EMPIRE GAMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 11

EMPIRE GAMES

VARIOUS SECTIONS PERFORMANCES REVIEWED INTERESTING STATISTICS j [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY. Feb. 18 Of the 70 events decided in six sections of the Empire Games, New Zealand won live—threo in athletics and two in bowls. In addition, she had seven seconds and 15 thirds. Australia had 24 wins, England 15, Canada 13, South Africa 10, Wales two and Ceylon one. In an estimate of place points kept by the Sydney Morning Herald, on a basis of 10, 5, 3, 2, 1 for the first six places, Australia scored 524, minor placings secured by her larger number of competitors contributing considerably to her total. Canada scqred 319 points, England 295, South Africa 188, New Zealand 156, Wales 28, Scotland 27. Tw<*nty-eight track and field events were decided. Canada had eight wins, six seconds and six thirds; Australia six wins, 11 seconds and 12 thirds; South Africa, six wins, one second and threo thirds; England four wins, eight seconds and two thirds; New Zealand, three wins, one second and five thirds; Wales, one win, and Scotland one second. Four of Canada's wins were in field events. Two of South Africa's were in jumping events and two in hurdles. The sole Australian male win was in the running hop, step and jump. Swimming Events Thirteen swimming events were decided. Eight nations provided the 39 placings, but only three gained wins. England headed the section with six wins, two seconds and three thirds. Australia had four wins, two seconds and five thirds; and Canada three wins, four seconds and five thirds. England gained her success by all-round superiority, gaining wins in two styles, and winning the medley relays, in three styles, "for both men and women. Of the three rowing events, Australia won two, the fours and the sculls, but the most coveted prize in this sport, the eights, went to England. Australia's greatest success in any one section was in wrestling. Of the seven divisions decided, she won six. The boxing honours were well distributed. Six nations provided the winners of eight divisions, England and South Africa each having a double success. The four cycling events resulted in three nations providing winners. Australia gained two successes and England and South Africa one each. In the three lawn bowls events, New Zealand had two wins and was second in the other. List of Records

Of the 26 track aud field events, the Empire Games records were broken in 22 and equalled in one. Australian records were broken in 17 events. T. P. Lavery's time of 14s for the 120 yards hurdles was the outstanding event from a record-making point of view. Miss D. Norman's times over 100 and 220 yards, and her distance in the broad jump", were next in merit, as they were all close to the world records. C. H. Matthews and J. A. Coleman's distance running was within striking distance of the world's best times. Both, if fully extended, might have made new records. J. Loaring was only 0.3s outside the world's record for the 440 yards hurdles, and his victory, too, was so easy that the figures might have been shattered with more serious opposition. Most of the swimming events were over distances not swum at previous Empire Games, being over, multiplies of 110 yards, instead of 100 yards. The Australian men swimmers, except P. Oliver, found themselves outclassed for the.first time at Empire Games—a sad fate for a nation which has produced so many world champions in the past. Oliver's swim in the 110 yards backstroke was in world class, and his time, lm 7.95, has baen seldom beaten.