AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 14

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

SEASON NOW CLOSED Prospects for the Future ENCOURAGING ASPECTS (By "Spike”) The athletic, season, has now drawn to a close, and from a provincial viewpoint it can be regarded as the most successful since the revival of eight years ago. If proof of this contention is needed it is only necessary to mention the two groat events that happened during the active season.

First of all there was the successful application of the controlling body in this area to be raised to the status of a centre and thereby investing them with the authority to take au active part in the control of amateur athletics in the Dominion; and then the prominent part taken by our representatives at the National Championships. Results count, and the successes gained l>y the Bay team in their hrst year of competition, undoubtedly impressed the Dominion athletic world. To "Spike”, the encouraging aspect is the extreme vouth of those who have already gained Dominion titles, and also the great wealth of promising material that abounds within our boundaries. Bharpley, Driscoll, Quinn and Steere will provide the nucleus of our 1935 team to the New Zealand Championships, and it is not too mnch to say that each has yet to show his best. Registered Athletes.

The number of registered athletes in the Centre this season approaches the 400 mark, an increase on the previous year’s figures, and with the revival that is taking place in Dannevirke now it can confidently be expected that registrations for next season will soar towards the 500 mark. The two strongest clubs, numerically, in the Centre are Napier and Gisborne, with Hastings next. Field athletes are given every encouragement by the two former clubs and it is more thaa a coincidence that these two clubs attract greater public patronage than the remainder. A diversified programme has wider public appeal than one comprised almost wholly of running and cycling events. The Hastings Club in running events have enjoyed continued success, and their diminutive pedal pushers, Attwood and Manning, have continued to improve until at tho present they are the equal of any cyclists in the Centre. The Gisborne Club, to*, are fortunate, especially in the sprint c'asses, and to a lesser degree in field events and cycling, but it can be said of also the club that it is a well balanced one. A similar remark applies to Napier, and it is their superiority in field sports that has won for them the club championship four times in succession. This club is strong in every branch except the sprint running. Public patronage continues to increase at McLean Park, Napier, and the number of persons who paid for admission to the club nights throughout the season totals over 14.000. convincing proof of the value of the diversified programme. Tikokino Gathering.

The attendance at Tikikino on Easter Saturday must have been a record one; certainly I have never seen a greater assemblage there in my experience, which extends back six years. Possibly it was the rodeo that proved the magnet, and this item would have been appreciated more had the steers been older. However, the athletics gave great vocal encouragement to McNab, the Hastings sprinter, who proved that besides being speedy on the ground he could “ride ’em cowboy”, too. Mac dead hoated for first place. The officials were energetic on the day, but the track provided for runners and cyclists gave evidence of very little prior attention. It was in fact the worst I have seen this season. Onga Onga and Takapau. sister clubs of Tikokino, provide excellent running and cycling paths, and it is indeed surprising to find Tikokino lacking in this respect. Handicapper Harry Leach wore a perpetual smile as close finish after close finish worried the judges. In the century dash the finalists hit the worsted abreast, and although the official verdict was in favour of Smith many thought otherwise. The 880 also provided an exciting finish and the Danncv.irke youth, Armstrong, fought off Bird to win well. The times in each of the running events suggested that there wa« something wrong with the official watch or that the track was short. A Popular Bunner. Miss O. Symes ran off with two of the women's events, in both of which she was very well handicaped, but everybody likes to see the scratch run ner win. She has had a wonderfully successful season and I do not know of a more popular runner both with competitors and public. Certainly there is not a more cheerful loser or a modest winner than she—wonderful assets that cannot fail to appeal. Havelock's Day Out. Havelock North had their annual day on Easter Munday when the attendance at the athletic portion of the programme was a trifle disappointing. The officials were keen and energetic and competitors were well looked after. The outstanding feature was tho 320 yards track, r new experience for our middle distance runners and cyclists who for a period were somewhat confused. A ■.. nail track provides for more spectacular running and riding, and I confl let tly expect Havelock North to go ahead to greater success. The track surface was wonderfully even, but slippery, a not surprising eireumstnnee •wing that it is newly formed. This feature will, however, disappear long before next Easter, finishes in the running even’s were very closely con tested and the winners widely distributed. _ . A certain amount of confusion was caused ‘hrough the acceptance of late entries in th* running •»««■- Sueh a

practice is scarcely fair to 1' os B who comply with the conditions as set out on the programme and it can easily be visualised what will happen if such a practice is to be continued. Late entrants won thr- of the events besides filling minor places. A feature of tha meeting was the riding of Toby Attwood in the cycling events. He won the half-mile, mile and then appeared unfortunate in not getting the judge’s nod in the twomile. It. would be a good move on the part of the Havelock Club if next season they would arrange for two or three evening meetings. On such an admirable track, as it will be by then I feel sure, the experii ence would be greatly availed of . by Hastings and Napier compet. | itorn.