AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Evening Star, Issue 22573, 15 February 1937, Page 5

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING N.Z. 100 YARDS CHAMPION TWICE BEATEN [From Our Own Reporter ] The Southland amateur track and field championships were decided at Rugby Park, Invercargill, on Saturday afternoon under unfavourable weather conditions, the rain which fell intermittently throughout the day thoroughly soaking the tracks, while the cold breeze which swept across the ground further militated against the. recording of fast times. The meeting was conducted hy the Southland Harrier and Amateur Athletic Association, and, having regard to the calibre of the athletes from Southland and Otago who were taking part, the combined committee of Invercargill clubs which controlled the fixture was deserving of much larger public support, The biggest surprise of the afternoon was the defeat of the New Zealand lOOyds champion, B. L. Taploy, in the Southland lOOyds and 220yds championships, both of which he won last season. Tapley’s form this season has caused his supporters concern, as his running has been inconsistent. In the 100yds the winner was W. J. Atley, a St. Paul’s (Invercargill) runner who has represented his club with a good measure of success at the Otago championships in. previous years. He beat H. 1). Ramsay, of Anglican (Dunedin), by inches, Tapley being a foot away third. The -.time was 10 ’4-ssec, which would have been considerably faster but for the fact ,that the track was very heavy indeed. 'Atley also won the 440yds championship in 54 2-ssec, showing good judgment of pace and .staging a strong finish. Atley has verged on championship honours in the past, and should he reckoned with at the Otago championships. Ramsay scored a convincing win in the 220yds championship in 23 2-ssee, going away from Tapley over the last 4(Jyds. Ramsay’s win was all the more meritorious in that he was suffering from a very heavy cold. Over the furlong especially Ramsay, who is the most improved sprinter in Dunedin, should be one of the hardest to beat at the Otago championships.

Tapley’s form was very disappointing, and in the 220yds particularly he did not display that fighting finish that •one expects of a champion. Tapley appeared well enough, but seemed to be showing the effect of too much slow work. _ With a fortnight to the Otago championships he has time still to rcI*oduce the form which landed him a New Zealand title last season, and Otago supporters will certainly hope that he does.

One of the best performances of the meeting was the winning effort of ‘Theo. Allen, the Otago half-mile champion, in the 880yds, his 2min 4 l-ssec being a good run under adverse conditions. Allen was not extended at any stage, and won as he liked by 30yds, showing good style and preserving his form to the finish.

The mile championship was not a fast race, but it produced a keen struggle between B. W. Nixon, the Otago University runner. and T. Denny, an Invercargill competitor was making his /first .appearance in -championshjp competition. ‘Denny is not a stylish runner by any manner of means, but runs with plenty of power, and his determined finish gave him his first title in 4min 41 4-ssec. This lad is a brother of a well-known Southland professional miler, and a nephew of the late Harry /Lee. who used to bowl for Southland in reprseentative cricket many years ago. ,W. A. C. Pullar, the Otago mile diampion, who produced such a remarkable effort in the mile at Dunedin the previous week, confined himself to the three-mile championship and to runing the half-mile for Anglican in the mile medley relay championship, his performace in the latter event giving Anglican first place in 3min 58seo. Pullar, who was second in the New Zealand threemile championship last year, was content to have an easy run over three miles, and without fully extending himself at any stage he won by 109yds in ISmin 48sec, a useful enough run under the conditions.

The New Zealand University long jump champion, R. G. Pilling, who is one. of the most promising jumpers Otago has produced, had the misfortune to suffer a leg injury in the long jump, _ which he had to be content. with third place. He also gained second place in the hop, step, and jump, third in the javelin throwing, and second in the 440yds, in which he went a good race. Disappointing form in the quarter was shown hy R. E. Nauman, of Anglican, who faded badly in the last stages and had to content himself with third place. The junior championships were won by athletes of great promise, C. M'Gregor (the .youthful Anglican runner) taking the 100yds without difficulty in llsec; while G. E. M'Lachlan won the half-mile in 2min 13sec. The latter, a cousin of L. C. M'Lachlan, is a very good stamp of runner with a pleasing style.

Since the Southland championships were instituted some nine years ago J. G. Leckie. the ex-New Zealand hammerthrowing champion, is the only athlete who has competed at every meeting, and, carrying the Toko. Chili’s colours, he had another successful day on Saturday, winning the hammer-throwing championship with 134 ft 3in and the discus with a throw of 99ft 9*in. Leckie is rapidly approaching form, and should give the New Zealand champion, M. R. Spillane, keen opposition at the Otago championships. The ex-Otago champion, P. G. Ward (Anglican), won the javelin with I33ft 9iin, and J. Gilchrist, promising Civil Service representative, won the long jump with 19ft 4in. T. Knapp, a country member of the Invercargill Club, won the shot putt with 30ft llin and the high jump with sft lin, at which height he was still unbeaten. Knapp also threw the hammer 112 ft lin for second place, and, with eight points, divided first place with R. 0. Johnson (Anglican) in the competition for the Otago Centro’s gold medal for most points. Johnson collected seconds in the long jump, pole vault, 120yds hurdles, and 220yds low hurdles.

Several of the events had to be decided in heavy rain, and A. L. Fagg, of Toko., performed well to win the pole vault under these conditions with 10£t lin. A useful competitor in the field events was D. Crawford (St. Paul’s), who gained second place in the shot putt and discus throwing. The Invercargill policeman had coaching from Dr Orbell (former Otago champion) in the shot putt, and with a slight modification in style putt the shot two feet further than the winner in a special throw. Orbell. in an exhibition. did 35ft without much effort. The three hurdling events did not produce very keen competition, M. Mur-

ray won the 120yds hurdles in slow time, C. F. Harvey and R. Scott both shaping promisingly to win the 220yds low hurdles and 440yds hurdles respectively. Results:—■ 100 YARDS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. First Heat.—C. M'Gregor (Anglican) 1. J. Langham (St. Paul’s) 2, C. F. Harvey (St. Paul’s) 3. Time, 11 1-osec. Four starters. Won by 2yds each way. Second Heat.—L. J. Small (Invercargill) 1, G. M'Beath (St. Paul’s) 2, B. D. Jenkins (St. Paul’s) 3. Time, 11 2-ssec. Three starters. Won by a yard, 4ft between second and third. —Final.— C. M'Gregor (Anglican) 1 L. J. Small (Invercargill) 2 J. Langham (St. Paul’s) 3 Time, llsec. M'Gregor came through at the 50yds mark and finished determinedly to win liy 2yds, 21 yds between second and third. 100 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP. W. -I. Atley (St. Paul’s) 1 H. 1). Kainsay (Anglican) 2 B. L. Tapley (Anglican) 3 Time, 10 4-sseo. From a good start Atley and Bnnisav showed out ahead of Tapley. hut the New Zealand champion came up fast near the 50yds mark. Atlev and Ramsay drew away again, however, and Atley won by 6in from Bamsay, Tapley being a foot back third. 220 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP, H. D. Ramsay (Anglican) 1 B. L. Tapley (Anglican) 2 C. M'Gregor Time, 23 2-ssec. Tapley led by inches as the men came up the straight, but Ramsav made a great challenge drew ahead, Tapley fading over the last TOvds. Ramsay finished very strongly to win hy a good yard. M'Gregor a yard and a-half back third. 440 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP. First Heat. R. K. Nanman (Anglican) 1 W. L. Miller (St. Paul’s) 2, W. R. Bellamy (Anglican) 3 Time, 55 4-osrc Onlv starters. Won hy 3yds, Second Heat.- —W. .1. Atley (St. Paul’s) 1. R. G. Pilling (University) 2, A. L. Murray (Leith) 3. Time. 55 2-s?ec. Four starters. Won hy 2ft, half a yard betweu second and third. —Final.— W. J. Atley (St. Paul’s)' 1 R. G. Pilling (University) 2 R. E. Nanman (Anglican) 3 Time, 54 2-ssec. Nauman had the outside lane, Pilling being on the inside. Nauman began fast, but Atley began to pick up ground along the back, and when the men entered the straight Atley held the lead, with Pilling and Nauman in line. Atley finished strongly to win by 3yds froni Pilling, Nauman. who faded over tlie last bit, being 6yds back third. 880 YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP. T. Allen (Anglican) 1 W. L. Miller (St. Paul’s) 2 J. A, Millar (St. Paul’s) 3. Time, 2min 4 l-ssec. Only starters. Allen ■ was striding very nicely over the first lap, at the end" of which he led by 2yds from J. A. Millar, leaving the first lap behind comfortably in ,62sec. He maintained a good even pace over the second lap and) ran very strongly over the last 200yds to win by 30yds from W. L. Miller, J. A. Millar being syds back third. 880 YARDS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. G. E. M'Lachlan (Invercargill) ... 1 D. Jenkin (Collegiate) 2 J. Berry (St. Paul’s) 3 Time, 2min 13sec. Won by 10yds, 20yds separating second and third. ONE-MILE CHAMPIONSHIP. T. Denny (Invercargill) ... ... 1' B. W. Nixon (University) 2 J. A. Metcalfe (Invercargill) ... 3 Time, 4min 41 4-ssec. Four starters. The field was well bunched over the first couple of laps, C. Mnyne, the exSouthland champion, taking charge Trom the start, but being displaced by Metcalfe at the end of two laps, with Nixon and Denny handy. Mayne withdrew in the third lap, in which Nixon, running nicely, took the lead, Metcalfe and Denny being at his heels at the hell. Rounding the last bend, Nixon and Denny were fighting out the issue, and Denny’s determined challenge carried him to the front, Nixon fading over the last 30yds. Denny won by 10yds from Nixon, with Metcalfe 80yds back third. THREE-MILE CHAMPIONSHIP. W. A. C. Pullar (Anglican) 1 J. A. Metcalfs (Invercargill) ... 2 T. Denny (Invercargill) 3 Time, lomin 48f?ec. Seven starters. Pullar was content to occupy a handy position over the first five laps, but with half the distance covered the Dunedin man forged to the_ front, and. running easily, drew away and won as he liked by lOOyds, Metcalfe and Denny having-a good tussle over the last furlong for second place. Metcalfe hung on well and beat Denny by 10yds. The sealed handicap resulted :—-N. J. Dorman (St. Paul’s, 2imin) 1, J. Metcalfe (Invercargill, jjmin) 2. T. Denny (Invercargill, Imin) 3. Time, 14min 38see. HIGH JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. iT. Knapp (Invercargill), sft lin ... 1 G. Metcalfe (Invercargill), sft OJin 2 •1. G. Leckie (Toko.) ... 3 The take-off was very slippery when the jump was held, but Knapp and Metcalfe had a good tussle, the former being still unbeaten at oft lin. POLE VAULT CHAMPIONSHIP. A. L. Fagg (Toko.), 10ft lin 1 R. O. Johnson (Anglican), 9ft 9in 2 This event was decided in a heavy downpour, and Fagg’s performance under the circumstances was a good one. LONG JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. J. Gilchrist (Civil Service), 19ft 4in 1 R. O. Johnson (Anglican), 18ft ll}in 2 R. G. Pilling (University), 18ft 6in 3 JUNIOR BROAD JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. R. Jenkins (St. Paul’s), 18ft lOin 1 E. J. Anderson (St. Paul’s), 17ft 9in 2 G. G. Alington (St. Paul’s), 17ft Jin 3 HOP, STEP. AND JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP. _ R. Bellamy (Anglican), 42ft 7in 1 R. G. Pilling (Anglican), 42ft ... 2 J. Gilchrist (Civil Service), 41ft Sin 3 161 b HAMMER - THROWING CHAMPIONSHIP. J. G. Leckie (Toko.), 134 ft 3in ... 1 T. Knapp (Invercargill). 112 ft lin 2 J. Anderson (Civil Service) 3

161 b SHOT PUTT. T. Knapp (Invercargill), 30ft llin 1 D. Crawford (St. Paul’s), 30ft s}in 2 J. Anderson (Civil Service), 29ft 6Jin 3 Only competitors. DISCUS-THROWING CHAMPIONSHIP. J; G. Leckie (Toko.), 99ft 9iin ... 1 D. Crawford (St. Paul’s) 2 P. G. Ward (Anglican) 3 JAVELIN-THROWING CHAMPIONSHIP. P. G. Ward (Anglican), 133 ft 9.) in 1 1. D. Anderson (Invercargill), 126 ft lin ••• 2 R. G. Pilling (University), 118 ft ... 3 120 YARDS HURDLES CHAMPIONSHIP. M. Murray (Anglican) 1 R. O. Johnson (Anglican) 2 Time, 20sec. Only starters. Won by syds in poor time. 220 YARDS LOW HURDLES •'SAMPIONSH IP. First Heat.—C. F. Harvey (St. Paul’s) 1, R. Scott (Anglican) 2. Time, 29 4-ssec. Won hy Byds. Second Heat.—R. O. Johnson (Anglican) 1, .1. (i. (few (St. Paul’s) 2. Time, 31 3-ssec. Won hy 4yds. —Final.— C. F. Harvey (St. Paul’s) 1 R. O. Johnson (Anglican) 2 R. Scott (Anglican) 3 Time, 29 2-ssec. Harvey gave a good display, and leading into the straight won hy Byds, a similar distance between second and. third. 440 YARDS HURDLES CHAMPIONSHIP. R. Scott (Anglican) 1 B. Crowther (Invercargill) 2 T. E. Dorman (St. Paul’s) 3 ’rime. 66 l-saec. Four starters. Scott led all the way and won comfortably hy 25yds, oyds between second and third. ONE MILE MEDLEY RELAY CHAMPIONSHIP. (410yds, 220yds, 220yds, 880yds.) Anglican (T. Allen, R. O. Johnson, C. M'Gregor, W. A. C. Pullar) 1 S;. Paul’s 2 Invercargill 3 Time, 3min 58sec. Only starters. St. Paul’s held a good lead when the last half-mile was entered upon, but Pullar ran a good half and gave Anglican victory by 10yds, Invercargill being some distance back third.