Strand School of Dancing Challenge

This game of hockey between the girls and boys of the Strand School of Dancing, Bideford, played last Sunday on Westward Ho! beach originated from a challenge which was made a few months ago.

Miss Ann Thurston was teaching a boy a rather intricate dancing step and a remark was made to the effect that girls learnt to dance more quickly. ‘I’d like to see you on a rugby field,’ was the answer. Miss Thornton replied that the girls of the school would challenge the boys to a hockey match instead, thinking this would be an easy win for the girls as the boys do not play hockey. The result? After one hour of play a 14-0 win for the boys.

Gazette article 20 February 1959