AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 204, 29 August 1935, Page 23

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

PROMISING JUNIORS. THE SAVIDAN CUP RACE. SOUND 'VARSITY TEAM. It is seldom that there is a dead-heat at the end of a 5%-mile race, but last Saturday at Avondale French, o£ Papatoetoe, and Clapham, of Calliope, were instrumental in staging this unusual finish. Nothing could have been more exciting than their neck-and-neck running over the last part of the journey, and both runners deserve great praise for their sterling display. They have been showing promiseright throughout the season and were expected to be hard to defeat. Matthews, who was third, is one of University's coming men and a future senior of class. He has been selected to go to Christchurch, but may be unable to compete owing to an injury. Brown, who was fourth, is a Technical runner, who has steadily worked up into form from the "mere youth" stage. He runs easily and is rightly taking his time before doing much hard racing. Ohms is another Technical man. He shows a deal of promise and has better chances in the senior ranks after he has filled out in a year or two. Anderson and Edgar ran solidly. They have been showing form most of the year and were expected to be well up. This race proves that we have a fine lot of juniors in Auckland, and, after all, that is where our future stars come from. By racing more among themselves at an early age, they have less tendency to strain themselves. Oftei* a young runner, although exhaueted, will hang on to a senior man of real ability, rather than admit defeat. His gameness is to be admired, but in the long run he may do himself a lot of harm. Young runners, especially in long-dis-tance races, where the strain is prolonged for over 30 minutes and the going is hilly and hard, must be handled with discretion. Better to wait a year or so, than have one "flashy" season and then have to retire for good. Auckland University again sends its team down for the second annual New Zealand 'Varsity cross-country championships. It has a good one this year, with Francis and Stephenson leading them. On form. Francis must stand a real chance for the individual title, as his speed is evident in track races. The southerners' main hopes are not ae yet well known, so it is idle to prophesy. Stephenson and Francis should, however, be with the leaders all the way. Kay, McKenzie and Collins, who comprise, along with Matthews, the balance of the team, are well-known club performers, who can be counted upon to try every inch of the way. The team, as a whole, must stand n fair chance of gaining leading honours. The Savidan Cup race on Saturday wih see Atton and Parsons back again from their Island trip. It will be remembered that Mont. Atton made perhaps his first appearance in Auckland company in this race some years back. The Navy men may not be fit, of course, but it will be interesting to note how they fare against Briggs, Hill, Browne and Co. Briggs should win again, with Hill likely to be very close. It is doubtful if Savidan and Cooper will compete, even if they are back here in time. The race in Australia last Saturday justified Norman Cooper's claim as a future international runner. Year after year he improves, and to run third against Sheaves and Savidan in record time is splendid, especially when one considers that he defeated such runners as the Patterson brothel's and Pullar. Savidan tried hard, but apparently met an outstanding athlete in Sheaves. The first mile was covered in 5.2 and at four miles the time was only about 4s outside of the Australian record for that distance. The time for the whole 10 is claimed as an Australian record, so it is seen that Savidan was not disgraced in meeting such a fine performer as Sheaves. The winner is a married man over 30, some say nearly 33, who has a dairy farm outeidc of Sydney. In delivering the milk and being out in the fresh air, he is enabled to maintain a high standard of fitness. He is always in form and only finds it necessary to train once a week. , Riddington ir a good track man ot slight build and would find the 10 miles flat to his liking. He looks to have a future. , ~ , Pullar is best over three miles and obviously found the 10 miles too far. After all, it was a little strange to our men, as not one of them has raced over this distance during the season. The Voeseller Shield race in Wellington is one of the few big 10-mile contests staged in New Zealand.