AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 221, 18 September 1930, Page 18

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

CLOSE OF SEASON.

WINTER RUNS CONCLUDED.

. Last Saturday at ■ Onehunga Recreation Grounds the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club conducted its final meeting for the cross-country season. Parts Of the turf were in a heavy condition, especially where the sprint was held, -while the course chosen for the steeplechase was in a perfect state. Before a large crowd of spectators, record fields', faced the starter in each of the events, -Which were contested with the keenest rivalry.' With atmospheric conditions of the very best, tne afternoon was well fitted for the last of the season and everybody enjoyed the outing. After the meeting trophies wou last Saturday and the week previous were presented by Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. ■, , , ... . , The sprint' was run off in four heats and the final, the first and second of each heat being eligible for the. deciding ' race. In the first heat McNeil had an easy win from Green and Hogg, the time for the race being 7 4-5s Roper showed a fine turn of speed and won the second in a close finish. Adams won the third heat from Walker, while Furlong won the fourth heat from 0 Shea. In the deciding event the field got away after two false starts, and it could easily be seen that McNeil was the winner. He eventually won by a yard from Roper, who was a foot ahead of Green. The one and a half mile steeplechase, which -was run over a fast course, proved a triumph for T. Henry, who used his long stride. The early pace-makers were McNeil, Clark, Adams and Seeats, who all took aavantage of the handicaps. The scratch man, Cooper, set off at a very fast pace, but he retired later on in the race. After four laps Henry took > the lead and was never again headed. Seeats -was in a very prominent position, but he slackened upland finally finished third. Thomas was in a very handy position and in the last lap he lengthened his stride and. made up a great deal of leeway.. When Seeats slackened up Thomas shot past him and Henrs was lucky that there was not another lap] Thomas finished second about 30yds behind Henry, and was followed 5s later by Seeats. Browne ran his usual sterling race and had no difficulty in gaining fastest time. , Considerable interest has been taken In the field events, which now attract large entrants. H. Roper performed well in both the shot putting and the discus throwing and won the latter with a throw of over 130 ft. T. Elliot, who won the shot putting, had a big mark and he threw tne snot a long way, and combining the two he set up a record for the -winter competitions. The Akarana Club will open the track on Labour Day. ko there is still six weeks In which to get fit. • ' ' ,