A. Neeson returns

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31841, 20 November 1968, Page 15

A. Neeson returns

QNE of the young identical twin brothers who made such an impact in junior distance events in the 1965 season, A. Neeson, has returned to Christchurch after being away from New Zealand for more than two years. He was at Rugby Park to meet old acquaintances last Saturday but is out of condition and will not be racing there for several months.

However, he hopes to get back into training with J. D. Macdonald and perhaps

revive the Riccarton club, which seemed likely to go into recess this season.

The Neeson twins returned to their home country, England, in 1966, but for the last 10 months have been living in Perth. H. Neeson, who finished third in the New Zealand steeplechase championship in 1965 while still a junior, is still in Perth completing an architectural qualification but hopes to return to Christchurch in about two years' time. His Canterbury junior steeplechase record of 9min 21.8 sec still stands.

A. Neeson was mostly slightly overshadowed by his brother, but he, too, was an athlete of great promise. In 1965 he finished runner-up to his brother in the Canterbury junior steeplechase in 9min 58.4 sec. Now 21. he could be a decided asset to Canterbury’s middle distance strength if he takes up the sport seriously again. He certainly has the ability to do well.