CHAMPION ATHLETES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18026, 27 February 1922, Page 9

CHAMPION ATHLETES.

TESTS IN WELLINGTON. WIN FOR SOUTH AFRICA. RECORD BY OOSTERLAAK. [by telegbaph.—pmss association.] I WELLINGTON. Saturday, In the presence of 8000 enthusiastic spectators the champion athletes of New I Zealand and South Africa competed in a | series of events at Athletic Park. Real summer weather prevailed and the meeting was most interesting. The ground was considered slow, but fast times were recordod. The programme included five tests between South Africa and the Dominion. Rose (New Zealand) won the first test, the mile ln 4m 295. Oosterlank evened up in the next test, tho 100 yds, beating a in 10s. The third test, 440 yds, proved most exciting, Taylor | (New Zealand) beating Johnston (South i Africa) by three yards in 50 2-ss, In the fourth test South African made the pro two an Oostorlaak and Bukes fillinK, I s } second P laces - The winner took 21 4-5s for the 220 yds, which is a New Zealand record, and equal to the It c f°r Australasia. The relay race, the final test, provided a sensation. The south African's team in the order of starting was Leathern, Johnston, Bukes, Oosterlaak, and the New Zealand team Taylor, Tracey, Wilson, Davidson. Taylor led Leathern at the finish of half a mile, and Tracey and Johnston set out for their quarter. The former made the pace as though for a 100 yds sprint and almost collapsed in tho straight. As Johnston crossed to get to his partner he must have touched Tracey's arm for tho New Zoalander dropped his baton. New Zealand,_ being hopelessly out of it, did not continue. South Africa won the other handicap events. Principal results:— One Mile Test—R. Rose (New Zealand), 1; R. M. Webber (New Zealand), 2; D. Leathern (South Africa), 3. Rose led from the Btart and was never headed, winning by syds. Webber maoo an effort in the final stage and heat Leathern by Byds. IOOYds Test.—J. K. Oosterlaak (South Africa), 1; G. Davidson (New Zealand), 2; A. Tracey (New Zealand), 3. The winner moved off quicker than Davidson. The latter seemed to hang, and although he was coming fast at the finish he could not get on terms with Oosterlaak, who won by barely a foot in 10s. 440 Yds Test.—C. H. Taylor (New Zealand), 1; R. Johnston (South Africa), 2; C. F. Rowe (Now Zealand), 3. This proved one of the most exciting races ever seen in Wellington, From a beautiful start Johnston set a great paco, leading Taylor by three yards 100 yds from home. Taylor made a great effort, and gradually wore down Johnston, beating him amid enthusiastic cheering by three yards. Johnston was distressed at the finish. Time, 50 3-ss. 220 Yds Test.—Oosterlaak (Sonth Africa), 1; Bukes (South Africa), 2; Davidson (New Zealand), 3. Also started: Tracey. A splendid race. At the half-distance the visitors moved up, and an exciting race ensued in the straight. Oosterlaak and Bukes battled out the finish, the former getting the verdict by 2ft, a yard between second and third. Time, 21 4-ss, a New Zealand record and equal to the Aus-' tralasian record. The winner receiveJ an ovation. Test Relay Raoi, 1 mile.—South Africa, 1. New Zealand did not finish. Other events resulted:—High jump: P. Thompson (scr). sft 6iin, 1: H. J. Whyte, sft 4iin, 2. Putting the shot: P. Munro, 44ft lOin, 1; D. Brown, 42ft 7in, 2. Milo walk: J. Curry (180 yds), 1; F. 0. Hickling (scr), 2; F. Hooper, 3. Time, 7m 0 l-ss. 120 yds: Johnson (7yds), 1: Underbill (10yds), 2; Hayvice (4yds) 3. Time 11 3-ss. 1000 yds handicap: B. Gillespie (50yds), 1; P. Pohlen (45yds) 2; C. Willis (55yds), 3. Time, 21m 15 2-ss. 220 yds hurdles: J. Malfroy (10yds bhd), 1: F. Malmanche (Byds bhd), 2; H. C. Whvte (15yds bhd), 3. Three mile baudi--1: A. 'Barclay (180 yds), 1: R. Rose (scr), 2. These were the only two to finish. Rose ran a splendid race, but Barclay'showed plenty of speed in the last lap and won easily. Time, 15m 14 1.55. Throwing the javelin: E.G. Sutherland, 152 ft, 1; P. Munro, 145 ft Bin, 2; D. Brown, 126 ft sin, 3. AUSTRALIAN'S RETIREMENT. PROPOSED RACE IN SYDNEY. [BY telegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. Tho cabled announcement that Carr, the Australasian sprint champion, in view of criticism on his retirement, was prepared to meet Ayres Oosterlaak in a special contest over 100 yds., -at the University sports at Sydney, if the Springboks were agreeable, was brought under Oosterlaak s notice. The South African sprinter expressed regret at what appeared to be an attempt to arrange a match of this nature, particularly "as an .-jelomont of personal feeling appeared likely to b e introduced. He was quite prepared, however, to compete with Carr in an open scratch event, in which the other Springbok sprinters, all regarded as being on the same mark, might also take part. The idea of a dual contest of the nature suggested did not appeal to Oosterlaak.