Mexborough & Swinton Times – June 16, 1939

Manvers Main Entertain 10,000
Success of Annual Gala
Fresh Attractions and Brighter Novelties
“Ovens” Win Inter-Department Trophy

The Manvers Main Collieries, Ltd, inter-departmental sports and gala, held on the Wath Athletic Ground on Saturday, and organised under the auspices of the chairman and directors of the company for employees, pensioners and friends, attracted crowds from the greater part of the surrounding district, and, as the third and probably greatest of these meetings, amply demonstrated that the Company have inaugurated a new factor in the sporting life of South Yorkshire.

With the attraction of all the usual athletic events, clay pigeon shooting, fancy dress parades, pony racing, a realistic A.R.P. mock bombing display, the Athletic Ground was the focal point of a long stream of pedestrians, special buses and private cars, some time before the opening event. Dancing on the green concluded a happy day and if the weather failed to maintain its early promise, it at least timed the showers to coincide with the less important proceedings.

Splendid Preparations.

The field had been magnificently prepared. A powerful series of microphones in the centre of the arena brought the announcements to the ears of the assembled ten thousand with ease and with a spacious track at their disposal and an enthusiastic crowd as a stimulant the stewards had ensured that the events would run as smoothly as possible.

Department One, the Ovens, Washery and Brickworks, retained the Hunter Challenge Cup for the second successive year with a two points margin over the runners-up, Barnburgh No. 6, who scored 27 points. The “Ovens” victory was largely due to the remarkable pro wess of C. Speight, whose repeated appearance at the prize distribution ceremony delighted the crowd and was almost a source of embarrassment to the donors.

The pony racing was, as usual, one of the most popular events of the day and to those who have not witnessed these events before, the speed is astonishing. There were, of course, the usual mishaps. One fine black animal who promised to win his heat by a quarter of a lap, substantiated his claim without his rider. It must be admitted that he was in no way vindictive about it, but slowed down to about half speed and then braced his forefeet firmly on the ground, shot the young equestrian over his noble neck, stepped neatly over him and with a final backward glance went on to win the race.

Another fine steed with fourteen years’ service in the pit to his credit, contrived second place in his heat and showed signs of continuing over several more laps. With the exception of one dainty little cream creature who trotted round lifting Its feet high, every pony went “flat out” but although the winners of the early heats rigidly kept to the track and turned on the steep camber of the bends, the ‘later “fields” showed a catholicity in cutting off corners

One nameless militiaman who “opened a book” among his comrades was reduced to a state of extreme penury when a fancied outsider romped home with lengths to spare carrying quite a number of the King’s shillings on his back.

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