EVENING SPORTS COMMENCED

Evening Star, Issue 22193, 22 November 1935, Page 6

EVENING SPORTS COMMENCED

WEDNESDAY’S MEETING REVIEWED [By Pisroi,.] After two previous postponements the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association managed to strike a fine night for the first of its track and field athletic meetings on Wednesday, and although the fields did not number many of the real “ stars ” the racing was quite interesting and fields were very satisfactory. The wind blowing from the Bay militated against fast times, but nevertheless there were a few fair performances, the most notable being that of the Boys’ High School junior champion, Colin M'Gregor, who came out for the 100yds handicap, and from the 7yds mark won the final in 10 3-ssec. This was a good run against the wind for a boy barely 15 years of age, but more pleasing still is the fact that H'Gregor shows very promising style and has a fine finish. He is a strong, well-built youngster, and if he does not overdo things the competition will not be harmful to him. ’

The Otago half-mile champion, Theo Allen, who was second _ in the New Zealand mile championship last season, has made an early start with his training, and lined up for the 100yds handicap, managing to take second place from the 6Jyds mark. Allen ran with some dash, but he was climbing very badly at the finish. Allen should not hesitate to run with, corks if he desires to overcome this habit of “ getting up in tho air.”

Hugh Ramsay is a versatile athlete who may develop into a first-rater over the 220yds low hurdles. He is also no moan sprinter, and from 2yds ran well to win his heat of the 100 in 10 3-ssec. Ramsay unloosed a fine finishing burst from 60yds, and if he will also put in time on improving his style in hurdling good things may be expected of the Anglican man this season. None of the recognised champions were competing in the half-mile handicap, so that the time (2min 2 3-ssec) was a good run under the circumstances. The winner, W. Donovan, of the Anglican Club, is a cousin of W. A. C. Pullar, the ex-New Zealand 440yds hurdles and cross-country champion, and other members of the family have also made a name for themselves in athletics. Donovan was on a long mark (55yds), but he showed ability and determination. He is a strong rnnner, and when he acquires better form should be further heard of. 6. Davie, a club mate of the winner, ran quite well, but was found wanting a little over the finishing stages. C. A. Broad, who has transferred from Hanover Baptist to Civil Service, finished on well to take third place from the 35yds mark. He is a promising middle-distance runner, and with the coaching he should have this season should show considerable improvement. I. L. Curtis; who had many fine performances to his credit in races during the winter season, shaped well in the early stages of the half-mile, and should be encouraged to persevere with his track activities. He is a good allround athlete and one of the keenest.

The performances in the field events were ordinary even for this stage of the season, and unless some of the competitors in such events as the shot putt and long jump are prepared to devote' more time to practise at such events any marked improvement is not likely to be shown. With one or two exceptions the_ standard of shot putting in Dunedin is poor, and from the physique of some of those taking part much better performances should be put up. The acquisition of style is all important in the shot, but very few of those taking part have any idea of co-ord-inating their movements, and do not realise the important part the legs should play in this event, a point so often stressed by Harlow Rothert, the American star, when be toured the Dominion in 1931. The best actual putt on Wednesday night Was 31ft by Arthur Holt, who is a consistent performer and is capable '• of still better. He just shaded Jack Anderson, who has it in him to heave the pill to much greater distances if he liked to tackle

this event seriously. Anderson has most of the essentials that go towards the making of a really good athlete, and he has only to tackle the sport seriously to achieve success in more than one event. Go to it, “ Andy ”1 Peter Souter won the event by the aid of his handicap, and his success was popular, for he is a keen all-round held man. Ossie Johnson was on the job again, and besides gaining second place in the shot putt won the long jump with an actual leap of 18ft 6in. As Ossie has been devoting most of his spare time lately to training for the defence of his Otago diving title, this was quite a fair effort. No man enjoys his athletics more-than R. 0., and probably no other athlete in the Dominion manages to cram so much activity into one season as he does. v, v POPULAR SOUTHLAND SPORTS PROFESSIONAL MEETING AT BALFOUR The forty-ninth annual sports of the Balfour and Longridge Caledonian Society will be held at the society’s grounds at Balfour .on December 26. A good running and cycling track of 440yds and facilities are provided for competitors. The stakes offered amount to more than £l2O, and the programme includes running, cycling, jumping, and piping and dancing events. The customary six professional running events offer attractive prize money, the Sheffield Handicap being worth £lO and trophy to the winner. Three professional cycling events have good prizes attached, the two-mile handicap being worth £7 and trophy to the winner. There are numerous piping and dancing events, and all classes of competitors will be well catered for. A valuable cup is offered for most points in A grade piping. An innovation by way of a clay pigeon shoot is set down for competition this year, £lO and a cup being offered. Nominations for professional running and cycling events close with the secretary (Mr J. 11. Dillon) or the handicapper (Mr A. H. Davidson) on December 18. Mr Davidson, _ who is the handicapper for this meeting, was at one time one of the best professional sprinters in Southland’} and also a wellknown Rugby player. The Balfour meeting is probably the longest established of any held in Southland. COMBINED MEETING PROPOSED A conference of amateur cycling and athletic officials is to be held to-night for the purpose of considering a proposal that a weekly combined cycling and track and field athletic meeting should be held at the Caledonian Ground each week, and there is every possibility’ of the first of these meetings being held at the “ Cale ” next Thursday night, The move should be a beneficial one for both sports. MINIATURE RIFLE SHO&TING The results of the championship and handicap competitions of the Ladies’ National Reserve Miniature Rifle Club, which have been concluded with the finish of the season, are:— Championship cup, Mrs J.. Bradley. Runner-up, Miss M. Matheson. Handicap cup, Miss D. Boyle. Runner-up, Miss L. Matthews. The secret night’s competition was won by Miss H. M‘Coll, and the bull’seye competition by Miss M. Matheson. BOWLING FOUR-RINK CHAMPIONSHIPS North-east Valley v. Leith, at Leith, on Monday: Rico, Brundell M'Donald, Dodd; Rennick, Ansell, Hope, Kirkwood;. Pettet, Crawford, Muir, Weir; Hands. Gemmell, Taylor, Tonkin. Tainui v. Green Island.—At Green Mand on Monday; C. Glue, W. Fuller, A, Jakeway, D. C. M'lnnes; W. Pearson, E. Patterson, A. Morris, W. • Briton: T. M'Natty, N. Kettle, E. M'Faull, A. M'Gregor: T, M‘Gregor, J. Lunan, A. Rennie, W. Annison. MORNINGTON v. TAIERI (Mornington names first). Liddell, Ireland, M'Kenzie, Smith 25, Smeaton, M'Pheat, Cousins, Carswell 10; Perry, Hamilton, Brown, Watson 15, Wylie, J. Haigh, W. Allan, Burleigh 28; Morrison, Nelson. M‘Donald, Wallace 14, A. Steven, C. Leith, D. Stevenson, W. B. Allan 17; Walmsley, Davidson, Lowden, Cunningham 18; J. Gordon, W.jM'Leod, R. Gibson, J. Thomson \LS. Totals: Mornington 72, Taieri 70. ■> SWIMMING KIWI CLUB RAGES The Kiwi Club commenced its handicap series of races at its club hour at the Municipal Baths last night, events being swum off in the competitions for the Vernon Smith junior boys and girls’ cups, for the Len Williams’s intermediate boys’ shield, and the club cup for intermediate girls. The handicap series for boys and girls under 12 will be commenced next Tuesday, and further races aro to be held every Tuesday and Thursday. Results: — 33J Yards Intermediate Boys’ Handicap.—W. Dyson (ssec) 1, A. R. Duff (scr) 2, W. M'Casker (4sec) 3. Won by a touch, a similar distance between second and third. 33J Yards Intermediate Girls’ Handicap.—Miss W. Dunn (4sec) 1, Miss D. Pope (scr) 2. Won by a touch. 25 Yards Junior Boys’ Handicap.— B. M'Kernan (scr) 1, D. Calder (4sec) 2. Won by a touch. 25 Yards Junior Girls’ Handicap.— Miss J. Guthrie (4sec) 1, Miss A. Lawrence (scr) 2, Miss E. Goldthorpe (Isec) 3. Won by a yard, half a yard between second and third.

TURF IN AUSTRALIA DUNEDIH OWNER'S SUCCESS Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright , *- MELBOURNE, November 21. At the Bendigo races the principal events resulted: — BENDIGO CUP, TOOsovs. 1m and 3f. Messrs E. S. Bailey and E. Fisher’s ch h GAY STAR (Gay Lothario — Violet Rays), Syrs, 8.4 (Skidmore) :. ... ... ••• 1 Casina, 6.9 (Simonds) ... ... 3 Villius, 7.13 (Badger) ... ... 3 Thirteen started, including Takakua and Bunsby Gaze. Won by a neck, with half a head between second and third. Time, 2min 19sec. THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP, 65sovs. 6f. Mr 6. J. Barton’s ch c DESERT CHIEF (Chief Ruler—Pure Gold), Syrs (N.Z.), 7.4 (Jenkins) 1 Roll Up; 8.9 (England) 2 Last Thrice, 8.0 (Callinan) 3 Eleven starters. Won by threequarters of a length, with a neck between second and taird. Time, Imin 14iseo. BOXING HAW HEN BEATEN [Pee United Press Association.] GISBORNE, November 22. The British Navy had to lower its colours last evening when a team _of boxers from the sloo'p Leith participated in a charity tournament. In the professional middle weight. contest Watty Robertson (Gisborne), 10.10, defeated Seaman Sandy Saunders, 11.8, on a knock-out in the sixth round, the navy man spraining his ankle and being unable to rise. Robertson had a good lead on points up to this stage. Of the six preliminary bouts the Gisborne boys won five, four on technical knock-outs.