AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 261, 3 November 1932, Page 18

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

THE PAPATOETOE TRACK.

EARLY SEASON PERFORMANCES.

QUESTION 01* COACH DISCUSSED.

Although it rained again Saturday morning, the weather cleared fairly well, and the Papatoetoe Chib enjoyed an excellent day's Sport. The public attendance Was naturally small, but it improved as the day progressed.

One great advantage of the ground is that spectators have an excellent view of the racing from an angle, _ana although runners may find the email track a little hard to get iieed to, it is a good one, and is conducive to spectacular competition.

The 100 yds men had to finish a little up the asphalt, but in many American tracks huff ere have to be- provided at the ends, and even then it is impossible to have a complete 100 yd track. This refers, of course, to indoor tracks, which are comparable to the Papatoetoe Stadium. All praise is due to Mr. R. MacLeod and Mr. Websi r, who were the driving forces behind the movement. Given a fine, clear day, the eight of athletes contesting in bright colours against a green background will be one to be remembered. Don Kerr-Taylor had a good handicap of Bydß, and ran a fine strong •■- race to win the furlong. He ia very fit just now, and is striding much better than last ee | S . On Lusby, off 4%yds in the 100, managed to gain the verdict, although the field wae closely bunched. He is good, and only needs to train systematically to move back to a small mark. Walker and Cargill ran well in this race, and did not seem to mind the heavy going. L. Barker, that consistent place-getter in middle distance evente, ran a splendid heady half off 30yds. Letting ThOrburn and Pullman make the pace for a lap he shot ahead, and, clapping on the pace, gave the back-markers no show. (Jrawford ran a good race off 12yds, and is a very solid type of performer. In the mile the two back-markers were Bradley and Valder. however, was well oil form, and Valder had to go out on his own to pick up big handicaps m heavy going. A fighting heart carried him well up in the finish, and he secured a wellearned third. The first two places were secured by Whitmore and E. Littler, who had a great fight down the straight. Whitmore, wlio won, and was also second •in the half, led most of the way, and had seven yards on Littler when the latter made his finish. It was a great race, and the verdict was inches only.

Both these men demonstrated that the only thing-for-a handicap-man-to do is to go right out and make use of his advantage.

Mr. Tom Elliot, the veteran field event exponent, was. most impressed by _T. Gilmour's diecus throwing. After winning the handicap event with 106 ft 10% in he threw over 112 ft in an exhibition throw, and then the Canadian remarked that he wae merely "warming up." A few more men like him and Auckland's field events will jump right ahead. Len Meredith looks well, and gave the quarter a good try-out, but conld_ not catch the fast-finishing Stack and Crawford. Both these men ran good handicap races, and with coaching they wili be well to the fore. The relay race between the Otahubu and Papatoetoe schools was a very even contest; and the yotmgstere ran with rare determination. Nothing is finer than the eight of youthful zest and spirit, as displayed in relay racing, with, each one doing his-utmost to bring hw school home to victory. : Schoolboys all over the Dominion are displaying i fine form, and every, day a record is being broken, proving that coaching and talent is of high standard. Down at Southland Technical College I. Gordon leaped sft 2%in to win the high jump, which" is good jumping for a schoolboy, whilet the quarter wae won in 58 2-ss. This latter race time wae. well beaten by the champion at the Chrisrs College sports, who won-the 440 yds event in 52 2-ss. This runner, Harper, ran this time after competing in a series of senior championship events, which shows his worth. Stuart Black is imparting what knowledge he gained at the Olympic Games by lecturing boys at the New Plymouth: Boys High School, of. which he is an ex-pupil. His example could well be followed by other" men who have been overseas, ae half the 'object in. sending men away is that they should benefit those left behind with the knowledge gained. The West boast (North Island) Athletic Centre is';'iiot in of an overseas tour thia.ieeason, and suggests instead that a good coach be brought over. The value of euch a man will only be apparent if he could spend a reasonable time in each centre..

I At .the moment the Australians have definitely - - invited, fji jßaueehj ithe decathlon Thinner at ;the JMympics, ; and George ■winner of 'th_e 110-metre hurdle, event-.: The- latteT has ■ times of : 14 2-ss. to his credit."-i Prank Wykoff, Ben; Eastman and J. Gordon are aleo being' asked, but definite arrahgeniente have riot, been made. A suggestion,'.'may be made that J. Bausch.may; be■ induced to remain in New "Zealand, as-:he.is a really; great allround man, and has the technical as:;wellas practical knowledge to impart in,, pracr tieally., every event. The scheme would not. be. very : difficult to finance- if every centre . got" behind; -it, and-if .he spent"'-.a-year "here the' winter' months could be well "filled in -with field event coaching, providing that the'*meQ> were keen enough. Bausch was out of employment-in U.S.A~r when -'the Games were in progress, andthe Texan ,may welcome the suggestion. PAPATOETOE CLUB. . . The Papatoetoe Amateur Athlefic and Cycle Club will be concluding its last Saturday's programme," part of which was cancelled owing to weather, conditions,- on Saturaa-y afternoon at the" cycle'stadium:" A "miss and out" race, two match races, and a one mile h.andicap will be neld as exhibition cycle events; The' .first of the club's points meetings, which will be continued throughout the summer, win be held on Tuesday. t £u SCHOOLBOY'S GREAT MILE. (By Press Association.) '■[ CHRISTCHURCH, this day. At the combined secondary schoojs' sports yesterday C. E. Matthews, aged 18, of the Christchurch Technical School, ran a mile in 4.29 2-5. breaking his own record of 4.30 1-5. This is believed to be a British Empire schoolboys' record. E. Malley, St. Bede's College, ran 880 yds In 2.3 1-5, a new record. CYCLING. AUCKLAND AMATEUR CLUB. The Auckland •• Amateur- - Cycle • Club's track season will be opened at Lynndale on Saturday afternoon, when two races will be held. Handicaps:— One Mile.—H. O. Browne, I. C. Laloli, scr; G. Patrick, C. Johnston, 20yds; A. P. Johnston, H. Webb, 40yds; C. Gooder, I*. Oxten, K. Banks. 60yds; W. Barry, R. Bartrum, B. Craig, 80yds; C. Melville, W. . Crocker, H. Moshiem, 100 yds; C.' Hassett, G. Collins, N. Brier, Kent, 120 yds; K. Yates, R. Lynn, B. Harris, 140 yds; Morrison, Philipp. Hankins, 160yas. Three Miles. —H. O. Browne, I. C. Laloli, ew G Patrick, C. Johnston, 40yds; H. Webb, A. P. Johnston 70yds; C. Gooder, L. Oxten, K. Banks, 100 yds; R. Bartrum, W. Barry B. Craig, 120 yds; C. Melvell, W. Crocker, K. Moshiem, 100 yds; C. Hassett, G. Collins, N. Brier, Kent, 180 yds; K. Yates, R. Lynn, B. Harris, 220 yds; MorriL son, Philipp, Tankins,. 240 yds.