AIRMEN'S SPORTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23602, 11 March 1940, Page 10

AIRMEN'S SPORTS

HOBSONVIILE FIXTURE VISITORS ENJOY OUTING KEEN COMPETITION PROVIDED Wartime activities were temporarily forgotten by members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Hobsonville on Saturday, and full attention was given to a keenly-contested sports programme. It was a field day lor the airman, and an excuse for a picnic outing for relatives and friends to visit the air base. Three busloads of passengers, in addition to many motoring parties, enjoyed the sports, along with the cheering airmen. Uniformed young men were in the majority, but there were many whose informal attire gave a true indication of how they regarded the holiday. Groups formed around the competitors on the flying field, where the running and other events were held. Most of the visitors missed the rowing and sailing races, which were decided in the morning, and there was no aerial display, as many expected. Only two training aeroplanes took off from the aerodrome during the afternoon.

Best Individual Efforts Originally there were over 200 competitors interested in the sports. Qualifying events were held during the week and 88 finalists contested the issue on Saturday. Among them there were no formerly prominent athletes, but the talent displayed was encouraging. The outstanding individual performers were Aireraltsnien Murray and Carter, who each scored 17 points and shared honours as the base .champions. Each flight stationed at the base was represented and this improved the interest in the programme immeasurably. The competition resulted in victory lor Flight V., with 97 points, and I'light VI.. with 74, was the runner-up. Then followed Flight 111. (60), Flight L (-41), Flight IV. (40) and Flight 11. (17). . Fine Trophies Presented Many fine trophies were specially presented for the sports,, and were on display during the afternoon in the now Institute Hall, where a smoke concert was held at night, and the various cups were distributed. A trophy of special interest was the Kingsford Smith Cup, donated by Mr. Harold Gatty, tor the flight scoring most points. The results were as follows: Track Events, —Three-mile championship: Sergeant Kells. 1; Scccombe, "2; Cilndwell, 3. One mile: Sergeant Kelts, 1; Seccombe, '2; (.'a (heart, 3. Time. ">m I l-ss. BSO\dS: beecombe. I; Sergeant Rolls, 'J; Head and Gladwell fdoud-heiit),- 3. Time, 'Jm I'2 1-">s. LlOYds: Nicholson. 1; Norton, 'J; Caughley, Time, s<Ss. 220 Yds: C'nto, 1; Masse.V, 2; Nicholson 3. Time, -Is. lOOYds: C'ato, 1; Masse.v, 2 \ Hitchcock, 3. Time. 10 1 ■•"is. 1 *2oYds hurdles: Jolly, 1; Nicholson* -i Skelton. 3. Time. I<> l-r>s. Half-mile walk: Blomfield, 1; Mullinger, '2; R. S. Head, 3. Married men: Serjeant Anderson, 1; Clnyworth, •2; Bartlett. 3. Officers: J. S. Webster, 1; A. F. Kills. 2; Flight-Officer D. Pool, 3. Relav: Flight VI., 1; Flight 111., '2; Flight V.. 3. Field Fvents.—Long jainp: farter (20ft). 1: Lonergan, '2; Nicholson, 3. Hop. step and jump: Robinson (:10ft I'l Vain), 1; Carter, '2; Murray. 3. High Jump: Murray (sft 3%in), I; Oaughley and Palmer (dead-heat), '2. Javelin: Loneriran (I loft !}%in), 1; Carter, '2; Murray. 3. Shot putt: STvclton (32ft 4in), 1: Saipe. '2; Murray, 3. Throwing cricket .ball: Skelton (278 ft -Jin), 1; Jacobsen, '2; Ingram, 3. Discus: McArthur (f)Tft 4Viin), 1; Murray, '2; Saitie. 3. Rowing Fours.—Parlane (st.l, Roberts, W. Robinson and Smith, 1; Anderson (St.), Pankhurst. Piekford and Woolley, 2. Sailing Races.—Open: (HadweU, 1; Corporal Tlogc. '2; Scrsreanf. Rolls, 3. Handicap: Sergeant Kells. 1 : Flight-Officer D. Mills, 2; Corporal Spring-Rice. 3.