Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 6.
Conisborough Sports.
The committee of the Conisborough Cricket Club have reason to be pleased with the measure of success that attended their third annual sports, held on Saturday afternoon.
There were 155 entries, not including the entries for the bowling at wickets, which always produces a goodly number. Prizes to the value of £50 were offered for competition, and the sum of £31 was taken at the gates. In addition, they should be added to the income a considerable sum raised by subscriptions and the amount of the competitors entrance fees.
Both the entries and receipts were in excess of those of last year, while the expenses were about the same.
The sports were held in the field use by the St Peter’s Football Club. Though this ground is a considerable distance from the railway station, it is in other respects, pleasantly situated. The sprint races were run off on a track that had been mown and rolled, and though somewhat hard was better than many tracks we have seen at similar meetings. A circular grass court provided for the longer events, and the going was rather heavy; nevertheless, some good times were accomplished. At the commencement the sky was threatening rain, but fortunately the heavy storm clouds passed away, and the programme was concluded in dry weather.
The members of the Conisborough Brass Band were in attendance, under the conduct issue of Mr Alf Wilson, and during the afternoon they played a number of acceptable selections. In this particular respect the Conisborough committee are ahead of their neighbours at Mexborough.
Four prizes were offered for the boys sprint race, and there were 36 entries, including F Vickers, Kilnhurst and J Griffiths, Swinton, first and second prize winners in a similar race at Mexborough sports on the previous Monday. Neither was able to qualify for the final, and it was not at all likely that they would when Vickers start was reduced from 13 yards to 6 yards and Griffiths from 16 yards to 9 yards. There were five heats and three were won easily by boys on the best marks. The best heat of the lot was that won by Dalton Marshall, a brother of Horace Marshall, the well-known runner, who was acting as one of the secretaries of the sports. Young Marshall had 11 yards start and in the final he had to meet boys with 38 (two), 27, and 43 yard start, so that his prospects were not very bright. He made a good race, although not getting the prizes. It will be observed that young Griffiths, of Swinton had to give the winner of his heat no less than 29 yards start.
The winner of the member´s race was E Watson, who had 16 yards start. A protest was laid against the winner on the ground that he was not a member of the club until after the start were published. The matter has received the attention of the committee, and the objection has been overruled.
The entry for the open 100 yards handicap numbered 30, and included such men as F.W.Cooper, Bradford, who was a virtual scratch man, being on the 2 yards mark. The winner was F.Guest, Denaby (8 1/4 yards). Guest´s victory was a very popular one with a certain portion of the spectators, especially as EB Moody, who had to give him half a yard, lost in the last 10 yards.
The “Champagne Stakes” race was not as amusing as it might have been if more competitors had turned out. As it was, only those who had given prizes started. Mr R Hawley secured Mr a Moody’s bottle of champagne, and Mr Moody, Mr Hall’s bottle of whiskey, while Mr G Butcher had his own bottle of gin returned to him as the third prize.
Of the 18 who entered the mile handicap 15 started. The winner, W Richardson, Rotherham, ran right through in good style andwon in 4 min 45 seconds from the 120 yards mark. In order to mark his appreciation of Richardson’s splendid running a Sheffield gentleman has decided to add five pounds to the prize, the presentation of which will take place at the Eagle and Child Alltel, Conisborough this (Friday) evening.
A new feature was the Fire Brigade competition, one man drill, the Conisborough manual engine and apparatus being used for this purpose. The work of all the competitors was smartly done, being proved by the times returned. One of the entrants was T.W.Downing,a member of the Conisborough Brigade, but he was unable to compete, as on the previous day he started for South Africa, where he will be engaged with the British forces as an ambulance man. With this exception all those relented completed.
In the tradesmen’s turnout competition Mr W Revill, Conisborough added one more to his long list of successes, taking first prize. There are only two competitors in the driving in single harness class, and Mr C Scorah, Barmborough, was easily first.
There was only for entry in the horse jumping class, and Mr G.B. Pashley, Conisborough, secured the first place, with his well-known winner. The most exciting event of the day was a one-mile pony race, which was running to hit and a final. All the seats were well contested. The rider of the winning pony, a boy named Dalton Marshall, deserves special mention, for it was owing to the excellent way in which he managed his mount that he was able to claim the first prize. The pony was, to all intents and purposes, beaten one lap from home, but the other two competitors went wide atthe close, and young Marshall quickly perceiving his advantage, road in and gained a slight lead which he cleverly maintained until he passed the post.
The pleasure of the sports was marred by two accidents, for which, however, the promoters cannot be held responsible.
During the horse jumping competition a mare, belonging to Miss Gill, Brampton and wridden by one of the ladies group, refused a double jump. Plunging onto the side fence the animal was badly staked Mr W.Wood, veterinary surgeon, one of the sports officials, immediately attended to the injury, and later in the day the animal was taken to Brampton in a float, lent by Mr Revill.
The other accident befell A.Hibbert, a young Mexborough cyclists,who hasrecently made several appearances on the racing track. He was riding away from the ground, when he collided with a horse and trap, belonging to Mr J.A.Atkinson, Mexborough, who was entered for the tradesmen turnout competition. The cyclist received somewhat severe injuries to his head. His machine was badly damaged, and he had to receive medical attention.
With the exception of these mishaps the sports were a great success in every way.