The War continued and the exigencies felt by the population were biting but children had to be educated, schools had to continue to cater for their pupils physical needs as well as their intellectual.   The inter-scholastics continued to be held and sponsored by the SAAA.   Held on 19th May in 1917, the sports were held at Inverleith with a decent sized crowd, if the ‘Scotsman’s’ brief report can be believed.   Their short description of the afternoon’s athletics is below.

The growing attraction of the event is seen, even in this short piece, when we note that the Vale of Leven Academy (geographically not far from Dumbarton Academy which had been involved for several years) was taking part.   There was much more about the meeting and in the way of results in the ‘Glasgow Herald’ which begins with some philosophical thoughts.

The number of schools mentioned in the prize lists above is six but there were actually thirteen schools involved – one of the highest totals since 1890.

The brief list of winners and their schools is here.

OPEN EVENTS

EVENT	WINNER	SCHOOL	PERFORMANCE
100 Yards	JB Bell	Dumbarton Academy	11.0 seconds
440 Yards	EW Cormack	Watson’s College	58.2 seconds
One Mile	EW Cormack	Watson’s College	5:02.2
120 Yards Hurdles	D McPhee	Allan Glen’s High School	19.4 seconds
High Jump	D McPhee	Allan Glen’s High School	5′   2 3/4″
Broad Jump	JB Bell	Dumbarton Academy	18′  6 1/2″
Throwing the Cricket Ball	JB Bell	Dumbarton Academy	85 Yards 0 Feet 9 Inches
Putting the Weight	A Gillies	Watson’s College	30′ 6″

UNDER 16

EVENT	WINNER	SCHOOL	PERFORMANCE
100 Yards	RS Forrest	Watson’s College	11.8 seconds
880 Yards	RS Forrest	Watson’s College	2:30.6
120 Yards Hurdles	LJ Dunn	Watson’s College	16.8 Seconds  *
High Jump	JD Watson	Watson’s College	4′  10 1/2″
Broad Jump	JD Watson	Watson’s College	17′ 11″

UNDER 14

EVENT	WINNER	SCHOOL	PERFORMANCE
100 Yards	R Savage	Watson’s College	12.8 seconds
300 Yards	R Savage	Watson’s College	42.8 seconds
High Jump	A Orr	Trinity Academy	4′  1 3/4″
Broad Jump	J Rankeillor	Trinity Academy	14′ 10″

No doubt there about the school with most winners, Watson’s with 10 firsts topped that table, Dumbarton had three and Trinity, and Allan Glen’s had two apiece.   As noted above. Bell of Dumbarton had a range of talents that included sprinting and field events.