AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 13

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE. THE PROVINCIAL 'PROBABLES' SOME CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS. The provisional team of twelve selected by the provincial selectors to train appear to be really representative of .the province's talent. Men like Savidan, Briggs, Birtwistle, Niel and Hill were foregone selections, and most of the others have been "first six" men at 6ome time or another. . Birtwistle has not been well and it is to be hoped he fully recovers shortly, as he is a key position man. Crompton justly earned his place and it looks as if Briggs and Jie will be great rivals for the second apd third ranking position, along with Kiel and Birtwistle. Harding lias not had a true opportunity to display hie real form, but the Technical man should be well to the fore at the provincial championships. Littler has also yet to run as well as he did. last season, but the Papatoetoe man has always the happy knack of turning in a good run when needed. Haszard and Stephenson, the two 'Varsity members, .both earned their places and are likely to be still 'better at the &ig meeting. Should they win a provincial team place they will have the honour of competing in two New Zealand championships within a week, as the Dominion 'Varsity title is decided the week before the open national meeting. Holden earned his place by steady performances and is a real new man who shows more than the average promise. Jack Nicholson is, as usual, getting better placed at every run and if he wins a place will surely create a record for runs at New Zealand meetings. Ansell Browne is away at Opotiki, but is reported to be training and coming in for tile big meetings. When fit, Browne is as good a man as any around. R. Mackenzie* iwho left Papatoetoe this year for Whangarei, ran so well last year, especially at Wellington, that his running when he ,contes south will be the most likely to upset team placing. A lot depends as to how his. training has progressed in the comparative lack of competition at Whangarei. Henshall is an ex-Lynndale man now at Hamilton, who looks to be the best Waika,to .runner so 'far. 'He generally runs a good race. • Lynndale's club championship was very fast and interesting. As one prominent veteran member put it, "I'm going just as well and recording as fast a time as usual, but a lot of younger men have improved out of sight." . Crompton was easily defeated by the many-years-champion, Billy Briggs, but had the misfortune to get a bad shake up from an early fall;' The two are certainly in a class of their own this year. T. Collins ran a great race for a firstyear harrier to gain third place, and with experience and the making up of his mind to win, should be very good next year. Tom Henshall upset quite a few calculations when he came home fourth, as the "new veteran" is litter this year than ever. A. Anderson, a last year's junior, rail his best race to date, and as he possesses a very easy style looks a "comer." Altogether it "was the finest club championship Lynndale lias yet had, with big orwi «r> nYf.fm+.irmnllv hii?h standard.

Mr. Brereton's handicapping again caused favourable comment, with an almost 95 per cent majority of the competitors in the. sealed handicap finishing within 90s of each other. . 1 J. Perrett's win from C. Taylor in the junior division stamps him as the most promising runner seen in this class since R. Crompton, He possesses a fine raking W. ' Clapham won the Calliope Club's championship, beating A. Clow fairly comfortably, to the surprise of the general followers of the sport. W. R. Shorter and W. Charman filled the next places, both men deserving them well. , Clow has been Calliope's No. 1 man for. some time now, and it will be interesting to see how Clapham and he finish at the provincial meeting. N. Ambler was rewarded for his consistent performances this year, when he not only won the junior'club title, but created a new record of 18.47 for the three miles and.- a quarter. R. Houlihan and R. Taylorwere next, nearly a minute separating each of the three placed men. _ , It is v bad news that Club Captain Alf, Clayton was not a competitor. For years now be has been runner-up for Calliope a senior title, and on his early running this year it was thought that at long last he would achieve his ambition. Indisposition, however, has caused him to give up competition for the rest of the season ,and all harriers hope that after a good nine months' spell Alf will be back in competition, full of running. Haszard's club rival, E. Stephenson, was not out last week to challenge him for the Varsity, Club chanipipnuhip, and consequently he was not greatly troubled at any part of the way. - _ & Cliff Francis is at last coming back to form and was the Varsity runner-up. A. Ball, a steady and "old-time" performer now, was third, with Mackenzie a.nd Respinger in the next places. Varsity have a very interesting teaming" competition, the grading of the runners into faculty groups obviating: the selection of teams by individuals. Technical and Presbyterian club championships are on Saturday. Comment on these will be featured next week. The Auckland Club's courtesy in allowing provincial nominees to run with them was appreciated by other clubs. This Saturday those who are not engaged in their own club championships will be welcome to run with the Auckland Club over the actual championship course at Ellerslie. Savidan, Hill and Birtwistle train at the Domain on Tuesdays and Thursdays around 5 p.m; Any team men should grasp the opportunity to join in with them. THE AUCKLAND CLUB. , MORE WINTER CONTESTS. -The winter competitions of the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club will be continued on the Outer Domain to-morrow ■afternoon, commencing at 1.45 o'clock. Foiir events will be decided, including a sprint, cross-country race and two field events. Handicaps:—! 6000! Yards Steeplechase.—J. W. Savidan, scr; B. H. Birtwistle, 555; A. G. Hill. 60s; W;"E.' Buckley. P. Savidan, 110s; J. Dunn, N. Roberts, 120s; C. G. Francis, E. Bissett. S. A. Prevett, 140s; H. Hustler, D. R. Mitchell. 150s; S. L. Bradley, S. Allen, 160s; H. T. J. McNeil, 170s; W. G. Thompson, N. Beaujhamp, ISOs; C. H. Taylor, ISos;

IJ. F., Smith, 2305; D. J. Stewart, J. P, Power, 240s;'B.''McMuhon, D. Sharkey, J. A. Mason, K. H. Pow, K. French, 245s : VV. K. L. Christie, A. D. Copeland, 2505; F. L. Adonis, A. E.. Sutton, jun., K. H. Greager, 200s; I'. E. Castle, A. Gytle, X. Clark, S. L. Taylor, V. B. Junes, 280s: C. P. CI egg, J, H. Smith, J. VV. Turnbull, 200s; A. Butler, 300s; A. Clark, 310s; B. F. Holland, J. B. Prendergast, 3205. 70 Yards Handicap.—First heat: H. Phillips, scr; VV. U. Thompson, 2yds; F. S. Mills, 31yds; E. Bissett, 4yds; S. A. Hailson, C. P. Clegg, 41yds; I. M. Thomson, uyds; F. Savidan, oyds; J. A. M'ason, H. B. Smith, W. K. L. Christie, K. H. Greager, Byds; X. McCarthy, 10yds; N. Clark, 1 lyds; F. 'Jj. Adams, 13yds. Second heat: P. E. CSi'stle, Iyd; VV. E. Buckley, 24yds; B. P. Col-eman, 4yds; C. H. Taylor, 44yds; V. B. Amoretti, 51yds ; A. E. button, dun., Oytls; E. D, Sharp, VV. A. Hanlon, N. Barton, 74yds; D. Sharkey, li. J. Stewart, Syds; J. VV. Turnbull, 81yds; O. D. Mills. 10yds; N. V. Douglas, 12yds; H. McNfel, 13yds. Third heat : D. Baird, ljyds; C. C. Bellly, 3yds; K. H. Pow, 44yds; J. F. Watson, Syds ; K. French, 7yd.-fi B. Leitch, S. A. Prevett, 71yds; J. F. Smith, D. Simpson, A. G. Hill, Byds; L. N. Boss, E. Estall, oyds; J. H. Smith, B. H. Blrtwistle, B. McMahon, 10yds: D. It. Mitchell, H. Hustler, 11yds; X. S. Beauchamp, 121 yds ; A. Clark, 15yds. Fourth heat: J. B. Prendergast, Slydß; C. Clegg, H. Hudson, 41yds; J. Dunn, oyds; V. It. Jones, 7yds; F. Jones, 84yds; S. L. Taylor, J. P. Power,. A. Gydc, 91yds; A. D. Copcland, 104 yds ; S. L.. Bradley, 11yds ; A. Butler, J. W. Savidait, . lljyds; is-. B. Allen, 12yds; H. F, Holland, 15yds.