FINE COMPETITION DESPITE THE RAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 50, 28 February 1940, Page 17

FINE COMPETITION DESPITE THE RAIN.

ATHLETIC MEETING.

AtTCKLAJTD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

REVIEW OF THE FORM.

(By MELANTON.)

Despite adverse weather conditions the Auckland senior athletic championships held at Carlaw Park last Saturday provided some really fine competition and proved to be one of the most interesting yet Btaged. The going was, naturally, difficult, and some of the times recorded indicated that under good conditions championship records would have been lowered in several instances.

W. -R. Mansill (Otahuhu) accounted for both 100 yards and 220 yards in no uncertain manner. He was a warm favourite to win both titles, but his winning form was most impressive. Mansill reminds one greatly of Alan Elliot both in style and build, and may well develop into as great a sprinter as Elliot.

Harry Emus (Lynndale) was somewhat disappointing despite his second placing in the 100 yards, and it is evident that he has not had the right training to stand up to the strain of heats and finale in one afternoon.

Though not up to his form of last year, R. W. Cheater (Technical) did not give up bis 100 yards title without a determined effort, while he made a game attempt in the furlong to place third.

Raynes Surprises. H. A. Raynes (Old Grammarians) surprised many by running second in the 220 yards, but he has been running really well of late, and he was favoured with the inside berth at the start—a considerable help. Of the other sprinters X. H. TaSner (Tauranga), the Waikato champion, was a great disappointment, and T. M. Roper, the diminutive Hamilton athlete, impressed as being the better Waikato man. J. K. McManus (Ellerelie) qualified for both spr<nt finals, and though running better now than at any other stage of the season, has not yet struck his form of last year.

A well deserved victory was gained in the quarter mile by O. G. McManus (Ellerslie), and hie win was a fitting reward for well-judged training to bring him to top form on championship day. Neither M. C. Baker (Ellerelie) nor W. R. Mansill started in this race, but it is doubtful whether either would have beaten McManus, who won easily. R. L. Nugent (University) duly accounted for the half-mile, but he was compelled to give of his best to head off the third of the McManus brothers, A. \V., who, under fine weather conditions, might well have carried off the title. Nugent is not running nearly bo well now as earlier in the year, and he is hampered by being unable to train under suitable conditions.

Easy for Wade. The mile was an easy win for 8. J. Wade (Technical) who, though but a bare two yards ahead of W. J. Potter (Matamata) at the finish, was obviously only warming up during the run. Last year's junior champion, K. McCormack (Te Kuiti), was disappointing, and did not impress'in a field that was far from strong. Potter showed to advantage in the three miles, and was far too good for both L. R. Watters and K. R. Ambler, of the Auckland Club. The latter pair were outrun and out-manoeuvred on the day.

With the «ccep.tlon of R. B. Joyce (Hamilton) our hurdlers are not of a high standard, but this is largely due to the little encouragement that is given this branch of athletics. J. Devcich (Rotorua), New Zealand junior champion last year, won the 120 yards event easily enough, but he lacks the speed of a champion, and his technique neede improvement. His brother, I. Devcich (Thames) surprised by running second in the 440 yards race, but Joyce was always his master. Joyes is running and hurdling better than last year, and is a model for young hurdlers. George Hawkeeby (University) scored a double win in the walks, but the fields did not have, the "claes" of the past. Hawkeeby deserves every credit for his victories, but as a walker cannot compare with last' year's title-holder, R. 8. Cameron, who, through military duties, was unable to compete. The best walker as regards style was J. Alexander (Lynndale), a first-year athlete, who will go a long way.

CaJvert's Dmal Sueetts. C. A. Calvert (Training College) caused some surprise in the- jumps by his dual success. It was a great pity that the distance from the board to the furthest edge of the pit was only 47ft in the hop, step and jump, for he would certainly have bettered hie 46ft 6in. This leap must be very near the best put up at Carlaw Park in this event. " The high jump went to ST. W. Thorn (University), whose 4ft sin was, under the conditions, a creditable leap. L. M. Seed (Morrinsville) was the beet stylist in the pole vault, but on the "count back" the title went to J. Ferguson (Hamilton), who retains his form in a remarkable manner. - ' • ..' -j

With the treacherous footing with which tVy h*d to contend it wae enrprfeing to see the' "strong men" do •* well in the throwing events.. J. O. Leckie (Whtngarei) won the hammer in great style. He is a truly fine athlete. S. White (Old Grammarians), New Zealand champion, Was obviously affected by the ground. C. P. Clegg (University) had no opposition in the javelin, while in the shot John Gα (Old Grammarians), still ft junior, -was too good for the seniors. The young Rarotongan junior may well develop into something sensatipnal in the shot, and without stretching a point too much, might even reach the 50ft mark. One of the most .popular wine on the day was that of O. Bogun (Hamilton) in the discus. His throwing has improved greatly during the past two aemsone, and his control of the discus wae far- superior to that of the rest of the field.