Drake was unplaced in the 1st., 2nd., and 3rd., year field events and gained only three places in the corresponding track events, these being a 3rd. by Griffin in the first year 100 yards. Another 3rd., in the third year 100 yds., and a first in the third year 220 yds both the latter positions being taken by BOWERS. The poor result achieved by the juniors were partly due to lack of talent, but mainly due to lack of training.

Results in the Senior Section of the sports proved somewhat better for Drake. SIMMS of the fourth year proved to be a sound all-round athlete. He won his javelin event with a record throw of 112 feet 11 ins., and came second in the discus and 220 yds. My predecessor, Jack Swan, proved to be another athlete of note, both in the field and on the track. He came 2nd and 3rd respectively in the senior discus and javelin events, won the 440 yds. and was 3rd., in the 100 yds. Swan, together with McDermott, Tagliaferro and McKenzie was also a member of the victorious senior 4 x 110 yds. relay team. Tagliaferro also achieved 2nd and 3rd positions in the senior 880 yds and 220 yds events. Bond won the senior shot put event convincingly, and was second in the javelin.

I hope that this year, Drake will pull herself up from the third position we seem to have occupied for years. After school training sessions have been on the whole, fairly well attended by the juniors, and consequently I think that they will improve on their results of last year. As usual with seniors, more particularly the fourth year, it is like trying to get blood out of stone to get them to train after school. I sincerely hope that they change their attitude before it is too late.

This season Drake's aggregate position in the inter-house soccer league was second. Two places better than last season when we were last!

Despite his arrival at half-time for one match, the seniors were, on the whole, well captained by Northover who was assisted by Melton as vice-captain.

In the senior section of the league, Drake finished 2nd to White who won this section comfortably. The team had a very strong defence but our attack lacked shooting power. Our regular full-back, Roberts, was generally sound, but a little more speed would have made him a more versatile player. The half-back line was the best feature of our team, Bond in the centre was flanked by McDermott and Melton, this proved a very successful combination for both attack and defence.

The forward line from left to right was:— Northover, Fitzgerald, Jarvis, Honey and Haylock. Probably the most promising forward was Fitzgerald who lacked only in the ability to shoot hard. Haylock on the right wing played very well throughout the season.

Very little can be said in praise of the 2nd and 3rd year team which finished bottom of its section. This was, I feel, solely due to lack of teamwork and not lack of talent. They never seemed to settle down and get the ball out to the wings but tried to force it through the middle too much. Standen was the 2nd and 3rd year Football Captain.

Our first year team started the season very well by winning their first two matches. Their victims in the second of these matches was White, the eventual champions, who they beat 5-1. The next two matches were drawn and they lost the last two.

The first year were fortunate in having a good captain in Briard, who played good, intelligent football throughout the season. Another outstanding 1st year footballer was Madden who showed a surprising amount of skill on the right wing but didn't have much support from the remaining forwards.

CROSS COUNTRY — 1961

Drake's aggregate position this year was third, down by one place from last year.

The best team performance this year was that of the Intermediate U-15)
Team which came second, with all six runners to count finishing in the first 19.
Individual placings Witts 1st, Standen 3rd., with Bentley,

Fitzgerald, Austin and Findlay 0th, 13th, 18th and 19th respectively. A good effort.

The Junior Team finished in third position this year. Some good individual positions were achieved by Drake boys, notably Knight, Tissington and Bowden who finished 3rd, 6th, and 9th. The Juniors aggregate position could, I feel, have been improved if the after school practice sessions had been better attended.

For the second year in succession, Drakes Senior Team occupied the unenviable last position. The reason for this is exactly the same as it was last year — LACK OF TRAINING. Certain senior members of the House consider it training to amble around the course at a slow walk once a week. This will not do next year, and if the Seniors are to haul themselves from bottom to top next year they must train and train HARD.

BASKET BALL -- 1961

I can now terminate my housenotes for this year on a somewhat happier theme.

Drake completely crushed all opposition in the Inter-House Basketball competition which was included for the first time for House Competition this year.

                                                                      Reserves

                                                                     Sylvia Saunders Catherine Shears Sandra Nichols Elaine Covington

Nelson won the cricket cup this year. The credit was mainly due to the fourth, fifth and sixth form team which did not concede a single point under the captaincy of B. Wells.

The third year team captained by G. Ellis also had a good season, with P. Stubbs and A, McKee coming to the fore as promising batsmen. Stubbs has in fact been selected for the School First XI this season.

The second year team had no success but this was balanced by the first year team, which captained by A. Baxter and supported by Shepheard and Pascoe conceded only two points.

I would like to take this opportunity in thinking Mr. C. Pollard, .who is leaving, for the time and effort which he has devoted to the House. Without him I feel that Nelson would never have reached its present position nor its high standard of house loyalty.

This is also my last term at Tal Handak and I am very sorry to be leaving. In the three years that I have been in Nelson, teams have always represented the house in FULL strength. The athletics found Nelson senior team down to four competitors for all track and field events — about 10 events — and I am grateful to Kidd, Spenceley and others who stepped into the breach, and preserved the tradition.

I hope, that my successor will have the same co-operation that I have had. and that Nelson will have a House Master equal to Mr. Pollard next year.

Nelson made a splendid effort this year and were rewarded with the Girls' House Cup. Everyone was extremely co-operative and there were no lack of volunteers for the heats.

We must pay particular attention to thanking the juniors for their marked enthusiasm and reliability. It is unfortunate that we cannot name each individual winner, because happily there were too many of them. However, we must congratulate Vivian Shepheard and Hilary Coombe for their notable performances in both the 100 and 220 yards, together with Sheila Hodgson who who won the 80 yards and Pamela Wilson — the obstacle race. The relay teams were also strong, particularly the first, second, fifth and sixth year teams, all of whom were placed first.

The seniors were not outstanding in the Field Events but managed second and third places in some, notably the discus. The juniors on the other hand, shone in both Field and Track events. In the Field events, Hesse who won the high jump, and Vivian Shepheard who obtained first place in the long jump.

On the whole, the performance was excellent and we only hope that the same will happen this year.

The swimming Gala was held towards the end of the Summer Term. Nelson, unfortunately, started off third, primarily because there were not enough seniors entered for the heats; but many had examinations. However, our final position was a well-deserved second. Once again, I should particularly like to bring the spirit of the juniors to the notice of the House! They tried very hard indeed, notably Vivian Shepheard and Tessa Ellum.

The Teams were: — JUNIORS

    HOCKEY

The most outstanding performer at the swimming sports held last summer at Ricasoli was Graham of White house who won the Breast stroke, freestyle, Backstroke and diving in the over 15J group. In the under 151/2 group Moorman won the freestyle and backstroke and was placed second in the breaststroke. Beeston, Woolner and Piper did well in the under 14's and White won all the relays and the final result was that White was first. However I must point out that as the houses do not train as teams for the sport, this being due to lack of facilities, the results depend upon the distinction of good swimmers among the houses.