Improvement Likely

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 9

Improvement Likely

ALTHOUGH Canterbury’s brilliant junior halfmile record holder, E. Bell, of Technical, failed by O.lsec to equal the New Zealand record when he ran in a field of five at Ashburton on Wednesday, his pet form - ance indicated that he is

able to improve this time. Running on a perfect track, BeU went through the first half in 55.65ec. This was slower than planned. His strong running in the last 300 yards indicated that had he decided to run a faster first lap, he would have beaten the New Zealand record. Nevertheless, Bell's performance and that of the second and third men, B. Welch (Ashburton), Irnin 57.95ec, and C. McFadden (Toe H) Iman 59.25ec, more than warranted the holding of the record attempt. BeU cut a further o.3sec off the Canterbury record which he has now broken three times this season. Welch recorded a personal best time although he was 15 yards behind Bell at the finish. McFadden’s performance was outstanding since he bettered by 2sec his previous best time. He is still only 16 years. It was unfortunate that Bell hesitated in a move to overtake McFadden about 300 yards out in the first half. He lost striding then and this in itself could have cost him the record. Had he decided to take the lead soon after instead of waiting until about 280 yards from the finish, he might easily have made a faster time. The track at Ashburton was in perfect condition, and so was the weather, but the circuit is slightly Short of 440 yards. There is an awkward bend on the turn in the Last furlong before the tape, and this alone could have cost the winner the vital fraction of a second he needed. Spectators will be interested at Rugby Park today to see how BeU fares in the junior quarter-mile. In liis first start over this distance recently he recorded 51.5 sec, winning by about 40 yards.