SCHOOL STEEPLECHASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 17

SCHOOL STEEPLECHASE

KING'S OOLLEGE EVENT FASTEST TIME TO McGOWAN Several excellent performances were registered in the King's College annual steeplechase, which was held yesterday afternoon over the standard course of about six miles. While the overhead conditions were good, a stiff southwesterly breeze and a hard, unyielding track over road and paddock were not conducive to record times. The performance of McGovan ii., who returned the fastest time of 30m 3s, was distinctly impressive in view of the conditions. His time was only 81s outsido the record of 34m 'l2s, established in 1928 by R. H. Browne. After completing their training the previous day, all the entrants were medically examined and only permitted to participate on being certified fit. Practically every starter completed the course. Jhe first three runners to breast the tape finished within 34 seconds, there being 2(>s between the first two, with the third runner Ss later. . The limit competitors, who received 10 minutes' start, set out at a brisk pace and at the first checking-point, Grey Avenue and Portage Road corner, two of them, Kowe and Halligan, were leading from Mclnnes Koberton ii., and Featherstonehough. Hie first scratch men to show up were "Duignan, Ruddle and Tain. On the straight run to the Quarry Gates the field closed up considerably, although Rowe had a lead of fully 800 yards from Mclnnes, Halligan and Roberton n., with the scratch men unaltered in position. Mcliowan, however, forged steadily through (he ruck'at this stage. The stiff run around the quarry to the Double Gates took its toll and the two limit runners began to tire. McGowan ran up to he checked through among the first 10 markers. Along Henwood Road to the Massey Road corner the gaps among the eaders were reduced appreciably, Gray n. displacing Halligan in second place. Colebeck made a strong: run to check through in fourth place, and McGowan was sixth. Ihe two leading scratch men, Duignan and Buddie, were 12th and 15th respectively. On the straight to Massey Hail tally-point, Rowe still led the field, but his lead was being steadilv cut down by Coleman, the first man to finish, and Gray ii. McGowan had also worn down the intermediate men to lie in fifth place. Duignan and Buddie were still forging their way steadily to the front. Over the last stretch from the hall Rowe was overhauled and lost ground to Gray and Coleman. Halligan was about 30yds further back, with McGowan pacing steadily JOo.\ds behind. Duignan began to outpace his fellow scratch man, Buddie, and set out to challenge the leaders. Coleman put m a strong run during the last stages and outdistanced Grav ii., who was closely followed by McGowan The limit runners, Halligan and Rowe, finished next in that order, the performance of the latter, a diminutive lad, who had led the field throughout, oeing noteworthy. Duignan and Buddie were the only two scratch men to find a place in the first '°The' order of finishing and actual running times are;—Coleman (r>m), 3!>m-9 ( S;Gray ii (sm) 30m 555; McGowan (lm), 30m 3s, Halligan (10m), 40m 12s; Rowe (10m), 40m 2C>s; Duignan (scr), 30m oOs; 11 m 4s- Featherstonehough (Cm), Buddie (scr) 37m 375; Hartshorn (2m), 3<)m 4fis. In' the house points contest the placings were- —Seniors: Town House, 141; St. Johns, 01; School, 02; Parnell, 17., Juniors: Town, /. School, !)•">; St. Johns, r>,i Parnell, 04' a' The aggregate placings wejc : ~~ TnT, .T °3J)V2# St. John's, 1*>I; School, 15/; Parnell, 81%.

WHAKATANE HIGH SCHOOL [BT TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WTfAKATANE, Wednesday Good times were recorded in the Whakatane District High School annual steep echase which was decided over a course of -A miles'this afternoon. . The results were:—Senior: T. Price, 1. J. Haultain, 2; R. Matthewson, 3. Fastest time: L. Green, 2VAm. Junior: D Rankin, . q Green, 12; J. Rivett, 3. fastest time: b! Haultain. 30m.