ATHLETICS IN EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24028, 17 August 1943, Page 6

ATHLETICS IN EGYPT

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION’S MEETING (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, August 13. On a cinder track encircling a greensward, the New Zealand Division’s championship athletic meeting was held. It was fully representative of all units, and the second of its kind since the division’s arrival in the Middle East. The last meeting was held about the same time two years ago, since when the affairs of war have prevented any such gathering. It had been intended to hold the meeting near Tripoli when the division was resting there, and special medals with a Tripoli design were struck as trophies The war interfered, but the trophies were just as acceptable at a later date in more pleasant surroundings. It was a day out for the troops, and they arrived in their thousands to enjoy a meeting crammed full of exciting Incidents. The meeting was also attended by General Freyberg and many senior officers of the division. Lady Freyberg presented the trophies These included the Stlllwel trophy, a model of a Maori warrior carved from New Zealand native woods by disabled servicemen, which Was won by the artillery as the formation scoring the highest total points, and a cup presented by General Freyberg for inter-unit competition, which was retained by the 14th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, with the same number of points as the 20th (South Island) Battalion. Entries were large, ranging from nearly 40 for the three miles, to more than 100 for the 100 yards event. As this was only the second meeting of the kind, and the circumstances of training and condition differ so greatly In war time, no fair comparison of times could be made, but taken generally, the times were faster than at the previous meeting. The most outstanding performer of the day was Gunner C. E. Masters, who won the hop, step, and jump, was.second in the long Jump, won the .100 yards, was second in the 220 yards, and was a member of his unit’s relay team and the New Zealand relay team, which won an invitation relay from teams representing Indian, British, and South African forces. The principal results were:— Field Events Hop, Step and Jump.—C. E. Masters (41ft Sin) 1, R. J. Bain 2, D. Gibson 3. Hammer Throw.—D. Paterson (80ft Tin) I, R. J. Opie 2. T. Dalton 3. High Jump.—G. Baker (sft 3iin) 1, F. A. Finlayson 2, S. A. Poultney 3. Pole Vault.—R. J Opie (10ft Sin) 1. A. J. McLean 2, A. L. Fagg 3. Javelin Throw.—S. Hart (143 ft lin) 1, D. Gibson 2, Colomore Williams 3. Long Jump.—S. A. McCartney (20ft 6iin) 1, C. E. Masters 2, B. T. Robertson 3. Tug-of-War.—Maori team. Throwing the Discus.—R. G. Rivers (91ft 2in) 1, R. J. Bain 2, Abbott 3. Tr&ck Events Half-mile Walk.—R. M. Lamberton 1, K. Paterson 2. Time, 2mln 21 3-ssec. 220 Yards Hurdles.—C. R. Bradwell. 1, J Phillips 2, H. Milner 3. Bradwell’s time was 28sec, which is two seconds faster than that of Sharpley, the New Zealand champion, at the last meeting. Three Mile Walk.—C. J. McColman 1, Johns 2, C. R. Foulds 3. Time, 16mln 43 3-ssec. 440 Yards.—R. N. Finlay 1, S. A. Poultney and Byrne (dead heat) 2. Time, 56sec. 120 Yards Hurdles.—C. R. Bradwell 1. F. A. Finlayson 2. M. Donnelly 3. Time. ITsec Bradwell won easily. One Mile.—G. M. Cardwell 1, V. P. Boot 2, W. N. Burrows 3. Time, 4min 47sec Boot took the lead after half a mile was covered, and led until the 100 yards straight was reached, when the winner came up to beat him by several yards. 220 Yards.—W. P. McHugh 1, C. E. Masters 2, Sinclair 3. Time, 23 4-ssec. McHugh went to the front early and held the lead until the finish. 880 Yards.—J Johnson 1, C. A. Dickie 2, A. J. Cusack 3. Time. 2min 6 3-ssec. With his great stride, Johnson took the lead nearly all the way. and won with ease. 100 Yards.—C. E. Masters 1. F. D. Morgan 2. W. P. McHugh 3. Time, lOJsec. Masters forged ahead to hold a lead of a couple of yards at the finish. He ran a magnificent race. Morgan, a newcomer, held off McHugh by a close margin for second. Mile Invitation Relay.—2nd New Zealand Division (Finlayson. McHugh. Masters, and Johnson) 1: Indian Division team 2. The distances were 440 yards, two of 220 yards, and 880 yards. The New Zealanders won easily, and the fine effort of the Indians in gaining second place after a poor start was greatly applauded.