AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 194, 18 August 1933, Page 11

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE. SAVIDAN WINS AGAIN. . PROMISING YOUNG RUNNERS. The course was wet and sticky for the best part of the distance last Saturday, in the cross-country championship (B grade), but taking everything into consideration the going was not extra difficult. It was a line sight when, at a little after 2.30 p.in., 02 men sped around the bend to begin the hard uphill pull out of the racecourse. Old-timers can well remember the time when the senior championship could not have boasted such a fine field as did the 1) grade last week. McCarthy took the lead early, and was well ahead going into Abbott's Way. Alter this he took his own time, and allowed some runners to approach him, but over the last two miles he drew away, and won very comfortably. His team-mate, Crompton, was next to follow him in, and this runner is very strong and determined in his racing. McCarthy is a very strong youth, and will go a long way in the athletic world if ho takes the sport up seriously. J. R. Green, who was third man in, is another Lynndale man who possesses a really line style, and moves along very easily. He has been prominent in most club runs this season. Littler, the 17-year-oid Papatoetoo "midget'' star, ran another splendid race to place fourth, and finished as usual, very fresh and smiling. This fine young athlete is a coining champion, and .much ; depends on his racing judgment in the next few y'cars. Ho is very wise m deciding to spell all next track season. Ohms had the honour of being the first Technical man to finish, and this man has been a very steady performer for his club. Clark and Henshall, again of Lynndale, were next to come past the finishing line, and Clark, who was in the club's B team, had a chance to prove his worth by defeating A team members in Henshall and Fowlds. The two latter, like all the preceding runners,, are young, strong and well above the average runners. The future of the harrier sport in the province is well assured with such promising material coming on. Dunn was the first Auckland Club man to finish, running into ninth place just ahead of his team mate Webster. These two men have been improving each week, and last week's race will do them the world of good. It is racing experience, more than anything else, that will mature a young runner, .provided he trains well. Thrift was the sealed handicap winner, the Wesley man having a very popular victory. Littler was next, as he deserved well, and Ohms third, in this innovation of the cross-country sport. After the bustle of watching and judging the B grade men finishing all was calm for a few minutes. An underlying feeling of excitement was evident soon, however, as the A men began, to prepare for the big struggle. Of course, Savidan was looked upon as a certainty for gaining still another title, but the fight ito gain a place in the provincial team was keen and uncertain. Then again, never before had there been such evenly matched teams to fight out the coveted teams championship. Technical, ' last year's winner, were without Cooper.and Hill, but were still able to put a good team in the field. Lynndale, after the Avondalo win, were even favourites, whilst Auckland had a well-trained and high-class four. "See if some of you men can defeat Savidan," was the final joking remark of President Kalaugher, just before the big field sped away.

Going 'out of the straight Gordon Hill had jumped to the lead, and- Savidan was running second up the hill. Over the fence and gates they leaped, and down the road to Lake St. John the pace was fast and even. The little champion had not drawn away much, and was content to keep ahead of the first ten men, but the rest- of the field were rapidly stringing out. Ansel Browne was ahead at one stage, and ran a gallant and fast race to eventually finish 2os behind the British Empire champion.

Savidan ran easily, lightly and freshly; in other words, "just like Savidan," and the Auckland province has every confidence in his winning the Dominion title on the 26th instant.

Browne is fitter than ever before, and should run the race of his life at Wanganui.

The surprise of the day, of course, .was the fine performance of Gordon Hill. Some years back he was looked upon as the most promising distance man in the city, but over-training and youthfulness made him perform in a disappointing fashion. After a good spoil Hill, who has developed into a very solidly-built athlete, turned out, and ran the race of the day to fill third place. Hill now has a great distance future in his own hands. There are great achievements for a runner of his ability to attempt. Running better each race in good company, McKenzie, .of Papatoetoe, well deserved his fourth place and provincial selection. The fate of the team at Wanganui will depend on how well Hill and McKenzie can face the experience of Barnes, Stevens, Park and Company. Jack Nicholson ran solidly, and his fifth place was full of merit. Jack will run better when the occasion is bigger, as there is a lot of truth in the old saying, "It takes an old dog for the hard road."

Stan. Andrews finished strongly to just head off that fine Hamilton champion Readdy. Stan just missed the provincial team, but should be bard to keep out next year, as he has come back to form in every run.

Readdy ran a good race, and only needs a little harder racing to be up with the best of them. The whole Hamilton team showed great sporting spirit in making the long trip to run, and impressed as being a fine even team, and splendid competitors. Bradley was feeling ill before he ran, but rather than let his club team down he raced, and under the circumstances his eighth place was excellent.

Carter was the first 'Varsity man to finish, and he ran his best open race to finish so well up. Ho will.be harder to defeat next season. Pinson ran his usual good race, and was tenth just ahead of Briggs, who was back further than expected. Briggs has heaps of ability, but has yet to acquire that ideal racing temperament. Only experience can do this for him.

Harding ran an excellent race to be third Technical man in, and to collect the sealed handicap prize. G. Hill was second in this placing, witli H. Jelly next.

It was a great afternoon's sport, and showed the strength of the harrier game. The provincial team is a good one, and will run better than is generally expected, but on paper the Otago team should win again. The racing combination of Jiminio Barnes, national mile and cross-country champion; Jack Morris, one" of the best distance men in New Zealand a year or two back, who has "come back" this season; Pullar, a promising newcomer to the big company; and last, but not least, E. C. Brown, who was third in the race it Cliristchnrch last winter, will take a oower of beating. Still our boys are all good, game performers, and should be capable of giving Otago a great race for the title. . It is interesting to note that Savidan's time of 36.22 was just 3.5 ahead of the B grade winner's performance.

WINTER COMPETITIONS.

After an absence of three weeks the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club will return to the Outer Domain for its winter competitions to-morrow afternoon. Handicaps:— _ , 6000 Yards Steeplechase.—.T. W. Savldan. scr; A. G. Hill. 50s: K. Pinson, 05s; .T. Dunn, 755; S. Allen, 85s: N. McCarthy, 90s; D. Mitchell, 955: O. D. Mills, J. R. Green 115s; J. Powlo; P. G. Johnson, 1355: R. Oliver. E. TT. Johnson. 150s; E. F. Jones. Itiss; W. G. Thompson. 17..5: W. Mason. F. U Adams. R. R. uohsrer, E M. Horan. K. Hutchinson. J- W. Murphy, lS5s; G. Elliott. A. V. Anderson, R. I. A. McDonald H. T. J. McNiel, 190s A. G. Smith, A. C. Bridle, .I..M...Thomson, .8.. Willey, E. WHley, 1955; H. F. Ri«r. R.

11. Pow, J. A. Thompson, 200s; V. E Sanders, 2055; J. S. Webster, A. O. McLean, R. Owsley, L. N. Ross, N. Clark, .T. B. Murray, 2205; B. G. Battv, A. S. Batty, 2255; A. Clark, 2305; N. "Douglas, M. P. Byrnes, 2405; N. Barton, 2SOs. 7o Yards Handicap.—First heat: A. J. Elliot, scr: R. Oliver, W. G. Miller syds ■ W. G. Elliot. 6yds; R. Willey. W. g' Thompson, f«yds R. 11. Pow, E F .lones TAyils ; D. Mitchell, .T. It. Green, Svds; \' G. Smith, SJyds O. T>. Mills, 9yds N. Douglas, E. V. Sanders. lOvtls; B G Batty. lOJyds; G. Elliott, 12yds; F. L.' Adams, 141 yds. Second heat: E. M Uoran, ojyds; J. A. Thompson, 7*yds; ; .1. W. Tumbiill, W. Mason. Svds: A V Anderson, A. C. Bridle. !)vds; R. It Web- , ster, Ojyds; V. G. Johnston, K. Rutculn- ' son. .T. B. Murray, 10yds, K. Pirison, S. • Allen, R. Owsley, 13 yds; A. S. Battv, 12yd; N. Clark, 12iyds U. T. J. McN'iel, lUyds: J. Dowle. 13yds. Third heat: i .T. S. Wcltslcr, (ijyds; L. Willey, A. O. McLean, Byds; L. 11. Johnston. ,T. W. ; Murphy. M. I>. Byrnes, Siyds; L. N. : Boss, 9Jyds; A. (;. Hill. 30yds: I. M. 1 Thomson. X. McCarthy. R. I. A. McDonald. ' .1. W. Savidait. 11yds: J. Dunn, lljvds: X. Barton, 125 yds: 11. F. Rigg. 13yds; . Albert Elliott. l.'U.vds A. Clark, 15yds. Adjustments for the shot putting: and discus (browing events will be declared • on the ground. N.Z. CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE. AUCKLANDERS FOR WANGANUI. At the weekly meeting of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Centre a report was received from the harrier subcommittee relating to the New Zealand cross-country championship to be held at Wanganui on Saturday, August 20. A report from that centre showed that a great advance had been made in the sport, and that the enthusiasm shown augured well, not only for the future of the sport, but also for the coming summer season. The secretary, Mr. L. C. Barker, reported that the following team had been selected :—.T. W. Savidan, A. B. Browne. G. Hill, R. Mackenzie, J. W. Nicholson. Mr. S. J. Gudsell was selected as manager of the team, and also as delegate to the New Zealand Harrier Conference. A second delegate will be selected later. Advice was received from Mr. E. S. Marks, the New Zealand representative in Australia, that the suggested tour of the Dominion wa* made owing to the conflicting dates of the Australian games and the various State championships. The question or a tour from overseas athletes was thoroughly discussed in view of the probable postponement, but, owing to lack of details, it was decided to take no further action at present. A letter was received from the Wellington Centre with reference to the proposed marathon race to be held probably in November. An application from the Ellerslle Club for permission to conduct the annual road race for the Savidan Cup from I'akuranga Hall to the Ellerslle Domain on September. 9 was referred to the harrier sub-committee.!