ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11827, 7 January 1933, Page 10

ATHLETICS

THE AMATEUR BRANCH

HOLIDAY MEETINGS REVIEWED

(By “Old-Timer.”)

The spirit of co-operation which is obviously in existence between the officials and competitors o!' the G.A.A. and H.C., was in the writer’s opinion, one of the outstanding features of the holiday meetings, and every club member can lie .justly proud of the exemplary behaviour of all members both on and off the. track. The thanks of the club are due to the visitors from Napier who cam" up here at their own expense, to assist in making the Now Year meeting the success which it undoubtedly was'; also to the small army of willing -workers who so ably assisted in the work of running the meeting and the dance in the evening. The efforts of the Indies’ section in connection with the dance were highly commendable and the G.A.A. and TT.O. is undoubtedly fortunate in its possession of so many keen supporters. Unfortunately the inclusion of AV. Ogg, of Wellington, in the 4io and 880yds. events on the Reserve was apparently a mistake, and the expense incurred in bringing the southerner to Gisborne was certainly not justified by the results.

The outstanding performances of the two meetings were those of Graham Quinn, who won the 100yds at Kaiteratnhi and the 1.00 and 220yds. on the Reserve. This runner has shown a steady improvement during the last two seasons, and he is certainly a potential Now Zealand title holder. TTis .success is entirely due to systematic training and many of tho club’s members would do well to take a leaf or two from Quinn’s hook.

The running of C. Pehire, a ITiedi School student, is worthy of note. Ho secured a brace of seconds at the country fixture and bettered that form by heading the field on tho Reserve. Although lie was running off fairly good marks, his performances stamp him as a sprinter of promise. P. Ryan did very well in the jumping events and ho must he a certainty for the Shield team. Ryan is a very keen athlete and, under the eye of his pater, is steadily improving. The tremendous amount of work which E. Grant can get through during a meeting is worthy of mention. He started in eight events on January 2 for three firsts in addition t° qualifying for the finals in (lie 100 and 220yds. events. He must he considered as a hurdling aspirant for Ihe Shield toan Thornier Campbell was at the peak of his form on January 2 and his sterling races with P. Goudie. of Napier, will live in the memory of athletic fans for a long time. Without doubt Campbell is the best rider over three miles that tin’s distrTet lias seen for many a long day. and his judgment in his races is a treat io witness.

Goudie was riding well on the day and his firs! and second were well merited.

The extraordinary improvement shown h v some of ilie oiifh’-; younger eye-lists is very on con raffing,-the jKtrfonnanoos of J. Bardwoll and P. f\T ;i ride in particular being mncli above that usually displayed by ei(her.

Miss X. O’Rourke ran particularly well at Kaiterntnlii, and although she found the going a little harder on Monday she did quilo well. Tl is a pitv she is nnahlo to get into town for an oeeasionnl evening meet. Miss 1. Ohovoaux certainly sipang a surprise hy winning the three ladies’ field events on the Reserve, and in view of the almost impossible task set her in the sprint events. the wins were popular. Seevral of the club's now field games exponents were seen in action over the holiday period, and “Big Boy’’ Algie will soon have someone extending him in the disc-us. The running of B. Cousins and A. Young in the mile races at both meetings was 'one the treats of both gatherings. Both lads are really good-class runners and the club is fortunate in being able to include them in its membership list. RANDOM JOTTING?. The hop, step and .jump effort of G. Phillips, of Napier, was excelled only hy a subsequent effort at a" popular rendezvous in the evening! Several club members attended a highly successful little social function after the dance in the evening in honour of the visitors from Napier. The crayfish wore a success, as also was the bathing parade! P. Goodie’s straw ‘‘lid” was very popular with one of the club’s leading cyclists and it would not he surprising to see the gentleman in question assimilating the style set by the Prince of Wales in the near future. There is no truth in the rumour that the club is opening a track on one of the popular beaches. ’■Old-Timer" is creditably informed that Secretary Mercer is busily swatting up the Riot Act in order to be in good form for the next “lodge meeting.’ 5 In view of the excellent form displayed by one of the chib’s most prominent timekeepers at a recent lire,, R. Cousins and A. Young will need to look to their laurels in (he near future. Members will regret to hoar (hat Stan. Parker is on the sick list at present and will join in wishing Him a. speedy recovery. One of the club’s oldest supporters, Mr. H. J. Algie, is also indisposed. Mr. Algie has been an enthusiastic supporter for many years and all will join in wishing him a quick return to health.