ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10376, 6 April 1927, Page 7

ATHLETICS

AMATEUR ATHLETICS. POVERTY BAY CHAMPIONSHIPS. NOTES AND: NEWS. (By “Stride.” Real football weather conditions prevailed for the concluding day of the Poverty Bay track championships, the nip in the air and the high wind not aiding competitors to clock startling times, . , For track athletics it is essential that the day be warm, otherwise competitors are greatly handicapped, unless they warm-up thoroughly before hand. The outstanding features of the meeting were accomplished in both sprint events. First and foremost Miss Norma Wilson revealed great speed and determination to run 100 yards in 12sec against the wind. Sect ondly, Paltridge registered his best Gisborne time for 220 yards when he clocked 22 4-ssec to retain his furlong title. Times in the other events were slow, due no doubt to tlio heavy wind and the fact that competitors were loth to make their best running for the entire distance. v The meeting was again well conducted, and unlike the previous week no mention was made of cyclists requiring lights. PALTRIDGE RETAINS FURLONG TITLE. From the crack of the gun it was evident that Paltridge was going to make a bold bid to retain his title in the 220 yards championship. He made the pace a “cracker” over the first half of the journey, which was against the wind, eased up before entering the straight, and then sprinted up the home lane. I must say that he runs a race in this fashion.' The speed at which lie ran over the first half of the distance took a lot out of him and over the last few yards he tired a great deal. His sprint at the finish was conspicuous by its absence. The time or 22 4-osec is the best registered by a Poverty Bay amateur. Although the wind was against him over the first 120 yards the sprint champion was assisted slightly up the straight. NEW “QUARTER” CHAMPION. It was very unfortunate that Harry Martin could not defend his utle oi 440 yards champion. The absence of the holder from the race, through no fault of his own, robbed the event of a great deal of interest. “Stride” was astounded by the fast pace set by the competitors over the first 150 yards. / They literally ran eacrt oilier off their legs and around the home bend when running into the wind slowed down considerably. When it came to the final spurt up the straight “McTavigh” McDonald lert the field and breasted the tape an easy winner. “Mac” ran well and even Martin would have had to move to have beaten him on the day.

NEW MILE CHAMPION. For the first three laps of the mile championship the competitors crawled along, and if it had not been for the bell bringing them back to life may have still been going. The last lap was certainly run at a good pace, Brown starting the ball rolling by a hundred yards sprint. When lie “cracked up” Roberts hustled things alotio- until the straight was reached, then" “Fatty” McDonald, who had played a waiting game, came to light with a determined sprint and crossed the line an easy winner. “Stride” would like to congratulate McDonald on his initial championship win. Its was well deserved as the new champion trains hard, is a great trier, and above all things is a splendid amateur sportsman.

NEW LADY SPRINT ACE

As the field lined up for the ladies’ championship it did not take an expert to pick a winner. To a beautiful start Miss Wilson shot out and never looked like a loser. Sprinting in great style the new champion dashed along against the head Wind, like a meteor. It was a brilliant effort by a brilliant runner, who has showed great improvement during the last few. months. “Stride” considers' this run the best Miss Wilson has ever done, owing to the conditions that existed during flic race. When the, new lady sprint ace uses her arms to better advantage at the start she will be a finished speed merchant. ‘Stride’ offers his congratulations to Miss Wilson on winning Tier initial champion ship. A RUNAWAY VICTORY.

That Douglas is the premier cyclist of Poverty Bay was again proved when he scored a runaway victory in the mile championship and annexed the cup awarded to the competitor scoring most points in the cycling classics. It is remarkable the case with which the Poverty Bay cycle ace can leave his opponents when it comes to the final dash. CORKERY’S DISQUALIFICATION. Much discussion took place when it was announced that Tom Corkery, who had gained second place in the 220 yards championship, had been disqualified for a breach of the rules. The referee (Mr Chas. Brown) considered that Corkery infringed the rules by getting out of his lane and running in that of the holder of»the title. Where the 'alleged breach took place' it is difficult to say. The referee was so placed that he could only see what occurred in the straight. Paltridge, who was running in the lane alongside- Corkery, was greatly surprised when he heard of the disqualification, and remarked that, during the run round the curve, his opponent was still in liis correct lane. When the field straightened up for the dash to the line Paltridge was in the lead and v as he won with some yards to spare' anything that Corkery did was not a hindrance to him. The same can be said about the other competitor. Corkery would not possibly interfere •with Truman so if a breach of the rules did occur it did not make any _ difference to the result of the race. If any: infringement of racing etiquette. took place it was unintended, and Corkery, in my opinion, was harshly treated. If Corkery did get in the wrong lane by accident the re- 1 feree has power to disqualify him, but he is entitled to use his own discretion. This is surely a case in which the offender, if lw did offend, could have been cautioned. ! INNES CUP RACE. To encourage cycling Mr. James Lines, a vice-president and ardent supporter of the Gisborne/'Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club; donated a handsome silver cup for competition over one, two and three mile distances, the'riders competing to be under twenty-one - years of" age. After an interesting series Norman Bai, with a first and a second, .proved the Winner. The competition proved most interesting and I think Mr. Innes was pleased with the result. In the three races Bai rode consistently and his victory was very popular. Like the keen sportsman he is, Mr. Innes was “on deck” to present liis trophy to the winner, and, as per usual, greatly interested in the racing. A DOUBTFUL. DECISION: . .The final of " the 75 yards Ladies’ Handicap proved exciting, the four; runners finishing within a yard of one another. In my opinion, which is

substantiated by others who were in a position to judge, the actual winner was Miss Haisman, with Misses Wilson and Jansson as near a deadlieat as possible. There is no doubt in my mind as £o who breasted the tape first and yet Miss Haisman was placed third. Sprints are the hardest events in athletics to judge and many competent officials are often puzzled. The fast-finishing back-marker is very often not seen or else seen too sooii. Anyhow judges are only human and mistakes are excusable.

FIVE MILE P.B. CHAMPIONSHIP

The five miles championship provided a great finish between J. Algie and Douglas. The former when a furlong from the finish started a long sprint which deserved a better fate. Entering the straight Algie led his rival by almost two lengths, but Douglas was coming fast and drew slightly ahead about ten yards from the line. In a great effort Algie lifted his machine over the line but suffered defeat by “a tyre.” The race was ridden at a fast clip but the time Was much slower than the P.B. record, which stands to the credit of “Digger” Douglas. EVEN TIME. The match race over 100 yards between Douglas and Paltridge resulted in a comfortable win for the former, who had a margin of four yards to spare at the finish. As the cyclist did “evens” for the century dash the runner never had a chance. Using a special low-gear, Douglas quicKly gained speed and was fairly flying at the - finish. It is doubtful if any sprinter in New' Zealand could now beat him over this distance. Paltridge ran well, his run being equal to 10 2-5 sec.. JOTTINGS. If Brown had made the pace in tire mile and took the field along at a fast clip he would have been nearer than third. Miss Wilson registered another fine run in the 75 yards handicap and equalled the Poverty Bay record held by Miss Eastw'ood. Without "training “Jake” Roberts ran a very good race to secure second place in the mile handicap. The sportsmanlike action of Fred. Truman in contesting the 220 yards and 440 yards championships after his recent illness was greatly appreciated by the other competitors. lie was much below r form. Jack Algie "showed great form in the championship events and was runner-up on three occasions, whilst he also gained a third place. Miss Helen Hansen ran well to gain second place in the ladies’ championship, although the speed of a month or so ago was lacking. This runner is a great enthusiast and very popular with club members. By securing third place in the ladies’ championship Miss Joan Haisman has advanced her claims for a place in next season’s relay team. It is apparent to most keen bservers that Douglas is not occupying the best of positions at the bell.' It is also noticeable that lie is cutting his final sprint very fine. Pi’eviously ho used to make a furlong dash, now 1 it is much shorter. For all that he 'still ivins, hut he also lost through not being well placed in the last lap. Tom Cbrkery ran a great 150 yards in the 220 yards championship, hut lacked the necessary finish over the last few yards. He looks the one most likely to grab paltridge’s crowui next season. , - " This has been a strenuous season for competitors most of whom are glad that the Gisborne track racing .has concluded. The Easter meetings fire yet to come and should draw good fields.