NEW ZEALAND AT THE GAMES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 36, 12 February 1938, Page 23

NEW ZEALAND AT THE GAMES

MATTHEWS AND BOOT MAGNIFICENT

"Well, the first day of the meeting has come and gone," writes Mr. Kitto, "and the boys and girls are all bucked Tip over the brilliant running by our team. Certainly the success achieved has put confidence into our forces. THRILLING SPECTACLE. "The opening ceremony was really Impressive, and, as one stood on the Sydney Cricket Ground and viewed the huge crowd, first of spectators and then of fellow members of the British Empire, it sent a thrill through > one that is hard to describe. The sound of the bugles, the firing of detonators, the liberating of hundreds and hundreds of pigeons, the soaring on high of 1000 balloons, the taking of the oath, and then the ' climax—of over 36,000 people singing the National Anthem; well, really the scene is indescribable and will live in the memories of all present for the rest, of their lives. "The actual meeting started at 3 p.m ; and finished just after 6 p.m., exactly one hour after schedule time. There was no excuse for this state of affairs, and I am satisfied that Wellington leads the world in efficiency in keeping a sports gathering up to time. We certainly cannot learn anything over this way. HOW COMPETITORS FARED. "By now you have had, I should say, many comments on the various events, but I will give you my impressions. "Graham Quinn was our opening man, and started in the first heat of the 100 yp,rds. He was well beaten in lOsec, doing about 10 2-ssec. Might I state here that the track was in perfect order, not over fast but plenty of grass and very springy., Sharply ran third in the fourth heat.in about 10 2-5 sec. This qualified him for the semifinal, but in this event he was outclassed. "The winner of the 100 yards, C. B. Holmes (England), is a great sprinter. "Stan Lay excelled himself with the javelin, doing better than he has done for years, but had to be content with second place. J. Courtright (Canada) * won on his first throw. "The women's 100 yards was disappointing to us. Miss Tong started just to get used to the surroundings. Miss ' Strachan was in the second heat and ran last in lOJsec. Miss D. Lumley, of whom so much was expected, finished second to the ultimate winner, Miss D. Norman, in 10 1-lOsec, being three yards away. In the second heat of the semi-final Miss Lumley finished last in 11 l-10sec, being some 3 yards away from the winner. GREATEST THRILL. "I have witnessed some great races in my time, but the three miles run on Saturday gave me the greatest thrill I have ever experienced. Ward, of England, was the favourite, but, after seeing Matthews run 14min 7sec on our Basin Reserve, I felt confident that we had a world-beater and I did not keep this opinion to myself, as I told the Press here that Matthews was our certainty. What a race he ran!

"There were 12 starters, including our second string, Ray Geddes. Ward immediately went to the front, but, just

after starting the second lap, Matthews took the lead and was never afterwards headed. He made his own pace, with Ward on his heels all the time (the crowd yelled for Ward to tafce a lap). These two soon left the rest of the field well behind. "PACE A CRACKER." "When the bell went for the final lap, Ward tried to pass our man, but Matthews was not having any, and on to the 220-mark they went with the pace now a cracker. Again Ward made a dash to pass, but still Matthews hung on to the lead, and this •was the end of Ward, for he realised that he had met a better man. Matthews now went away to win by 25 yards in record time. "My, didn't I feel a proud man when I led Matthews away to the victory ceremony! Matthews was not at all distressed after the race, and could have done still better time if he had been pushed over the final 220 yards. WILL DO BETTER. "Matthews failed badly at the last Glympic, but he has now redeemed himself tenfold. As a result of experience gained overseas he has proved himself in world class and will yet do better. Hay Geddes finished well back. '•The first heat of the half-mile saw Allen in action, and he surprised us tiy his performance. We never dreamt that he could break lmin 55sec, but he did and ran a really heady race. Well, I thought that if Allen could do lmin 54Jsec Boot should do lmin 52sec, and he very nearly did it. He got into a bit of trouble in the first lap, but took third position at the bell, and at 300 yards ran away from his field. There is no telling just what Boot might do.

"Our last start on the day was Arnold Anderson in the 440 yards hurdles. The talent was a little too good for him, for after sticking to J. Loaring for 300 yards he stopped badly ever the last 140 yards. He finished fifth in about 54 3-ssec.

"The announcing started well, but slipped badly after the first half-hour. "On the first night of the swim-

From what was seen of the capabilities of New Zealand's runners on the first and second days of the Empire Games in Sydney, high hopes were entertained in New Zealand's camp of its representatives capturing all titles from the half-mile to the six miles. In a letter written-to a member of "The Post" literary staff after Monday's events, Mi\ A. C. Kitto, assistant manager of the New Zealand team, made bold to state: "We will win the one mile (Boot or Pullar) and the six miles (Matthews)." It. had been decided then, therefore, that Matthews would go for the longer distance event which he won so handsomely on Thursday. Pullar, Boot, and Allen have all qualified for the one mile final, which is to be run today. The starting time of the mile, according to the programme, is 4.40 p.m. (6.40 p.m. New Zealand time).

ming in the evening, Miss Dunn, Miss McDonald, N. Crump, J. Davies, and Len Newell all started, but were really not near the standard set, and all finished well back.

"The team as a whole is exceptionally well, and, my word,' the members are keen to make a showing. Personally, I think this keenness has the effect of causing staleness in many by overtraining. "The. Trjnidad sprinter, J. Cumberbatch, ran well, and will be a great sprinter with a little more training."