ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1927, Page 22

ATHLETICS

By 'Sprinter.'

EXCELLENT SPORT

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING

WELLINGTON'S STRONG TEAM

The Wellington provincial championship meeting at Athletic Park last Saturday was one of the best on record, a splendid gathering of athletes and cyclists providing excellent sport with numerous outstanding performances. For the occasion the weather was splendid, although a light northerly slightly affected performance in some of the events. The management, as usual, was of the best, the manner in which the heavy programme was handled being responsible for a fine compliment from an Australian visitor. "They do know how to run a meeting here," he. remarked. "The committee must be a very good one." But with all that was done to make for the success of the meeting, there was one matter which deprived a section of the spectators of some of their interest in the meeting. There were many people present at Athletic Park last Saturday who could not follow performers and performance as close as they would have liked on account of the fact that they were unable to eet programmes, the supply of which was nothing hke equal to the demand This may not have been the fault of the centre, but in future the controlling body should see that- this very necessary detail is attended to in such a way as to meet requirements. Otherwise everything was O.K. No records were broken, but a fine standard was maintained all through the meeting! Jenkins Moderate. Earlier in the season C. H. Jenkins was in great form, and it seemed then that ho would have little difficulty in winning both sprint titles. On Saturday he was neither good nor bad, but he appeared to have lost a lot of his punch." A long holiday a few week ago apparently affected his running form, but, no doubt, with a little solid lacing he will bo in good order for the New Zealand ehamf °on ships. it 13 unusual for Jenkins to be beaten over the last part of a hundred yards If he is up with the field about the half-way mark he very seldom misses_ first place. On Saturday he was quickest into his stride, and kept in front until 25 yards from the tape. Then came Fleming's challenge,, and Jenkins seemed unable to put ma strong, finishing effort to get clear again. With Fleming and KyW non-starters, Jenkins had little opposition in the furlong, and was able to win easing up. Even in this event he was not at his best. Allan's Surprise. One of the finest finishes of the day wa s provided in the 880 yards championship. E. Gully (Masterton) looked a winner as he turned -Into the straight, but C. B. Allan ('Varsity) showed a surprisingly fine turn of speed and headed Gully off a few yards from the fijush. on previous occasions Allan has shown that he possesses a powerful finish, and this proved a biff asset to him on Saturday. But it was only by a. narrow margin that he scored. Great All-Bounder. Just how fine an athlete E. G, Sutherland is in the field events was fully demonstrated. Sutherland had a busy afternoon, and finished up with three wins, three seconds, and a third a great performance. G. J. Sceats's defeat of Sutherland in the javelin throwing championship was unexpected. The c 'Varsity man has made great = progress. 1 The distance thrown by Sceats was over two feet better than the best throw made by Sutherland. Other Performances. "We shall have to wait awhile yet before we can-find a man to beat Randolph," said one enthusiast in praising B. A. Eose's performances in the one mile and three miles' championships. Bose undoubtedly ran well, and there was a noticeable improvement in his action, but he was capable of much better performance. ... The champion's most serious rival was A. D. Priestley ('Varsity), who gave a good exhibition in securing second place in both events. In W. Lankey the province has a very fine walker. He was a treat to watch, and found little to worry him in both the one mile and three miles walking championships. Lankoy has an easy style, and is able to increase his pace near the end of the distance. The cycle championships were robbed of much of their interest through the indisposition of C. Flett. With Flett unwell, T. Oakley (Masterton) held the attention of spectators. The Masterton rider performed brilliantly, and but for a spill in three miles 6vent at the end of the afternoon, would have captured the titles for the three cycle championships. H. Oakley was unlucky. P. Harrison, a powerful young rider, was conspicuous. P. Bobinson did not appear at his best, although he rode well to win the three miles. New Zealand Championships. For the New Zealand championships, to be decided at Auckland next week, a strong team has been selected to represent Wellington, and no great difficulty should be experienced in'retaining provincial championship honours. Fleming and JenHns will be a strong pair in the 100 yds and 220 yds, both of which events.should provide great contests. Eastwood may also be useful as another string. Canterbury and Auckland representatives are likely to provide strong opposition. Whichever way the results go, the finishes are bound to be exceedingly close. The quarter-mile should be annexed by Fleming, who may improve upon last Saturday's performance. Allan will make a big bid for honours in the halfmile, and it is now possible that Bose may compete. ■ If so, Wellington should score well. It will come as a big surprise if Bose is not a comfortable winner of the one and three mile events. As the three miles may be decided on Friday, Bose may have a shot at the half-mile title. Sutherland, Kalaugher, Munro/ and Harvey should pile up points for Wellington in tho field events, while T. Oakley andJFlett may make tho present New Zealand champions do their best in the cycle races. Lamb will be a competitor, but does not take championship titles if he wins. Lankey (walks) and Vangioni (440 yds) hurdles should also Bcore points for Wellington, but they will have strong opposition. Tho Wellington lady runners are bound to be conspicuous in their events, and, if Miss Eastwood is not a competitor, the championship title should come to Wellington. The writer expects to ' see Wellington competitors winning at 1 least a dozen titles. ' ]