BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 18

BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES

NEW ZEALAND COMPETITORS ONLY ONE WIN RECORDED CRUMP'S BRIGHT PROSPECTS The British Empire Games are over, but unfortunately New Zealand cannot look back on the results with any satisfaction. T. G. Broadway, its best middle-distance runner for many years, was never sighted in his events, while H. K. Brainsby, the best jumper, was well beaten in his two competitions. Along with other members of the team both men, however, can be readily excused for their failure to produce their New Zealand form, as their late arrival in England gave them absolutely no chance whatever to become properly fit and accustomed to the cinder tracks. After such a long sea journey, which, incidentally, was very rough, the New Zealand Association should have seen that the team had at least a month in which to properly prepare. The victors in Broadway's two events, the 440 yards and 880 yards, were two of the world's greatest middle-distance men, G. L. Rampling, who won the shorter race in 48s, and P. Edwards, the Canadian negro, who won the half in lm 54 l-ss. Broadway at his best could not have won? the quarter-mile, but, had he been in form, would have been within striking "distance in the half-mile, as he has done lm 54 4-5s for the distance out here on the slower grass tracks. Reports just prior to the Games stated that he was suffering fix)in shin soreness sustained on the hard cinders. Brainsby jumped fairly well to gain third pldce in the hop, step and jump, but his best effort was 2ft. short of his best in New Zealand and 2ft. 4in. short of the winner's best jump. It was obvious that Brainsby was not in form. The experience gained by these two athletes should do them a lot of good, and they should know a lot more about training and the technique of their respective sports when they arrive back in New Zealand. Lovelock gained a brilliant mile victory for New Zealand, but, ; as he is residing in England all the time now, and really learned to run properly over there, lie is not regarded in quite the same light as the other representatives.

New Zealand's swimming hopes were centred in Noel Crump. Well he justified them, fulfilling all expected of him when he gained selection. In a pool 50yds long and containing fresh water, conditions which, in contrast to Auckland racing conditions, have a detrimental effect on speed and stamina, he reproduced his New Zealand form entirely. While in the Dominion, he was steadily improving, as is typical of a 17-vear-old youth, and would in all probability have continued to do so had he been given longer time for training and becoming acclimatised in England. However, it is a proud honour to be the third fastest sprinter in the Empire, and his performance supports his New Zealand exploits in stamping him as a champion with exceedingly bright prospects in international competitions. To add to their unpreparedness, L. Smith and W. Whareaitu, exponents of breastroke and backstroke respectively, had to compete with opponents who, in defeating them, swam several seconds faster than the New Zealanders' best times.