AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 3, 4 January 1934, Page 14

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

THE COUNTRY ROUND.

FORTUNES OF COMPETITORS.

Instead of a rest, many athletes found the holiday season a very; <tojuey and strenuous period. Rotorua, whakatane and Whatawhata all drew a big number of city athletes, and it was most pleasant this minglng of city and country amateurs. At Whatawhata on New Year's Day the most successful athletes were Nalder, the brilliant Papatoetoe champion, and R. Coombes, - the ; ex-Hamilton runner. These athletes, running ,in different distances, finished up a-great day by tieing for the Points Cup. _• In the 100 yds V. R. Walker, wellknown Auckland sprinter, gave an indication of his form when he won the race from virtual scratch, 2yds. Walker is running beautifully, and came through the field like a whirlwind. A. Wall, a most promising Hamilton ex-schoolboy, ran his usual good hundred to collect second place off 6%yds, whilst Coombes collected his first points by running third. In the 220yde, however, Coombes, off the liberal mark of 18yds, was not to be denied, and he defeated his fellow-marker C. Goosman, to win handily. Again in the quarter-mile Coombes was in winning vein, and he ran away to defeat that good athlete J. C. Thompson, who was off 20yds. S. Carter was third. Thompson came up very well in this race, and will be hard to defeat on a short mark. , . J. Nalder put in his appearance in the half-mile, and running off the small mark of Byds he defeated Tommy Mills (28yde) and P. Lindsay (18yds). This win indicates that the Papatoetoe boy must be in great form, as Tommy Milk can always run a good half, even when only half fit, and Lindsay is a well-known and seasoned runner. Running off the 12yd mark Nalder came home again in the 1000 yds event. Lindsay wae again third, but J. C. Thompson was well up in second place. Thompson", at his best, is one of the best half-milers in the province, and only needs competition. It is not often that there is a 1000 yds race on the programme, especially when there in already an 880 yds event. To run these two gruelling races is hard work enough, but to take on a mile also is a task for only a very fit man. Valder gave away big starts in this latter event, and came home third. G. Knox, off 120 yds, was the winner, and Lindsay, off 45yds, gave an indication of his real form by beating the virtual scratch man in. A. H. Malcolm, the well-known hurdler, had a day out in the field event section, and won the long and high jumps, and was also second in the hop-step. Now that Kerr-Taylor is out of the active running Malcolm's chances of securing a 440 yds hurdle title are very bright indeed. At Rotorua, ae predicted, the sports were an enormous success, and the public attended a really great meeting. This is now the most popular holiday fixture in New Zealand, and athletes from Wellington, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland ! and Gieborne gave a national atmosphere j to the gathering. Quinn, a finely-built young sprinter from Gisborne, attracted much favourable comment by his splendid performances in the two short sprints. Wilf Roberts held up Auckland's reputation by running beautifully,, and placing well. He is right at home at Rotorua, being one of the original "gang" that journeyed through to the initial meeting. Mbrry Furlong, a nicely developed sprinter, and popular club captain of the Kiwi Club of Wellington, also impressed, especially at Whakatane just afterwards. Furlong is well known to Aucklanclers, as he usually turns out with Technical Harriere each winter when he is up here ! for the oyster season; ■' . . . .. Les. Schneiderman, ;anpther ex-Auck-lander, but now champion, delighted his admirers with hie hop-step- | aud-jump exhibition, and bears out all the praise bestowed, upon him just two seasons ago. A leg injury is all that holds this fine performer back. All Aucklandere who witnessed Schneiderman leaping the week before the Dominion championships in 1932 will testify, that he. ie. indeed in a clues of his own.

Steele, the local sprinter and ■ hurdler, was well in form, and. visitors were inipreesed with hia ability. Herewini, the fine Maori field, man, is a real threat for the javelin title, and ie reaching over 140 ft quite easily. He ie a good all-rounder, and should develop-with coaching. • Perry, of Mastertori, has been jumping for many years, and although handicapped by his arm, is always able to make the best of them clear a good height before acknowledging defeat. His brother was the best pole vault exponent in the Wairarapa for some years. Pinson ran his usual good mile,- and produced his sprint in time to score a good victory at Rotorua. He ie always in the money, and is a great little distance man.

As the entry fee ie only 3d, there should he a very big crowd of athletes at the Stadium this Saturday, when a grand opportunity of trying themselves over all distances and events, is given athletes. A special effort should be made for all to attend. Whanuarei supporters are quietly confident that their miler Wilson will be hard to defeat on February 3. A. L. Tressider and Dr. Buckley have him well in hand, and predict that the time will have to be well under 4.30 before he is defeated. Wilson, who is 23 years of age, is a real good runner, and is a great asset to the Northern Club. Morgan ie out jumping again, and ie working into form nicely. So far McKay has not been in. open competition, his work at Waipu giving him little time to train. Quite a number of lady runners have put in an appearance at Whangarei, and with very keen interest displayed by schoolboy and High School "budding" champions, the club is well and popularly established.