of three new courts adjacent to the Sports Hall. This provision was
only made possible by an extremely munificent gift by an Old Silhillian and
governor, Mr. E. Gordon Wilcox.
The new courts were officially opened by Mr. Wilcox on 13th February when ,
in the presence of a large number of guests, inaugural matches were played by
current members of the school, Old Boys and parents.
The new courts together with their self-contained changing-rooms are of
superb quality and in the space of four months have attracted a growing number of
players from all age-groups (including staff!)
The school team, captained by Nic Heath, has had a mixed season, winning
about half of its matches. Now, however, we can look forward to better times, and
will cease to be a "cinderella" among the sporting activities of the school. BDWC