Playing Ball for the Bluck Cup

The Chapel Wardens and Prefects are two groups of the student body who are admired and respected; both hold positions of responsibility within the College and execute these duties with sincerity and pride. However, there is an unseen rivalry between the two groups – a slight friction that all came to a head in the inaugural basketball match, to christen the Bluck Cup. So named for basketball coach Mr Darius Bluck, the match pitted the Chapel Wardens and the Prefects against each other in a fast moving game of basketball that entertained players and spectators alike. Both teams were made up of girls and boys: some with sporting aptitude and history, and others without. A fairer game could not have been planned, and it was all to play for as the match got underway.

The spectators had turned out in force to support the inaugural game, with the Rev there, by his own admission, to encourage the ‘God Squad’. He also kindly supplied cans of drinks, water and biscuits – although this was for both of the teams, not just the Chapel Wardens! The Prefects outnumbered the Chapel Wardens, which meant that they could continually sub people in – a bonus that the CWs were without. It was a high scoring and quick game. With four 15 minute quarters, the game was neck and neck until the third quarter, when the Chapel Wardens started to gain a head start – a great achievement, considering they were the smaller team! Both George Atkinson and Guy Pollard managed to shoot three point baskets, but the Chapel Wardens just edged in front, finally winning by a comfortable margin of 11 points – 37 to 26.

The event was arranged by Head Chapel Warden Dominic Allen and Deputy Head Chapel Warden Guy Pollard, without any help from the teaching staff. Their hope it that the basketball will become an annual tradition, and judging by the excitement it generated this time round, there is no doubt that the fixture will become a hotly anticipated one in the years to come!