AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20441, 18 December 1929, Page 21

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

GOOD RACING AT NEW LYNN.

E. B. SMITH RETURNS TO FORM.

SAVIDAN AND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The 1 Lynndalo Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club's meeting at New Lynn on Saturday was very successful from an athletic point, and tho attendance was sufficient to save the club from any financial loss. Some fine racing was witnessed, exciting finishes being a feature of the day's sport. On a track which was somewhat dead good times were recorded, particularly in the sprint events. In winning the 100 yds. and running a dead-heat in tho 300 yds. handicaps, E. B. Smith, the ex-Wellington quarter-mile champion, showed a return to his best form. Two seasons ago Smith beat a good field at Wellington and he was claimed as a possiblo champion. Sinco residing in Auckland Smith has not been an active competitor, but on Saturday his splendid condition was noticeable. In the 100 yds. handicap Smith started off s£yds., and won nicely 'from A. J. Elliott. The final, however, proved a great race, and Smith was all out to win, bis finishing effort being very impressive.

The 300 yds. handicap was the finest race of the day. Smith dead-heated with Kerr-Taylor, while Meredith was inches away. The bends in the track caused a lot of bumping, and in this respect A. J. Elliott was tho worst sufferer. The Dominion sprint champion made a fine effort at 150 yds. and looked certain to reach the leaders. He was badly stopped and finally finished well in fourth place.

Kerr-Taylor did well to dead-heat with Smith, and should soon win a goo(i handicap. Kerr-Taylor is a promising middie distance runner, and already has registered good times over hurdles. L. H. Meredith ran well, and next to Elliott is perhaps the best sprinter over 220 yds. With improved stamina Meredith may win a quartor-mile in the best company. The '(4oyds. handicap proved an easy race for J. W. Savidan. The Dominion champion ran with excellent judgment without bustling himself in the early stages when more speedy competitors made the pace. Savidan" wjll now continue to train seriously with a view to competing at the New Zealand championships. It is possible, he may appear at Wellington at Christmas time. G. W. Rogers registered a good performance in winning both the one-mile walk and one mile run. The former event was decided- first, so there was considerable merit in his second win. Rogers appears to have plenty of stamina and should win again with more competition. L, C. Barker ran two good races in gaining second and third places respectively in the one-mile and 440vds. handicaps. With better judgment in keeping closer to (he leaders, Barker might have reversed the positions with Rogers.

The New Zealand Athletic. Association's American representative lias received advjee that Percy Williams, the world's sprint champion, is not available for the tour of a team of Canadians. His defection from the team will be regretted as Williams is undoubtedly the greatest sprinter seen since Charles Paddock broke all world's records in 1920-21. The New Zealand Council is now seeking other talent from Canada and there is also a possibility of Dr. O. Peltzer extending his visit to the Dominion in January. •

BRILLIANT GOLFER.

ENGLAND'S YOUNG CHAMPION

Henry Cotton, one of the most brilliant of England's professional golfers, has won the Kent championship for the second year in succession. He had rounds of 71 and 74. Cotton is only a little over 20 years of age. Hagen selected him as a most likely open champion of the future.

BOXING KING.

GRJ ME-SARRON CONTEST.

Boxing affairs in the Dominion are veiy active just now owing to the presence of a number of pugilists from _ other parts. Bouts are scheduled for Wellington, Napier, Palmerston North and Westport during the Christmas holiday period, as well as one for Auckland. Billy Grime, one time holder of threo championships of Australia, will meet Fete Sarron, the hard-hitting American fighter, on Friday week. The pair have bad several encounters, which, however, have always been full of interest throughout.

Grime is a typical Australian, born at Young, New South Wales, on April 27, 1902. His height is sft and his usual weight a pound or so over nine stone. He commenced his professional career in 1920 and quickly showed his ability, especially in 1921, when he had nine knock-out wins besides -eight other points decisions and only two losses. Ho went from success to success until he decided in March, 1927, that he would do better in America. There, however, he failed to produce his form, and, although he had 15 fights, they did not help his record. Some little time ago ho was considered to have gone back, but lie shot into the limelight by disposing of some good opponents. By defeating Johnnie Leckie at Napier recently he showed he is still a very hard man to dispose of. Pete Sarron belongs to Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and is 22 years of age. Jt is interesting to note he only commenced as an amateur in 1924 when he won the fly, bantam and feather weight championships of the southeastern Stales and later the national championship. He was at the Olympic Games the same year as Charlie Purdy, but met defeat in the semi-final at the hands of Fidel La Barba. He followed this by representing America at Paris and then turned professional. He had a record of 70 fights in America with one loss against a man he defeated in a 4 return bout. He then left for Australia where lie knocked out ( hailio Glasson, beat Silverberg, lost to Leckie, beat Siki, knocked out Leckie, drew with Dick Corbelt, knocked out Crime and beat him on points and also lost to him on points. Snrron is known for his fighting ability, apart from his boxing skill, and Auckland enthusiasts should see a great exhibition from him. It is somewhat surprising to learn that the Grime-Leckie bout was not a really first-class exhibition as was expected. Ono writer savs if Leckie had adopted Crime's attitude in allowing his opponent to do the leading, thero would have been no fight. Grime, however, excelled at close range and gave great exhibitions of in-fighting. The pair have been matched for a return at Wanganui on February 13. The Northern Boxing Association approached Tommy Donovan with a view to matching him with one of tho presentleading feather-weights, but Mr. J. H. Watts, secretary to the association, has received word that Donovan is not available for any fights at present owing to an injured eye. This was received while training. His sparring partner was knocked oat and Donovan had to have medical attention.