HIBERNIAN SPORTS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 65, 17 March 1911, Page 8

HIBERNIAN SPORTS.

ANNUAL GATHERING

Tho annual sports gathering of the Blenheim Hibernian Society is being held this afternoon on the Marlborough Agricultural and! Pastoral 'Association's grounds. The weather is glorious; in fact, if anything, just a trifle on:the hot side. The attendance up till noon was not as good! as was expected, but towards the afternoon tho public attended in large numbers. The cause of the attraction, doubtless, was the" number of prominent sprinters from all parts of the Dominion who are taking part in the gathering. Keen disappointment was felt at the non-atopearance of McLachian and Trembath, as many had looked forward to seeing these champions performing. The programme commenced with the Maiden, 120 yards race, which was won by the local athlete; R. Foster, in the good time of 13 l-ssec. After this good performance Poster is regarded1 as a likely winner of the big race. rhe heats of the Publicans' Handicap fur-. | nished some very fine finishes, the placed men in each heat being close, together The times registered in. each heat were very good, the limit men proying rather too good for the back-markers. There is a general impression that some of the competitors are out on too big; marks, and there is a rumor that in the event of at least one or two of the visitors winning they, will be askedl to sign a; de©kx£<tion of their bona fides. The ground is frightfully hard, and some of the rtfhners who have "dicky" pins are complaining. The various officials are working hard to ensure the success of the gathering. The Hibernian Band aro in attendance, and are enlivening the. proceedings by the rendition of a carefully selected programme of popular airs. Following are the results up to the time The ExPKtfss was published:— Maiden, Foot Race, of £2 15s. — First prize, . 405.; .second, 15s.—R. Foster 1, "CG. 'Cunningham 2, W. StaffOrd 3. Also started: C. Ve-gfc, .P. Norton, and E. Judd. Foster was first out, and won 'easily all the way by a yard and a half. Time, 13 1-5 sec.

Publicans' Handicap, 100 yds, of £10.—First prize,, £7; second, £2; third £1. First Heat: T Leahy (9yds) 1, W. Cuff (6yds) 2, A. Halo (9yds)" 3. Also started: E. Karsten (4yds). Leahy was out with the gunshot, and leading the whole way won by two yards. Time, 10 2-ssec. Second Heat.—A. Yellan 10yds 1. R. Stevens 6yds 2, "J. Strickland Byds 3. Also started: W. R. Lambert 5 yds, V. K. Wanstall 6yds, F. H. Somers 9yds. The limit man made the best use of his handicap, and. won rather easily by half a yard from Stevens, who beat Strickland by a foot. Time, 10 seconds. Third Heat.—W. A. Gough 9" yds 1, G. E. Kinsey 3yds 2, T. C. Geaney 6yds 3. Also started: B. Campion 9 yds, A. A. Wratt 10yds, J. W. MoKain 7yds. Gough led the whole way and won from the fast finishing Kinsey by a yard. Time, 10 l-sth. sec. , Fourth Heat.—A. Draper 9yds 1, J. Jackson 9yds 2, J. H. Priddle 8 yds 3. Also started: E. W. Tooby syds, G. A.. Vogt 6yds, Barnes 9yds. Jackson led to within ten yards of the tapes, when he gave way to Draper, who won rather easily. Time, 10 l-sth sees.

Also started: Cuff 6yds, Stevens 6 yds, Gough 9yds, Draper 9yds, -Jackson 9yds. Draper was first out of the holes, but Yellan was in front after 25yds had beeit traversed, and appeared to have the race won, when Kinsev came ' like a flash from a gun, and by a brilliant effort snatched an apparent victory from the limit man by six i inches. Leahv was a foot away third. ! Time, 10 2-sth sees. One Mile Cycle Traders' Handicap. , First prize £4 and trophy; second, £I.—P. Maddock 80vds 1, C. W. R. Sheen'9oyds 2, H. Lewer 90yds 3. I Also started: L. A. Fowler 40yds, J. Nee,s 50yds, H. Stove 80yds, F. J. Sinclair 90yds, J. Lebere , 90yds. Sheen showed the way to the other riders all the way until the last lap, when Maddock went to the front and won with consummate ease by 20yds/i A. Nees knocked off after the second: lap. Time 2min 36secs. .' i . St. Patrick's Grand. Handicap, of £100. First prize, £60; second, £20; third. £10; fourth, £5; fifth, £3; sixth, £2. 150 yards. First Heat: T. Leahy (12yds) 1, R. Foster (14yds) 2, A. Draper (13yds) 3. Akc started: W. Cuff (7yds), V. K. Wanstall (Byds), A. A. Wratf (14yds), and J. W. MoKain (10yds). This was a magnificent race. Leahy was in front at the half-distance mark, where the remainder of the field closed up, andl an exciting race to the tape ensued, resulting in favor of Leahy by a foot. Draper and Foster breasted the tape together, but the latter was given second place and Draper third by the judges. Second Heat: H. McLeod (12yds) 1, E. J Donnelly (7yds) 2, G. A. Vogt. fßyds) 3. Also started: W. Farrelly (9yds) and M. Strickland (14yds). McLeod led all the way, and won by a yard from Donnelly. Farrelly hurt his left leg shortly after the start, and did nqt finish. Time, 15 3-sseo Third Heat: B. Campion (12ydsi) 1, A. YeJlan- (14yds} 2, A. Hale (12yds) d. Also started: E. Karsten (6yds), •^i ft eTen» s ( Byds)> J- Strickland aiyds). Campion led the whole of the distance, and won easing up from Yellan, who beat Hale by a yard, lime, 15 2-ssec. Fourth Heat: S. Darby (13yds) 1, & Kinsey (syds) 2, E. W. Tooby C 47 ds) 3^ Also started: Geaney (9yds) W. A. Gough (13yds). Darby got a break on the field at the gun-shot and led throughout, winning by four yards lrom .Kinsey, who ran into second place with ease. Time, 15sec

FINAL. Kinsey 3yds ...... Yellan 10yds Leahy 9yds ... ... ... 1 ... 2 .. 3