AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 January 1927, Page 10

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS. WANGANUI WINS BANNER. HUNT’S DISCUS THROW. Eor all-round high local .standard th© running or Gibbons (Marton) and H Newton (AVanganui), and for championship form on tlie cycle track tlie riding of It. AA 7 . Lamb, were tlie most impressive features of tins year’s championship meeting and banner competition of tho AVest Coast (N. 1.) Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, held on Cook’s Gardens, AVanganm, on Saturday. It was, however, the discus throw of 133 ft Sin, made by L. Hunt (Hawera), which was the outstanding record-making effort of the day. He bettered Peter Monro’s Australasian and New Zealand record of 132 ft, put up at Hobart in 1924, by- Ift Bm. Monro, however, has thrown over 137 feet on other occasions. There is a tendency to exclude field games from athletic sports. That strength combined with “knack” should he excluded in favour of “knack” alone, or a combination of speed and “knack, is not in keeping with the spirit which gave birth to most of our sports. Speed, strength and ‘ knack were all recognised in an age where the shot putter was the champion who could throw the rocks the furthest out from the walls of a city upon the besiegers below. Strength should be cultivated along with speed and “knack.” AVanganui Avon the banner. Had Hawera had a good relay team, the finish would have been exciting. As matter stood the position throughout the day aroused keen interest. It. was evident, from the arrangement of the programme, with the field events in the afternoon, that the red and blacks would gain an initial lead. This prolled to be the case. When tho evening’s session opened they had 07./ points to Wanganui’s 29. An absence of runners of ability and the failure of the Taranaki cyclists, and Wills s unexpected defeat at the hands or Wakeley in the mile walk, _ reduced this anparentlv secure margin to a small lead of '664 against 65 before the last race—-the relay—wa,s run. Wanganui entered two teams, and filled first and second, places to Hawera’s third, thus taking the banner. The final banner points were: AVanganui 72 Hawera 57 i Pirates 25£ Marton 5 New Plymouth 5 Patea 2 Newton and Maitland ivero Wauganui’s mainstays. For Hawera the place winners in championship events were: Hunt, three firsts and one second; Gilliver, two firsts and one second; Lay, two firsts and one second: Newall, one first and two seconds; Wills, one first and one second; Laurent, one first and one third; C. Shore, one second ; Halbert, one third. Adamson, Erissson and Ball Avere responsible for most of the points for Pirates. The Marton Club was only represented in one . event, when Gibbons notched five points in the mile. Gilmour, running next to ■Newton in the great half-mile and third in the 440, scored New Plymouth’s two places. Bourke 'secured n place in the 220 final, and gave Patea its entry to the scoring sheet. A 1 glance through the programme shows’ that Hawera won the three mile walk easily through the effort of Wills. AA’ho was held and beaten in the milk walk by the cyclist, AA r akeley. The South Taranaki men got ' first and second m all .three jumping events. Newall was second in the 120 hurdles and Hulbert third in the 440 hurdles. In the field events, hammer, discus, javelin and shot, Hunt, Lay, Notman and Laurent in that order iron all the points, confining the opposition to K. Elliott (Wanganui), avlio only scored three thirds. In cycling’ Lamb Avas out on his own. The victory of Ross over the Australian in the half-mile championship final, while being very popular among the AVanganui boy’s supporters, has little true significance. -Lamb was caught napping. The track: was in splendid order, the council having recently spent £SOO on a new bitumen surface. The HaAvera riders could do no good at all. They rode without confidence. They failed when riding, in good position to hold their machines- on to tlie inside edge. Grass track work not only had slowed up tlie riding muscles, but made the riders no judge of pace. Finding themselves pedalling along at a speed unnatural to them, they w r ere not only out of their stride, but naturally felt doubtful of their ability to maintain a pace which really was well within their capacity. They showed little generalship, and did not give any indication of the form they reproduce while rough-riding over their own town grass. After Lamb, the best rider was I. Ross (Wanganui) hv virtue of his victory over Lamb in the half-mile championship and his thirds in the mile and three miles. C. Ericsson (Pirates) rode second _in The mile and third in the half-mile. D. Adamson (Pirates) was not far behind. He heat Ross for second Til nee in the three miles. Of the Hawera hoys J. Kelly showed up best. He rode third in his heat of the halfmile. FI. Stening scratched in the mile and three miles. AV. Stening had a puncture in the three miles.

in flat racing, the mile went to Gibbons, of Marton, whose increasing form had been evident for the past six months. His Saturday’s performance was several seconds better than Randolph Rose’s time at the Hawera Caledonian meeting earlier in the week, but not up to his Saturday performance in Wellington. He ran it on his own without a, yard of pacing. Pride of place in flat racing, however, must be given to the phenomenal Wanganui Club runner H. Newton, who "won the half-mile, the 400, and the IDO yards. He did not- contest the 220. ' His day’s work was immense. Gommen'ing with the 880 in two minutes dead, he ran the quarter in d 0 1-5, and the 100 yards (after doing his heat in 10 1-5) at the end of the evening, in 10 4-5. Newton’s club mate, Maitland, gave him good support in taking the 220 and filling second place in the 100 yards and 440 yards. At the conclusion of the meeting, which was attended by a large crowd, especially in the evening, a survey of the material available for the New Zealand championships gives reason to supnose that the West Coast Centre will he very well represented, if the winners on Saturday are able to get away. Newton’S phenomenal range of running naturally raises the question of what events from 100 yards to the half-mile he should contest. Seeing that Gilmour (New Plymouth) ran so well in the major middle distance, being probably inside 2min Isec, it

may be deemed advisable to leave that strenuous work for the Taranaki hoy, and nut the AVanganui crack over the 440 and 100; and possibly, if the programme were not too heavy, the 220 as well. Maitland would support- Newton up to the quarter-mile. Gibbons is the* only runner on the coast fit to tackle Rose. Our jumping is not good enough to Avarrant so much confidence at a New Zealand championship meeting. Hunt and Lay should complete the field sports side of a team that seems better equipped than any avo have sent in recent years to the Dominion’s premier amateur athletic gathering. On bicycles Ross, Adamson and Ericsson appear to be tho natural selection, and their performances will depend a good deal upon whether the track they ride upon is as good as the splendid bitumen surface and hanking they are accustomed to at Cook’s Gardens, Wanganui. Additional and complete results of the championship events at Saturday’s meeting are as under (the letter A signifies Australia: AV., AVanganui; IT. Hawera; P.. AVnmganui Pirates; M.. Marton; N.P., New Plymouth; Pa., Patea ; Well.. Wellington’):— Tlire - ' mile walk. —-D.-Wills (H) 1, .T. Broad (AA') 2. Only two competed. A Von !>v a lap. No time was taken. High jump.—A. Gulliver (H), sft sin, 1 ; A. Newall (H) and N. Ball (P), sft 4-J-in.., tie. 2. Also competed C-. Spriggens (P). 100 yards.—First heat; C. Maitland (AV) 1. N. Ball (P) 2. Time. 10 2-ssec. Second heat: H. Newton (AA 7 ) 1. J. Goodson (II) 2. Time, 10 l-osec. Third heat: J. S. Medley (N.P.) 1. N. Wellington (AV) 2. Time, 10 4-s'see. Final: Newton 1. Maitland 2, Wellington 3. A close finish. Time. 10 4-sseo. Three mile cycle—R. AV. Lamb (A) 1, D. Adamson (P) 2. I. Ross (AV) 3. Also competed: C. Erickson (P), K. Anderson (PL I. Madden (P), L.AVake'ev (W). B. Cave- (AV), AAV Stening (H), C.” Griffon (H). J. Kelly (H), 11. McEedries (AAV!.). The field \yas closely bunched for the first part of the race, but Lamb gradually assumed a dominating role, and Avon fairly easily. Lamb got boxed in at one .stage, and gave a elver exhibition of wheehnanship: It Is said that he can throw his machine almost a foot to one side, having great leg strength, command of _ his cycle, associated with balance. Time, Train. 20 4-ssece. 120 yards hurdles. —G. Broad (AY); 1. A. Newall (H) 2, A. Darby (AV) 3. Only three started. There was Titrfc ”b-e----tivdfen the first two. Tlie third man was a. yard behind. Time, 16secs. Throwing the discus.—L. Hunt (H) 133 ft Sin. 1; S. Lay (H) 106 ft, 2; K. Ellio-tt. (AA 7 ) 81ft lin., 3. Also compted: A. Monigatti (P) L. Fremont (P), P. Stiver (AA r ), C. Stiver (AAV. A. Notman (H). , , Pal? vault-. —C. Laurent (H) and A. Newall (Hi tie. Bft 3in, 1; €. Sprigging (P), 7ft., 3. Also competed: L Fromont (P), A. Gilliver (H). The jumpers were handicapped by not having a block to strike at with the pole. T'hre? mile championship.—H. IC. Johnston (P) 1, S. Gudsell (AV) 2, G. Moore (AAA 3. AYcn hv two yards, three vnrds between second and third. Time, 16mins 37 4-ssec. Also competed: B. Clark (AV). R. Walker (H). A 7. Spragg (H). Moore made! the pace practically throughout. At th? lie 1 ! the- order was Moore, Gudsell, Johnston. Clark. At 220 yards from home, Gudsell matched the. lead from Moore. Then. Johnston came up from third place, and in a splendid finish heat- Gudsell in the last twenty yards. Lono- iump.—S. Lay (II), 20ft 9in, 1: A. E. Gilliver (H). 20ft- sin, 2; A. Darby (AV) 20ft lin. 2. Also- competed: A. Monigatti (P), W. Rusden (AA), K. Elliott (\A T ). A. Newall (H). One mile, cycle championship.—First heat; R.’AV. Lamb (A) 1, I. Ross'(AA 7 ) 2, D. Adamson (P) 3. Also competed: K. Anderson (P), B. Gave (AV), AV. St.ning (H), C. Griffin (II). Time, 2.24. Second heat; H. McFedries (Well.) 1, C. Ericsson (P) 2. L. Wakeley (AV) 3. A Iso- competed: I. Madder (P), W. Bowyer (AV), J. Kelly (II). Time, 2.26. Final; It. AV. Lamb 1, 0. Ericsson 2. Ross 3. Time, 2.26 1-5. Won by ten lengths. Lamb drew the third position from the inside, and fell into that place as the riders reached the- .straight, opposite the hill. Ross took the -second lap lin'd Lamb the third. Ross entered upon tlie fourth lap at a high pace, but Lamb held him. Ericsson, aalio bad been riding at the tail of tlie hunch, came into prominence on the beginning of the last bond. Oil this Lamb caught- Ross,, and left him bv 20 yards in the ,straight. Ericsson passed Rose in the straight. 220 yards. First heat ; C. Mfiitland ■AY) L AV. RrndloV (AV) 2 N. B'al (P) i. Time 23s.es. Also competed: A. Monigatti (P), E. Brown (AA 7 ), J. Goodson til). Recond heat: L. Bourke Ta.) 1. N. AVellington (AV) 2, A. Telfar (AA') 3. - Time. 23 2-5 sees. Also competed ; J. 71. Pankhurst (N.P.). J. S. Vied lev (N.P.), 8. Shore (H). Final: Maitland; 1. vVo’lington 2, Bourke 3. Won bv ‘•wo yards, with but little between second and third. Judging the runners as they came oil' marks which allowed for the longer routes of the lanes round the curve, made it appear anybody’s race as far as the crowd was concerned. Until the straight was reached. Burke, with his big stride, seemed to have the advantage 75 yards from home. His shoulders went back, however, and his finish had insufficient pace to stand off Maitland, who .showed out in a alien burst over the last twenty yards. AVilliamson also had a finishing effort better Ilian Bourke’s. With more finish and schooling, Bourke should be able to beat either of the others over 220, and with training should make a good 440yds man. Throwing the hammer.—L. Hunt (H) 1.15 ft 7in. 1; A. Notman (H) 78ft 6in, 2: C. Laurent (H), 64ft- 4in, 3. Also competed: E. McGregor (AA 7 ), J. DiMon (AV). P. Stiver (AA 7 ). C. Stiver (AA 7 ). * Hop, step and lump.—A. Gilliver (HE 42ft 7 in. 1: C. Shore (H), 42ft 3in. 2: X. Ball (P), 42ft 3in, 3. Also competed: J. S. Medley (N.P), C. Snriggens (P), A. Monigatti (P), TC. Elliott (AV), AV. Rusden (AV)'. A. Neu-aP (Hb 880 yards: H. Newton (AA T ) 1. F. G. Gilmour (N.P.) 2. J. Paw son (AA r ) 3. Won by two yards. Time. 2miu. Also comnetful: A. S. Hunter (N.P.). A. B. Currie (P). G. Fraser (Pa), R. Morrissey (H). N-wton took the lead in a determined dash from the .start. He was followed by Gilmour and Pawson. The pace for the first lap was a “cracker,” and at the end of the first quarter

Newton still lead by two yards. At ‘>2ovds from home Gilmour challenged, but Newton held him off. Gilmour attacked again in the straight, and drew abreast of the Wanganui man. lor a fe w paces they struggled ahead on,even terms, but Newton, with the tape in sio-ht, rallied magnificently, and lett Gi onour in by a couple of yards. Newton ran last year at the New Zealand championship meeting. He did not strike form. He told a representative of the Star that Saturday’s was the best championship time he had done, but he had cut out a handicap haltmile from .scratch in 1.58 3-5. Throwing the javelin.—S. -«-<ay (H), 175 ft 9in„ 1: L. Hunt (H), 127 ft 10m, 2- K. Elliott (W), 116 ft 4m, 3. Also competed: A. Monigatti (P), P. Stiver (W), C. Stiver (W), A. Gilliver (H). The event did. not run its full course. Two javelins were broken by an inexperienced thrower, and the supply ran short. ’Only some of the throwers had two of the three attempts. It is customary to give the first three placed men throe more throws, by which /tunc it may he expected that they wiu have “thrown themselves in.” As matters turned out. there was little opportunity for record-breaking. 440 yards hurdles. —A. Darby (W) 1, G Broad (W) 2, L. Hulbert (H) 3. Won by five yards, the third mari k long way back. Time, til l-ssecs. Also competed: C. Spriggens (P), G. Moore (W). Broad lead from the start, and took the first hurdle a couple of strides ahead of Darby. Broad had the best style of the field, and “flew them” very low. Darbr hung to the leaders’ heels until 150 vards from home, when lie drew uu. Broad and he cleared the last hurdle "abreast, and then Darby’s superior staying power stood by him m the sprint. Hulbert was “done” a long wav from home, hut stuck to it and registered third points for his club. . . One mile championship.—C. Gibbons (M) 1. H. K. Johnston (P) 2, J. "Pawson (W) 3. Won by 150 yards. Time, 43] 1-5. Also competed: A. B. Currie (P), B. Solomon (P). G. Fraser (Pa), S. Gudsell (W), A. Bomb all (H), 11Walker (H), B. Spragg (H). Gibbons set off at a great pace, and at the 1 end of the first lap lin'd distanced the field by 30 yards. Pawson iva s lying second. At half a mPe Gibbons had increased his lead to 80 yards, and Johnston tools second place from Pawson. The. winner ran a fine last lap amidst cheers. A sprited fight took pigpe for second pi ace between ' 'Pawfcjoni jaud Johnston the latter reaching the tape with little to spare. One niTTe walk. —17. W a holey (W)l. D. Wills (Hi 2, Monigatti (P) 3. Won by two vards, third man nowhere. Time, 7lnin 39secs. Also competed: J. Broad (W), G. Collins (H). The winner had been riding in the meeting previous v as a cyclist. Hei proved a fine staver. Though liis style was not so even as Wills’s, he had more iii him at the finish. Wills ®et a heavy pace throughout but Wakeley never let him get a break on him. The rest of the held was nowhere. Wi’ls made a great spurt when the bell so uncled, and seemed likelv to shake his man off. Judges were not watching the .steps very keenly. On the last bend both men walked in donbtfu 1 fashion. Coming up the straight, Wakeley, perhaps because lie did not try and. hold to Ins style, so clds.-ly as did "Wills, came abreast of his man, and beat him by a couple of strides in the rac-e T -o the tape. . _ Half-mile cycle. First heat: I. Ross (W) 1, D. Adamson (P) 2, .1. Kelly (Hi 3. Time, 1.5. Also oompet.nl: W. Bowyer (W), W. Staling (H). Second heat: R. W. Lamb (A) 1, C. Ericsson (P) 2, A. Brown (W) Time, Imi.n 7sec. Also competed: 1. Madder (P), L. Moorehouse (W), H. Stening (H). Third heat: H. McEedries (Well.) 1, L. Wakeley. (W) 2, K. Anderson (P) 3. Time, lmm 4 4-5 sees. Also competed: B. Cave (W), C. Grifieri (H). Final: Ross 1, Lamb 2, Ericsson 3. Time, Imin 3sec. Wakeley was fourth. Won by a couple of lengths. Ericsson made the pace with Lamb, as usual, in second ( position. On the last bend Ericsson, pidled up the bank. Lamb followed him just enough to allow Ross to get through at high speed on the inside. He gained a couple of lengths lead, which he never lose. Putting the. shot.—L. Hunt- (H). 35ft 4in., 1; A. Notman (H), 33ft 7in, 2; K. Elliott (W). 32ft 3|in. 3. Also competed: A. Monigatti (P), S. Lay (H), C. Laurent (FI). 440 vards.—H. Newton. (W) 1, C. Maitland (W) 2, F. C. Gilmour (N.P.) 3. Won comfortably. Time, 50 1 -ssec. Newton lead all the way. inter-club mile relay race (half-mile 440yds, and two 220yds).—Wanganui A 1, Wanganui" B 2. Hawera 3. Time, 3 min 58sec. Places gained by the Australian ,Lamb. and his Wellington travelling companion. McFedries. did not count in the banner competition.