AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 17

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

INTER-CLUB COMPETITION. RQAD RACE NEXT SATURDAY. LEADING CLUB PERFORMERS. Good exhibitions of running were again given last Saturday, when conditions were excellent. Among the athletes the teams' race between the University and .Technical Clubs proved a good contest, while tho Auckland Club's races at the Domain were also close and interesting. The Calliope Club conducted a field day at the Takapuna racecourse. McNiel, Munro and Clark were close winners in the heats of the 75 yards handicap at tho Domain, but in the final M. Matthews, who had been only third in his heat, created a surprise by winning easily in 7 l-ss. The steeplechase over 2% miles proved a closer contest than- usual. Clark and Matthews were the early leaders, but McNiel was in charge at the half-way mark. The back-markers were still well back at this stage. Starting on the last lap Francis and Rodgers closed in, while Savidan came, up handy. In tho last quarter-mile, however, Francis drew away to win nicely from McNiel and Clark, with Savidan close up fourth. Savidan easily gained fastest time. Mistake by Leaders. The race between Technical and University was spoilt when the two leaders took a wrong turning about half' a mile from the finish and were followed by tho next four. Although this incident made no difference to tho result, the event was declared no race. However, on finishing points, University won by 33 points to" 48. Gordon Hill, who has been Technical's leading man of late, started off at a fast pace and led for over a mils before being displaced. At half-way lie was up with tho leaders again, but he then fell away, and eventually finished sixth. The honours of the raco went to Browne, of University, and Barker, of Technical. Tho latter took the lead from Hill after a mile and had opened a big gap on the field until ho lost tho trail about half-way and allowed several runners to close in on him. In the climb up and around One Tree Hill, Barker and Browne, steadily drew away and in the sprint to the finish Browne won by inches only,.with the next bunch of runners over 300 yards behind. In the sprint between this group Cooper just, beat Gudsell, with Hazard and Hill right on their heels. The rest of the field was well bunched and the next dozen runners to finish were within 75 yards of each other. Individual Prospects. In view of the road race from Onehunga to the Ferry Buildings next Saturday the teams' race proved an interesting preliminary. By their runs, Browne and Barker appear to have great chances for the individual title. Both are at liome on the hard roads. Hill and Kells should also be in the running. Cooper has been decidedly off form for weeks and may not find the hard roads to his liking. Tho University Club may have men closer up at the finish in Hazard and Dolan. s Tho former ran a fine race on Saturday and tho smoother running on the road should suit his style. L. Ball is another man with plenty of staying power who should do well. Nicholson and Francis should do best for the Auckland Club and Rowlands, Clayton and Smith should be most prominent for the Calliope Club. With no fences and hills to break liis effortless action, Nicholson will be hard to beat. The teams' race will be decided on tho points of tho first four from each club team to finish. Starters should be on the mark by 2.45 o'clock. The Calliope Club held an interesting day's sport, tlirea running events being decided over 100 yards, 440 yards and one mile, wit* a high jump and a javelinthrowing competition to complete the programme. Liberal handicaps were given in all events and in most cases the backmarkers were unplaced.