HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 3 May 1934, Page 3

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

ANNUAL STEfEiPLEGHASE

E. KIRKBY SENIOR. CHAMPION

TITLE HELD FORI SECOND YEAR

The Hawera Technical High School’s annual cross-country steeplechase, was hold yesterday afternoon and the many spectators xvho visited King Edward Park were provided with exciting finishes in the finals of the two championship and three handicap events. The large “field,” comprised of all the boys of the school, -was dispatched at intervals, and a large, percentage of the runners went the full distance and recorded comparatively good times. The weather was fine and mild. The course —a somewhat difficult one, but with no very .serious obstacles at this season of the year—was completed in 23 mm 40seo by E. Kirkby, winner of the senior championship for the second year in succession, while the best time in the junior championship over a slightly shorter course wais i-eoorded by A. Badcocik (23min 22sec). The senior handicap was won: by L. Henderson in 23min 35see (handicap scir). and the junior handicap by G. Prestidge in 21 min 37sec (handicap 4min). A handicap event for boys under 14 years also was run, and thys was von by I. Hancock. The fine sporting spirit in which the events were contested was one of the features of the steeplechase and the winners were congratulated most heartily on their success. The course taken was from a starting point in the school grounds to South Road by way of Camberwell Road and Vogel Street. The seniors turned to the left at Denby Road: and proceeded as far as the entrance to jyjr AV. Pollock’s farm and across country for a distance of approximately a mile and a half to a pine grove, where they turned to the right and crossed South Road hear Mr J. Greenhill’s house, proceeding around a swamp and along the fence-line of Mr Alex Hunter’s property to AA r a.ihi Road. From the corner of South Road and Denby Rload the juniors proceeded directly ..along 'South .Road and linked up with the seniors at Mr Greenhill’s house in the run across country to AVaihi Road. The latter highway was traversed as far as the motor camp, the runners entering King Edward Park sportsground and finishing in a 20G yards’ sprint to the post in front of the grandstand. The arrangements for the race were well carried out by Messrs H. G. AVliiteliead (starter), J. G. Findlater (marksman). AV. AV. Thomas, J. L. Thomson, Findlater and Whitehead (judges and timekeepers) and A. AV. Tugwell and *A. H'. Larkman (results steward) )n conjunction with members of the boys’ sports committee. The steeplechase also decided the winner of the school sports championship, E. Kirkby scoring a total of 11 points to be the winner and Fox 9, Clapham 9, Niven 7, Wards 5, AVylds 4§ and Gould 3 to foe the runners-up The following times were recorded in the respective sections : Senior championship.—E. Kirkby (23 mmMOsec) 1, G. S. AVylds (23mm 46 sec) 2, P. Gould (23min 55seo) 3, AV.' Taylor (24jfnin Ifisec) 4, B. Clapham (26min 45sec) 5. _ , . . Senior handicap.—L. Henderson (ser) 23min 35sec, 1; 8. Pauling (imin), 23 icin 50sec, 2; M. Green (lmm) 25mm 7sec, 3'; S. Richards (2min) 25mm 26 sec, 4; E. Langdoni (ltmin) and H. Prime.(2Jipan> 26min 23sec, equal, 5. Junior championship.—A. , Badcock 23min 225ea),.1; G. Smart (25mm 21 sec) 2; D. AYatts junr. (26min 3sec), 3; S. Lord (26min 30seo), 4; O. Lynch (28min ssec), 5; R. Kirkby (28mm 15 sec), 6, ',, .. Junior handicap.—G. Prestidge (4 min), 21min 37sec, 1; G. Eden (scr), 22 min, 2; J. Duffill (scr) 23mm 50sec), 3; H. Chadwick (2min) 24min 35sec, 4; R. diisnell (sci-> 24min 36sec, 5. Under 14 years, handicap.—l. Hancock (2min), 1; Thor burn (ton) 2; D Roots (2Jmin), 3; D. Archbold (4 min). 4; B. Gaylarcl (2mm), 5. Last year’s winner of the senior steeplechase championship (E. Ivirkby completed the oourse in 23min llsec. The best time in the intei-mediate championship wa.s recorded by his brother, D. Kirkby (29min 13sec) and in the junior championship over the .slightly shorter course by R. Ohisnatl (2-iiniii' 40sec). The senior 'handicap was won by A. Pearce in 25mm ssec (handicap 41min) and the intermediate and junior "handicaps by H. Bray m 31miti 30sec (handicap 4mi.n) and S. Tonks in 24min (handicap 2min) respectively. _