AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22205, 4 September 1935, Page 18

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

SEASON NEARS CLOSE ANNUAL SAVIDAN CUP RACE COMPARATIVELY POOR FIELD Once again the weather wa,s most favourable on Saturday for the longdistance harrier road races and six clubs held runs. The concluding runs of the season are now being held, some clubs having completed the season's programme. The Savidan Cup road race, the last of the inter-club races, marks the end of the season for most o:l the prominent runners, who will now rest pending the commencement ol training for the track season. The Savidan Cup race, conducted by the Ellerslie Athletic Club over a course of five and a-half miles, drew a comparatively poor field of 40, although most of the leading competitors took part. Absentees were Briggs and Birtwistle. The course was from the Pakuranga Hall, which marked the starting point, along the main road through Pan,enure and Mount Wellington, to finish at Ellerslie. it was anticipated that a sterling contest for first place would result between Littler, .Mackenzie, Hill and Harding, all of whom have about equal capabilities on a liard road course. Littler fully justified his selection, winning brilliantly with 100 yds to spare from Mackenzie, who was responsible for a line performance in gaining second place, bUyds ahead of Harding. The field represented picked runners from the Technical Old Boys, Lynndale, University, Auckland, Presbyterian, Wesley, Calliope and Papatoetoe clubs. At the commencement Davidson, Littler, McNeil and Nicholson shot to the front, but when the field settled down half-a-mile from the start Hill took the lead, followed at a short distance by a group comprising Littler, Mackenzie, Parsons, Browne and Harding. Behind them were Crompton and Clow, running together, Nicholson and Brierly, then Uolan, Brown, French, Swinburne and McCombie, with the remainder of the field strung out behind. Climbing the long hill through Panmure, Crompton went up to join the group comprising Littler, Mackenzie a:ad Dolan, while Clow and Parsons began to lose ground. At Panmure, with three giites covered, Hill dropped back and Littler, making the most of his long, even stride, began to draw away. Mackenzie and Harding followed him, then came Hill, Crompton, Nicholson, Parsons, Browne, Brierly and Dolan. Barker, and Wake, striding together, were coming up from well back. Parsons soon.dropped back to eighth place, while Barker and Wake overtook Swinburne, Thompson, Clow, French and Orr. Nicholson suffered a nasty fall, injuring his leg and prejudicing his chances of obtaining a place at the finish. From then on to the tape places did not change, Littler finishing first, Mackenzie second and Harding third. Littler's time was 31m 435. SECOND SUCCESSIVE WIN TEAMS* RACE TO TECHINCAL The Technical Old Boys' Club, winner of last year's teams' race, was again successful with 26 points, made up from Harding's third, Nicholson's sixth, Brierly's seventh, and Parson's 10th places. Papatoetoe was second with 32 points, a:ad Lynndale third with 43 points. Both Littler and Mackenzie have gained major places in all the important inter-club races this season. They were members of the representative team that won the New Zealand crosscountry championship for Auckland in July, and, as they are young runners, they should improve considerably. Crompton, who finished fourth, ran one of the best races of his career He has improved,consistently throughout the season. Brierly and Dolan, in seventh and eighth places respectively, have also run consistently well throughout the season, and have improved with every race. W. Brown, a junior runner, made a good impression with his ninth place.

CLUBS' COMBINED EVENT WILSHERE SHOWS PROMISE The Technical Club, reinforced b.y members of the University Club, hail an excellent run of six miles at Mount Albert over a course that comprised both road and country. Wilshere, Knight and JLaird gave good performances, being well to the fore throughout. Wilshere is a runner of promise, having an excellent style and stride. The long runs across country should aiisist him in building up stamina. The Presbyterian Club held a church teams race over 5| miles of bitumen road at Onehunga. Five teams of four and two individuals started, the winning tfiara being St. Stephen's, and the individual winner J. 1. 13, Neil. The course was from the top of Station Road, Otahuhu, to Upper Queen Street, I Onohunga. Linfoot made the pace for ljf miles, with Holden handy and Neil next in ordeii. At the two miles mark. Holden dropped back and Neil took his place. With four miles covered. Neil's superior stamina told its tale, and he drew away to finish comfortably 80 yards ahead of Linfoot, with Wilderspin third, followed by Ross. Holden and Williams in that order. AUCKLAND FAILS UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP The Auckland University team gave a somewhat disappointing exhibition in the inter-university cross-country championship uI Christchurch, gaining 56 points and fourth place. The course was heavy, and the race was run in driving rain, sleet and snow, conditions that lent no assistance to Auckland runners after their long journey. C. Francis registered a good performance in finishing fourth, but Stephenson disappointed, dropping back to 15th place, while Mackenzie and Kay finished 18th and 19th respectively. CRICKET TOURS LARGE NUMBER PLANNED The approaching visit of an M.C.C. cricket team to New Zealand is but one of a large number of tours which have been planned throughout the Empire. A list of such tours is as follows: 1935-30.—Australia in South Africa and England in New Zealand. 1938.—India in England (three test matches). 1936-37. —England in Australia. 1937. —New Zealand in England. 1938.—Wesit Indies in England. 1939-40.—Eng'and in India. 1940.—South Africa in England. 1940-41.—England in Australia. 1942.—Australia in England.