AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20481, 5 February 1930, Page 15

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

AUCKLAND CLUB'S MEETING

ELLIOTT REGAINING HIS FORM

AN INVITATION FROM CANADA.

Some excellent times were recorded at the Auckland Amateur Athletic i.and Cyclo Club's meeting last week,, particularly in the sprint events which were keenly contested. B. C. Willey, who won his heat and later tho final in 10s, is one of the most consistent performers in Auckland. Barely is he out of a place and his win was indeed popular. Willey is not a stylist sprinter, but puts plenty of energy into his actions. His finishing effort was the best seen from him this season. . »

Tho final was a great race and the judges had some difficulty in placing the runners. Willey certainly won, but O'Shea, Elliott and Carter were only inches away. The last-named, with a little more experience, may have been tho actual winner, as ho was in front ten yards from the tape.

Carter is the one maiden who has impressed most this season. He has a determined, yet graceful, style and in good hands might possibly turn out a fine sprinter. Ho won his heat very comfortably in tho 220 yards, but had to bo content with second place in the final. A. J. Elliott gave a tasto of his brilliancy by winning tho second heat of the 100 yards in 9 4-ss. Allowance can bo made for tho time, which equals the New Zealand record, as Elliott beat tho starter, but his finishing effort was nevertheless an excellent one. Tho sprint champion is almost in his best form. M. O'Shea, who ran second in the 100 yards final, is au ex-Sacred Heart College boy who registered some good performances in school championship events two years ago. It was O'Shea's first appearance in open company and he did really well off the six-yards mark. With three wills to his credit over 220 yards L. 11. Meredith has been tho most consistent sprinter seen out this season. In spite of tho fact that he has beaten Elliott off threo yards, Meredith must be considered well treated to liavo again secured the same mark. Meredith is a worthy candidate for representation at the New Zealand championships, and it would occasion no surprise if tho local man won the 220 yards at Wanganui, where the circular track suits his style. The mile handicap saw J. W. Savidan register a good performance in getting fourth. From scratch the champion was timed to run tho mile in 4m 26 3-ss, a real good performance considering he has had but four weeks' traiuing. Many keen judges expressed the opinion a few weeks ago that Savidan was on the down grade. His run last week should dispel that idea. C. Scown, who won the ouemile handicap, has a pleasing style, and is a great stayer. No matter how fast the pace was, Scown's telling stride reduced the handicap. Few athletes arc seen these days racing wheu over 50 years of age. A. Clark, who finished third in the mile, must bo the oldest active competitor on the track in New Zealand. Clark is a keen enthusiast and rarely misses a run, either in the summer or winter seasons.

The Wanganui Amateur Athletic Club has issued an open challenge to run any club in the Dominion in a two-miles relay race, four men to run 880 yards each. The Wanganui team is Newton, I'awson, Evans and Gibbons.

The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has received a special, invitation from Canada to send a team to.tho Empire sports lo be held in 1932. 'The Canadian authorities make the project easier by offering £IOOO toward expenses. The question of representation has been formally discussed by the council, but it is understood New Zealand would be better suited by representation at I lie Olympic Games in the same year.