ATHLETICS CANTERBURY WINS SHIELDS AT N.Z. MEETING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29153, 14 March 1960, Page 14

ATHLETICS CANTERBURY WINS SHIELDS AT N.Z. MEETING

After a day of thrilling finishes and spectacular times at the national junior and women’s athletic championships at Rugby Park on Saturday, Canterbury’s junior athletes won the H. L. Towers Shield from Auckland to become the top junior province in New Zealand. Canterbury last won the shield in 1950 at Lancaster Park, and Auckland has held the trophy every year since. With the result depending on the last event, the high jump, there was a dramatic finish to an unusually close contest. Both Canterbury and Auckland had shown an early superiority, and after an early lead Canterbury early superiority, and after an early lead Canterbury advantage with the high jump remaining. J. Chadderton (Canterbury) and G. Clayton (Auckland), the title-holder, each cleared sft lOin, but Chadderton was given the decision on the count back. If Canterbury had lost the event the result would have been a tie, 50 points each, but Chadderton’s win gave Canterbury a win by 57 points to 53.

Canterbury’s women athletes also scored a succession of victories and won the Lumley Shield for most points in track and field events. There was less drama in this section, however, as Canterbury was in an unassailable position well before the finish. Canterbury scored 42 points, Auckland' was second with 32 points, and Waikato, the holder, whs third with 20 points. Overnight rain and cold, wet, south-westerly conditions made things unpleasant on Saturday and because winds exceeded the permissable strength in the sprints the excellent times in these events could not be claimed as records. Perhaps the best performance of the meeting was the junior mile in 4min 12.3 sec by I. McCausland (Wellington). This was one of the first events in the morning and heavy, misty rain was sweeping the track. The field was a strong one, with J. Power (Canterbury) a strong contender for the title. The first lap was run in a very fast 60.8 sec and N. Wyatt (Waikato) was the first past the bell. The field was bunched, but then McCausland moved easily up to the leader and the half-mile was passed in 2min 6.2 sec. Power, who was not well placed, took the whole of the first two laps to move through the field and at the 950 yard mark he was dogging McCausland’s steps. Striding effortlessly, McCausland drew Power with him and opened a big gap from the rest. With 250 yards to go Power made his break, but McCausland refused to surrender the lead and the pace gradually advanced to a respectable sprint. Power, hanging on grimly, had to reduce his stride, and the powerful Wellington runner swept round into the straight and after a stirring finish won by 12 yards. Easily A Record

McCausland’s time bettered the record by 3.9 sec and was easily the fastest by a junior runner in New Zealand. Power, who finished well, but tired, returned 4min 16.2 sec to equal the record of M. Macky (Auckland). Until 18 months ago McCausland lived in Sydney, where he had made a name for himself as a middle distance runner. He won the Great Public Schools’ mile under 17 title in 1958 and the following year he won the senior race in 4min 24sec. There was considerable tension in the women’s discus event, also held in the morning in misty rain. To absorb the moisture in the throwing circle petrol was poured on and ignited. This was effective up to a point but as the circle was used it became slippery and competitors found throwing difficult After resin had been rubbed on the shoes to provide grip the performances improved and the records began to go. After two throws around the 160 ft mark. Miss V.’Sloper (Canterbury), threw 167 ft 4in. which beat her own existing record by five inches, but it was still 3ft 9|in short of her best throw, which is still awaiting recognition. The title-holder, Miss J. Thompson (Waikato) threw 164 ft sin, then 171 ft lin, which was only half an inch short of Miss Sloper’s unofficial record. Miss Sloper, who was using Miss Thompson’s personal discus, could not better her distance and then on her last effort. Miss Thompson moved quickly around the circle and hurled the discus past the black flag denoting the New Zealand record. It measured 171 ft 4|in and it gave Miss Thompson the title and a new national record. One of the visiting Australians. Miss S. Cotton, who was competing against a New Zealand team for the R. H. North Trans-Tasman Cup took part in the distnis but she did not qualify for the final. Two Australian Wins The Australians ■ won two of the three events in the cup programme—the 100 yards and the 80 metres hurdles—and New Zealand won the long jump. In the 100 yards, Misses Cuthbert and Mathews (Mrs Willard), met Misses V. Morgan, D. Porter and N.’ Bond (New Zealand). Miss Mathews was out of her blocks in a flash, but Miss Cuthbert caught her at the 15 yard mark and won comfortably in 10.7 sec. Miss Mathews, who pulled up limping slightly, was second in 10.9 sec. and Miss Morgan just beat Miss Porter for third in 10.9 sec. Miss G. Cooke flashed over the 80 metre hurdles and left the New Zealand competitors well behind in 10.9 sec. This beat the New Zealand record by ,2sec, but as the. wind assistance was 17.9 ft a second it will not be recognised. Mrs A. Mclntosh (Auckland) was the first New Zealand competitor home in 11.4 sec. The Australian competitors in the long jump, Misses S. Mitchell and S. Frith, found the rain and a strong head wind too much, and the event was won for New Zealand by Miss B. Weigel with a distance of 18ft 7in, five inches in front of Miss Frith, who was only a quarter of an inch ahead of Miss Mitchell. Miss L. Anderson, the other New Zealand competitor, leaped 17ft sjin. Record Equalled Miss Cuthbert also took part In the final of the 220 yards and found the opposition more formidable than in the shorter race. She led all the way, but her nearest New Zealand competitor, Miss Morgan, was no more than l three yards behind throughout k the race. Miss Cuthbert equaUed

I Miss M. Jackson’s New Zealand I record of 24.45ec, and because part of the race was run into the wind the record will be eligible for recognition. Miss Morgan, probably the best woman sprinter produced in New Zealand, recorded an excellent 24.65ec. Miss Mathews did not take part. Smooth baton changing and greater ability gave the Australians an easy win in the intercentre relay in 49.1 sec. After outstanding heat times in the morning in the junior sprints it was expected ■that the Wellington and Canterbury runners would push each other to faster times in the finals. A. Steel (Canterbury) won his first semifinal in the 100 yards in 9.Bsec after pulling up 20 yards from the tape and J. Trathen beat R. James (Canterbury) in the second semi-final in 9.9 sec. Steel’s time beat the record of J. Taylor by .Isec, but the wind strength was just over 20ft a second—l4ft more than the permissable 6ft a second. Trathen’s race was run in a strength of 12ft. Fast Final Steel shot into an early lead in the final and was half a yard ahead at the 80 yard mark from Trathen, R. Naish (Wellington) and James, in that order, when he stumbled slightly. He recovered well and appeared to breast the tape ahead of Trathen, with Naish third. The other competitors congratulated Steel after the race, but when the result was announced the judges had given Trathen first place and Steel second. The winner’s time was 9.7 sec, .2sec better than the record, but the wind strength of 6.9 ft a second was just a fraction too much for recognition. Steel was given a time of 9.Bsec, and Naish, third, was timed at 9.9 sec. It was a brilliant effort by the place-getters in what must have been the strongest field ever to contest a junior 100 yards final ’ James had returned the best time of 22.1 sec in his semi-final of the 220 yards in the morning, and with Steel, Naish and Trathen taking part the final seemed full of promise. Steel, in the outside lane, leaped out of his blocks like a startled rabbit and at the turn into the straight he was on even terms with Naish wih Trathen third and James well back. Steel forged ahead and won by two feet from Naish. James came through with a great burst of speed at the finish and passed Trathen for third place. Steel’s time of 21.9 sec was only .Isec outside the New Zealand record. It says much for the high standard of the field that Trathen, a brilliant athlete, could only get fourth. If there was some disagreement with the placings in the junior 100 yards there was greater surprise at the placings in the final of the women’s 75 yards. B. Simmons (Auckland) appeared to win decisively from J. Meredith (Wellington) and N. Bond (Otago), but when Miss Bond was announced the winner a large section of the crowd in the stands opposite the finish disagreed with the decision. Miss Bond was given a time of B.3sec, which equalled the record of M. Jackson (Australia) set 10 years ago, but the wind strength again ruled out any possibility of a record.

Mss Haines Runs WeU The most interesting feature of the women’s 880 yards was not Miss M. Chamberlain’s victory in 2min 13.6 sec, which was to be expected, but Miss R. Hames’s second place in 2min 15.6 sec. easily her best performance. Miss Chamberlain led from the blocks, but Miss Hames did not allow her to open the usual large gap, and for the last lap she paced four yards behind Miss Chamberlain. These two left the rest of the field well behind, and it was only in the last 30 yards that Miss Chamberlain was able to widen the Sloper won the discus with 52ft 2Jin, and Miss L. Duncan (Canterbury) threw her best distance of 46ft sin for second place. The circle was again burned off with petrol to give a better grip. Power proved his mettle in the two miles when he and G. Pyne (Wellington) fought a great battle for first place. At the third lap Power had taken the lead, and he was soon closely followed by Pyne and R. Wilton, also of Wellington. First Wilton went to the front, then Pyne, then Wilton found the pace too much and dropped back, leaving Power and Pyne to settle the result. On the last lap Pyne went to the front and with 220 yards to go Power tried to pass him. Both runners sprinted, and 50 yards from the tape they were still even. Then Power, teeth and fists clenched, forged ahead and won by a yard after a gruelling finish. Power’s time of 9min 28.4 sec would have been considerably better but for a slow first half-mile. Another Close Finish The junior half-mile also provided a close finish. After the first lap there were only two runners in the race—McCausland and D. Drysdale, both of Wellington. These two rrtatched strides for the last 200 yards and 10 yards from the tape they were still even. But a last desperate effort by McCausland gave him an advantage of a few inches at the tape. Both recorded Imin 56.1 sec, a very good time in the conditions and less than two seconds off the national record of G. F. Philpott (Auckland). M. Stewart (Canterbury) threw consistently in the javelin, most of his' efforts reaching the 190 feet mark. His winning throw of 200 ft BJin was only slightly 'more than seven feet short of the New Zealand record. Stewart’s victory and later W. Chadderton’s determined effort in the 5000 metre road walk helped Canterbury to catch Auckland's lead in the Towers Shield. Canterbury’s four by 110 yards relay team of James, D. Mackenzie. T. Pateman and Steel won the final easily in 43.55ec, .3sec outside the record, and so gave the province a narrow two point lead, with the high jump remaining to decide the result. The team’s baton changing was especially good and James and Pateman built up a lead before Mackenzie ran his leg. Mackenzie, who had ran a close second to JCornaga (Auckland) in the final of the 440 yards a few minutes before, handed to Steel who won easily by seven yards from Wellington. Abbreviations used are:

Auckand, A.; Canterbury. C.; Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay, HJ8.P.8.; Northland, N.; Otago, Southland. S.; Waikato, Wk.; Wel-

lington, W.; West Coast North Island, W.C.N.1.; Australia, Aust.

100 Yards (N.Z. record, 9.9 sec, J. W. Taylor (W.), 1959; holder. J. W. Taylor (W.).).—First semi-final: A. Steel (C.), 9.Bsec, 1; R. Naish (W.), lO.lsec, 2; D. Mackenzie (C.), lO.isec, 3. Second semi-final: J. Trathen (W.), 9.9 sec, 1; R. James (C.), 10.2 sec, 2; B. Leadbetter (O.), 10.3 sec, 3. Final: Trathen, 9.7 sec, 1; Steel, 9.Bsec, 2; Naish, 9.9 sec, 3. 220 Yards (N.Z. record, 21.8 sec, G. W. McDermott (A.), 1&51; J. W. Weaver (A.), 1959; holder, J. W. Weaver (A.),. 21.8 sec) semifinal: A. Steel (C.), 22.55ec, X; J. Trathen (W.), 22.65ec, 2; A. Martin (Wk.), 26.75ec, 3. Second semi-final: R. James (C.), 22.1 sec, 1; R. Naish (W.), 22.Isec, 2; B. Seymour (W.C.N.1.), 22.35ec, 3. Final: Steel 21.9 sec, 1; Naish, 22sec, 2; James' 22.35ec, 3.

440 Yards —N.Z. record, 49sec, J. W. Taylor (W.), 1959; holder, J, W. Taylor (W.), 49.7sec)._J. Cornaga (A.), 50.2 sec, 1; D. Mackenzie (C.), 50.5 sec, 2; D. Drysdale (W.), 52.Isec, 3.

880 Yards (N.Z. record. Imln 54.25ec, G. F. Philpott (A.), 1959; holder, G. F. Philpott (A.), imin sS.4sec).—l. McCausland (W.), imin 56.1 sec, 1; D. Drysdale (W.), imin 55.1 sec, 2; R. Hamilton (A.), imin 59.75ec, 3. Mile (N.Z. record, 4min 16.2 sec, M. W. Macky (A.), 1957; holder, G. Wyatt (W.), 20.75ec).—1. McCausland (W.), 4min 12.3 sec, 1; J. Power (C.), 4min 16.2 sec, 2; L. Lloyd (A.). 4min 20.8 sec, 3.

Two Miles (N.Z. record, 9min 17.8 sec, B. E. Stanniford (O.), 1958; holder, S. Payne (C.), 9min 36.2sec).—J. Power (C.), 9min 28.4 sec, 1; G. Pyne (W.), 9mirt 28.6 see, 2; R. Wilton (W.), 9min 40.8 sec, 3.

120 Yards (N.Z. record, 14.2, A. R. P. Eustace (A.), 1945; R. Johns (W.C.N.1.), 1959; holder, R. Johns (W.C.N.1.). 14sec.)—J. Fenwick (A.), 14.6 sec. 1; R. Franklin (N.), 14.7 sec, 2; M. Milham (A.), 14.7 sec, 3.

220 Yards Hurdles (N.Z. record, 24.65ec, P. Fleming (Wk.), 1952; holder, R. Johns (W.C.N.1.), 25sec).— First semi-final: M. Milham (A.), 25sec, 1; R. Thomson (C.), 26.65ec, 2; G. Scott (C.), 26.95ec, 3. Second heat: J. Fenwick (A.), 28.Isec. 1; H. Wright (Wk), 26.35ec, 2; A. Biand (W.), 28.6 sec, 3. Final: Wright, 25.65ec, 1; Fenwick, 25.8 sec, 2; Bland, 26sec, 3.

Shot Put (N.Z. record, 50ft o’4in, M. Jefferies (A.), 1955; holder, R. Tait (O.), 49ft 2in).—P. Norris (A.), 48ft 9in, 1; D. Auld (C.), 46ft 4%in, 2; J. Neale (A.), 46ft 3%in, 3. High Jump (New Zealand record, 6ft sjin, M. Jefferies (A.), 1954; holder, G. Clayton (A.), sft IMn).— J. Chadderton (C.), sft lOin, 1; G. Clayton (A.), sft lOin. 2; J. Von Dadleszen (H3.P.8,), sft 9in, 3. Hop. Step and Jump (New Zealand record, 50ft 9in, D. Norris (A.), 1958; holder, E. Thomson (O.), 45ft Ilin.) —E. Thomson (O.), 47ft Olin, 1; R. Courtenay (A.), 45ft Bjin, 2; P Atley (A.), 44ft Bin, 3. Long Jump (New Zealand record, 23ft sin, D. Norris, 1958; holder, P. Atley (A.), 23ft 2jln)).—P. Atley (A.) 22ft BJin, 1; R. Courtenay (A.), 22ft Ilin, 2; E. Thomson (O.), 21ft 3jin, 3. Javelin (New Zealand record, 208 ft 4in, M. J. Speden (S.), 1958; holder, A. G. Merrilees (O.), 194 ft 9Jin).— M. Stewart (C.), 200 ft BJin. 1; J. Neale (A.). 182 ft sin, 2; B. Standish (W.C.N.1.), 179 ft 4Jin, 3. 500 Metre Road Walk (no record; holder, G. Turner (W.), 32mm 37.4sec).—W. Chadderton (C.), 25min 32.8 sec, 1; P. Strang (0.1, 25min 44.45ec, 2; A. Lloyd (W.C.N.1.), 3. Relay, 4 x 100 Yards (New Zealand record, 43.25ec, Wellington, 1959; holder, Wellington, 43.2sec).—Canterbury • (R. James, P. Pateman, D. Mackenzie, A. Steel), 43.55ec, 1; Wellington, 44.Uec, 2; Auckland. 44.45ec, 3. WOMEN 75 Yards (New Zealand record, B.3sec, M. Jackson (Australia), 1950; holder, N. Singer (W.), B.4sec)._ First heat: B. Simmons (A.), B.sses, 1; J. Merredith (W.). BJssec, 2; C. HUI (O.), B.6sec, 3. Second heat: N. Bond (0.1, B.6sec, 1; M. MUham (A.), B.7sec, 2; Y. Cowan (WjC.N.I.), B.7sec, 3. Final: Bond, B.3sec, 1; Simmons, B.ssec, 2; Meredith, B.ssec, 3. > 100 Yards, N.Z. v. Australia (world record, 10.3 sec, M. MatthewsWillard (Aust.); New Zealand record, 10.6 sec, M. Mathews-Willard (Aust.); resident record, 10.8 sec, M. Stuart H.8.-P.8.).—8. Cuthbert (Aust). 10.7 sec, 1; M. Mathews (Aust.), 10.8 sec, 2; V. Morgan (N.Z.), 10.9 sec, 3. 220 Yards (New Zealand record, 24.45ec, M. Jackson (Aust.), 1950, M. Mathews (Aust.), 1958; holder, V. Morgan (Wk), 24.5sec).—First semifinal: V. Morgan (Wk.), 24.75ec, 1: Y. Cowan (W.C.N.1.), 25.65ec, 2; C. Hill (O.), 25.75ec. 3. Second semifinal: D. Porter (A.), 25.45ec, 1; N Bond (O.), 26.isec, .2; C. Schmidt (Wk.), 26.35ec, 3. Final: B. Cuthbert (Australia), 24.45ec, 1; Morgan. 24.65ec, 2; Porter, 24.65ec, 3; Cowan, 26.Isec. 4. J 880 Yards -(New Zealand record. 2min 15sec, F. L. Mcßeath (C.), 1959: holder, F. L. Mcßeath (C.), 2min 17.6sec).—M. A. M. Chamberlain (C.). 2min 13.6 sec, 1; R. Hames (C.), 2min 15.6 sec, 2; L. Campbell (W.), 2min 24.55ec, 3. _ . , 80 Metre Hurdles (New Zealand record, ll.lsec, M. Stuart (H.8.-P.8.), 1958; holder, A. Mclntosh (A.), 11.4 sec).—G. Cooke (Aust.), 10.9 sec, 1; A. Mclntosh (A.), 11.4 sec, 2; B. Simmons (A.), 11.4 sec, 3; J. Davis (Wk.) 4. Long Jump (world record, 20ft lOin E. Dunska-Krzesinska (Poland), 1956; New Zealand record, 20ft 7>,4in, Y. Williams (A.), 1954; holder, M. Donaghy (Wk.), 19ft 9in).—B. Weigel (A.), 18ft 7in, 1; H. Frith (Australia), 18ft 2in, 2; S. Mitchell (Australia), 18ft 1 3 ,1 in, 3; L. Anderson (C.), 17ft sXin, 4; M. MUham (A.), 17ft 4} in, 5. High Jump (New Zealand record, sft 6'iln, J. M. Donaghy (Wk.), 1958; holder, J. M. Donaghy (Wk.), sft sin).—L. Anderson (C.), sft 2in, 1; P. Burnett (Wk.), sft 21n, 2; N. Taylor (O.), sft lin, 3. (H. Frith, Australia, also cleared sft 2in.)

Shot Put (New Zealand record, 54ft Olin, V. Sloper (C.), 1958; holder, V. Sloper (C.), 49ft 10>' 2 in).—V. Sloper (C.), 52ft 2Jin, 1; L. Duncan (C.), 46ft sin, 2; J. Thompson (Wk.), 43ft 2’iin, 3. Discus (New Zealand record, 166 ft Ilin, V. Sloper, 1960; holder, J. Thompson (Wk.), 159 ft). —J. Thompson (wk), 171 ft 4y 2 in, 1; V. Sloper (C.), 167 ft 4in, 2; H. Nicholson (A.), 140 ft lOjin, 3. Relay (4 x 110 yards) (world record, 45.35ec, England, 1958: New Zealand record, 47.45ec, Australia, 1958; resident record, 48.2 sec, Auckland. 1958; holder, Auckland, 48.6 sec). —Australia, 49.1 sec, 1; Auckland, 49.8 sec, 2: Otago, 49.95ec, 3; Canterbury, 50.3 sec, 4.

Phillipstown School Results of the Phillipstown School athletic snorts held recently were:— Championships.—Boys, 5 years: P. Duval 1, J. Diggs 2, C. Wombell 3. Girls: J. Crothall 1, P. Reynolds 2, A. Hank 3. Six years, boys; T. Soutar I, N. O'Brien 2, M. Lanauze 3. Girls: R. Dann 1, A. Pullan 2, K. Hatzigianni 3. Seven years, Boys: G. Sim 1, B. Briggs 2, S. Bryant 3. Girls: J. Minifie 1, L. McCarthy 2, J. Mcßain 3. Eight years, Boys: G. Robinson 1. L. Payne 2, G. Woodham 3. Girls: A. Foley 1, J. Hanks 2, C. Hubbard 3. Nine years, boys: J. Chaplin 1, J. Moore 2, B. Mckenzie 3. Girls: P. Stewart 1, P. Nicholas 2, P. Louttit 3. Ten years, boys: R. Dann 1, B. Perkins 2,' R. Robinson 3. Girls: J. Crothall 1, A. Marshall 2, S. Pearson 3. Eleven years, boys: N. A’Court 1, J. Christensen 2, B. Jarman 3. Girls: S. Hubbard 1, H. Dawson 2, J. Walmsley 3. Twelve years, boys: A. Jarman 1, N. Lockhead 2, P. Franklin 3. Girls: C. Jarden 1, S. Toon 2, N. Taylor 3. Open Championships.—Boys: A. Jarman 1 1, N. Lockhead 2, L. Franklin 3. Girls: C. Jarden 1, A. Marshall 2, S. Hubbard 3. Junior Championships.—Boys: R. Robinson I, D. Mclntosh 2, P. Jenkins 3. Girls: A. Marshall 1, J. Crothall 2, J. Beavis 3. . Teams Result.—Blues, 172 points, 1; Golds. 106, 2; Reds and Greens, 82, equal 3.