Athletic Notes

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7062, 23 January 1933, Page 8

Athletic Notes

By “Amateur.” The meeting held at the Sportsground last Wednesday was the best of the series held so far this season, and the wisdom of the move in uniting the clubs was proved up to the hilt. Pleasing features wore the largo numbor of entries and the improved form shown by those competing. The onlookers wero also present in greater numbers, and now that the meetings are properly organised, the stand will soon bo taxed to its limit. The meeting was ably conducted by the Kia Ton Club, which got the events off without delay, but in futuro -those in charge should see that tho time set down for commencing is strictly adhered to. There are still too many on tho oval during the races. They not only block tho view of the spectators, but are a nuisanco to the officials. It is just as easy to see tho races from the stand, and these patrons are asked to go there in futuro if they have no duties allotted them on the track. For those who are in attendance on tho cyclists I would point out the following rule, which should bo kept in mind: . Attendants after starting a competitor shall immediately leave the enclosure, or take up a position allotted by the stewards.” Another rule states: “No person shall be allowed on the track for the purpose of pacing.” At the last two meetings a rider has broken this rule, and tho stewards should see it does not occur again. E. Aston was the -winner of tho A grade lap, but ho did not have much to spare from M. Gardner and R. Lawrence, who were second and third respectively. Aston is in good form, and will be competing at Otaki to-day to defend the Blakeway Memorial Cup, of which he is the present holder. The best of luck, “Ted,” and may you succeed in retaining the cup for another year. H. Gardner scored his second win in the B grade lap, but ho was hard pressed by a new rider in V. Smith, who was second. The timo for this race was only three-fifths of a second behind the A grade race, the winner being off 40yds, and the winner of the A grade off 20yds. It is time the qualification committee set about Tegfading some of tho Tiders. The three-mile event was tho boss race of the evening, E. Lawrence from scratch winning in the good timo of 6min 50 2-osec. Tliore seems no holding this rider back. Gardner and Aston set out at a solid pace, taking half-laps each, and went well until they got up to tho limit bunch, where they stopped, evidently having taken too much out of themselves, and as the bunch was going very slow, Lawrence had no difficulty in overhauling them, to win by a good 15 yards at the finish. With the Runners The Old Boys’ Club have not yet put in an appearance on the track, and it is about timo they did so. Having heard such good reports of their training on the High School grounds, many enthusiasts aro looking forward to the time when they will be appearing in open company. It was left to Kia Toa members to make up the fields in these events, and they are to be congratulated on the fine performances,put up. M. Strange is beginning to show some of his old form. He ran a good race in the 100 yards handicap, off 4 yards, and he was only beaten by inches by Willoughby, L. Cowling being close up. The last-named can always be relied on to be in a place at tho finish, and it should not be long before he breasts tho tape first. Strange again put up another sterling finish in the 220yds, gaining the honours from J. Dynes by inches. All theso Tunners are showing good form, and it is a pity the fields are not bigger and more open company available for them to competo against. There seemp to be very few distance runners, only three starting in tho 880 yards. J. Dobson off 70yds proved too good with his handicap, and finished very strongly. He is tho making of a good half-milcr if he looks after himself, and more should be heard of him in the near future. H. Macdonald, the virtual scratch man, is not up to the form he has shown in previous years, but by the time the championships are held he will let tho others know he is in the race, and in spite of the good opposition he will meet at tho West Coast championships, if well he should gain tho honours. The next meeting will be conducted by the Manawatu Club, and it is hoped that there will still be an improvement in entries, and the public can be assured that a "visit to these evening meetings will prove an enjoyable one, and that they will go away well pleased with the sport provided for them.