Amateur Athletics

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 February 1927, Page 3

Amateur Athletics

A Great Mile

Gibbons’s Bad Luck

FROM OUR OWN REPORTER

The outstanding point o£ the New Zealand amateur athletic and. cycling championships, the finals of which were run at Auckland on Saturday, was the improvement, of form over recent years. This was accomplished despite the absence of E. A. Rose in distance running and P. Munro in field events. Australasian and New Zealand records were equalled in two cases, a New Zealand record in one case, three New Zealand records were broken, and one time was put up which will probably establish a record. Lcadbettcr, by doing the 100 yards in 9 4-ssec, equals the best in Australasia. His heat on Friday in the 220 yards in 22scc dead equals the best New Zealand previous performance oVer that distance. In the 440 yards ,T. T. Fleming (Wellington) bettered New Zealand’s fastest time for the minor middle distance by 2-ssoc. The half-mile was run by Olsen (Otago) 5 2-ssec faster than it was last year. Gibbons, though subject to a disqualifi.cati.oll in the mile, was five seconds inside standard tinie. The 58see for the quarter-mile hurdles is standard and will probably be adopted as a record, there being none recognised at the present for 3ft hurdles. In the 120 yards hurdles E. W. Lander (Otago), equalled the Australasian record. S. A. Lay (Hawera) broke the Dominion javelin record by 7ft, while Shirley (Auckland) exceeded his N.Z. record for the hop, 'step and jump by ll|in. Miss Manton cut l-ssec off the N.Z. ladies’ 100 yards. The walking showeel a, ‘falling o£f. Cycling was better than standard, but no records were broken. The main lesson of the meeting was the need for abolishing bicycle racing on unbankod tracks. In both the half-mile and mile cycle events there were ugly smashes. Our wheelmen are capable of such pace as to render accidents almost inevitable on a level oval. Of the Wanganui-Taranaki (Wes, Coast Ceutrc) competitors, L. Hiint (Hawera) was the most successful, gaining a first in the discus and seconds in the I.olb shot and throwing the hammer. Lay (Hawera) won the javelin; Newton (Wanganui) was second in the 880 and 440 yards; the centre team was second in the relay; Gillivcr (Hawera) was third in the broad jump. Added to this, Gibbons (Marton), though ' disqualified, was the virtual winner of the mile. In addition to the foregoing, A. ,T. Darby and G. Broad got placed in their heats in the 120 yards hurdles. Newton and Maitland were fourth in their 220 yards heats. None of the Wanganui-Taranaki cyclists secured places in heats. W. Stoning rode fourth in his heat of the half-mile event, and for an IS-ycar-old performer showed up as well as any of the W r est Coast centre wheel detachment.

, The results of the championship finals were as under (A signifies Auckland; C, Canterbury; 0, Otago; W-T, Wanganui-Taranaki; W, Wellington; "V, Victoria): — HALF-MILE CYCLE. No New Zealand record exists, and outside figures are not available. New Zealand standard on grass ' Gssec.; on banked track, 60sec. R. W. Lamb (V) £ F. ,T. Grose (C) % C. Flett (W) " Also competed: .T. R. I’Anson (C), C. M. Nicholson (0), R. R. Ferguson (C), T. Oakley (W). Lamb drew the outside position amt I’Anson the inside. Lamb lay last on the end of the first straight. The second lap saw fine riding by the Victorian. He passed through his field in the last 220 yards, showing great control of his machine, and taking chances which in a less expert rider would have been disastrous on the unbanked track. He held his machine on the inside when others, going at high speed round the curve, could not bring their wheels near the white line. Won by a wheel. Time, lmin 12sec. BSO YARDS. World’s record, lmin 5.1 3-ssec, O. Peltzer (Germany), 3/S/2G; Australian and New Zealand record, lmin 56 1-5 sec, L. Hahn (U.G.A.), 3/2/26; _ best New Zealander’s performance, lmin 5S l-ssec, 11. G. Burk, 11/3/05, and A. W. Dormer, 2/3/12); New Zealand stand, dard, 2min; present-champion, C. H.* Taylor (C), 2min 4 2-ssee. C. M. Olsen (O) 1 11. E. B. Newton (W-T) 2 C. B. Allan (W) v 3 Also competed: G. Kells (A), K. M. Griffin (A), E. C. Loikis (A), F. C. Gilmour (W-T), O. Scotney (W), R. Gully (W), E. B. Smith (W), A. E. Laing (C). Newton took the lead a hundred yards from the start and led the field for the first part of the journey. The runners werce lose together for the first 220 of the second quarter. C. M. Olsen led into the straight. Approaching the tape, Newton, who had boon caught up and passed in the early stages of the last lap, made a finishing effort and came to within two yards of the Otago runner. Time, lmin 59sce. ONE MILE WALK. World’s record, Gmin 25'4-ssec., G. H. Goulding (Canada), 4/0/16; New Zealand and Australian record, Gmin 22 4-ssec, AY. Murray (V), 24/2/12; Now Zealand record and best New Zealander’s performance, Gmin ,27 2-ssec, F. H. Creamer, 20/11/97; New Zealand standard, Gmin 50sec; present champion, G. S. Cabot (O), Gmin 3S 2-sscc. G. S. Cabot (O) I W. Lankey (W) 2

Also competed: H. G. Clarkson (A), who was disqualified for running. Cabot and Lankey raced for the load over a fast first hundred yards. Cabot lead the Wellington man at the end of the first round. He. increased his' advantage to twenty yards before the second circuit terminated. The half-mile was done m 3min 7see. Clarkson was running in the third lap and passed Lankey. Lankey showed his best form over the final lap, in the, course of which he cut a thirty-yard lead down to ten. The first and second men walked fairly. Cabot received applause as he went to the dressing room. He has been walking about .15 months and has done the mile unofficially in Gmin 33see

New Zealand Championships

—0 3-ssoc outside the N.Z. record. Time, 6miu 39sec. POLE VAULTING. World’s record, ,13ft llfin, C. Hoff (Norway), 27/9/25; Australian and New Zealand record, lift Gita, R. R. Templeton (U.S.A.), 21/2/14; New Zealand record and best New Zealander’s performance , lift 3in, G. Harvey 26/12/15; New Zealand standard, 10ft Gin; present champion, W. J. Batstone (C), lift. W. J. Batstone (C), 10ft Bin 1 E. G. Sutherland (W), 10ft 6in .. 2 Also competed: W. S. O’Connor (A), E. Gilmour (A), H. Cullhern (A). 120 YARDS HURDLES. World’s record, 14 2-sscc., E. J. Thomson (Canada, 29/5/20; Australian and New Zealand record, New Zealand record, and best New Zealander’s performance, 15 l-ssec., Hi E. Wilson, 11/2/22; New Zealand standard, 16sec; present champion, E. W. Lander (O.), 15 4-ssec. R. W. Lander (O.) 1 J. W. Shirley (A,) 2 Also competed: G. Broad (W.-T.). Lander took the lead at the start, and had a two yards break at the fifth hurdle. Broad ran well. He led Shirley at half tbs distance, then the Aucklander passed the West Coast centre man. Shirley struck the last hurdle, and Broad jumped ahead, and finished in second place, but having knocked down tlirce hurdles he was disqualified. Lander now holds the Keddell Memorial Shield for another twelve months. Time, 15 l-ssec., 100 YARDS. World’s record. 9 3-osee., D. J Kelly (U.S.A.), 26/3/21; C. 11. Coaffee (Canada), 12/S/22;. C. W. Paddock (U.S.A.), G/9/24; 11. P, Drew (U.S.A.), 2S/3/14; Australian and New Zealand record, 9 4-ssee., W. T. Macpherson (N.S.W.), 7/2/91; J. 11. Ilempton (N.Z.), 6/2/92. E. W. Carr (N.S.W.). 27/1/23; J. V. Scholz (U.S.A.), 1/3/26; New Zealand record, 9 4-ssec., W. T. MacPhcfsoii (N.S.W.), 7/2/91; J. .11. Ilempton 6/2/92; J. V. Scholz (U.S.A.) 1/3/26; Dost New Zealander’s performance, 9.4-ssec., J. H. Hempton, 6/2/92; New Zealand standard, 10 l-ssec.; present champion, M. Leadbetter (W.), lOsec.

M. Leabetter (C.) 1 L. C. Williams (A.) 2 A. J.. Elliott (A.) 3 Also competed: K. R. Johnston (C.), J. T. Fleming (W:), C. 11. Jenkins (W.). Leadbetter won by a yard. Six inches separated second and third. The winner moved splendidly over the last half of the distance, the field being definitely beaten off in the final burst of twenty yards. It' was there that the record breaking pace was achieved. Leadbetter told the Star’s special reporter that he attributed the re-cord-equalling tinie to the man next him breaking. Leadbetter chased Him on the break just as the pistol went. Apart from that good piece of luck, the champion did not- move with the rhythm over the first fifty yards' that he achieved over the last part of the journey. The crowd signified its pleasure at the performance. Time, 9 4-5 S6C ’ THROWING THE HAMMER, World’s record, 189 ft 64in., P. Ryan (TT.S.A.), 17/8/3; Australian and New Zeland record, 169 ft 9jin, J. W. Merchant (U.5.A.),, 2-4/2/23; best New Zealander’s performance. 147 ft sjin., J. W. MeHolm, 10/1/14;'New Zealand standard, 130 ft.; present champion, W. Harvey (Wellington), 137 ft Gin. W. Harvey (W.), 142 ft .. 1 L. Hunt (W.-T.), 126£t 2 100 YARDS (Ladies). Outside records not available; New Zealand record, 11 4-ssee, Miss F. Maxwell (N.Z.), 1/3/26; present champion, Miss'E. Porter (W.). Miss R. Mantan (W.) 1 Miss S. Swinburne (W.) 2 Miss N. Eastwood (A.) 3 Time, 11 3-5. HIGH JUMP. World’s record, 6ft Bjin., H. M. Osborne (U.S.A.), 27/5/24; Australian and New Zealand record, Oft Ijin.. L. B. Mason (Vie.), 21/8/26; New Zealand record, 6ft 1 3-l Gin., L. H. Kelly (V.)„ 2.7/12/11;. best/ New Zealander’s performance sft 11 3-Sin., J. W. Shirley (A.); New Zealand standard, oft Tin; present champion, J. W. Shirley.

J. W. Shirley (A.), sft 9fin 1 E. G. Sutherland (W.). sft Sin. .. 2 Ivallaugher (W.), sft Sin 3 Also competed: W. A. Fawcett (A.), A. E. Gilliver (W.-T.),- Sceates (W.), R, Neville (W.-T.). ONE MILE CYCLE. Outside records not available; best New Zealand performance and New Zealand record (grass), 2min. 214-5 see., C. Flett (N.Z.), HB/2/2G; New Zealand standard, 2min 30see.; present champion A. Day (O.), 2min 26sec. T. Oakley (W.) 1 M. P. Byrnes (A.), 2 J, Douglas (A.) 3 Also competed: .T. R. I’Anson (C.), C. Flet* (W.), F. J. Grose (C.), R. W. Lamb (Y.). The race opened with a few drops of rain, just enough to make the track greasy. Grose drew the inside, and Douglas the outside positions. Lamb was next to Douglas. The field hold together for the first, three laps, apd on entering the fourth lap the Victorian rider lay last. He made several attempts to get through, but failed. The wheelmen swept round the last bend on the tricky track at headlong speed. There was a, crash, and Grose was the first to fall. It was anybody’s fault. Others piled on. top of him', and only the three placed men and Lamb .were' left in the race. The others lay knocked out, and suffering abrasions of more or less painful character. The first two men finished hard —a wheel between them. Time, 2.32 2-5.

220 YARDS. World’s record, 20 4-ssee., C. W. Paddock, 26/3/21 and 6/9/24; Australian arid New Zealand record, straight track, 21 2-ssec. ,J. V, .Scliolz (U.S.A.). 13/3/26; circular track, 21 3-ssec., N. J. Grehan (Q.), 18/8/23; New Zealand record, J. V. S.cholz (U.S.A.), 13/3/26; best New Zealander’s, performance, 22 sec., G. Davidson, 5/3/21;. New Zealand standard, 22 2-ssec; present champion, M. Leadbetter, 22 -3-osec? M. Leadbetter (C.) . 1

J. T. Fleming (W.) 2 A. JY Elliott (A.) .. 3 Also started: K. E. Johnston (C.), L. C. Williams (A).

Leadbetter had his head in front by the time the 100 yards, was reached. Elliott tackled him at every stride, and held the southern champion till a couple of hundred yards had been covered. Fleming put. in a very fast finish, and, as Elliott’s sprint fell away in front of Leadbetter’s improving action, the Wellington runner made a bid for first, place. He passed Elliott, and Leadbetter was hard put to it to win by three inches. Leadjbetter tranj a better 220 yards the day before in 22 sec dead. He told the Star’s reporter that, he had not quite loosened up after his 100 yards run a little before. Time, 22 3-ssee. THREE MILE CYCLE. No records from outside available; no New Zealand record; New Zealand standard (grass track) Smin; banked track, 7min; present champion, F. Grose (C.), 7min 2-3 2-ssec. R. W. Lamb (Y.) 1 T. Oakley (W.) 2 M. P. Byrnes (A.) 3 Also competed: T. .T. Casey (A.). The field was thin, as a. result of an earlier accident. The race was a slow one, the understanding between the riders as regards pacing towards the end resulted in nobody wanting to take a lap. The eleventh journey round the oval was- done at a walking pace. Lamb being -with the New Zealanders till the'last half lap, and then gave a .characteristic exhibition of meteoric finishing. Time, 7.49 2-5. 440 YARDS HURDLES. World’s record 54 l-ssee., J. K. Norton (U.S.A.), 21/6/20; Australian and New Zealand record, 57 2-ssec., R. J. Honner (N.S.W.), 9/2/24; no New Zealand record for 3ft hurdles; New Zealand standard, 58sec; present champion 11. D. Morgan (O.), 5S 3-ssec.

A. G. Garlielc (A.) 1 T. Vangioni (W.) 2 F. Mcsdalc (A.) 3 Also competed: B. M. Murray (A,), G. Broad (W.-T.), A. J. Darby (W.-T.), R. W^ Lander (O.). ■Garlielc ran a nice race, Vangioni taking charge when half the distance had been covered. Garliek, running well within himself, was. abreast of the leader before the last hurdle, and j cleared it a little in advance of the next competitor. Lander had a bad run at the first three hurdles. Won by three yards. Time, sSsec. THROWING THE JAVELIN. World’s l-eeorcVi 218 ft 0 7-Bin.j I'G. Lindstorm (Sweden), 12/10/24;, Australian and New Zealand record, 198 ft 7 Jin., S. A. Lay (N.Z.), 14/8/26; New Zealand record, and best New Zealand er’s performance, 187 ft 7Jin., S. A. Lay, 6/3/26;. New Zealand standard, 160 ft; present champion, S. A. Lay (W -T 1 182 fr S. A. Lay (w‘.-T.), 194 ft 6-Jin .... 1 G. J. Sceates (W.), 170 ft 2 E. G. .Sutherland (W.), 157 ft 3 Also competed: G. E. Wade (A.), J. S. Matthews (A.), L. Hunt (W.T.). - The conditions' were ideal for championship throwing. The event interested the crowd, which acclaimed the throw with which Lay lowered his New Zealand record. ONE MILE. World’s record, 4min. 10 2-ssec., P. Nurmi (Finland), 23/8/23; Australian and New Zealand record, New Zealand record, best. New Zealander’s performance, 4min. 13 3-ssee., R. A. Rose (Well.), 6/3/26;, New Zealand standard, 4min 20secY; present champion, R. A. Rose (W.>, 4min 28sec, J. W. Savidan (A.) ". 1 A. D, Priestley (W.) 2 Also started: A. Donovan (A.), C. Gibbons (W.-T.). G. Kells (A.) did not start. Donovan did not finish. Gibbons was disqualified. Donovan made the running after the start. Savidan finished the first lap at the tail of the field. Gibbons filled second position. Savidan closed in those ahead of him hair way through the second lap. The four runners were together in the second round. Savidan came wide round the field in the straight, and took the lead by a foot from Gibbons. The Marton runner refused to let the Aucklander get a break on him, and held the pace, now a cracker. At the end of the third lap Savidan was two feet in front of Gibbons, with Priestley third, and Donovan, last. The fourth lap was a remarkable one, and few like it have been contested in this country. There can.be no greater triers, than Gibbons and Savidan, nor men who can react to a challenge as both those did. The lead changed six times in the last lap, as the runners struggled ahead at a pace three seconds faster than last year’s New Zealand championship mile run by Rose. On the first bend of the final 440 yards, Gibbons passed Savidan. Savidan let no more than 20 yards go undor him before lie tackled his man, and took-the premier place. Gibbons sprinted, secured the inside running before coming onto the last turn. Doggedly the pair fought each stride into the straight. With the tape in sight, Savidan made his last effort. Running outside Gibbons, ho won about an inch a stride till lie lead by a couple of feet. Both runners were exhausted, but Savidan more so than Gibbons. The latter’s inechani.cal action never failed hini, and he came along the last fifty yards as straight as an arrow. Savidan, on the other hand, was a staggering runner, whose free .action when he was very tired slid away to a flounder. From being three feet outside Gibbons at fifty yards from home, he lost his sense of direction and bored into Gibbons. He had scarcely two feet lead (over a yard less than the required two yards clearance necessary before crossing a man —-were such crossing necessary) when the pair passed the press l table. Gibbons was crowded. One foot was forced over the inside of the track. He was also in danger of being spiked. He swerved back onto the track, and - then he made his last bid. Gibbons .brushed past the infringing Savidan, whoso labouring stride thereby became a stagger, and breasted the tape two yards in front of the Aucklander. Savidan complained subsequently of being “bumped.” A friend standing beside him advised him not to protest. At that moment an Auckland official made representation to Savidan regarding a protest. This was duly lodged, and upheld by the referee, Mr. QVlcVielly. Time, (Gibbon's) 4.25. THREE MILE WALK. World’s record 20min. 25 4-ssecs., Gr. E. Lamer (Great Britain), 19/8/05; Australian and New Zealand record,

20miu oSseto, W. Murray TV.), 24/2/12: New Zealand record and New Z-a,land-er’s best performance, 21min 36 3-ssec, H. E. Kerr, 26/12/11: New Zealand standard 23roin.; present champion, G. S; Cabot (O.), 21min. 59 4-ssecs.

No race. Competed : G. 8. Cabot (O.), and W. Lankey. f ' • ' After Cabot had given a good exhibition of fair walking; and Lankey had covered a dozen laps in questionabe style-, tlie pair were together on the last bend. Lankey went to the front and Cabot ceased walking, indicating that he conusidered that the Wellington iagi was running. Lankey was disqualified for running and Cabot for ceasing to race. This occurred in the final straight. HOP, STEP AND JUMP, World’s record, 50ft-. lljin., A. W. Winter (Australia), 12/7/1924; and New Zealand record, 48ft-: lOJin.; Australian and New Zealand record, 48ft lOJin., A. W. Winter (N.S.W.), 1921; New Zealand record and best New Zealander’®, performance, 46ft. bin., J. W. Shir’ey (N.Z.), 23/1/26 ;Ngw Zealand .standard, 44ft. ; present champion, J. W. Shirley (A.), 46ft 1-Jin. J. W. -Shirley (A.), 47ft 4-Sin. ...... 1 E. G. Sutherland (W), 45ft dim, ... 2 W. G. Kallaugher (W.) 44ft 7Jin 3 Also competed: G. Carter (A.), P. Waugh (A.), A. E. Gilliver (W.-T.). THROWING THE DISCUS.

World’s record, 157 ft Ijin., G. Hartranffc (U.S.A.), 2/5/25; Australian and New Zealand record, New. Zealand record, best- New Zealander’s performance 137 ft., P. Muuro, 22/4/24. L. Hunt (H.T.), 119 ft ljn. 1

E. G. Sutherland (W.), 108 ft 10Jin,- 2 Shirley (A.), 97/1 7Jin 3 Also competed: R. E. Brocas (A.)/S. A. Lay (W.-T.;, R. W. Lander .0.;. Hunt was a long way short of the form he showed at the centre championships' iii Wanganui, but had no difficulty in accounting for the opposition he met with. * 440 YARDS. World’s record, 47 2-Ssecs., J. E. Meredith (U.S.A.), 27/5/16; Australian and New Zealand record, 48-Jsecis., N. C. Barker (N.5.W.3, 11/4/05; New Zealand record, 49 l-ssees., G. Parker (U.S.A.), 5/1/14; best New Zealander’s performance, 50 2-osecs., L. B. Webster, 6/3/03; New Zealand standard, 52seos.; 'present champion, W. Kyle (W.), 51 3-bsecs. J. T. Fleming (W.) 1 H. E. B. Newton (W.-T.) ...» 2 A. C. Garliek (A.) . 3 Also competed: T. Ei. Henrv (A.), J. L. McCov (A.), C. Maitland (W.-T.), F. C. Gilmour (W.-T.), E. K. Eastwood !W.), C. B. Allen (W.), E. B. Smith (W.), A. E. name (C.) C, M. .'Olsen ■ (O.). The race was run with only one turn, the course being shaped like the capital letter J turned back to front. The race belonged to anybody till the straight. There Fleming produced an amazing burst of speed and went five- yards in the lead in twenty paces. Newton proved again that he is a great finisher, but lie could not cut down the leader’s advantage. Time, sQsees. THREE-MILE RUN. World’s record, 14min. 11 l-sseos., P. Nurmi (Finland), 24/8/23; Australian and New Zealand record and best- New Zealander’s performance, 14min. 45 1-5 sec., R. A. Rose (N.Z.), 28/2/25; present champion, R. AY Rose. (Wellington), lSmin. 28 3-ssees. J. Savidan (A.) 1 G. Kells (A.) .' 2 E. L. Brown (A.) ...; 3 Also competed: A. D. Priestley (W.). 'Won by 120 yards. Time, 15min 9secs. - - PUTTING THE SHOT. World’s record, 51ft., R. Rose (U.S.A.'), 21/8/09; Australian and New Zealand record and best New Zealand-’er’-s performance, 46ft -J-in., P. Munro (Wellington), 16/12/21; New Zealand standard, 39ft. G. Gi. Sutherland (W.), 37ft- 6Jin. ... 1 L. Hunt (W.-T:), 35ft. Tin. 2 I>. H. Grant (A.), 33ft. 9Jin 3 Orilv competitors'; LONG JUMP. World’s record, 25ft 10Jin., Do. Bait Hubbard (U.S.A.), 13/6/25; Australian and New Zealand record, 23ft 9in., R. -J. Hon nor (N.S.W.), 6/2/24; New Zealand record, 23ft Spin., J. W. Merchant (U.S.A.). 3/2/23; best- New Zealander’s performance, 23ft 3in., G. P. Keddell, 5/3/06: New Zealand standard, 22ft.; present champion, .T. W. Shirley (A.), 21ft 4in. E. G. Sutherland (W.), 21ft Sin., ... 1 W. G. Kallaugher (W.), 21ft ljin ..., 2 A. E. Gilliver (W.-T.), 20ft- lOJin ... 3 Also competed: J. Lynch (A.), J. TV. Shirley (A.), G. Carter (A.), A, J. Darby (W.-T.), S. Lay (W.-T.). MILE RELAY. (One 880vds, one 440 and two 220). World’s record, 3min IS 2-ssecs. U.S.A. 11/6/21; Australian and New Zealand record, 3min 35 4-ssecs., Victoria, 6/2/24; New Zealand and best New Zealanders’ performance, 3min. 39 4-5 secs., 'Wellington (Campbell, Kyle, Paris and Tracy), 28/2/25). Present- champions, Wellington, 3min. 54 2-ssecs. Wellington. (C. B. Allen, J. T. Fleming, E. K. Eastwood, C. H. Jenkins I Wano’anui-Taranaki(F. C. Gilmour, ' H. E. Newton, G. Broad, C. Maitland) 2 Auckland -CG. Kells, A. C, Garliek, L. G. Williams, A. J. Eliot) .. 3 Also competed: Canterbury and Otago. Won by four yards. ±nne, 3min 40secs. CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELDTli s! following are the- points for the championship .shield: —Wellington, u 7 ; Auckland. 35; Canterbury and V\ angahui, 20 each; Otago, 15.