AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 147, 17 March 1933, Page 18

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Comment on the Recent Championship Meeting TO-MORROW’S GATHERING

(By

“Hurdler.”)

Coming Events:— March 18. —Electric light meeting, Basin Reserve. . . , March 25.— Inter-faculty ’varsity sports, Kelburn Park. Easter. —Te Horo A.A.C., Te Horo; Motueka A.A.C., Motueka. Second Electric Light Meeting. The Wellington Centre is to be commended on sparing no expense to keep this Saturday’s electric light sports meeting, at the Basin Reserve, on a par with the previous gathering. Frank Grose, the Canterbury crack cyclist, has always been a popular rider here, and his acceptance of the invitation to ride will be welcome news. Grose is now riding at the top of his form, and is equally at home, on a grass track or a banked one. • Although defeated by Wade in the New Zealand championships, he expects to turn the tables here. By winning the three national titles last week, Wade has sprung into the limelight, and though he may be at a slight disadvantage on a grass track, nis fitness should carry him through. . K. Ulmer, the Wellington, champion, finished third to Wade and Grose at the championship meeting, but he should be able to do better on his home track. Three events, the half, one and three miles, are. set down for the contest, and thj finishes should be worth going a long way to see. Miss Norma Wilson, who needs no introduction to the Wellington public, is to compete again, and it will be interesting to see if she can give Miss T. Kench two yards, Miss E. Sharp, three yards, and Miss,J. Greager (Wanganui), three yards, in the 100 yards handicap. 1 The meeting will commence with the grand parade. led by Scots College pipe band, at 7.45 p.m. sharp. The great showing made at the last meeting by the girls in the inter-house relay was such that their performance will give added im terest to the fare. An inter-house <o yards championship has been added to the programme. W. Ogg, who ran about Imin. 57sec in the half-mile at the national, championships, also will he seen in action. Practically all the events are from the scratch mark, and run bn the teams system. The Dewar Shield is at stake, and though Olympic, the present holders, are even with the Wellington club in points, they will have to fight hard to retain the trophy. The programme includes hurdling races, three women’s events, a cycle handicap, and eight scratch cycling races. National Championships. The judge of walking at the national championships followed the competitors round on a cycle in the half-mile championship. Hardly a satisfactory way of judging. The 440 yards hurdles should be run in lanes, as the competitor drawing the outside position under present conditions must be more than a champion to win. While the high jumping is in progress competitors should not be interrupted by loud speakers and other distractions. The judges in the sprint events should stand further out from the finishing poles. This gives a much better view. There, were one or two serious breaches which the judges should have noticed, especially in the shot and hammer events. It appears likely that the 220 yards low hurdles (2ft. 6in.) will be included in the next national championship programme. * , , Mr.' H. Austad, of the New Zealand 'Council was very successful as referee both for the cycling and the athletic even ts. Several past champions were present, including W. Anderson (220yds, 1904), father of Dennis Anderson, Canterbury’s great half-miler; C. S. Thomas (half-mile, 1913); C. H. Taylor (440yds., 1922-23; 880yds., 1921, 22, 24 and 26; E. A. Robinson (100yds., 1896); and Jimmy Beatson, Otago (one mile, 1915, three miles, 1910, 13 and 15. L. E. Patchett (Blenheim) was the stirprise packet of the Wellington teani ; his run in the 440 yards final was brilliant. It was only in the last three strides that he failed, and then he was only inches from the winner. . . F. Sharplev, Hastings, is a promising hurdler, but his style of starting beggars description. He. needs an expert coach. . Miss Norma Wilson was in a class of her own, and her running was a treat tor spectators. Miss F. Gudsell, Ashburton, shows great promise. With very little racing she proved herself much superior to all except Miss Wilson. , , . The Wanganui girls made np snowing, and were not up to championship class. The greatest surprise was the poor showing of the Auckland team. It was generally thought that they would capture the shield. ~ , , J. W. Savidan, Auckland, isi as good as ever, and retains his fo.rm remarkably we«l. Those likely to win future titles are : A. T. Anderson (hurdles). J. Broadway (440 and 880) ; D. Anderson (half-mile) : J. McFarlane (100 and 220 yards), F. Sharpley (120 hurdles), W. S. Bainbridge (440 yds.), and T. J. Crowe (jumps). . C. H. Jenkins, the Wellington sprinter, who was right off form at the meeting, will be confined to his bed for at least three weeks. He will have the sympathy of all true sports, who will wish him a speedy recovery. . C. Sutton, Napier, was never in the hunt in the cycling events./ R. Ulmer rode well in his heats, but when it came to the serious business he was well out of it. , , , , , Les Schneideman had bad luck and missed his chance, of a title, through straining a leg muscle. Tim Crowe won the high jump on his merits. It is a pity that we cannot get more competitors to adopt his attitude of seriousness. Wellington should concentrate on a scheme to improve its standard. More scratch racing, which tends to make champions and leads to general improvement in all classes of competition, should be encouraged.

Women's Branch Reviewed. In reviewing the performances, put up this season by women, “Hurdler” is referring only to competitors in the We.lington city boundary, which includes Petone and Hutt. Miss T. Kench has not run up to expectations, not for the want of trying, but because she has not been able to get into proper racing condition. Miss E. Sharp is practically our leading sprinter and running now at her best. She is.not likely to improve on her present form. Miss D. Hurley gave promise last season of turning out a champion, but through lack of expert coaching she has developed a faulty stride. . Miss C. Millar is a great trier, but not in the champion class. Her careeer on the 'track is just about finished. She is a great club worker. Miss E. Blatherwick is another who contemplates retiring. She has gone back in the last two seasons. Miss Jean Murray is a great little runner and a winner of many handicaps. She would improve if she took the game more seriously. Miss E. Powell is another good handicap runner, but far removed from championship class. . Miss W. Brown has all the qualities ot a good sprinter, and is Improving with every run. She should learn to run steady and straight like Miss Wilson. Miss J. Lark, only a coliege girl as yet, has championship honours within her grasp if she pays attention to style. Miss Joyce Murray, who once gave promise of turning out a champion, has gone back more than any runner here. Miss E. Fisher is a neat little runner and can move fast, but her size is against her. Later on she will be among the best. . Miss B. Purvis started oft well, but was running from long handicap marks. She is likely to improve if she can learn to run straight and steady. Miss M. Watson has size and good style, but she does not exert herself sufficiently in her races. Until she puts a little more life into her work she will still be on 7yds. in a 100.