AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 226, 23 September 1932, Page 11

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND CLUB SEASON. THE OUTSTANDING MEMBERS. SURVEY OF THE TALENT. The Auckland Club has just complete* a winter sports programme which in man; ways proved to be the most successfu since the series began in 1926. An innova tion this year was the competition fo some of the club's most cherished tracl season trophies, the Sportsman, Kohn an( Victor Ludorum Cups, which gave adde< interest to the sport and were most keenli contested for. The Kohn Cup especially, which thii year goes to the athlete gaining mos points in all events held during the wintei season, was in dispute until the last rac< of the season. The following are a few of this club , ! most successful and prominent competitor! during the past season:— J. W. Savidan was most remarkable ir his consistent success before leaving foi the Games. From the opening of the season until June 11, he competed each, week, and on each occasion was successful in winning the main event on the pro' gramme. In addition to winning fout steeplechases on end, Savidan also won a 100 yards and a half-mile flat race, and also won minor placee in 220 yards and 440 yards racej. He won the Sportsman Cup for 1931-32, and despite his short season, nearly collected enough points to win the Kohn Cup also. The Olympian shows versatility, but has been helped by good handicaps in the short events. J. Nicholson was runner-up to Savidan in all the distance events. He had a most successful season and proved to be the club's most consistent and versatile performer. With four wins, including a club steeplechase championship, seven seconds and four thirds, Jack won the Kohn Cup for the season. He captained the Auckland provincial cross-country team at the Dominion championships in Christchurch. The whole province wishes him success in October, when he will run in the Wellington modified marathon. He is at the right age and on his showing last year will make a bold bid to bring Auckland's name on« the winning list. A. C. Bridle is a newcomer to athletics, but in 'him the club has a potential champion. He will help to bring Auckland's field event standard out of the rut. Qf splendid build with muscles well developed through rowing, Bridle's chief event ie shot putting. Ho improves every putt, and the first time he handled the shot he putt it 29ft 7in. Just two months later he was up to 35ft siu, and he is still improving. So keen is he on this branch that he is forsaking rowing in order to concentrate on field evente. W. Mason is also a first-year man, and has more than average success with the ehofc and discus. He is capable of around 30ft in the former, and is improving in ;ho discus. He will also be out this co'msummer season. W. Matthew is a boy whose sprinting and field events are improving every week. He has had two wine, nine seconds and a third to his credit for the season, and was a close third to Mason in the Kohn Cup. J. Dunn is another novice who should be prominent in miles and lhalf-miles during the coming track season. S. Allan should develop into a good miler and three-miler i£ he can add .pace to his long sbride, and if he endeavours to use a bit more energy in his races, in which he usually finishes as fresh as the proverbial _ daisy. Don Elliott, younger brother of Olympian Allan, was one of the best sprinters seen out this year. In winning the I Victor Ludorum 100 and 220 yards, lie showed splendid style. Don retains this fine trophy in the family household for another season. Allan was last year's holder. G. Mitchell, who was successful in sprints up to 440 yds towards the end of the season, is endeavouring to get fit early for the coming season. W. G. Thompson impressed in the quarter miles, especially in the Victor Ludorum race the other day. He won this comfortably. If he uses his head he can be a very successful track performer. Last year the Auckland Centre changed the programme for the t New Zealand championships in one particular by reversing the broad jump and hop, step and jump. This year, the New Zealand Council have altered them back, and the events will now be hop and step on the first day, and broad jump on the second. A very lengthy scheme for the promotion of international athletics, bringing New Zealand into more competition, will be explained in next week's column. The local centre is making a big effort to efficiently cater for the public thie season.