TRACK AND FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 22261, 12 February 1936, Page 4

TRACK AND FIELD

TITLE MEETING REVIEWED

: February 17 and 20.—Otago Central’s scratch meetings, at Carisbrook (tentative). February 22.—Otago Caledonian Society’s sports. February 28 and 29.—New Zealand track and field championships, at Carisbrook

HIGH STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE .Coming away from the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon after the Otago track and field championships one could not help a feeling of satisfaction not only at the high standard of performance, but at the excellent way in which the meeting was controlled. This was Mr Guy Tapley’s first championship fixture since he assumed, presidential office, and he has good cause for gratification at its success, the meeting being a happy augury for the forthcoming New Zealand championships. There was not the slightest delay between events; two lots of field events were in operation simultaneously, and the fact that the large programme was completed 10 minutes before 5 o’clock is sufficient indication of the fine organisation of Mr Tapley, Mr Clark, the secretary (Mr T. M. Brydone), and the other officials. The use of the centre’s new metal hurdles of Olympic design was very favourably commented upon, and while the fields were rather restricted in numbers in some events the classy racing and thrilling finishes more than compensated' for this.’ The heavy rain of the previous few_ days had its effect 'on-the tracks, which were slow,-but otherwise in good order, thanks to the efforts of the groundsman (Mr ■R. Maxwell). One of the most noticeable features of the meeting was the improvement made in many branches of field athletics, and with the New Zealand meet' only a few weeks off the return' to form of A. A. Cameron, the North Otago athlete, was roost encouraging, Cameron accomplished a remarkable performance in winning five titles, and in every event he preformed .up to standard, the only one in whiqh .he failed to reproduce his best form being the high jump, in which he had to clear only sft 6in to win. Cameron will not tackle this event at the New Zealand championships, confining himself to the discus throwing, the long jump, shot putt, and hop, step, and jump. His efforts in all tnese_ events at the Otago championships indicate that with another fortnight’s training he will have to be seriously reckoned with. His 124 ft was the best he has ever done in the discus, and almost every time he tosses the plate he registers improved performances. He is a likely. point-getter for ; Otago in this event and also ' -in the shot putt, in which he, did 38ft lOin on Saturday. Ho is paying more attention to style with the shot. and. is capable of 40ft or better. Having: regard to the amount of competition ’he engaged in during the afternoon, his -21 ft Bin in the long jump; and 46ft llin in the hop. step, and jump were both, good performances, and as he is mearing top form it will take more than ordinarily good efforts to beat him at the end of the present month: M. R. Spillane is in fine form with the hammer, and with him and G. Leekie Otago should collect first and second places in the hammer throwing championship. Spillane, who is the New Zealand titleholder, was beaten in the Otago championship last year by Leekie, but he performed most impressively on Saturday to regain’ the title, sending the implement a distance of 150 ft 3in. Leekie, too, registered a classy performance to do 141 ft 6in. Spillane is very-fit just now, and it will not surprise Pistol ”ifhe , betters his 153 ft Sin .mark, the'best by a-New Zealander, - when the , New ' Zealand championships are decided. For a. man who takes this event as a sideline, A. A,. Cameron performed very ’ well to throw" 120ft‘ lin.

Outside of Cameron, the competitors in the shot putt, threw very disappointingly, some of them showing not only a lack of style, blit lack of. training.. . The standard of javelin throwing in Otago has been consistently- good’in Otago in recent years, and Val Newail and Rex Creeser had a most-interesting tussle on Saturday. Both have held the Otago title previously, and Creeser won the New Zealand championship in 1933, when he threw just short of 171 ft,. Newail being runner-up the following year; Creeser did 161 ft Sin on Saturday and 'Newail Ts7ft llin, hut if 'Newall had more opportunities for training the-result might quite well be reversed at the New Zealand championships. ■ One' of the outstanding performers of the meeting was H. W. . Milner, the former Wai.taki boy, whose 15 3-ssec for the 'l2O yards hurdles was one of the best efforts ever recorded on the Caledonian Ground. Milner’s hurdling was faultless, and he cleared the obstacles beautifully. His clearance is so much better than it was that -he looms up as a distant national championship prospect, and if he can maintain present form he may go close to the New Zealand record of 15 l-ssec on a fast track. His 58 3-10 sec for 440 yards hurdles was also a good run. The one and three-mile walks were both won by R. J. Watson, the Civil Service man, turning in improved times —7rinn 29 2-ssec for the mile and 23min 54 3-ssec for the three miles. Watson is only a youngster and is developing quite a good swinging style, though he will-achieve still better results when he gets rid of a tendency to ovefstrjde. The veteran ex-Otago champion, J. A. Wilson, put up quite a good performance for second place in both events. The 220yds low hurdles championship did not produce fast time, but promising form was shown by the winner, Wi B. Pettet, and H. D. Ramsay, , who provided a blanket finish, the best of the day. If Ramsay were to concentrate largely on this event he would he capable of improving considerably in this event, for he has the makings of a good low hurdler. Pettet won this event last year, but has scarcely shown the improvement in style one might have expected. The pole vault title was retained hy that consistent performer, R. 0. Johnson, but though the Anglican jumped quite well he did not get anywhere near his best figures, and could do only 10ft 4in. He has not had the time this season to devote to this event to enable him to produce his best performances. There was never any doubt as to the must outstanding sprinter competing at the mating, and B. L. Tapley ran im-

Athletic News and Notes [By Pistol.]

i pressively to retain both the 100yds . and 220yds titles, his 10 2-ssec and 23sec both being good runs on the day. He had a slight following breeze, but this was more than offset by the deadness of the track. The most pleasing aspect of Tapley’s running was his improved starting, and in both races he was very smart in leaving the holes and was quickly into his stride. He certainly employs a short, choppy stride, but he has great power and a fine finish, and Otago enthusiasts are very hopeful that he will give a good account of himself at the national meeting. W. J. Atley, the St. Paul’s (Invercargill) runner, took second place in both the 100yds and 220yds events, and without displaying quite championship class ran well. As anticipated, the 440yds championship produced one of the most spirited races of the day, and H. J. Tyrie maintained his consistent improvement this season to win by a yard in 61 4-ssec. Tyrie was striding very strongly along the bade, and while it appeared for a while as though Price might catch him up the straight Tyrie preserved his form better than the titleholder and hung on till the finish. On a good day and on a fast track, Tyrie, “Pistol ” firmly believes, is capable of SOsec or better for the quarter-mile. Price has been running longer than most of the present crop of middle-distance men. and ho is still in championship class. Theo. Allen, holder of the title, reserved himself for the half-mile championship, and hemiade no race of it from the start, winning comfortably in 2min Isec. As already stated, Allen should keep the best of the opposition busy at the national meeting over both the half-mile and the mile. His finish showed improvement on Saturday, and there was less tendency on his part to “ get up in the air.” He is very fit, and should run very well at the forthcoming Dominion meeting. Ivor Craig showed form in the mile, which reminded one of his performances a couple of seasons ago when he did so well at- the New Zealand championSs, and he was only 3yds behind ar at the finish. The hard tussle took some of the sting out of him, but he fan quite a fair race for _ second plane in the half-mile championship, antT with another fortnight of training should have to be seriously reckoned with at the national meeting._ W. A. C. Pullar is an amazingly versatile athlete, and he showed • further that he possesses outstanding ability ns a miler when he won this event in 4min 29 2-ssec after running a welljudged race. Pullar strides well, and though he lacks a real sprint finish he relies on a fast. pace all the way to carry him through. He made the mistake of making the early laps too slow in the -three-mile event, and when it came‘to the finish A. R. Geddes proved too strong in one of the best races of the day, though the time of 15rnin 19sec was on the slow side. „ Nevertheless, the race indicated that Geddes is in -good form, arid he showed shre.wij ; : jifdgin'ent of pace and of bis opponent. " He, too, will perform well at the national meeting. The greatest disappointment of the meeting was the running of L. C. M'Laehlan. who finished well back in third place in the mile. Lachie suffered complete loss of form, but the writer still believes be is,capable of getting somewhere near his best for the New Zealand championships. He appeared to be striking foria the previous Saturday, but was right off colour on SaturI day. • » I Miss Betty Forbes, who established a * New Zealand ladies’ high jump, record of 4ft llin, is a very stylish performer, and has undoubtedly been well coached. It is not’ beyond her powers to clear sft or better. Among the younger brigade, R, M-Lachlan ran a very, good race to win the B grade mile in the very fair time of 4min 49 l-ssec. Young Bob is following in Lachie’s footsteps, and in another year or two should bo among the best middle-distance men in Otago province, ’ C. M'Gregor, who won the 100yds junior title in 10 4-ssec, is only 15 years of age, and A. R. Duff, who finished second, is not much older. Both are sprinters of great promise, and R. S.-Moody, winner of the junior half-mile, is also the makings of a runner of much more than ordinary ability. His, 2min 8 3-ssec was a very solid run on the day. The. selectors have chosen a thoroughly representative team to represent the province, and it is one that should give a good account of itself in the quest for the championship shield. |

HIGH JUMPING CULTIVATION OF ORTHODOX STYLE _ In a survey of the Southland Championships, “ Pistol ” commented on the form shown by a competitor in the high jump, in which he has not fulfilled his earlier promise, and in the course of comment remarked that the probable remedy lay in his cultivating an orthodox style. This competitor now writes stating that lie is interested in the writer’s views of orthodox styles, i As the matter is of some general interest, the question can be discussed j through these columns. An orthodox ! style of high jumping, as the name implies, is a style which is feueraliy accepted or established as eing sound. The styles which have, been used by high jumpers all over the world with success are many and varied,' and in some cases remarkably high jumps have been performed by means of what are termed “ unorthodox ” methods. However, that does not necessarily prove these men would not have jumped j higher had they mastered an orthodox style. 1 Sufficient proof that the best styles are the orthodox styles lies in the fact that the best jumps recorded have been performed by means of an orthodox style. Of course, the style really becomes orthodox because it is a style which produces the best results. “ What is an orthodox style of high jumping?” At the present time there are two distinct styles of high jumping termed “orthodox.” These are known as the “western roll ” and the “ eastern cut-off.” Broadly speaking, the difference lies in that in the former one takes off from the foot nearest the crossbar, and in the latter the takeoff is from the foot furthest away from the crossbar. Of course, many more details of execution are peculiar to each style, which take too much space to describe, but in the western roll style, made famous by the former Olympic champion, Harold Osborne, the body at the moment of clearance is stretched y

out parallel with the ground and the crossbar in a lying-on-tho-sido position, or nearly so, while in the eastern cut-off, after taking off, the body is rotated toward the take-off leg in such a manner that at the moment of clearance the body is parallel with the ground but at right angles to the crossbar and in a lying-on-the-face position. The better-known exponents of these styles to New Zealanders are Brady and Crowe, of Wellington, who demonstrate a very fair western roll, and the more-famous Australian, Metcalfe, who used the eastern cut-off. American champions who soar up to the 6ft 6in and 6ft 9in marks all use either one or other of these styles.

Of course, two exponents of one style will have their individual differences in execution, but fundamentally thev will be found to be the same.

At the present time there are no other styles of high jumping which are recommended by any of the leading coaches in America, England, or Finland.

So far as the athlete who has writtcn to “ Pistol ” was concerned this writer’s remarks were meant to bo constructive. He should persevere with either one or other _of the styles referred to above until he has tried it out properly and either found it satisfactory or wanting, when he can try the other. What he has done, however, has been to attempt both, mastering neither, and consequently jumping far below what he is really capable of.

NOTES N. F. Cooper, of Auckland, holder of the national three-mile title, will be visiting Wellington shorty, and hopes to make one or two appearances there (says an exchange). Cooper has had little competition this season, he injured a leg recently, and nothing therefore is known of his form, but it can be assumed since ho intends defending his crown in Dunedin that he has confidence in his condition. How he will fare with Matthews is problematical, but it should not be forgotten that the Auckland athlete, if thorouglily wound up, would be capable of. running three miles in 14min 30sec, though it is unlikely that this time will 'he returned in Dunedin, where the tracks generally are slow'. L. Quinn, the Gisborne sprinter, who showed such fine form at the New Zealand meeting in Wanganui last season, is apparently in good shape again this year (says a northern writer). He won the 100yds at the Hawke’s BayPoverty Bay championships recently in lOsec bn a heavy track. He was also successful in the furlong and the quarter-mile, though his times in these events were only average. Quinn, if he produces his best form at the Dunedin meeting,_ must be accorded a very good chance in the national 100yds, in which race his chief opponent will be the present/ champion, J. B. M‘Farlane, of Canterbury, W. S. Bainbridge, of Auckland,who ran second, will not, it is reported, contest the 100 at Dunedin.

An application from the Hawke’s Bay Centre for recognition of C. W. Matthews’s performance as a record When he ran, two miles ;in 9min 20sec, breaking the existing record of 9min 20 l-ssec, set up by R. A. Rose, was not approved by last week’s meeting of the New Zealand Council 'on the ground' that the record was not established in conformity with the rules of the N.Z.A.A.A. It was pointed out that competitors should assure themselves that all the regulations in connection with attempts on records were being complied with by the centre conducting the meeting. F. Sharpley, of Napier, ex-New Zealand 120yds hurdles champion, won the sprint hurdles at the Hawke’s Bay championships in 15 4-ssec—good going for the conditions, and the first time that he has broken 16sec in winning an important contest. He was unable to show his true form at Wanganui 12 months ago, due to muscular strain in the leg, but it would appear that he has made a good recovery. Sharpley is not actually a good hurdler so far as his clearance is concerned, but his' pace on the flat makes him a formidable opponent. He is certain to be difficult to defeat at the New Zealand championships.

LEAGUE FOOTBALL

VISIT OF ENGLISH TEAM DOMINION TOUR DEFINITE Definite advice that the English Rugby League football representatives would make an extended tour of the Dominion during the coming season was received at the last meeting of the New Zealand Rugby League (states the ‘Auckland Herald’). Mr J. Wilson, secretary of the English League Council, stated that the report received in England that a curtailment of the New Zealand tour was to be made was contrary to fact, and such was never the intention of the Home authorities. At no time did the English League agree to the proposed itinerary for matches in Auckland only, as had been reported by cables from Australia. The visitors will arrive at Wellington on July 21, and will play eight matches at least, five on Saturdays and three mid-week games. The terms regarding gate receipts are to bo divided in the proportion of 00 per cent.- to England and 40 per cent, to New Zealand. All the matches in New Zealand will be played under the laws of the game as published in the * English Rugby League Guide.’ The chairman, Mr C. A. Snedden, said it was pleasing to report that the English League Council saw tho benefit of an extended visit to New Zealand, and there was every prospect of a successful tour. Mr Snedden added that at an early date an itinerary would be drawn up after consultation with the southern leagues. The secretary, Mr W. O. Carlaw, made a report on a proposed itinerary, and said that the requirements of all leagues would be considered. The secretary, Mr W. O. Carlaw, was authorised to communicate with the English League in respect to a definite itinerary.