More ins and outs from games teams

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33740, 13 January 1975, Page 20

More ins and outs from games teams

Susan Jowett, of Brisbane, has been added to the fields for the 100 and 200 metres at the New Zealand Gaines, which begin at Queen Elizabeth 11 Park on January 23.

She earned her eleventh-hour invitation with two superb wins over the original selections, Joanne Beckett and Bev Peterson, during inter-club competition at Q.E. II on Saturday. The convener of the track and field selection panel, Mr B. H. Hunt (Ashburton), was there to see her do it and later recommended that she be invited. No publicity Miss Jowett’s appearance at the park was unheralded. She first attracted attention when she won the 60 metres in 7.ssec, in a blanket finish with Misses Peterson and Beckett. Later, she proved that this was no isolated performance

by winning the 200 metres in even more convincing fashion. Her time for the longer distance was 24.35ec — a tenth of a second inside the selection standard set for the New Zealand under 23 team. Miss Beckett was second in 24.5 sec and Miss Peterson third in 24.65ec. 1954- gold Although an Australian, Miss Jowett, who will run as an individual in club colours at the games has strong associations with New Zealand. Her father, Don Jowett, won a gold medal for New Zealand in the 220 yd final m the 1954 Commonwealth Games at Vancouver. He was a silver medallist in the 440 yards. In the early 19505, Jowett won the national 220 yd and 440 yd titles three times each. A late addition to the New Zealand team is the West Coast-North Island distance runner, Gail Finlay, who will run in the women’s 3000 metres. The Australian high jumper Laurie Peckham, and the Finnish shot putter, Reijo Stahlberg, have both withdrawn. Stahlberg. who has broken an arm, has been replaced by the leading Finnish triple jumper, Pentti Kuukastnervi. He has a best performance of 16.39 metres. Quax doubtful The New Zealand 5000 metres champion, Dick Quax (Auckland), might be forced to withdraw from the games. Kidney pains have been causing him some distress and he is entering hospital today for X-rays. If a cure cannot be found, he will not compete in the games. Quax was forced out of the Commonwealth Games by injury and a recurrence of the same injury later spoiled his European tour. The latest setback, however, has not affected his running form.

He won a 1500 metres race at Hamilton on Saturday in the excellent time of 3min 46.95ec.

Rugby league. — Coventry'* former England Rugby union prop forward, Keith Fairbrother, has turned professional and signed to play Rugby league for a Lancashire club. Leigh. Agence France Presse reported. The 30-year-old forward, who played 12 times for England, was offered £5OOO to make the switch.

Skl-lng. — Carine Lorbert (Franca) won a women’s European Cup giant slalom event tn Pfronten. West Germany. Gabi Hauser (Austria) finished second, and Kaethi Braun (Switzerland) was third.