AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 13

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

[By Pistol.]

TRACK AND FIELD ACTIVITIES

FIXTURES. November 2.—Otago State Primary Schools' Championships. . November 3.—Civil Service Club s Evening Meet November 7. —Otago Centre’s Sum* filer Time ” Evening Meet. November 11 and 12.—Auckland amateur championships. November 17.—Anglican Club s evening meet. ■ ... , November 24.—Otago Athletic and Cycling Club’s evening meet. December 3.—Otago track and field championships December 9 and 10.—Now Zealand amateur track and field championships, at Christchurch. December 26, 27, 28, and 29.—Australian and New Zealand track, held, and decathlon championships, at Wellington. January 7.—Australian athletes at Dunedin.

INTERCLUB COMPETITION. A suggestion well worthy of the consideration of tho Sports Committee «t tho Otago Centre was made by the pacific delegate, Mr 1). O. Gibson, at the annual meeting of tho centre on Tuesday night. It was to the effect that along the lines of the mterclub fixture staged between the Caversham and Pacific Clubs in the wint season, an intorclub meet should in the near : future be arranged by the Otago I Centre, no club being allowed to enter 1 more than one competitor in each event. „ . , Those intorclub fixtures have been hold in other centres, Christchurch being a case in point, and the time is opportune for Dunedin to fall into hue. , There are fourteen clubs affiliated to 'the Otago Centre, and of these probably twelve could be looked to to take pa-t in an interclub meet. The wiiter, however, is of opinion that each competitor should be allowed to compete in at least” two events, so that large fields would be tho order of the day. The interclub meet could be staged either before or after the Otago championships, but as the Otago Centro is in need of funds to despatch a team to : the New Zealand championships it : m ight bo possible to hold tho fixture in the form of an evening meeting to- ! wards the end of November. Apart ' from some trophy for tbo club gaining i most points, it would bo unnecessary to provide individual prizes, and the centre would have some hope of ing monev out of the meeting. Ihcn, again, athletes who might perhaps hardly he up to provincial standard ’ would have some incentive to represent : their respective clubs at other than the i Otago championships. AUSTRALIANS’ VISIT. There will be something to look for--1 ward to alter the Otago championships now that the Otago Centre lias accepted h visit from ono of tho two teams o) Australian athletes that will 1 a touring (he dominion following the Australasian championships. The Australians will appear at Dunedin on Saturday, January 7, and it, as is regarded as likely, they are not accepted by tho Invercargill Club for a meeting on January 4, it is on the cards that the visiting team may appear at an evening meet at Dunedin on that date, , As the Australians will lie divided into two teams—ono tor Die Nortn Island and one for the South Island — it is essential that the strength of the teams should just about be equally divided. Naturally, G. 11. Hyde will be one of the stars., more particularly if ho makes a bold showing against R. A. Rose at the Australasian championships, and another will be A. W. Winter, tho hop, stop, and jump champion, who is also a good allround field man. It would seem to be a good pplicy for Winter to be included in one team and Hyde in trie I other if the tour is to be a financial success. Each team will consist of four | athletes. N. J. Grehan and L. Barker, j tho Queensland sprinters who visited j Dunedin in 1925 with the Australian 1 team, are two others likely to bo m- ' chided in tho visiting parlies. Should 1 they both take part, probably Parker | would be allotted to ono team and ’ Grehan to the other, RELAY RACING. Now that the Otago Centro has allotted the fine trophy presented by Mr G. J. Barton to bo competed for in relay events held during tho season. it is to bo hoped the various clubs I will devote a little more time to preparation for relay racing than lias been the case in the past. The Barton Challenge Cup is to bo awarded to the club gaining most points - in relay events run in Dunedin, and it , is pleasing to see that at tho various ' evening meetings being staged during tho next few weeks relay races occupy ; a prominent position on tho pro- ' grammes. It remains for tiic clubs, however, to sco to it that tho runners, who represent their clubs in tho relay events, have so mo training in relay racing. In tho past loams have been gut together at the last moment, members often never having had an opportunity of practice together in changing over the baton. A good deal in relay racing depends upon the dexterity and speed with' which tho baton is handed over, and if tho clubs devote some timo to (raining for relay racing this is a branch of the sport which will rapidly grow in popularity. In past years Otago has always been able to field a fairly solid team in tho New Zealand onc-milo relay championship, but it cannot bo denied that combination, if such it may be termed, was lacking, tho runners rarely having had a try-out together. Tho encouragement of relay racing by tho award of the Barton Cup should mean that in the future provincial re- , lay teams will bo much stronger combinations than have been the case in i tho past. | The programme of relay events listed i for decision in the very near future is : a well varied one, for apart from the j 880yds relay handicap decided last ‘ nigut, two relay events are included 1 on the Civil Service Club’s programme 1 for next Thursday night, these being dUUyds (each man lUUyds) and one mile events. At tho Otago Centro’s meet on November 7 a one-mile relay handicap will bo decided—both milo events referred to are medley races—and at tho Anglican evening meet on November 17 another milo relay will , be staged, but on this occasion it will comprise four distances of 440yds. So clubs have every reason for devoting some time to relay racing. FINNISH RUNNER’S SUCCESS. Willie Ritola, who will run for Finland in the Olympic games next year if he runs at all, decisively defeated several of the best American distance runners last month, when he again : won the National A.A.U ten-mile . championship. The race was the ■ feature of the Richmond County track i and field championship meet, one of ; the big athletic events of the year on Staten island (facetiously remarks an American writer). Were it roi for F. W. Ward, jun , one of Mel Sheppard’s charges in the Melrose A,A., the finish would have been overwhelmingly Finnish. G. Ivukkanen and L. Tikkanen, also of llitoln’s club, the FinnishAmcrican A.C., finished third and fourth respectively. Ward was second, hut ho was three-quarters of a. milo

behind the flying Ritola, the defending champion. The Finn’s winning time was 53min 36 4-6 soc, considerably behind the record of 51miu 1 3-ssec. However, the track was five laps to the mile instead of four, and not m too good condition, and it is not surprising that Ritola did not come nearer to breaking the existing mark. Ritola had little trouble winning his race. He got away to a good start, and then lapped the field with such bewildering speed that there were few besides the judges who could tell who was second, third, and so on down the line. The only position on which there was no doubt was first, Ritola running in a class by himself. Ritola finished with a great burst of speed, in which he passed every man on the track for the third, fourth, fifth, or more times. Eleven men finished in the race, which was ran under a hot One of these, in sixth position, William J. Kennnedy, of the Cygnet A.C., _ the veteran of half a century, persisted where younger men dropped out. PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS. Next Wednesday will bo a day of great activity at Carisbrook, where the Otago State Primary Schools’ championships will be decided. Given favorable weather conditions this should bo one of the events of the year for sports from the fact that thousands of children will be taking part in many of the events. Tho standard shown by some of the competitors is a very high one, and one that augurs well for the future success of amateur athletics in Otago. The State Primary Schools Sports Association is doing valuable work, and the athletic fixture at which both boys and girls’ championships (of varying ages) are decided is one of the most important branches of. the association’s activities, and one that is deserving of l considerable public support. The first event is timed to start at 11 a.m. CHRISTCHURCH GROUNDS. Arrangements for the holding of tho New Zealand amateur athletic and cycling championships at Christchuch on December 9 and 10 were made at a recent meeting of tho Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. The president (Mr W. C. Flewollyn) said that ho had visited English Park Stadium and found tho ground to be in bad condition. Mr J. R. D. Johns had assured him that the ground would bo put in excellent order. It would be topdressed, and he was assured that the ground would be in order in two weeks. He had visited Lancaster Park also, and arrangements had been made for repairing and improving tho plant there. Mr E. H. Cross said that tho Grounds Committee should set the date a good time before the New Zealand championships to inspect the ground at English Park Stadium and decide if it were fit for the championships. The president replied (hat ho had been assured that the ground would he in good order in a fortnight. Mr Cross moved that the ground ho inspected before tho next centre meeting, and that the Grounds Committee report finally at the next meeting of tho centre whether the ground could lie used for championship events. The motion was carried. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS. The outstanding performance at the annual athletic meet of the Otago Boys’ High School on Wednesday last was the time returned by W. W. Abel, the scratch man, in tho half-mile walk. Abel, who is the makings of a firstclass walker, failed to capture tho handicap, but his time (3miu 40 3-ssec) easily smashed the existing record of 3min 53sec. Tho tracks were rather dead alter tho recent rain, and a sharp breeze blowing across tho ground was partly responsible for the fact that in the majority of events the times returned were only fair. The times in the middle distance events wore better in comparison than those lor the sprints, but, though the general standard at the mooting was quite a fair one, and tho entries were first class, no really outstanding times were recorded in any of the senior events, and so far as tho junior championship races were concerned the times were a good deal below what are usually accepted as standards for boys under 15. The senior champion -was R. G. Jolly, who showed himself to bo a good allround performer. His best effort, however, was in the 880yds championship. which ho won after a great race in the very fair time of 2rain 12 3-ssec —4 3-ssec outside the school record for tho distance. _ Jolly, it may be remembered, established the under sixteen record of 2iuin 17 4.-ssgc for tho half-milo last season, but his performance on Wednesday was a much more meritorious one, the track being heavy. His elder brother, H. E. Jolly, made the pace all the way, and it looked as if R, G. Jolly had left his run a little late. However, he came with a determined hurst along the straight, and managed to get there to win by inches. Jolly has a nice, easy action ami a long, free stride, and the writer believes that when he leaves school ho would do well to concentrate on the middle distances. Ho could secure only second place in the quarter, fading out in the closing stages of a good race. His 18 4-ssec against the wind lor the 120yds hurdles represented a. fair performance. and he was probably the best hurdler in action during the afternoon, jumping well and showing pace between tho sticks. He did ISlt ofin to win the long jump, and this was quite a creditable pcrlonnauco vith so slippery a ruu-iip. . Runner-up to 11. G. Jelly in the senior championship was 11. L. irotman, who won both tbo quarter and the high jump, and was second in the 100yds’ and the furlong. /Holman cleared onlv 4ft Hin in tlic high jump, hut this was a better performance than it appeared, as several ol the jnuipcis found trouble from tbo treacherous state of the take-off. Irotmau ran a 1 well-judged raco_ in the quarter, and i timing,, in’s run nicely scored a good win in 56 2-ssec. He is a strong, dederI mined runner, but is just a little m- , dined to climb, a fault ho must cradiI "Both the 100yds and 220yds senior [ championships fell to A. G. M. C.ark, whoso time in cither event was not I particularly fast. Still he won /he I 100yds convincingly in 11 3-osoc; npainst the wind, and the furlong in 25 3-ssco, and ho shows signs of dc- ! vcloping into a more than useful spnnTho junior championship was won by A. Orange, who captured the 100yds, 220yds, and 440yds events. His win in the quarter was tlio result-of sound judgment, his time being 64 4-osec, not a bad performance tor a boy under lateen. . . Still, the hoy who most impressed the writer among the juniors was a sturdy youngster named C. Beatson, I who was second in tho junior 100yds i handicap from 2yds in 11 4-ssec, third i from scratch in the junior furlong, won in 2min 8 l-osec, and winner or tho junior 440yds irom 15yds in the good time of 61 4-osec. The writer does not know whether young Beatson I is related to the ex-Australasian disI tnnee champion of that ilk, but he : certainly has some of that champion s ; finalities, being_ a very determined little runner with a not unpicasing : style. Looked after, ho should bo | heard qf in the athletic world in a I few years’ time. | Another performed whose name api peared frequently anw-.g the succcssI ful handicap runners was V, . If. Mas- | tors, who carried off (he open mile I handicap from the 150yds mark in 4min SSsec, which gave the scratch man little chance. Young Masters made his I final effort very early in the last lap, and it did not look as if he could last. However, he hung on to the lead and won by Byds. He ran a good race

in the half-mile (under 16) from the 45yds mark, and won in _ 2mm U l-ssec, also carrying off the 220yda (under 16) in 27 l-osec, his handicap being 12yds. In the under-sixteen division, a runner who impressed the writer was A. J. Turnbull, who finished second from scratch in tne 100yds in 11 3-ssec, and was also second in the quarter (under 16) in 67 2-ssec after a good race. Turnbull is a very promising runner, with a nice style, and he should bo heard of if he sticks to athletics after leaving school. The starting was in the hands of Mr J. P. Northey, and left little to be desired, the conduct of the gathering, under the supervision of Mr R. W. S. Botting, being first class. TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT. A well-deserved tribute was paid to the president (Mr E. L. Macassey) at the annual meeting of the Otago Centre of tho N.Z.A.A.A., at which a handsome presentation was made to Mr Macassey and many kindly sentiments, appreciative of his good work on the centre, were expressed. Mr Macassey has_ been associated with amateur .athletics in Otago for over thirty years, and during the lato ’9o’s, as a member of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, he was one of tho best sprinters and middle-distance men in the province. On one occasion he was third iti a fast-run New Zealaud 440yds championship, and since giving up active participation in the sport he has done splendid work in an administrative capacity. As president of tho Otago Centre for several years past, to him and Mr R. Swinney (who was secretary for several years) credit is due for tho present very healthy position of amateur athletics in Otago, “SUMMER TIME” MEET. Though Malcolm Lcadbcltcr, the New Zealand 100yds and 220yds champion, is unablo to compete at tho evening meet being promoted by the Otago Centre on November 7 to celebrate the institution of *' summer time,” at least one visiting star will be present in the person of F. J. Grose, Canterbury and New Zealand amateur cycling champion. The Caledonian track has been thoroughly renovated, and some fine racing should be seen at this meeting, which will commence at 6 o’clock. Three cycling races are ou the programme—one, two, and_ threemile handicaps—and an attractive list of track and field events has also been drawn up. There are 100yds, 220yds, 880yds, throwing javelin, hop, step, and jump, 75yds (boys under 14), 100yds (ladies), ladies’ relay, one-nnlo interclnb medley relay, and 120yds hurdles handicap. The programme is a varied one, and given a fine night there should be a splendid attendance at this gathering. ANGLICAN CLUB FIXTURE. The Civil Service Club’s meet next Thursday and tbo Otago Centre’s gathering on November 7 will be followed on November 17 by an evening fixture under the auspices of tho Anglican Club. , x ~ The programme has not yet been finally confirmed, but “ Pistol ” understands that it will include 100yds handicap, I,oooyds handicap, cycling handicap, ladies’ relay, one-railo relay (four distances of 440yds each), and a jumping event. PROMISING SPRINTER. A sprinter who should bo hoard of at tho Otago championships in,December is R. F. Barr, tho present Otago ’Varsity champion and ox-holder oftlie Otago Boys’ High School 220yds record of 23 4-ssec. Barr showed great promise towards the end of last season, and present indications point to his being in rare fettle for the provincial meet this year. Competing in the old boys’ 220yds handicap at tho Boys< High School sports last Wednesday, Barr, who was on scratch, was badly placed rounding the straight turn, but he came with great dash over the last 80yd and beat the other back-marker, H. D. Morgan, by about 4ft m 94 3-ssec. Considering the state of too track and the breeze this was good time, and such as to suggest that Barr will have to be reckoned with during the coming season. DUNEDIN LADIES’ CLUB. A ladies’ event was included on tho Otago Centre’s evening meet last night, but it was restricted to members of the Dunedin Ladies’ Amateur Club, and “Pistol ” is with tho authorities in tbo belief that &01110 “knell action is necessary if the Ladies* Amateur Athletic Club is to thrive, ' Last season there was a great clamor among sonic of the lady runners about tho need for the formation of a ladies’ club, hut some of those who raised their voices most loudly are among those who who have not joined tho clnl). , . If ladies’ athletics aro to thrive the club must he supported by tho lady run tiers, who must realise that some organisation is necessary to control their activities. The ladies’ club func- ; Honed actively last season, and finished up with a .splendid, afternoon athletic ' meeting on the “Cale,” but unless the lady runners rally round and join tho club its sphere of operations must necessarily be restricted. The Otago Centro would he well advised to limit all Indies’ events to members of the Indies’ Club, though an exception might he made in the case of primary school girls. JOTTINGS. The .retirement of Mr W. L. Hooper from (lie position of vice-president ot the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will leave a gap that will be hard to fill. Mr Hooper has done much for amateur athletics in Dunedin over a long period of years, both in an active and an admi m's tra tivc ca paci ty. 11. H. Curtis, 75-year-old all-round athletic star, is challenging any man his own ago to an athletic test (says an American exchange). Curtis has a 4in chest expansion, can do the 100yds dash in 11 sec, and is a good broad and high jumper. The University Club is to bo represented by two new delegates on the Otago Centro of the N.Z.A.A.A., these being R. H. Cabot and R, F. Barr. Cabot is a brother of the Now Zealaud champion walker, and himself is a rapidly improving walker, and Barr is the ’Varsity sprint champion. Both aro young, keen athletes who should worthily represent a club that has in the past hardly done its share in the promotion of amateur athletics. The Canterbury Centro of the N.Z.A.A.A. will hold athletic trials on November 26, after which the Canterbury team for the next New Zealand championships will probably be selected. A. V. Stroud, the Otago shot-putting champion, is now stationed in welling- ! ton, and, with proper coaching, the writer would not be surprised to see him develop into a shot'putter of real class. Last February, with only a fortnight’s tuition, he won the Otago title with a putt of 35ft, and during the coming season ho should improve considerably on these figures. ! The Otago Centre of tho New ZeaI land Amateur Athletic Association bar. i received an application from the cash ' body, the Otago Athletic and Cycling j Club, for permission to stage two ama- ! teur events at an evening meet to bo i held on November 24, but the writer 1 understands that there is some likelihood of permission being refused on this occasion in view of the attitude adopted by cash bodies in other parts of the province in regard to tho inclusion of arnateyr events on their programmes.