there was little need for the producer to indicate to the prompter that he should hold up the board which said applause , for so loud and spontaneous was the ovation that arose from the throats of the many who crowded the great hall that their cries could be heard over a hundred yards away inside the walls of the dog and dyke where it was the moment at which all the bar room spectators stood silent as sprinter sprake took his place on the oche and took aim .