ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9225, 9 February 1920, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Pei* Press Association, Copyright.) SYDNEY, February 8. Ideal weather favoured the concluding stage of the athletic championships, Friday's rain giving place to a bright, crisp day. The tracks were in perfect condition. The keenness of last week's competitions and the evenness of the contests between New Zealand and New South Wales excited intense interest. To-day's ' events brought together a record crowd. As was anticipated, New Zealand's champion hammer-thrower, McHolm, easily distanced the local talent, and beat MunrOj the Dominion's wonderful shot-putter by 14 feet 2 inches. Lindsay, who <had already beaten the great Englishman Applegarth over the 220 yards, had to content himself with third place behind the New South Wales fliers Hunt and Leadley. The manner in which Hunt shaped in the 100 yards and 220 yards has caused his name to be seriously considered in connection with the Olympic Games. Dormer (New Zealand) made a good showing in the 880 yards, being narrowly defeated by' the New South Wales representative, Piggo'tt, who. usually shines over the last stages of the half-mile, whereas Dormer appears tc have lost at the finish. Wilson, New Zealand's champion 120 yards hurdler, was beaten out of a

place in the 440 yards hurdles, Edmunds securing the event for Victoria, and defeating the New South Wales competitor by three yards. New South Wales occupied the three places in the niile walk, Parker repeating the victory obtained by him last week in the three miles walk, easily beating Austin by sixty, yards. New Zealand was not represented in the running high jump and the three miles run, the former going to Victoria, H. W. Harbison topping 5' feet 8 inches against the two New South Wales competitors' 5 feet 5 inches. New South Wales again supplied the

leaders in the three miles run, Grandemange securing an easy win and bringing the shield to New South Wales with seven firsts, nine seconds, and nine thirds. New Zealand took second place with four firsts, live seconds, and three thirds, and Victoria third place with four firsts, one second, and three thirds, the other States being nowhere. Following are the detailed results oi the events: —

Hammer Throwing—McHolm (New Zealand), 130 ft 9 inches, 1; Munro (New Zealand), 116 ft finches, 2; Ferguson (New South Wales) 112 ft 2 inches, 3. This event proved a soft snap for the hefty New Zealander. 220 Yards—First heat: Hunt (New South Wales) 1, Lindsay (New Zealand) 2, Gall (Victoria) &. Won by four yards. Time, 23sec. Second heat: Leadley (New South Wales) 1, Lineham (Victoria) 2, Houston (New South Wales) 3. Won by two yards. Time, 23 4-ssec. Final heat: Hunt (New South Wales)" 1, Leadley (New South Wales) 2, Lindsay (New Zealand) 3. A perfect start. When the men straightened up for the final dash, Hunt had bwo yards' advantage, and, finishing strongly, won by five yards. Time 22

2-ssec. Half-mile Run—Piggott (New South Wales). 1, Dormer (New Zealand) 2, Ciineham (Victoria) 3. A hard-run race, Piggott only defeating the New Zealander by reason of a resolute finish by cwo yards. Corrected time 2min 2 2-ssec. 440 Yards Hurdles—Edpxunds (VieI coria) 1, .Frazer (New South Wales) 2 : .ihnond (Victoria) 3. A muddling race. Wilson, who was leading, fell exhausted within twenty yards , of the tape. This accident threw Frazer out of his stride, enabling the fast-finishing Edmunds to snatch a victory by three yards. Time, Imin 2 4-ssec. Mile Walk—Parker (New South Wales) 1, Austin (New South Wales) % Stokes (New South Wales) 3. The first two wore together at the bell, when Parker made a determined sprint passed Austin, and won easily by sixty yards. Time 6min 49sec. Running High Jump—W. H. Harbison (Victoria), corrected height, sft iOin, 1; J. K. Harbison (New South Wales) sft Tin, 2; Potter (New South Wales) sft 7in, 3. The winner's performance was a remarkable one. He only arrived in Sydney on Saturday morning after travelling from Wednesday night, and scored his first success in the Australasian Championships.

Three Miles- Hun — Grandemange (New South Wales) 1, Cain (New South Wales) 2, Sheaves (New South Wales) 3. The winner made a remarkable sprint of fully 300 yards in the final lap, scoring an easy win by forty yards. Time lomin 54 1-osec.