The Tucks returns to Attingham Park

It was with great excitement that the School returned to Attingham Park on the last day of the half term for the Tucks, one of the oldest cross-country races in the history of the sport.

Its place in the School calendar, just before House Singing that evening, makes for an incredibly memorable day, and having not been able to put the race on last year, our return felt particularly special. 

A lot has changed in the two years since we last staged this race, but some things remain timeless, like the sight of several hundred runners streaming across the lawns, jockeying for position ahead of the first corner. 

We were blessed with almost perfect conditions on the day, with bright autumnal sunshine and a light breeze, while the ground underfoot was relatively firm after a spell of dry weather. 

After the traditional manic start, a trio quickly formed at the head of the race around Harrison C (R, UVI), new Lower Sixth entrant Kristian T (I, LVI), and a certain Mr Tickner, newly appointed to the English department (and two-time English cross-country champion!). Further back, it was noticeable that youngsters were dominating the higher places among the boys, and indeed only three of the top ten finishing places amongst the boys would be claimed by sixth formers (in 2019 that number was eight). On this evidence, the Hunt has an exciting few years ahead of us! Also among the top positions were new Deputy Head Academic, Richard Kowenicki, and Senior Deputy Head Peter Middleton, racing his last-ever Tucks before his appointment as Headmaster of Oswestry School in January. 

Amongst the girls, Livy E (EDH, UVI) was setting a strong pace for the others to follow, with Sophia C (MSH, IV) and Kate R (EDH, UVI) in hot pursuit. 

The top teams of ten from each House compete for the First House trophies – the Mallett Plate for the boys and the Papaioannou Cup for the girls. Rigg’s Hall has dominated the boys’ trophy since 2016 but after seeing quite a few top Hunt runners pass through the School over the past couple of years, they looked unlikely to be able to repeat the success. For the girls, this team race has often been a close call between the Grove and Emma Darwin Hall. A wider representation of the whole-House effort is the Attingham Award, introduced for the first time in 2019, which takes into account the finishing position of everyone in the House. The winners that year were Churchill’s for the boys and the Grove for the girls. 

As the lead runners rounded the final bend, Harrison was beginning to kick away from Kristian and finished the race with a powerful sprint, leaving Kristian to rue his tactical choices! Mr Tickner strolled through next, but the boys’ bronze medal went to Fourth-former Harry P-M (I, IV) in a remarkable effort. Next to cross the line was Jonny P (I, UVI), making it an Ingram’s 2-3-4. Mr Middleton was close behind, followed by Brad K (R, V), Jack K (PH, IV). Quite astonishingly, the next two places were taken by third formers, William R (O) and Johnnie T (Ch). It’s very rare indeed for any Third-former to place inside the top ten, so to get two is remarkable. Tim S (I, V) came through next, followed by Archie T (Rt, V) to complete the top ten. 

The girls’ race was won by Fourth-former Sophia C, after passing a fading Livy E around the last corner. Kate R took the bronze, ahead of Third-former Amelia B (MSH, III), and Tabitha W (G, UVI) finished fifth. The remaining top ten positions went to Hattie A (G, V), Amelia G (EDH, V), Ottilie G (EDH, III), Olivia K (M, IV) and Eva H (G, LVI). 

This year the Mallett Plate was won by Port Hill, who packed in tremendously well, with their eighth counter placing in 62nd. Ingram’s were next, aided by four counters inside the top ten finishers. The Papaioannou Cup was won by Emma Darwin, 48 points ahead of the Grove. The Attingham Awards were won by Radbrook for the boys, whose average position was just one place higher than Port Hill’s, while for the girls, the Grove were able to defend their trophy with a comfortable win. 

A special award was inaugurated in 2019 for the runner who had put in a particularly noteworthy effort. This year it was awarded to Gus D (O, UVI), who by finishing this year in 27th place managed to improve on his 2019 position by a massive 228 places! 

There was a really strong sense of House spirit in evidence from all competitors, who managed to ensure that our return to Attingham Park after two years was even more special than we’d anticipated. Thank you and well done to everyone who raced, and particular thanks to the many staff who helped organise and marshal the event. A great deal of work goes in behind the scenes in preparation for this day, and we’re hugely grateful for all their efforts. 

Ian Haworth 

Master i/c the RSSH