ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10508, 11 February 1928, Page 11

ATHLETICS

THURSDAY, 3rd, EVENING MEET (By “Stride.”) Only a handful of spectators were present at the evennig meeting of the G.A.A. and H.C. on February 4, this probably being accounted lor bv the awkward hour at which the run was held. Tlie fields were not 1171 to their usual strength, whilst slow times were registered in all events. MACE WINS “HUNDRED.” The IGO yards men’s handicap was run in two heats and a final and, after keen competition, Bob Mace, a junior sprinter, was successful in catching the judge’s eye. Mace is a strong runner with an awkward style, but gets over the ground at a fair pace. The win should do him good as I think if. is his first in open handicaps. Ci. W. Anderson who occupied second place, ran well in his heat, but could not produce the same form in the final. Star+ing from virtual scratch. Chau.e Remnant ran into third place and incidentally defeated the Poverty Bay sprint champion, from level marks. This runner is showing good form any may keep Corkery and Paltridge “jogging” in tlie championship events. MISS TIER’S INITIAL WIN. Owing to the tour of the ladies’ relay team, a very small field- faced tlie starter in the 100 yards indies’ handicap. Making tlie most of the opportunity. Miss Tier ran nicely to score her initial win after a determined finish, which was quite good fin- one who is only a novice. Misses Williamson and Houghton, in second and third places respectively, gave good displays, but the latter runner would be well advised to always use the regulation shoes. McMahon wins rudge cup. MAXIMUM POINTS GAINED. By winning the three miles cycle handicap, Mervin McMahon achieved tlie distinction of being the first club mcml'ter to amass the maximum number -of points in tlie cup competition. Before the event started be had won tlie Rudge Cup, no other competitor having sufficient points to give him a chance. “Mac” pedalled nicely throughout the race and surprised the two back-markers by giving them a start and beating them up the straight. His performance was high iy creditable. A welcome return to form was shown by “Digger” Douglas, who filled tlie role of runner-up after looking a sure winner. Unlike bis usual style, the Poverty Bay cycle ace took the field along at a merry clip when be was acting as pace-maker. Ernie Algie iu. third “possy.” had a great sjlrint up tlie straight with Douglas and just, got “pipped” oil the 7xlst. It is TKissible that these two riders who were watching eaeli other closely, never gave the winner a thought as t hoy dashed for the line.

That corner into the straight again troubled the wheelmen, some of wliOin Were ten yards away from the pole line as they swung into the straight. o. McDonald shows good FORM. By winning the 880 yards handicap tlie second distance of the Johnson Cup, -Charlie McDonald holds the trophy for the next twelve months as lip has sufficient points over the other compel itors even if lie does not get a place in (he final race. “Mac” is now in good form, while the determined manner in which tic goes lor the tape makes it “heavy going” foil is opponents. The winning of tlie Johnson Cup appears to be coming quite tlie tiling with tlie McDonald Bros. Just, to make il a family affair. Bill McDonald took second place and must be given credit l'or a good run. \ Showing consistent form, George Ingram again ran into third place for the second time in this compel 1- : ion. POVERTY BAY STILL CHAMPIONS. F.TEVENEAU X CUP RETAINED. The principal topic in albleiie cir eles during the week lias been thf success of the Poverty Bay Indies’ relay team at Wellington. Tn evert event in which they competed thot supplied the winner, which is surely a great feat. in commenting on the r-lianee ol tlie holders at Wellington ii will lie remembered that 1 spoke guardedly and did not attempt to pick the winner, although I admitted that “on paper” Wellington had an advantage. The opposite to what I thought happened and Poverty Baywon by five yards.

Speaking to Messrs T. Haisman and W. .Tonkins, who accompanied the t»nm during the tour, they stated that, all members of the team performed splendidly in the relay event. Not. the slightest hitch occurred and they considered that Poverty Bay's method of passing: the Baton was superior to that of their opponents. This news will interest the Poverty Bay sprint champion, who introduced the style into Now Zealand. After losing the “toss” on two former, occasions, the team this time were successful in drawing the inside running. which is a great advantage, as Poverty Bay found to their cost when they first attempted to lift the trophy and drew the outer course. Idle time, 53secs., is a splendid run and is .the same in which Poverty Bay were defeated in their initial attempt to lift the cup. I would like to trike this opportunity of congratulating the Poverty Bay girls on their splendid victory in the relay race. I was almost forgetting to mention that the selectors and coach are delighted with the success which attended their placing of the team, especially after the criticism of the many “experts” who gave advice.

MISS WILSON’S SPLENDID BUNS. The New Zealand lady champion, Miss Norma Wilson, was responsible for three splendid performances at “Wellington. Her effort in the relay race assured the team of success, her win in the 50 yards in 6 2-»5 secs was highly creditable, whilst her runaway victory in the 100 yards scratch race was splendid like the time recorded. I have previously commented on what is the world’s best time for the 50 yards, so will leave it at that.

In running 11 2-5 secs on' the Basin Beserve sprint patch. Miss Wilson clipped one-fifth second off Miss Eastwood’s time for the same course, although the weather conditions were not the same.

It is hard luck that such a splendid run cannot find a place on the record hooks, hut unfortunately the course is down-hill. This is the second occasion on which a Gisborne ( girl has put up record time on the Basin .Beservo and cannot have it recognised. MISS DIXEY’S FINE WIN. In winning the 100 vards handicap .at Wellington in the fast time of 11 3-5 secs, Miss Dixey registered her best performance to date. “Her finishing effort, over the last few yards was mnch too strong for her opponents. This runner improves with every race.

WORLD’S “PRO” 22CYDS CHAMIMONSHLR. 'United Press Assn.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 10. The world’s professional 220yds i hanipionsliip resulted: Milos 1, Banner 2, Parry It. Won by inches. Time: 21 2soo.—D.P. A. G.A.A. AND H.<\ MEETING. Tin* weekly meeting f>f the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club v. as held on the Reserve last even- • ing. 'l’here was a large attendance, including sailors and officers of R.M.S. Diomede, who were the quests of the club. Results art' as follow: 7.lyds. Men's Handicap.—First heat: G. Anderson (7{yds) 1, W. McDonald (0.1 yds) 2, P. Kennedy (oyds) fnches separated Ihe placed men. Time, Rsec. Second heat: L. Barker (Bvds) 1, O. Pnltridge (Jvd) 2, d. KgnJl (oyds) a.. Won by two feel, inches ‘second and third. Time. Ksec. Third heat: X. Simon (95yds) 1, A. Owen (7-Jvds) 2, F. Martin <4)yds> A Inches separated tbo placed competitors. Time. 7 4-osee. 1* inn-1: J j. Barker 1, X. Slim on 2, G. Anderson 0. In a great finish Barker won by inches, "’with the same distance second and third. Time, 7 -l-.lsec. 75vds. Ladies Handicap.—T irst heat- Miss E. Williamson (10yds) 1. Miss’.l .Beale (7yds) 2, Miss X. Wilson (scr.) 3. Won hv a loot, yard second and third. Time, 9 2-osec. Second heat: Miss D. Dixey (6yds) 1 Miss .J Haisman (Ovds) 2, Miss E. Houghton (Biyds) 3. Won by h yard, inches second ‘ and third. Time, 8 4-osee. Final: Miss X. Wilson t. Miss L. Dixev 2, Miss E. Williamson 3. Inches' separated the placed competitors. Time, 9sec. lOOOvds. Handicap.—H. Fiskcn (Rj vds) 1. .T. Egan (Boyds) 2. <M f ‘- Donald (20yds) ». Won by two yards, a foot second and third. Time, -min 29500. ‘ _ , r It Mile Cycle Handicap—.T Alcrccr (lBOvds) 1, J. Bnrdwell (22ovds) •> E A fee (30vds) 3. Won by half a wheel, ten lengths second and third. Time, 4niin 10 4—ssec. lOOvds. Noveltv (runner v cyclist). _C Remnant (runner) heat E. .Mgte (cyclist) by inches. Time. 101- jsee.; Gl Goldsmith (cyclist) beat. W . -McDonald (runner) by ‘ a yard. lime. 10 l-sseo.