ATHLETICS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 82, 18 March 1933, Page 2

ATHLETICS

THE N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS MANY EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES. COMMENT ON THE COMPETITORS. (By “Spike.”) Champions tottered and fell at Christchurch last Saturday, when 5000 spectators immediately at the commencement of the day’s events gazed spellbound at the spectacle of Elliott being overshadowed by the youthful MacFarlane, of Canterbury.

The judges gave the winning margin as one inch, and it was certainly no more, but Elliott was unlucky to be bracketted tie for second with Gordon, whom ho clearly defeated. Possibly if the race were to be run again to-day Elliott would win, but there is no gainsaying but that MacFarlane is a worthy champion of whom the best has yet to bo seen. V. R. Walker, Auckland’s second string, impressed as a sprinter of class, and in occupying fourth place he was no more than three feet from the winner. It was a great race.

MacFarlane repeated history by taking the furlong in decisive fashion, and this appears to be his best distance just now. MacFarlane repeated history by taking the furlong in decisive fashion, and this appears to be his best distance just now'. A faulty jump at the ninth hurdle robbed Sharpley of victory in the sprint hurdles championship. At this stage he was clear of the field. With him it appears to be a matter of hope deferred for one more year. With very little concentration ho has burst into the top class, and he is yet capable of even greater performances. Miss Norma Wilson continues to improve and her comc-back has been a real triumph. Her win in the 100 yards sprint was a most decisive one, and she is undoubtedly the fastest lady sprinter we have ever seen in this Dominion.

Only two New Zealand records were broken, these being the 440 hurdles, by A. T. Anderson, and the hop, step and Jump, by A. A. Cameron, but Savidan’s three miles in 14mln. 36 4-ssecs. was a great performance, as was that of Cooper, the second man, who took but a fifth of a second longer.

In the cycling events, Sutton finished just outside a place in each of the heats. The Wanganui rider, Wade, recorded meritorious performances to gather all three titles. He had the advantage of- many of the riders in that he does most of his racing on the fine banked track available in Wanga,nui. . , . , Auckland as a team fell below expectations, many of their representatives failing to produce performances in keeping with their home reputations. As I have previously written the true test is to win away from home.

Nevertheless, the success of Canterbury is merited in that for several years they have concentrated on producing class runners, and at present they undoubtedly have more first-class men in almost every distance than any other province. This desirable state of affairs has been brought, about by the system of scratch racing that they employ at the weekly meetings.

The following retained their titles:— Black (West Coast), 440 yards flat; Broadway (Christchurch), 880 yards; Savidan (Auckland), three miles; Driscoll (Wellington) one mile walk; Cameron (Auckland), half-nrilo walk; Batstone (Christchurch), pole vault; Munro (Wellington), shot and discus; Cameron (Otago), hop, step and jump, and long jump; Crowe (Wellington), high jump. Next year the championships will bo held in Wellington. At future national meetings tho low hurdles championship over 220 yards will be one of the events on the programme. This is a very spectacular item and one that. Sharpley should make quite a good job of, Bules of Eteveneaux Cup.

The failure of the Wellington Ladles’ Athletic Club to produce rules governing tho Eteveneaux Cup contests has aroused comment, and a Wellington weekly newspaper published what was alleged to be tho official rules.

It thev were official at time of publication they are not now, for a fresh set with the hall mark of the Wellington Centro thereon are just out.

Among other things the rules provide that “If the Wellington Club is defeated for the cup no other club has the right to challenge tho holders. “The cup shall be competed for but once in any season, and the winners’ name shall bo engraved thereon at the expense of the holders. ■‘The race shall be run on a circular track and the distance shall be 410 yards, teams to consist of four runners, each to run 110 yards. If only two teams compete the race shall not be run in lanes.” It is apparent that the two lastquoted rules are of recent origin. There are also about six rules thr/r provide avenues for the cup to revert to

the Wellington Club, and it appears desirable that when it does go back to the Empire City it should be safely lodged in the Museum, there to remain for all time.

The timo of 51secs. registered by the Hastings ladies when they annexed the Eteveneaux Cup and for which application to registerd this as a record was made to the Wellington Centro, has been turned down, because one of tho Hastings, team ran for a portion of the distance outside her allotted lane.

Quito recently tho Hawke’s Bayteam ran 50 2-ssecs. for the distance on the Basin Reserve, and it would appear that Wellington are making no effort to register this as a record either. The Napier Meeting.

The Napier Club continue to at--1 tract great attendances to their weekly meetings, and last Thursday was no exception.

Great interest is always evinced in the middle distance events and a keen finish is always assured in each. On Thursday Clough took the half off 40, confirming tho suspicion that he has greatly improved during the las£ six weeks. The mile provided the best flniirh of tho year, Anderson, Alley, Gollop, Forne and Preston racing down tho straight to finish in that order. “Bunny” hung on well to just win. Another success f'om Hastings was Taylor’s furlong vietdry. Running on the chalk lino he was hemmed in with Steore’s bulky form in front, but the latter, obligingly moving out, left an open road, quickly seized and profited by. The sprinters generally were very restless on their marks—a somewhat uncommon occurrence—but perhaps it was thoughts of PuketapU to-day that caused many of them to break and so spoil the handicapper’s efforts.

Next Tuesday marks the final night of the Hastings A.A. and C.C. A. special programme has been prepared for the occasion and a good night’s sport is assured. Napier will close down on Thursday night.

be one of tho most thrilling races of tho evening. Tho cycling events also will be well patronised, and with Clift Sutton, the Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay champion, and Wellington three-mile provincial champion, in the field, tho limit riders will have to go from start to finish if they wish to finish in front of this rider. The club's roud speaker will keep patrons well advised of all that is going on, a running description being given of all events. During the evening Mr G. A. Madcfison will deliver a short address through the loud speaker, so do not miss this opportunity of hearing Mr Maddison speak. This meeting will decide the winners of the various points trophies for the season, and wll also be the final event for tho primary schools’ relay banner, and the Alexander trophy for boys’ cycling. Remember, this is the final of the season, so come along and help make tho meeting an outstanding success.