FIELD AND TRACK

Evening Star, Issue 20427, 7 March 1930, Page 15

FIELD AND TRACK

[By Pistol.]

NEWS AND NOTES

fixtures. March B—Otago Amateur ChamPl March 8 " B.—Otago and Southland Secondary Schools’ Championships, at Invercargill. March B.—Otago Centre's Fourth Dirt Track Motor Cycle and Athletic Meet, at Forbury Park. „ , March 15.—Sports at Forbury Park funder auspices Otago Cricket Association), and Carishrook (evening). March 14 and 18.—New Zealand Amateur Championships, at Wanganui. March 25, 26. and 27.—Otago Amateur Cycling Club’s Championships (evening meets). April s.—Primary Schools Championships, Logan Park. SUCCESSFUL MEET AT PALMERSTON. If enthusiasm counts for anything the future of the Palmerston-Waihemo Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club would seem- assured, and the success that attended the initial meeting of Otago’s youngest club last SSturday was a credit to the officials of the club. It is a long time since so many outstanding performances have been witnessed at a country meeting, and it is all the more pleasing to be able to report that several local athletes showed up prominently, especially in the cycling events. The club is fortunate in possessing a good track. The running and cycling events were decided on a banked dirt track which was very fast, as the times showed, and with large fields coming forward for every event some splendid competition was witnessed, many exciting finishes being staged. In past years the Otago hammerthrowing champion, J. G. Leckie, has had few opportunities of taking part in competition with the 161 b implement, but during the past four weeks he has competed every Saturday, with the result that he has improved out of sight. Leckie’s greatest fault in the past had been a tendency to step over the lino and register a foul throw, but more frequent practice in competition lias practically rid him of the habit. Consistently he has been throwing over 140 ft, and, following up Ins great performance of 151 ft Gin at Milton, he threw the hammer 15111 Sin at Palmerston last Saturday in an exhibition throw, after doing 1371 t 3in in competition. His timing was" just about perfect, and ho was getting the implement away at just the right moment, improving with every throw. He has only to show the same consistency to win a New Zealand title next week. In the discus event he registered his best throw to date, doing 104 ft Tin, which looks good enough to win an Otago championship. A. Leckio, a brother of the champion, made his first appearance in this event, and threw 70ft llin, a fair formance for a beginner, P. Gordon being another recruit who shaped fairly well. , , The 100yds handicap went to a longmarker, C. E. Matthews, who hung on just long enough to beat the scratch man, M. G. Valk, by inches in 10 2-ssec. Had Valk been as smart out of the holes as in the heat he would have got up, for he finished in great style. He was just a shade too slow into his stride, but with half the distance covered ho was moving freely, and came with great dash over the last 25yds. He will be a hard man to head in the Otago championhips to-morrow. A likely sort of sprinter is J. Dempster, a Palmerston runner. He was third in the 300yds, and captured the furlong after going a good race. He has little idea of form as yet, and should devote plenty of time to striding and to improving his arm action, for he is a powerful runner who might do well with a little more polish. Off Byds J. B. Drumm made no mistake about winning his heat of the furlong in 23 3-ssec, anti he Had the final won when, just as h» was making his bid entering the straight, he was jostled by Somerville and came down, gashing his arms and his hip. The 440yds offered compensations, however, for off 18yds the Dunedin Club’s most promising member went a well-judged race to beat the scratch man, L. C. M'Lachlan, by a foot, though Drumm was shortening a bit along the straightThe time was 51 2-sseo, and as Drumm is still in his teens he shows signs or developing into a top-notcher in a year or two. M'Lachlan ran convincingly both m the 440yds and the 880yds, though he faltered a yard or two from the finish in the quarter, which coat him the race. His time was a shade over 51 2-ssec, and in securing third place from scratch in the half-mile M‘Lachlan went 2min 1 l-ssec for the distance. He allowed Thompson to get too far away before putting in his claim, but he finished well, being only 6yds back. He should just about be in top shape for the New Zealand championships next week, and, fit and well, may have to bo reckoned with in the quarter as well as the half.

distancers in the province. He ran a splendidly-judged race in the 880yds last Saturday, hanging in fourth or fifth placo until about 180yds from home, when he commenced to move up, and won nicely by 4yds in 2min 3-ssec. Ho was off 10yds, this representing one of his best efforts this season. Thompon is just tho typo of runner capablo of .springing a surprise at the Otago championships. R, W. M‘Lood was another' who went quite a fair race off 20yds, being in second placo at the finish. Ho is not striding so well as was the case earlier in the season, and is rather inclined to run with too much of a lean on. If he tries for_ a better balance, he will probably achieve better results. J. Lovelock had the mile in his keeping all tho way, and it resolved itself into a question as to when he would displace the limit men. Going to the front in the third lap ; he was content to swing along easily a few yards ahead of G. Barber, and then, entering the straight, he sprinted away and won by 20yds in 4min 34scc. Lovelock was running. easily all tho way, and finished not in the least distressed. It was a good final work-out, in view of to-morrow’s meet. G. Barber ran into second place off 90yds, and if taken in hand, the Palmerston lad would develop into a good milor, as he is a game runner with a naturally long stride. He did not make sufficient use of his handicap over the first two laps, but will do better with experience. . B. R. M'Kernan went Ins usual solid race in the mile, but was handicapped by tho fact that ho had taken part in a fast-run half-mile only a few minutes before. Ho was very done at tho finish, but stuck to it for third place. Outside of J. G. Leckie’s performances the field standard was not a high one, and the absences of R. O. Johnson was a matter for regret. His Anglican clubmate, P. G. Ward, secured two firsts and two seconds, carrying off the long jump with an actual effort or 18ft 3Jin, and tile discus throwing event with 84ft 3in. Ward _ registered the best throw with tho javelin, in which ho did 141 ft Sin. Ward has been doing round about 140 ft consistently, but has not shown the improvement looked for since last season. Marked improvement has been shown by Miss F. Smith, the Palmerston girl winning the 100yds ladies’ handicap off 6yds in 11 4-ssec._ Miss Smith made no race of it, winning by 4yds. She cot away well and was striding much better than when she competed in Dunedin a few weeks ago, . Miss Blackie and Miss Pcttet- both ran well, and though neither of them has shown the form produced by Miss V. Nicol last year, they should make a closer race of it with tho girl than was tho case last season. The Dunedin girls went well in tho 400yds relay, the Palmerston girls lacking practice at changing the baton, this to a large extent proving their undoing. Miss Blackie went a particularly good 100yds, and, with more attention to form, and concentrated training, she would improve by a yard or two over this distance. TO-MORROW’S MEET. To-night tho preliminaries of the Otago amateur championships will he decided at the Caledonian Ground, the meeting being, continued at tho Caledonian Ground to-morrow afternoon. It is years since such a representative gathering of athletes has asseanbled for the provincial title meeting, the entries being practically a record. Competition in every branch of tho trade and field sport promises to be exceptionally keen, and tho battle for the List Shield, emblematic of club suprem acy. should be a notable one. Athletes are corning for the meeting from Oaraam, Palmerston, Waikouaiti. Milton, Balclntha, and Invercargill, and the representation of the various club* is probably tho largest in the historv of the sport in Dunedin, Given a fine day, the meeting should ho indeed a memorable one. and one which should afford some indication of Otago’s prospects of success at tho New Zealand championships next week. Detailed comments and a review of the field's will bo found in another portion of this issue. ROSE-THE WONDER. Those who know Randolph Rose intimately will not marvel at his wonderful return to form at Wellington last Saturday, for Rose may justly be regarded as the greatest distance runner New Zealand lias ever produced, and when ho sets his mind to a task he is indeed a hard man to beat. Those who had the privilege of seeing him in those epic races with the great American champion Lloyd Hahn will ncVcr forget the remarkable form shown by the New Zealander, who reached the top of his form when he beat Hahn m 4rain 13 3-ssec at Mastcrton, time which was claimed as a British Empire record for a grass track. Rose then went abroad, and after his return less was seen of him on tho track than hitherto. Then came his defeats by J. W. Savidan in the New Zealand championships at Christchurch in 1927-28 season. There were those who said that he was finished. Yet a fortnight later Rqso won the Australian mile and three-mile titles at Christchurch, turning tho tables on Savidan. He did not compete at tho New Zealand championships last season, but ho told the writer in Wellington that ho intended staging a come-back this season. He is now farming at Inglewood, Taranaki, and lias far fewer opportunities for training than when he lived in the Wairarapa. Ho had a trial spin in tho recent Wellington championships, and then hist Saturday came his meeting with Leo Lerrnond, tho American inne champion, who has carried all before him since his arrival in New Zealand a few weeks ago. Rose has had far less racing than the American, and yet in one of the greatest races ever seen in Wellington Rose demonstrated that he is still tit to rank with tho best aiders in the world, for, after an epic struggle, ho was only inches behind Lermond at the end of a mile, which was won in 4min 21 4-ssee. That ho overshadowed Unpopular Aucklander, Billy Savidan, shows that Rose will lend added interest to tho New Zealand championships should' ho compete next week. Lermond by his win in this race has demonstrated that he is a champion when extended, and if for no other reason but that it has indicated that Rose is still a champion, the American’s visit to _ New Zealand has-been well worth while.

It was rathei amusing to road tlnu Savidan, “ tbo young Auckland runner,” received au ovation, inero is not a great deal of difference in tho respective ages of Savidan and Hose. When Savidan was in Dunedin fpr tlio last New Zealand cross-country championship ho told the writer their that lie had had his twenty-seventh birth- ‘ Apart from tho thrilling struggle between Lermond and Rose, G. A. Golding provided the crowd with further sensations by equalling the New Zealand record for , 440yds of 49 l-ssec, which was established by the American G. Parker in 1914. Golding may do even better before ho leaves New Zealand, but already ho has shown sufficient to give rise to the belief that it he is properly handled world’s championship honours are not beyond him. CYCLING COMMENTS. Fast times and large fields were the order of. the day in the cycling events at Palmerston last week, the banked track proving one of tho fastest the Dunedin men have over ,ridden on. The Palmerston. Club, , has several riders of whom good things are expected at the .o,tago championships tomorrow, and, hone of them showed to more advantage than _ the Forrest brothers who were .riding from back marks. A. Forrest was second off 20yds in the two-mile event, which was won in 4min 44 0-o;sen, and he finished only a length behind J. Fogarty in the one and a-half mile scratch race. He has scarcely the judgment of tho Dunedin rider, and made his sprint too early ..in the two-mile event, but all he requires is experience, and, providing he finds the Caledonian track to his liking, ho should be, capable of extending most of the local men to-mor-row, especially at the end of a hard afternoon’s racing, for bo is a solid, determined rider. J. Forrest is a more .stylish rider than hiSj brother, .but, he was, competing tinder the disability or an injured hip,, which prevented him, from showing bis true form, though he, too, revealed that lie is possessed of a fine sprint. . < ■ .. Jack Fogarty had the measure of A. Forrest in the one and a-half mile scratch race, riding a well-judged race to win in 3niin 55 3-ssec, this being the slowest race of the,,day. ,He retired in the three-mile event after being beaded by both Forrests in his heat of the, mile, ho got up ,a)ong theh straight in ,tjie final, won in 2hiiii 15 l-sscc, to finish fourth, ahead of both the Palmerston men. Fogarty showed brilliance, at tiines, and if ho can only '.reproduce, it torinorrqw , will still be, tire hardest man to beat in the provincial title events. ,C. Lucas won .the twb-uiilo. .handicap by riding a well-judged race. He. showed more pace at the finish than usual, unwinding a good sprint up. the straight. He is occupying li better position on his machine than hitherto, and , se.eihs , to i be, appreciating more the value of relaxation, to which other cyclists .might devote more attention. . Although only sixteen years, of age, M. Gordon, a son off the Palmerston Club’s, starter, showed. unusual promise iu winning the half-mile handicap off 00yds in lihiii 5 2-ssec, and the threemile handicap off 250yds in, 7 in in 0 3-5 sec. He still lacks experience, but has a fair idea of form, and in tho tjiroe-milo cleared .out from the, other lijixit men over the last lap to win easily by 35yds. He is still. attending and,if not asked to do too much will have to be reckoned with in good company in a year or two. H. Palmer is another promising young Palmerston rider, and N. APGregor also showed plenty of dash, though lacking a little in judgment. Don Fraser rode one of his best races this season»to win the mile off 90yds in 2min 15 l-ssec. He was always in a handy position, and held Jus own along the straight to win by a wheel. Fraser has made a good comeback, and should keep most of the A grade men busy in forthcoming events. Ho is au effortless rider, and one from whom useful performances may be expected during the next few weeks. Although over forty years of age, C. Smith, a recently reinstated Palmerston rider, showed that he has still to bo reckoned with, and it was bad luck that he should have fallen in tho three-mile event when he was in a leading position and going well entering on the last lap. He was a good performer in professional ranks a few years ago, and his advice and experience should be of great assistance to the keen young Palmerston riders. E. Fletcher rode one or two good races during the afternoon, but was found wanting a little in the closing stages. * CANTERBURY TITLE CONTESTS. Recoi’d entries were received for the Canterbury athletic championships last Saturday, some highly interesting competition being witnessed during the afternoon. Tho ex-Otago runner N. J. Suckling provided one of the outstanding features of the afternoon by his running in the 880yds championship in which he retained the title after a great race, winning by a yard from the ’Varsity champion, O. C. Harley, in linin 59 4-ssec, 6. L. Nichqll, who held the lead for most of the journey, being another yard back third. In the hop, step, and jump tho previous champion, R. H. Neville, did not compete, the winner being A. E. Joseph with an effort of 42ft 11m. N. R Anderson won tho shot putt at 35ft 7iin, and the high jump went to 11. H. Neville, who cleared oft 7iu. E. ,13. M'Konzie, a brother of the former New Zealand champion, J. A. C. M'Konzie, won tho mile walk in the slow time of 7min 35 2-ssec, and the club relay went to tho Canterbury club iu 3min 51 3-ssoc—a fair performance, especially as the winning team was not seriously extended. The three mile championship saw tho finish being fought out by two exUtago men in J. G. Barnes (present holde: if the Otago one mile title) and A I). Kane (an ex-Anglican runner). IJarnes staged a great finish, to win by twelve yards in tho fair time of 15min 40sec, but in tho mile the time was disappointing, Barnes not being extended. He led at half way, and went on to win as ho liked iu 4min 41 2-ssoc. The title-holder, E. 13. E. Taylor, had to ha content with third place. G. M'Gregor won tho 120yds hurdles iu 10 4-ssec, and Malcolm Lead bettor, former New Zealand champion, won the 100yds championship after a thrilling

race, the time being lOsec. R. Cordery i was second, only one yard back. The New Zealand ladies’ champion, Miss E. Martyn, won the 100yds ladies’ i championship by inches in the fine time of 11 3-ssec, and the long jump wont ; to P. Ensor with a leap of 20ft lOin. Although Wilcokson won the half mile cycling championship iu 65 l-ssec, tho other cycling events were a triumph for F. J. Grose, who won the . three mile title orent in Gmin 26 l-ssec (New Zealand record), S. Campbell (who competed with Grose here a few weeks ago) being second, and T. | O’Brien third. Tho mile went to Grose in time that was given as 2rain 6 4-sscc, which, if correct, is also a New Zealand record. Grose finished up by winning the two mile scratch race in 4min 31 2-ssec, and has thus indicated that he will be about the hardest man to beat at Wanganni, barring accidents. In the 440yds championship, N. J. Suckling received a bump as he was making his bid, and did not recover his stride in time to make another challenge, being unplaced. The race went to A, Bullivant in 52 3-ssec. The remainder of the events were to bo decided during the present week. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. Next. Friday marks the opening of the New Zealand amateur championship meet at Wanganui, but until after tho provincial rrteet to-morrow it is impossible to say who will represent Otago, though this province should be ' represented by a solid team which should do itself credit. The meeting looks like being one of the best for years, and if Malcolm Leadbetter is to represent Canterbury there should be some great races between him and A. J. Elliott, of Auckland, who holds the sprint titles at the present time, while C. 11. Jenkins, of Wellington, can also be 1 depended on to make things ingIt is a long time since such a good collection of talent has been gathered together for the middle distance titles, and faster time than for a year or two past is likely to be recorded in both ’ the 440yds and the 880yds. Otago i should be prominent with M'Lachlan i in both these events, and Don Evans, ; of Wanganui-Taranaki, is expected to ■ provide some sensations over tho half- • mile. The meeting of N. J. Suckling i and M'Lachlan in this event should ; also ITe fraught with a good deal of i interest. Fleming, of Wellington, has 1 done faster time than any other New ' Zealander for 440yds and both he and i Pickering, also of Wellington, are I bound to be well in the running. i The meeting of R. A. Rose and J. W. Savidan is certain to be one of the • events of the championship meeting, i and both tho mile and three mile races should be classic contests, i Otago hopes to be well to the fore in the field events in which improved performances are likely to bo witnessed, i The cycling titles will be fought out ■ most keenly as usual, and on recent form, the ex-champion, F. J, Grose, is going to be a very hard man to beat. i The Otago team leaves for the north : by the second express on Tuesday next. ' ’ JOTTINGS. The primaly _ schools’ championship sports meeting is to be held on Satur- ■ day, April 5, arrangements already being in train to ensure a successful meeting. The usual attractive programme has been drawn up and entries ■ will close on March 20 with the secretary, Mr A. G. Fleming, at the Caversham School. In addition to the track and field programme, a massed display I of physical training will be given under the direction of Mr A. P. Roydhouse. In charge of the Invercargill team at the Otago championships to-morrow will bo Mr G. Rodger, who has been ’ one of the mainstays of the southern club for years, and who accompanied : the Otago team to Wellington last season as trainer. He is groundsman 1 at Rugby Park, Invercargill, and has made this one of the best playing areas in the dominion. He is was who had charge of R. C. Morgan and Bert ' Geddes when these sprinters achieved their greatest successes. In addition to the List Shield (club 1 championship) and Cabot Cup (most points in track and field events), an- ' other trophy will be competed for in tho track events at the Otago championships to-morrow. Mr V, S. Jacobs, formerly a champion middle-distance runner, has shown his interest in the sport by px;esenting a pair of silvermounted hairbrushes to be awarded to the runner securing most points in : the 44Dyds and 880yds championships. Tho ’secondary schools’ championship meet is to bq held at Invercargill to-morrow, indications pointing to a most successful gathering. The Otago Boys’ High School should be represented by a strong team, and Southland will probably find itself hard pressed to retain possession ot the Macassey Senior Shield, which it won so meritoriously last season. S. Gudsell, New Zealand champion walker, is at present in Canada, and according to the ‘ New Zealand Sportsman,’ has been selected to represent Canada at the Milrose Games in New York in a mile walk. Recently he came within two seconds of the world’s record for 440yds. One of the outstanding features of the Wanganui-Taranaki championships at Hnwera last week was the discovery ot a very fine juniper in G. Sullivan. who looks as if he will have to bo reckoned with in tho New Zealand championships. Ho did 46ft 7in in the hope, step, and jump, and 21ft 73 in in the long jump. Don Evans .won the half-mile comfortably by 35yds in 2min 1 2-ssec, and also accounted for the mile in 4 min 38 l-sscc. winning by 100yds. In this event, and in the three miles, Hose will also be representing WanganuiTaranaki. Stnn. Lay threw the javelin 193 ft. and F. E. Gilliver cleared sft GJin in the high jump. The 440yds 'nirdles c';anipionship was won by F. G. GPmonr in 60sec. L. Hunt threw tho discus Hlft-llin. and L. A. Newell won tbo 120yds hurdles in 1 6 2-ssoc. THE NAVAL CONFERENCE Is still in progress. What may bo described as a “ Nasal ” conference was overboard recently. “I can’t/stop sneezing.” “ You’ve caught a chill, old man. Have a Pulraona! It will soothe that irritation and help you throw it off.” I’uhnouas at all chemists and stores, Is 6d and 2s 6d.— [Advt.J