AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 183, 4 August 1932, Page 19

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMS. AUCKLAND CANDIDATES. GOOD RUNS LAST WEEK. With only ten days to go before the Auckland provincial championships are decided, harriers are training hard. The race last week was a real test. This week there will be several local championships, and these, combined with the big event on the 13th, will bring racing experience to all. The battle for a place in the provincial team is keen, and the selectors have already selected 13 athletes to undergo special training. Many fences and deep mud characterised the Avondale course on Saturday, but, taking everything into consideration, it was a tine, hard racing test. A feature was the splendid organisation of the Lynndale, Club's officials under Jack Uolan and-Jack Crum. A clearly defined trail, with "stewards guarding and directing ali doubtful points, made it an easy course to follow. The innovation of coming twice on to the racecourse gave the spectators a fine opportunity of following the race almost right through. < Auckland's blonde star, Norman Cooper, was the popular pick for individual honours, and he disappointed none of his supporters. Taking the lead in the first few yards to set a very willing pace, he always had the race in hand, and forged gradually ahead to win easily. The greatest surprise was the welcome return to form of Bill Briggs, who ran a sterling race, and likes hills. Ansel Browne, in filling next place, was running the best l 'ace of his career, whilst veteran Jack Nicholson was right up with the best of them. Barker, who was well back at the end of the first lap, did a surprisingly fast last round, and was finishing very fastId asard runs a fine steady race, but it will « e c m° „ su rpnse to see the popular bmiler Bradley further up next race, and Hasard and he should fight out a fine finish.

Dowle, of Auckland Club, is a surprisingly good runner for his size and is an ideal man over hills. Calliope were unfortunate in not having the services of several good men and so were out of the teams contest. A feature w-as the fine sporting spirit shown by Hamilton men in journeying up for the race, and in Readdy, the club has a splendid man if he is watched. Another good man of this club, Roberts, will be running in the provincial championship, and it will he interesting to note their form against city runners. Technical College Old Boys again won the team championship and had a fairly clear-cut win on points, although competitors from the three leading clubs were in doubt as to the verdict until the numbers were totalled. University were a good second, while Auckland ran into third place.

Centre secretary H. L. Towers would appreciate if several winners of provincial championship medals would get in touch with him. and claim their prizes, as he has not their present addresses.

The prizes for the provincial championship, to .be held at Ellerslie racecourse on August 13, will be as follow:—Four medals for the teams race, first and second medals for the individual championship, a medal for the first novice to finish, and a fine trophy for a sealed handicap. Entries close next Wednesday, and a big field is expected to contest for these fine prizes and the honour of being given a trip South.

University will hold its annual championship, at which Hasard should be proclaimed club champion. Ball and Francis may surprise in this event, however. Technical College will also hold their championship, at which Norman Cooper is a foregone winner, but the second place rnay be a tough tussle between Barker, Bradley and Hill.

Mr. A. H. Candy, of Christchurch, who has been running recently with the Technical Club and has witnessed several races, expresses the opinion that on present form the Auckland team is just superior to the Canterbury one, who will, however, have the advantage of competing on their own ground. The province of the plains is depending on the efforts of Dick Barrer, Gordon Watson, Alf. Park and Alex. Kane, who are good fair men, but not really brilliant.

■ The province is fortunate in having such an able, willing and respected president as Mr. J. P. Kalaugher. Ever ready to attend any function, Mr. Kalaugher last week presided at the Ellerslie Club's prizegiving, presented the prizes at Avondale, and will also be present at Ellerslie racecourse on the 13th. His son Wilf. Kalaugher is an intimate companion of several of the English athletes whose names have been appearing in the Olympic results.

Up to the moment nothing has stood out quite so clearly in reading the Los Angeles reports as that the set opinions of the Wellington officials are confounded. The men selected by Messrs. Breen and Henry have performed with great credit, but of Miss Kench and Don Evans the same cannot be said. Only a strong Auckland and Otago protest prevented our own Bill Savidan being left out of the team in favour of the lady runner. A very game little performer, Miss Kench had much against her and could only compete in one event. On the other hand, her companions are still competing and can yet win honours for their* country.

Alan Elliott's performance in defeating the existing Olympic record and being a bare half-yard behind in the new world's time for the 200 metres, must go down in New Zealand's history. Half a yard is about l-20th of a second, and so one can see the real speed the Auckland man possesses. He has done very well.