SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1210, 3 December 1919, Page 3

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

LONDON, September 25. ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS. Something representing a new departure was made at the week-end, when the Amateur Athletic Association of England decided the 10 miles running and sevn miles walking championships for the year. For several years past it has been customary to hold these events in the spring, but it was not found_ possible to do so this year. As may be recalled, the English athletic championships were revived this season following a lapse of five years. In the writer's opinion, the autumn is a very excellent time to decide these longdistance championships, and possibly the association will consider it advisable, to do so in the future. Another innovation was that the events were decided in conjunction with the London Athletic Club's autumn meeting at Stamford 'Bridge; London, instead of, as is usual, the meeting being promoted by the association. Unite excellent entries were received, and in both events we saw new champions. Ihe walk was the first to claim attention, and almost everyono anticipated an easy win for R. ISri'dge, ofLaniol* ™ th ',' W , im,er '" 1912 - 191 5. and 1914. J. he holder, however, was not himself, and after going a, little over five miles lie collapsed. That something was unusually wrong with Bridge was evident when he staggered across the track and collided with the barrier, and then went off at a tangent until he was brought up by a hurdle, where he fell. Subsequently he said he. thought the heat of the sun must have affected him, which is possible if he happened to be below par. This happening carries one's mind back to the championships of 1886, when a muchfancied candidate for the walking race in C.: W. V. Clarke, of Southampton, was seized with sunstroke when holding a commanding lead. Like Bridge, he staggered all over the track, nd finally collapsed, the race going to J. W. Julie, a by no means fancied competitor. Returning to Saturday's race, victory ultimately rested with W. Hehh\ Surrey Athletic Club, who finished his task in 55min 2ofsec. winning bv 9scc from C. S. JJownson, Queen's Park' Harriers. Here it may be mentioned that the world's amateur record stands at SOmin 40'2see. by C. H. Gbldhig., that brilliant Vork-shire-born athlete, who created so manv notable records in Canada and the United States

—A New Champion.Tito 10 miles run also served to introduce a new champion. The field, save for one exception, consisted of new men, the military runners being in the majority. For a, .greater part of the journey J. 11. Massey, the old Birehfield harrier, buf now of Canada..-with C. T. Clibbon. K. K. Blewitt, and W. Monk, all of the Birchtield Harriers, were very prominent. At four miles Blewilt was showing the way, the time being 20min 49see. About a mile- further on Massey retired, and Clibbon had had enough of it just alter passing the six miles mark. From that stage onwards Blewitt had matters his own way, and he eventually won easily from Monk in 53min 45fsee. The winner recently won the mile race at the Interservice sports meeting in 4miu l 23|see, and itwould appear that he is a decided acquisition to the rank* of long-distance runnefu' .The world's amateur record in 50mm ■Wistc'ui~A-Uwl ..'Shrubb at (!la<gow in November of 1904. K HiSy aj*?ii_ be added that the fastest time in the English •■•hampionship is Slmin 32j;.see by S. Thomas, of the Kit tie high Harriers, in 1889. -Attack mi Record.--Another notable event was an atfumpi by W. A. Hill, the sprint champion, to beat the 250vds record. The figures are which E. H. Felling. Itanelagh Harriers, established on September 22, 1888, over a straight course at Stamford Bridge. Hill was a long way outside tin's, and, although he won the special handicap, his time was 25§sec, beating G. F. Mawby, of the Surrey Athletic Club, by a yard. Mawby also started from the scratch mark, and put up a good raco with the champion! It should be added that Hill, unlike Belling, had to make his attempt on a curved track. It was on this same track, by the way, and round the bend, that W. A. Applegarth established his wonderful record of 21-isec for 220 yds at the championship meeting of 1914. On that occasion there is very little doubt he could have run on to the. 250 yds mark in another ssec, which would have well beateli the existing figures. GOLF. _ More than unsual interest has been created in the golf world through the failure of Harry Vardon, J. 11. Taylor, and James Braid to qualify for the Professional Golfers' Association's £595 tournament. It. is indeed an upheaval of form when these great champions, who have dominated the game so long are unable to survive a qualification round. No one, however, need think that these famous players are eclipsed, and, in spite of their failure in this particular competition, they will .be to the fore again ere long. With each player it was a case of bad putting, Braid in particular missing some very short putts. Greens are not what they used to be, and whilst, of course, they are the same for' all, >it is evident that certain players are more easily affected by unusual surface than others.

Other famous players in Herd, Hay, Mitchell, and Duncan held their own, whilst quite a newcomer in A. Boomer distinguished himself by tieing for fifth place He hails from. the. Channel Islands, and his father was a schoolmaster who taught the brothers Vafdon in their schooldays.

Another important golf event at weekend were matches at Totridge, wherein Vardon and Ray beat Braid and Mitchell in the morning. Tiie winners' score- was 67 to their opponents' 69, and in the afternoon, each side were two strokes worse. —Women's Golf.~ It is truly remarkable to witness thestrides which women are making in the golf world. A really excellent entry was received for the girls' championship recently decided at Stoke' l?6ges". Two of the competitors in Nancy and Barbara Griffiths were only 12 and* 13 years of age respectively. Though tliey - were beaten, both young girls showed excellent form, and it would appear that we have' lots" of young talent in the country: The win* ner - proved to-be Miss Audrey Croft, who, though only 17 years of age, is a wonderfully long driver, and frequently hits the ball over 250 yds; from -the, "teeVThis young lady has • entered for the women's open golf championship, which will shortly claim attention, and. it will be .interesting to see how she performs against, grown-up*. ." " ".-'■. SWIMMING. <. The decision of the 220 Yards, Southern Counties Shimming Championship at Hammersmith served to.show that H. E. Anhison' retains much of'his pre-war form! Some of my readers may recall that this talented swimmer beat the minute for 100 yds Whilst he was Still-in his teens. In his latest victory he swam the furlong in 2min 3%ec, which equals the Southern record which J. H. Derbyshire established iii 1912. Annison won quite easily,-, and it is possible that he will yet jmpro'vc the figures. . ■ :. ,/' .. , .■■ Another important swimming' event recently was the 100 Yards Southern Counties' , Junior Championship, which ended ia A. E. White, of. Richmond, scoring c'overly in Imin 12|sec.