ATHLETICS DECATHLON TITLE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28180, 19 January 1957, Page 2

ATHLETICS DECATHLON TITLE

JUNIOR HAS FIRST DAY LEAD B. Masters (Toe H). with 2975 points, established a 73 point lead over A. Harbott (Marist), when the first five events of the Canterbury decathlon title were decided, al Rugby Park last evening. Interest was high throughout the competition, which was of a higher standard than in previous years, as Masters and Harbott vied for the lead. Both are ahead of the halfway score of 2716 points registered by last year’s champion, R. G. Ball (University), who was unable to defend his title this year. Although Harbott improved on his previous best decathlon performance in each of the five events, he had to be content to trail Masters, a junior, who is contesting the decathlon for the first time, until the fourth event—the high jump. Then Harbott jumped sft Ilin; 6in better than Masters, and went into the lead by 161 points. A grand 51.8 sec run in the final event, the 400 metres, gave Masters 236 points more than Harbott. The remaining five events will be held in conjunction with the interclub athletics this afternoon.

Abbreviations used in the following results are:—T.H., Toe H; M., Marist; S.C., South Canterbury; N. 8., New Brighton. Placings after the first five events are:—B. Masters (T.H.), 2975 points, 1; A. Harbott (M.), 2902. 2; D. Leary (S.C.), 2110. 3; M. Smith (N. 8. 2018, 4; A. Mahan (T.H.), 2010, 5. Results:—

100 Metres. —Masters (T.H.), 11.6 sec, 706 points, 1; Harbott (M.), 12 sec, 598, 2. Smith (N. 8. 12.5 sec. 484, 3; Leary (S.C.), 12.6 sec, 464, 4; Mahan (T.H.), 12.7 sec, 444, 5. Long Jump.—Masters (T.H.), 20ft 7in, 580 points, 1; Harbott (M.), 20ft 4V 2 in, 565, 2; Leary (S.C.), 18ft l%in, 406, 3; Mahan (T.H.), 17ft B’/ 2 in, 379. 4; Smith (N. 8. 16ft Bin, 312, 5. Shot Put.—Harbott, 36ft 6V 2 in, 486 points, 1; Leary (S.C.), 30ft 7%in. 374, 2; Masters (T.H.), 30ft 3Jin, 367. 3; Smith (N. 8. 28ft 6in, 328, 4; Mahan (T.H.), 21ft 3 Vain. 177, 5.

High Jump.—Harbott-(M.), sft Um. 773 points, 1; Masters (T.H.), sft sin, 606, 2; Leary (S.C.), sft 2in, 536, 3: Smith (N. 8. 4ft Ilin, 462, 4; Mahan (T.H.), 4ft lOin, 440, 5. 400 Metres.—Masters (T.H.), 51.8 sec. 716 points, 1: Mahan (T.H.), 54 2 sec. 570, 2; Harbott (M.), 56sec, 480. 3; Smith (N. 8. 57sec, 432, 4; Leary (S.C.), 59.65ec, 330, 5.

MISS SLOPER LOWERS SHOT RECORD

(New Zeaiana Press Association) NAPIER. January 18

Miss Valerie Sloper N. Read ano M. Halberg were in good form at McLean Park, Napier, fast night.

Miss Sloper twice bettered her New Zealand record in the shot nut Read reduced by four seconds his best time for the mile walk, and Halberg ran a mile in 4min Bsec.