Canterbury's Good Prospects In Triangular Athletics Meeting

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31539, 29 November 1967, Page 15

Canterbury's Good Prospects In Triangular Athletics Meeting

TT seems unlikely that Canx terbury will be beaten in the annual track and field meeting against Otago and Southland, to be held at Invercargill on Saturday. But it is well below its possible strength and, although Southland should not present any problem, the margin between Canterbury and Otago could be much closer than it was last season.

Last year Canterbury scored 253 points, Otago 139 and Southland 69. This was a very satisfactory win for Canterbury, beaten by one point by Otago the season before, but this time many of the athletes who made such a resounding victory possible were not available. And the situation has been aggravated since the announcement of the team by the withdrawal of the former Canterbury half mile ehampion, G. Hack.

This has left only B. Smith—a former Canterbury champion making a comeback after a season’s rest—to challenge the might of Otago’s national mile champion, B. Bums, in the 880 yards. Burns, who will contest the mile as well, seems destined to repeat his double win in last season’s contest Canterbury’s top miler will be B. Welch, of Ashburton, who only needs to improve slightly on his best to be assured of a high placing.

In the sprints, Canterbury will have to show some improvement if it is to retain its dominance. The two Otago athletes, S. Pulu and D. Stenhouse, could easily take the major platings in both the 100 and 220 yards if their performances in the Lovelock club’s evening meeting last Saturday was any indication. Pulu and Stenhouse were beaten by Wellington’s L. D’Arcy in the final of the Lovelock 100 yards but both finished ahead of D. W. Mackenzie and B. Craighead, the two who will represent Canterbury in the shorter sprints at Invercargill. On form, Pulu seems likely to win both the 100 and 220 yards. The only Canterbury sprinter with a chance of beating him is Mackenzie, the reigning national quarter-mile champion. Mackenzie will miss the 440 yards, an event in which Canterbury has a wonderful chance of taking maximum points. G. McKechnie, a national finalist last season, and A. W. Tweedie, who was surprisingly forced out of the shorter sprints by Craighead, should have too much in hand for the Otago and Southland runners. There should be an Interesting encounter between the Canterbury pole vaulter, C. F. Stricke, and Otago’s G. Townsend. Stricke’s best vault this season is 12ft 2in, although he has cleared 13ft 81n in the past. Townsend appears to be in rather better early season form, for he cleared 13ft without a miss in a recent inter-club competition. G. Grant, who set a new Canterbury hammer throw record last Saturday, should be untroubled to win his specialist event and University’s field events specialist, P. Crawford, could take the shot-discus double for Canterbury. D. Wightman and M. G. Stewart seem likely to take the first two places In the javelin, in spite of the fact that the Canterbury champion, R. G. Ball, was not available.

The junior men'* events could upset the balance of power, because little is known about the form of athletes in this grade. However, if Canterbury's women produce their usual form they should contribute a large proportion of points to their team total. Miss L. Hurrell should win the 100 yards. She has been in excellent form so far this season and a time of about 11.2 sec is possible. This would be too fast for the two Otago representatives. Misses P. Cochrane and C. Jackson.

Unfortunately, Miss Hurrell is not competing in the 220 yards—a distance over which she once held the national championship. Canterbury’s fortunes will be in the capable hands of the young 16-year-old Technical athlete, Miss C. Green, and Mrs A. Horsnell. Miss Hurrell ha* elected to

contest the quarter-lmle, in which she will meet the pre sent New Zealand champion, Mrs S. Potts (Otago). The outcome of this race could well decide whether Miss Hurrell will continue with the short sprints or branch into the quarter-mile, an event in which she could make a good impression with the proper stamina work. Miss L. Fisher will join Miss Hurrell in the quarter mile race, but her main interest will be in the half mile, for which she is the current New Zealand champion. The Commonwealth Games representative, Miss D. Charter!*, should be untroubled to win the shot and discus. She could also be a worthy opponent for the

n former New Zealand charne- pion, Miss S. A Flynn, in i, the javelin. ie Miss B. Poulsen, the pred sent Canterbury 100 yards is champion, has neglected the h sprints in favour of the 80 h metre* hurdles, the shot and n long jump. She should win d the 80 metres hurdles and n could be highly placed in the a other two events as well. Miss L. Anderson is a liken ly winner of the high jump. r " On known form Southland > will be fortunate to win many senior men’s events. e However, one event in which ’■ victory seems inevitable is the 10 kilometres road walk, h In this the Commonwealth is Games walker, T. Mayhew, i- should be much too strong d for any Otago opposition. « Canterbury will not be ree presented in this event.