FIELD OF ATHLETICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 205, 28 July 1928, Page 20 (Supplement)

FIELD OF ATHLETICS

ON THE GRAS'S AND CYCLE TRACKS. PERFORMERS OF NOTE. Rose Successful. The Masterton Harrier Cup on Saturday afternoon held a race over a championship course of six miles and a-quarter. R. A. Rose, off scratch, was first in, 37min. 50sec. S. Carr was second in 50sec, and AV. Pointon third in 40min. 59sec. Masterton Harriers. A large field of runners turned out on July 14 for a ten-mile open handicap race of the Masterton Harriers Club. The winner was T. Lowis (5m 20s) and the runners-up H. Boys (5m 30s). The fastest times were recorded by R. A. Rose (ser.), 55m; Hack (scr.j, 58m 255, and Pointon (3m 455), 58m 335. The course was found to be nearly half-a-mile short. Hack and Rose were together for the first six miles, but Rose proved too solid for Hack. lie drew well away from Hack, and oventfully finished in sixth place, 15 seconds behind the winner. Seven seconds divided the first five men.

Savidan in Form. The feature of the last series of Saturday afternoon athletic programmes conducted by the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club was the performance of the Auckland champion distance runner, J. Savidan. Conceding starts ranging up to five fninvites in five miles, lie pasted man after man until he was in front with a-quarter of a mile to go. From then on lie had matters all his own way, and went on to win easily by 30 yards. Henshall, after being one of -the leading division all the way, battled on gamely to get second. The 75 yards handicap produced a thrilling finish, the three placed men flashing to the tape almost in line. The winner, Kerrisk, secored his first success of the winter series, but on several occasions he has been in a place. V. R. Walker was unlucky, being badly interfered with in the last few strides, says an Auckland paper. A Record Field. It was a record field of cross-country runners that turned out to compete for the Edmond Cup at Wingatui this year. This event has become historic, and many Otago champions appear in the list of previous winners. The trophy, of course, goes to the team gaining most points, and this year the Caversham Club registered its ninth > win, and its third successive victory. The first race for the trophy was away back in 1907, so that in “landing the mustard” nine times in 1G tries Caversham has indeed proved itself to be “hot stuff.”

British Representative. Tlie British Olympic cycling team includes Jack Sibbit, winner of the quarter-mile championship of England in 32 seconds. He will compete in the 1000 metres. F. H. Wyld, who has been chosen, will also race in the event. Wyld is regarded as the wonder cyclist of the present generation.

OLYMPIC TEAM IN ENGLAND,

TRAINING OPERATIONS. Writing to friends in Auckland, Miss Ena Stockley says:—“Since its arrival in London the New Zealand Olympic team lias been training strenuously. Norma Wilson trains at Stamford Bridge. She is assisted by Ted Morgan and Alf. Clevely, who are keeping fit by running and shadow boxing. Stan Lay is training at Battersea Park, for javelin throwing is not allowed at Stamford Bridge. We swimmers, Kathleen Miller, Dave Lindsay and I, have made Hammersmith Baths our training headquarters. “The team trains at present twice a day for three days of the week and once on the other four. We gained a good deal of weight on the steamer, but are confident that we will be at our best when the time comes.

“Last week I saw Miss Betty Nuthall, the tennis star, at Hammersmith Baths. The tennis champion, who, is tall, well built and attractive-looking, was with her mother and two younger sisters. I believe she is resting this season. I was introduced to Mr E. H. Temme, who swam the English Channel last year. He told me that he hopes to swim it again this season, this time from the English side. I also met Miss M. Hamblen, who won the 100 yards English ladies’ championship in> 68 3-5 in fresh water. All the bath a here are fresh water, but I think it iust as fast as the water of the Auckland tepid baths.

“Miss Joyce Cooper, who was second to Miss Hamblen, is said to be a splendid swimmer and lias swum 100yds in 64sec. and 440yds in 6min. 3sec. However, she is of a very nervous disposition and does not do herself justice in competition.

“I saw the English water polo team playing in a trial match on Tuesday. The players were alt over six feet, in height, one of them being 6ft. Bm. 1 think the Canterbury team w'ith J. Enwright and J. Meikle included would extend the English team.”

ROAD CYCLING. PALMERSTON NORTH TO WELLINGTON. AMATEUR RUN TO WANGANUI. Recently an official lias been engaged iu canvassing the trade for trophies for the annual Palmerston North to Wellington road race (says a Napier paper). Good support lias been promised and at the present time over fifty pounds have been collected in trophies. •Ihe response from the trade is gratifying, and the success of New Zealand’s hardest race is assured. No definite date is available at the present time, hut indications are that the Palmerston North to 'Wellington race will be held round about September 15 to 22. Tt is the intention of / the committee controlling this year’s event to present to every competitor who completes) the course' a handsome certificate which will be everlasting

proof of the fact that the bearer has competed in New Zealand’s stillest athletic event.

The announcement that the Wanganui Amateur Cycling body intend to promote a race from Palmerston North to Wanganui will be received as good news by all followers' of the amateur game. The progress that cycling has jpade in the North Island amongst the amateurs is gratifying, and the movement to promote one of the North Island’s oldest events is further proof f>f the progress of the cycling game.