TRACK AND FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 5

TRACK AND FIELD

ATHLETIC NEWS AND NOTES

[By Pisxoii..]

FIXTURES. November B.—Otago Centre’s postponed track and field meet. November G and 20, December 4 and XB.-—Otago Centre’s evening meets, Caledonian Ground. February 25.—American athletes at Invercargill.’ February 28. —American athletes at Dunedin. TO-MORROW’S SPORTS. The Otago Centre has had the misfortune to have had to postpone its first afternoon meeting of tho season on two occasions, and the first evening meet was to have been held last night. The postponed afternoon gathering is set down for to-morrow afternoon, and if the weather conditions are more favourable than they have been on the last two occasions a most comprehensive programme will be staged, including grass track motor cycle races, cycling, running, walking, and jumping events. Splendid entries have been received, and as most of the athletes have had time now to strike a semblance of tL. ii* best form it should be a thoroughly successful meeting. Tho first event is timed to start at 2.15.

AMONG THE WHEELMEN,

J. C. Fogarty was thrown rather heavily from his machine early in the week, and as a result was unable to compete in the Otago Club’s races on Monday night, and at the time of writing it was doubtful if he would bo able to take the track last night. Ron. Duncan is at present indisposed, and was not competing on Blonday night. Both Fogarty and Duncan have given some fine exhibitions ot heady racing already, and as the season has just commenced the enforced spell should have a beneficial effect on their future form. . . Ivan Anderson is at present stationed at Portobello, but ho hopes to bo able to take part at meetings early in tho new year. Although the fields were not quite as large as those on previous occasions the races held by the Otago Amateur Cycling Chib on Blonday evening were successful in every way, while the improvement shown among the club s novice riders -was beyond expectations. The mile handicap was the first of a series of threo races for the Paul

~1 umor Cup, and resulted in a well-de-served and convincing win for George Forward, who has not quite recovered from the injuries lie sustained through a fall on the track on Labour Day. Forward, after riding a great race in the two-mile handicap, in which he did most of the paoemaking, gair i ■ place, while in the novice event he sprinted for almost half the distance, withdrawing when the limit men had been overtaken.

P G. M'Connell, who was rather awkward on the track last season, is now viewed with respect by his fellow-com-petitors, for his displays of late have ueen among the best, and on Blonday night, off 140yds, he rode well to gain second place to Forward after winning his heat well. BPConnell might have been closer up had ho challenged. Forward a little sooner, for there was not much between them for tho greater part of the race. Gaining third place in both the novice and Paul Cup races, Alex. Douglas, lacking only the necessary experience over the last lap, put up the best performance of the evening, for in heats and ‘finals he was nearly always at tho head of affairs, and pedalling with case bo was close up at the finish on all occasions. He showed no sign of distress, and is a pretty rider. . While hia comparatively high gear is handy over the distance, it is a big handicap in getting off quickly for the final sprint. He is in good riding condition, and would be well advised to concentrate on cultivating a sprint. Jim Milne, the Otago Club’s fivomilo B grade champion, rode well until the last lap on each occasion, but was always left when tho final sprint commenced. Ho is only a lad, and will have to use great care not to strain himself, for ho is now well back in tho handicaps, and as he can cling to the wheels of the best of them he would be well advised not to attempt to leave the backmarkers, but in any case to ride easily over the first half of any race. After riding a faulty race for third place in his heat of the 11 mile handicap, B. Thomas, off 40yds, rode well in tho final to unwind a fast sprint up the straight, and gain his first win on tho track. Thomas rode a low gear which, against a strong wind, gave him a distinct advantage over his opponents, but he should not at any time rise from the seat of his machine during a race. n Making his first appearance, I'. Greenfield rode a very , heady race to win his heat of the novice event, alter producing a fine sprint, but in the final ho took too much out of himself over the first four laps. Greenfield sits his machine well, and shows possibilities ot becoming a rider of class. He would do. well to .concentrate for tho time being on distances up to J v miles. Gordon Johnston took second place in both his heat and the final ol the U mile handicap after doing more than Ins share of pacemaking. Johnston is powerful and a fine type of rider, but lie does not take his training seriously enough. He is at all times steady, and should meet , with success with a lair measure of sprinting practice, for it is over tho last bit only that ho is being beaten at present. . . . , H. Madigan, though short in height, is of wonderful physical a baity, and pedals a gear which is too high when the final dash is about to commence. Considering the short time he has been in training ho rode, exceptionally wall to gain third place in ns heat of*the maden, and in tho final ho made his final effort a shado too late. After pedalling better than ho has ever done, Jack Stokes qualified lor the final of the novice, but. ho dm not start in the final. , J. Burgess rode well m the maiden race, but . lack °f perienco prevented him from tiacKmg Stokes, Greenfield, and Johnston wlien they forged ahead, Burgess shows promise, bat at present lacks training. . c ~ , H. Annison, who is one of the most stylish of the, lesser lights was again disappointing. Ho rode like a veteran until the homo straight was reached, and then faded. Annison possesses a fine sprint, but he lacks determination enough to use it at. tho critical moment, and when this fault is overcome he will bo a rider veil worth watching. Eric Jones made a reappearance on Monday night, and in. the Paul Cup event <T civc his best <lispiny to cKitc* In a week or two he should be among the placings. Another novice rider who showed vast improvement was S. Angel. In tho mile event be kept u bandy position throughout, and was beaten onlv in the sprint homo, while in the maiden race be failed to follow Johnston, who forged ahead followed only by Greenfield and Stokes. Angel has great stamina and power, and may fin'd that a still further reduction in height ot gear will make things easier for him. A. Oakes continues to improve Ins ungainly style, but he should endear oui to reserve some energy for the latter stages of a race. , ~ . J. W. .J. - Ferguson also has the makings of a good rider, and with a little serious training and patience will have his reward. , .. Although many of the good riders wero, non-starters, the two-mile open event was a clinker, and the fine exhibition of Gib. Smith, who is far from his best form, signifies that, he will give some splendid displays in the near future. Against a severe wind Smith worked harder than he has ever done, and the sprint, produced at tlve finish “cracked up” the last Charlie Conroy completely. „ Being narrowlv defeated by smith, A. Hay put up a great, performance. When overtaken by Smith and Conroy many riders “throw in tho sponge,” but not so Hay and I'onvard, who both challenged desperately. Neither was beaten until tho lino was crossed. Hay with a race or two, will present strong opposition over two and three mile distances for ho has splendid stamina, and heaps of determination and grit. As he is among the keenest of tho local wheelmen ho deserves any success that may come his way. Damaging his machine while training, Bert Stokes was again confined to the bank. Ted Fletcher and F. Grant intend to commence active competition to-mor-row. Tom Dillon has definitely given up active cycling. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL BIEET. Tho standard of athletics at the Otago Boys’ High School has been a very high one during tho past few years, and in 11. G. Jolly tho school possesses an athlete worthy in every way to hold the senior cup, emblematic of .championship supremacy. Jolly, is

an outstanding all-round athlete, and his record-breaking jump of 21ft Him, which has been referred to elsewhere, is likely to stand for a very long time. He has improved in this event since last season, and on© of the pleasing features of his performances has been his consistency—ho did 20ft lOin at the secondary schools’ championships and 20ft sJin at the school sports last year. On a dead track, Jolly won the 120yds hurdles, favoured by a slight following breeze, in 17 3-ssec, won the 440yds in 56 4-ssec, and the 880yds on his own in 2miu 13_l-ssec. Jolly is a neat hurdler, and will do better yet as he has got the right idea. The writer believes that in a year or two ho would develop into a first-class quarter-mile hurdler. Jolly ran a nicely-judged race in the quarter, striding very freely. As he will probably go to the University next year, he should be well to the fore in open competition before the present season ends. R. W Haskell and J. G. Henderson tied for second place in the senior cup, the former being a ; sprinter of more than ordinary promise. He won the 100yds in llsec and the furlong in 24 l-ssec. He finished on welkin both races, and it should not be long before ho is taking his place in open races locally. J. G. Henderson was suited by the slow pace that was set in the mile, and won in the slow time of smin 31 4-ssec. One of the disappointments of the senior cup competition was If. G. Walker, who did only 4ft Bin in the high jump, which was about six inches below what lie has done previously. He was a competitor in the military boxing tournament the previous night, which may have had some effect upon him. J. M. Meek won the high jump but his winning leap was only 4ft Bin, whereas in the handicap event Gillick registered a fine jump of sft and R. C. Talbot did oft lin. J. ,V. Stark, the winner of the junior championship, won the 440yds in 61 4-ssec, but his best effort was 4fb llin in'the high jump—a school record, and a very fine performance for a boy under fifteen. In the junior long jump A. E. Valentine did 17ft—a splendid effort on the day.

The most promising runner among the juniors was A B. Dotting, w.ho won the 100yds in II 3-ssce and the 220yds in 25 2-ssec. both grand performances under the conditions. _ Dotting is tho secondary schools’ junior champion, and one of the most promising young athletes, the .school has had for a long time. He should make his mark as a senior if he stays at school. The conduct of the meeting was admirable, and a special word of praise is due to Mr J. P. Northey, whose starting left little to be desired. The fields were exceptionally good in practically every event, and with closelycontested finishes a splendid day’s sport was witnessed.

NEW ZEALAND RECORDS. During the season the following performances have been passed as establishing new or equalling old records fox’ the dominion; — 440 yards.—George Golding Aust.), 49 l-ssec, Wellington, 1/3/30. 1.000 Yards.—'G. E. Evans (W.-T.), 2rninlS l-ssee, Wanganui, 5/3/30. Pole Vault.—W. J. Batstone (C.), lift 3 5-Bin, Kinvee, 5/4/30. Discus.—P. Munro (W.), 139 ft 2iu, Petoue, 22/2/30. One-mile- Medley Relay.—Wellington, 3raiu 35 2-ssec, Wanganui, 15/3/30. 880 Yards Cycling.—F. J. Grose (0.), 59 2-sseo Christchurch, 8/3/30. 100 Yards, Ladies—T. Reach (W.), 11 l-ssec Wanganui, 15/3/30 ' The following performances were recognised during the year as equalling or bettering the best performances of a Now Zealander in New Zealand:— 1.000 Yards—C. E. Evans (W.-T.). 2min 18 l-ssec, Wanganui, 5/3/30. Pole Vault.—W. J. Batstone (C.), lift 3 5-Sin, Kir wee, 5/4/30, Discus—P. Munro (W.), 139 ft 2in, Petoue, 22/2/30. One-mile Medley Relay— Wellington, 3min 35' 2-ssec, Wanganui, 15/3/30. 880 Yards Cycling.—F. J. Grose (C.), 59 2-ssec, Christchurch. 8/3/30. 100 Yards, Ladies—T. Kench (W.), 11 l-ssec, Wanganui, 15/3/30. 161 b Hammer Throwing.—J. G. Leckic, 151 ft Gin, Tokomairiro, 15/2/30. TRACK ITEMS. An injured ankle has interfered with the preparation of L. C. M‘Lachlan, and it is likely to be some time before ho is seen out in serious competition. A promising sort of sprinter is A. M. M‘Rae, of the Leith Club, who won the old boys’ furlong at the Boys’ High School sports last week. M’Rae did well in under eighteen races last season, and should bo prominent in forthcoming handicap events. Jack Lovelock, the Otago mile cliampion, is coming along nicely, ami it will not be surprising if he still further improves upon the fast times he registered last season, lie will be one of Otago’s main hopes against the American miler, Rufus Kiser, when the overseas star competes here early in the new year. Another line miler in J. J- Morris has been having a well-earned spell, and it is likely to be after Christmas before ho is seen in open competition. One of the back-markers who is likely to keep the best of them busy in the mile events at forthcoming meetings is L. A. Wood, who was third in the Otago mile championship last season. W. A. Stewart, the Anglican distance runner, went a good race to win the old bovs’ half-mile at the Boys High Schoorsports last week in 2min 9 2-oseo. Stewart has been steadily improving during the past couple of seasons, and should have to be reckoned with over the half-mile and mile at coming meetings. , , j, • A runner from whom good things arc expected during the season is 35. A, Taylor, whose best performance to date was his second place in the Otagohalrmile championship last season. With a stronger sprint at the finish lay lor would be capable of slick time over the eight-eighty, for he is a nice free strider, and is possessed of pretty fair judgment. He will bo seen out at the approaching evening meetings. JOTTINGS. The proposal of 1 the New Zealand Council to send the champion track cyclist, F. J. Grose, to Australia .to compote in the cycling championships at Sydney will meet with warm ap-

proval from Otago athletic supporters, who realise that cycling in the south owes a great deal to Frank Grose, who has appeared here on many occasions, and undoubtedly did much to give amateur cycling a big fillip in Otago. Grose has previously shown what he can do against Australian risers, : and if he re-, produces that brilliant form he showed at Wanganui last March there will be. many to support his chances of success in Sydney. ,

The following paragraph from the annual report of the N.Z.A.A.A. shows that tho council is fully alive to the need for *iu pfirly effort to bo made to raise funds if a team is to be sent to tli© nest Olympic Games;—‘‘ln 1932 tho next Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles. The association should bo represented, and to ensure this it is essential that all those who are actively engaged in competing should get busy now so that some accurate idea, may be obtained regarding the material available to represent New Zealand at the games. Neither competitors nor the Controlling Board can afford to wait until the last moment. Now is the time. The Olympic Games Association hopes to launch an art union early next year to raise a capital fund, from the interest on which it is hoped to defray expenses of sending New Zealand representatives. The effort to raise tho necessary funds should receive the whole-hearted support and co-operation of every person interested in athletics. New Zealand must be well and worthily represented—the occasion is'worth while.”

Originally the British Women’s, Athletic Association intended to send twenty-two competitors to the Women’s World Athletic Games at Prague, but a shortage of funds restricted the number of British competitors to fourteen. A public appeal for financial assistance did not evoke a generous response. A sum of £4OO was required to pay the expenses of the team that was sent, but when the team left London only about £2OO had been raised. A bank guaranteed a loan of tho other £2OO.

Several fine performances .were nut up at tho secondary schools’ sports last week, and at least two of the boys show promise of becoming fine athletes. ■W. Roberts won the senior 100yds easing up in 10 2-ssec, while Eade cut out half a mile in 2iuiu 4 2-sec. Outstanding. however, was the jump ol 20ft IJin by P. Spittle, of the Auckland Grammar School. For a boy or lo years this was a great jump, and at present it would go close. to winning an Auckland championship (says an Auckland writer).

The application of H. W. Insall, the Invercargill cyclist, has been granted* and other applications from the Otago Centre will probably be considered at tho nest meeting of the New Zealand Council on November 17.

Thelma Kench, the Wellington lady runner, who took the New Zealand lOOvds title from Miss E. Martyn, ol Christchurch, last year, started tho season well at the Labour Day sports at Newtown, running into third place from scratch in the 75yds handicap and winning the 100yds handicap from tho back mark (says an exchange). The time (10 4-ssec) was poor, but this was probablv due'to the heavy state of the track and the fact that the girls had to run into a strong wind. Last year Thelma Kench ran tho 100yds in 11 l-ssec.

A clause in the annual report of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, referring to Otago’s win in the teams’ race at the New Zealand cross-country championship, states;— “ This year’s race was for the new shield, ’which your council has presented. It was certainly very appropriate for the Otago Centre to be the first winners, because Otago has always been the ‘ home of harriers.’ ” Once again the accounts of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association show it to be in a strong financial position, the actual cash funds standing to its credit being £470 4s 6d, and thei;e are no unpaid accounts (says the annual report of the N.Z.A.A.A.),