England to fore in paraplegic games

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 24

England to fore in paraplegic games

Zealand press Association) DUNEDIN. The 50-nieniber England team with sewn gold medals, four silver and two bronze — has emerged as the top nation alter the second dav ol the Commonwealth Paraplegic (lames. New Zealand, with a team of 32. had a silver and a bronze when competition finished yesterdav afternoon.

The Australian team, equal in size to the English. has won four gold, three silver and four bronze medals, and it is obvious that none of the other lb countries competing will pose a threat to these two.

Yesterday was the first full day of competition, with contests in five of the 15 games sports, at live separate venues around Dunedin.

Light rain cleared about midday, hut it was overcast and cold for most of the day.

In yesterday’s main event, table tennis. Miss E. Schreiber (Australia), the winner of three gold medals and three silver at the Edinburgh games, beat Miss G. Matthews (England), 21-15. 21-15 in the final of the singles, class 2.

In the class IB singles, Miss .L Blackburn (England) won the gold medal when, she beat Miss F. Lewers (North-

, ern Ireland). The bronze I medal went to the only othei 'competitor, a New Zealander I Miss J. Compton. England took two golds, a I silver and a bronze from the I four classes in the women’s slalom competition. I The other two golds were [won by Jamaica and Australia, and Australia also took ia bronze. Hong Kong, Northlern Ireland, and Scotland all I won silver medals, with Scot(land also taking a bronze. Slalom popular i The slalom, run on a timeI trial basis, attracted the larg|est crowd for the day — most other sports were poorly supported. Competitors in all four classes except IB had to travel through narrow lanes bordered by flags, at designated points to wheel either through a full or semi-circle, and to drive up ramps where turns were also necessary. For touching a flag, three seconds were deducted, while there were other- deductions for an incorrect course and disqualifications for falling out of wheelchairs. Miss N. McPherson won I the gold medal for Jamaica i in the class 3 event without I fault and in the good time of llmin 21.4 secs. This was 2.6

e secs faster than J. Orpwood •r (England). the winner of r. i class 4 — a higher grade Several of the a, in the class 2 event were dis e; qualified for not following si the course, and for not correcting errors. Hit on head ( J The Kenyan discus H [thrower, C. Kipkamooi. waJone of the casualties during the day; he was hit on the I forehead by a discus durin:: practice, but was not set: lously hurt. !-■ A Welsh competitor. I’ :- Silva, who broke his leg in a -ifall from his wheelchair at e the weekend — one of hi.chair’s wheels hit a brick and r tipped the chair over — was reported to be in a satisfac - tory condition yesterday. d Scoring in both sections of r the archery competition was !, good, particularly in the e men’s and women's double F.I.T.A. 8 Scores in the double e F.I.T.A. series are being s [withheld until the competii tion is completed on Thurs ?lday. I Results from the St Niche i las series, a round of which •Jwas also shot at the session, t will not be released until the f double F.I.T.A. winners are > I discovered.