AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 253, 25 October 1934, Page 22

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

LABOUR DAY EVENTS. PROMISING PERFORMANCES. THE WILSON-SAVIDAN RACE. Labour Day was beautifully fine, and athletes who raced could not help but feel the call of the track. Green spring grass, white lanes, flags and the tape stretched across at the tinish, always stir up the competitive spirit in any runner.

Seven thousand people in the North, the biggest crowd to ever attend an athletic event at Whangarei, were thrilled and well rewarded by the much-advertised bavidan-Wilson clash.

■ Mcßeatli, a very fine young local runner, made a hot pace for six laps, when his lead was taken off him by the scratch men. i'inson and MacKenzie, of Auckland, ran strongly and well off 90yds and 1 flUyds respectively, but the pace set by the two stars was too hot. Wilson simply hung grimly to Savidan all the journey, and it was clear that the latter needed-another race or two under his belt. The crowd were very silent, except for an occasional "Come on, Savvy!" and "Stick to him, Rube!" but when the bell went for the last lap a roar went up. Both runners sprinted, and for almost three-quarters of a lap they were stride for stride. Coming into the straight, Savidan had a bare lead, but Wilson came level, and both men pelted for the tape. The crowd broke all restraint and surged upon the ground and packed the straight in a dense mass, barely giving the athletes room to run. Calling upon_everytliing he had, Wilson forged ahead and hit the tape not quite two yards ahead of Savidan, amidst tremendous excitement. Savidan was very fresh and well, but Wilson collapsed and required attention. He was picked up and carried shoulder high by enthusiasts, and the crowd cheered him heartily. Both are wonderful performers, as is evinced by the time of 4.27 2-5, which is only 7s outside the Dominion record. It was their first run of the season, and the track was very bumpy in parts. Should these men have another six weeks' training and be given a good, fast track, there is no doubt that the record will be beaten. The issue of superiority between these two runners is still very uncertain, should both be thoroughly fit. Savidan can run a lot faster than this. Wilson is undoubtedly the greatest distance "find", the Dominion has had in years. Gillespie threw the javelin well to mark up 158 ft 4in, which is excellent form for the provincial champion. B. Given is a very attractive jumper, and he deserved his win in the hop, step. Ex-Provincial Champion N. R. McKay was equal first, with a good Maori leaper, K. Rika, in the high jump. Although unfit, he recorded sft C%in. Tipping and Collins were prominent in their heats of the 100 yds, and made the pace off their handicaps just too fast for V. R. Walker, who was on tli# scratch mark. They ran very strongly in the 100, to head off Walker, who was running right up to 10 l-5s form. Donaldson won the furlong nicely. Edwards ran strongly to lead all the way in the half, from 11. Valder, who is a younger brother of the Papatoetoe star. The Auckland Club conducted a good meeting for the benefit of city runners, and it was refreshing to see an introductory handicap on the programme. R. A. Ozanne won this from D. Harvie, the scratch man. In the 100 yds open W. G. Thompson came home ahead of the first race winner, Ozanne; with that good sprinter C. R. Jones third. W. G. Thompson is always a useful handicap man, and he won from Buckley and Harvie in the 220 also. Buckley should go very well this season. 11. Cari-01l ran some good races last season, and won the quarter, off 28yds, in 50s. He should develop into an excellent middle to quarter performer. Hewitson and Briggs, two cross-country men, shared the half-mile places "with Carroll next. Hewitson's time was good indeed, seeing lie was not unduly pushed, and his win was impressive. Gordon Hill, in the absence of Savidan, was scratch in the two miles steeplechase, and went with great dash to run through his field and win easily in fast steeple time. . , , Miss Mullins is out again, and she scored two nice wins in the /oycls and 100 yds. Mrs. B. Thomas, who is perhaps better known on the track as the former Miss Dot Reynolds, was second in both races. She. always runs very consistently. Miss J. McConnell is scratch girl again this season, and should reach provincial form before long. , Out at OtahuhU the newly-formed cluo had a great day's sport. G. Whye was in fine form, and won the 880 yds senior from scratch, but the time of 2.15 is slow for George. E. Midgley, another scratch runner, was first home in the furlong, and looks as if he will run as well as he did last summer. He was second in the 100 yds, also off scratch, in 10 2-ss. G. Little was the winner of the mile, and was also second in the half. He only needs more racing. This club should be a very keen organisation for athletes in the surrounding districts to join. It will serve a long-felt want. 1 . , , Finlayson is in good form in his huraling races, as was shown at the Domain on Saturday. He will be a much-watched performer this season. His- sft Bin is a good leap. Chadwick, with sft 7in, will be another marked performer if he can get the time to compete regularly. . A. E. Sutton is well up to form in the discus with 98ft B%in. Alan Elliot is shaping well in the "strong man events with his 31ft HVain in the shot. Blandford Park will witness the nrst scratch meeting on Saturday at - p.m. All clubs will be allowed to enter on the ground, and the afternoon should prove to be a really fine tryout for all men.