Sprinter Of Promise

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 11

Sprinter Of Promise

SPRINTING has been one ° of the strong points in Canterbury athletics for the last few seasons and with such a fine prospect as the 16-year-old Toe H runner, R. M. Jones, coming up through the ranks the province need have no fears for the future. In his first year of interclub competition, Jones has run some remarkable times. Never was he more impressive than in winning the sprints in the intermediate grade of the Christchurch inter-secondary schools athletics sports. At this meeting he turned in times of lO.lsec and 22.65ec for the 100 yards and 220 yards. Wind assistance could not detract from the merit of these, which were equal to C. Baker's winnihg times in the senior grade. It was not only the times which drew attention to the promise of this dashing blond-headed athlete, but the commanding power with which he swept away from the field. A pupil at Burnside High School, Jones came under the attention of a former outstanding sprinter, Mr L. A. (“Buzz”) Jones, on joining the Toe H club at the

beginning of the season just ended. Since then he has dropped his 100 yards time from 10.9 sec and his 220 yards from 24sec. A fifth form science student, Jones takes a keen interest in other sports also. For the inter-school championships it was a case of having to make a choice between athletics and life-sav-ing as the Sir John Hall inter-school life-saving competition was held the same afternoon. In previous winters he has played Rugby in the school competitions and Rugby league in inter-club competitions. This year, however, he plans to concentrate on Rugby in the hope that he may be chosen for his school’s Ist XV as a fiveeighths or centre.