ATHLETIC TITLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22675, 12 March 1937, Page 14

ATHLETIC TITLES

NATIONAL MEETING STRONG SOUTHERN TEAMS _____ PROSPECTS 'OF AUCKLANDERS JAPANESE TO COMPETE The 1937 New Zealand amateur track and field championships will be commenced on the Domain to-day. It is five years since the national meeting Wag last held in Auckland. All the visiting teams have now arrived and although one or two are smaller than they were in 1932, notable among these being Canterbury, they make up in quality what they lack in numbers. Hawke'g Bay, Otago and Wellington have all' sent strong contingents, comprising outstanding performers. Auckland is well prepared to meet the strongest oppo, sition, however, as this year it has a team which is formidable in almost every event.

If the weather remains fine and the Domain is given a chance to dry thoroughly, it is probable that the high standard set in 1932 will be surpassed and a number of new record figures may be established. Considerable interest will centre in the second appear- * ance in Auckland of the two Japanese Olympic representatives at present touring the Dominion, Kohei Murakoso and Kenshi Togami, who will compete, but will not be eligible to take a title. Murakoso will start in the three miles championship, while his countryman will contest the broad jump and hop, step and jump. Bainbridge In Great Form

Auckland's representatives pin the 100 yds will be W. S. Bainbridge and J. Denz. In view of two recent runs of 10s, Bainbridge has a fine chance; he is at present at the peak of his form. Denz, Waikato. is a smart performer with a strong finish and can be relied upon to make a forward showing. The Aucklanders' chief opposition will come from' W. J. Fitzsimmons, who in winning the Hawke's Bay title from G. Quinn equalled-the national record of 9 4-ss, Quirin, holder of the Dominion 220 yds title, C. Robinson, of Wellington* and the present .champion, B. L. Tapley, of Otago. The province's main hopes will again rest on Bainbridge in the 220 yds, oyer which distance he is running brilliantly. He finds the straight Domain track to his liking and the runner who beats him will win. Fitzsimmons, who won the Hawke's Bay championship in 22 l-ss, may again be the local man's most dangerous opponent, while Quinn will not relinquish his title without, a struggle. Robinson, of Wellington, and A. J. Savers, ef Auckland, are both improving young runners and may surprise, while others who should give good accounts of themselves are J. M. Watt, of Wcllingtop, R. D. Thompson, of C*nterbury, and M. C.. Baker, of Auckland. ?ine 440 Yards Team

Auckland's prospects of gaining points in the 440 yds are very bright for no province has such a woll-balanced'team us that comprising Savers, Bainbridge and Baker, all of whom are capable of 50s or better. They will not have matters their own way, however, for Watt, of Wellington, Thompson, of Canterbury, and D. L. Cropp, of Otago, are outstanding quarter-milers with fast times to their credit. T.- G. Broadway, British Empire Games representative, will be unable to compete owing to,a strained leg, while V. P. Boot, who was also entered for this event, is iu hospital with tonsilitis. The present holder of the title, H. J. Tyrie, will be running as an individual. There will be no heats and the final will contain eight starters. V. P. Boot's new figures of Im 53 4-5s for the 880 yds stamp him as the finest half-miler the Dominion has produced, and, had he not taken ill, he should have had little difficulty in retaining his title. T. Allen, of Otago, is now in line for the championship, although a ricked ankle received during training on the Domain on Wednesday threatens to affect his chances. The Auckland representatives, A. Bellingham, H. D. Ball and P. G. Lindsay,- are all capable of running sound races, the first-named in particular being presented with a rare opportunity.

0. H. Matthews Unable to Compete ..' One of the finest struggles of the meeting should be the mile run, to be decided this evening, which will bring together W. A. Pullar, of Otago, who was recently timed to cover the distance in 4m 18s. and A. R. Wilson, of Wellington, who scored a runaway win in his province's championship with 4m 255. Auckland's runners, S. J. Wade, Lindsay and A. Dare, should all make forward showings. 0. H. Matthews. Canterbury's Olympic representative, will not be at the meeting. The Japanese, Murakoso, seems certain to win the three miles by a substantial margin, but he will not be allowed to take the title, which Ajicslanders arc hoping will be regained by J. W. Savidan. Savidan's run of 15m in the provincial championship race showed that he has recaptured a great deal of his former brilliance and at present there does not appear to be anyone in the Dominion capable o bringing about his defeat. A. J; kny, and J. Riddington, ot WpHin?" ton, have been returning times in W proximity of 15m, while A. R. Gedde and C. 'Gibbons, of Otago. are «■- pec ted to be in the running, if track is dry, Murakoso is almost retain to lower the record of 14m which he established at Cliristchurc The two hurdlers who should ngni, out the 120 yds. event are F. Sharplev, holder of the title, of Haw Bay, and P. T. Bowie, of Auckland. F. A. Finlavson, Auckland's I.oyds. 440vds. hurdles performer, has oee hampered by a bad knee. but \fn P iv in these events. Other hurdlers to show up in the 220 yds. race Sharpley, Hawke's Bay, P- _ burgh and J. D. Nelligan Ca«terbury, and H. .T. Abraham, of Wellingt- . while over the longer distance - Anderson and Nelligan,, of ~ and R. B. Joyes and H. T). Ball, <* Auckland, should be prominent. Weakness in Field Events H. K. Brainsbv. A. H. Brown. 8 " ,T. B. Prendergast are a strong WWM» compete for Auckland in the . jump. Bramsbv has excellent ch. of regaining both his broad j linl P hop. step and jump titles this ? e V he has the best performances ot t season to his credit. 22ft. 3i • . 48ft. llin. respectively. He will J to produce his very best.. ' l0 " e . ' \ defeat the holder of the ti , • Cameron, of Otago. . Chad fr . r 'tlic Auckland, will be favourite high jumn, as he has clearei at over 6ft. this season. Auckland's prospects in thi d events are not bright. C- i ■ K. 1). Gillespie, with 8. Laj.« > r . West Coast, are the outstanding J. lin throwers of the Dominion. no t from them the province s talent » exceptionally strong. , repr e- - J. Ferguson. Auckland s only ■ wgg sentative in the pole vault, an eS- • lift. 6ir, this year, and stalls cellent chance of success in t _ a Only one ladies' event, ap. relay, is decided, this jfisf sprint. The holder of the Wy 1. Campbell. Auckland, in j » New Zealand record time of . fortnight ago, appears, cer tain the championship.