AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 16

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

SPORTS AT EAST TAMAKI.

MEREDITH'S FINE QUARTER-MILE

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. With tho Auckland championships less than <i fortnight away, and a strenuous track season nearly finished, tho majority of tho athletes in Auckland aro now showing their truo form. This was evident at tho East Tarnaki meeting last Saturday, when competition was particularly keen.

Tho final of tho 120 yds. open handicap was delayed a long time owing to tho indecision of the judges, who were often puzzled. In tho first heat, it was thought at first that Roberts had won, but tho decision was then given to Funnell, with Mitchell second, and Elliott third, although, Roberts appeared to be second to Funnell and Elliott third. Mitchell sportingly refused to start in tho final, declaring that Roberts and Elliott were both in front of him and eventually Roberts started. The race was a fine ono to watch, and in an exciting finish tho nine finalists were each separated by less than two yards, the handicapping having been excellent. Funnell secured tho verdict, finishing a foot in front of Meredith, with Walker inches away, third.

Tho 220 yds. was another good race, a big field being run off in ono heat. Starting on the 14yds. mark, A. Warren scored a popular win, his first of tho season. G. Cutler, on the same mark, also ran well to finish second, while V. Walker was again third, inches behind CutLcr. Improving Runner. With each race L. Meredith is improving as a quarter-miler, and on Saturday he ran brilliantly from scratch to win by three yards in 51 3-ss, an excellent time for the track. Tho 880 yds. and one mile handicap were won by A. Bellinghain, the Tamaki runner, who won "tho double" for tho third successive year. Considering this, he was very liberally handicapped in both races. However, lie has a great style, and tho manner in which he sprinted away from the field over the last 100 yards in both races created a good impression. A new exponent has appeared in the jumping events in J. Healy, of the University Club, who was competing in open company for the first time. Receiving a sft. handicap in the hop, step and jump, he won with a leap of 41ft. Bin., and clearing sft. 4in., plus a handicap of 4in., ho had an easy win in the high, jump. In an exhibition jump he then cleared sft. sin. with ease. G. Sceats was exploiting the American western roll, but could only clear sft. 2in. However, he will improve this height considerably with training. T. Henry is out again doing light work. His injured leg is still a little weak, but he hopes to be fit to contest the half and quarter-mile championships. D. KerrTaylor looks like winning the hurdle events at the championship meeting. He won in great style on Saturday after an exciting race. Junior Championships. The Auckland provincial championships are to be held at the Domain on Saturday, March 21. The use of tho Domain has been granted free by the City Council, and the whole of the profits are -to go to tho earthquake relief fund. In addition to a full programme of athletic events, there will be a special display by members of tho Naval forces, Commander Burton having kindly offered to assist in any possible way. It is hoped to' havo the help of the Inter-Houso Girls' Association in special items.

An interesting feature of tho meeting is tho inclusion of junior championships (under 18 years), and it is expected that there will bo large entries and particularly good competition in these events, the 100 yds., 440 yds., 880 yds. and high jump. Keen competition is assured in the senior events, as in addition to the Auckland city and suburban athletes, there will be competition from tho various amateur clubs throughout tho province. O. R. Morgan (sprints), Malcolm (hurdles) and E. Mills (half-mile) will come from Hamilton, and Auckland competitors will include A. J. Elliot, V. R. Walker, Meredith, Roper, O'Shea (sprinters), T. Henry, Montgomery, L. C. Barker", R. J. Leach (Whangarei), R. Eade, J. 'W. Savidan and Cooper in the middle distances, S. Gudsell (walking), G. J. Sceats (high jump and javelin) J. W. Shirley (jumps), B. M. Murray (hurdles), Brainsby (jumps) and D. H. Grant (161b. shot)

RIFLE SHOOTING.

HIGH-CLASS PERFORMANCES.

THREE POSSIBLES RECORDED. Weather conditions on the Penrose range have been exceptionally good this season, and last Saturday proved to be one of the best shooting days yet experienced. The light right wind was steady throughout the afternoon. Visibility was excellent, and the marksmen present were responsible for some high-class performances, no fewer than three possibles being recorded on the day. Two of these were made at 600 yds., a feat never before accomplished at Penrose. The most successful marksman was E. J. C. Reston, Akarana, who dropped a point with his second and"third shots at 500 yds., and then found tho bulls-eye with every shot at tho longer range. His aggregate is the highest mado this season, and it is obvious that tho Auckland champion is right at tho top of his form. This shoot added seven points to his championship score, in which ho now lias a lead of eight points from D. Calder, whoso card on Saturday ran, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5-49 and 4, 4, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4—45, another fine effort.

J. R. Draffin improved soven points with an excellent 97, comprised of 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5 49, and 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5—48. Ho is now within three points of Caldor, and with comparatively low scores to make at the long ranges, still has a good chance of overhauling tho leaders. The second possible at 600 yds. was made by the veteran Akarana marksman, T. Bryan, who made only 44 at the shorter range. A. H. Dixon, of the same club, narrowly missed a " possible" here, his third shot being a very close inner. The top City man was C. J. M. Clark, who made a possible at 500 yds. and 47 with 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5 at 600 yds. Better known for his servico shooting, Clark iii still capable of excellent scores in long-range work when visibility is good. A. G. Robertson, runner-up in the club championship, was in socond place with 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5—49 and 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 3, 5, 4, 5, 5, —46. Robertson has proved himself a particularly dangerous man over the middle ranges, and has averaged only a point under 92 for seven shoots this season.

W. H. Thompson returned a card running 47 and 47. He has been shooting in great form lately. 11. ,T. Vernal! and H. Judkins each compiled 94, the latter missing tho possible at 500vds. with an inner for his fourth shot. In all, 12 City men made 90 or over, t.lin hod. clinntjp™ club has seen for years,