AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16797, 9 November 1928, Page 14

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

GISBORNE CLUB opentngTmeeting Favored with ideal weather, the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier G’lub opened its 1928-29 track season last evening, when a very attractive sports meeting was held at the Childer’s load reserve. A strong cross wind prevailed and was inclined to unbalance both runners and cyclists to some extent. However, the various events developed into willing contests, and the times were very satisfactory considering the season has only commenced. The sprint' and cycle tracks were in excellent order, and the whole gathering was concluded without a single delay. There was a lar< attendance of athletic enthusiasts, who thoroughly enjoyed the interesting programme.

The initial event was the 75yds men’s handicap, which was won by Arthur Owen in convincing style. Eight runners lined up for the final dispatch, though the first start was false, Lockett, F. McDonald, and Mace beating the' pistol. The field was finally dispatched in splendid order, R. Mace leading the other sprinters to the 50yds mark, where Owen challenged strongly and secured the lead. The field was well bunched and it appeared anybody’s race, but with a fine effort Owen maintained the lead to win from R. Mace by lft, A. Lockett being inches away third. Shanks was fourth. The time - was ,Bsec.

Only five runners contested the 75yds ladies' handicap, Misses "McKennie, Mason, and Rr.osnahan .. being nonstarters. The field got away to a clean start, with -Miss Robinson' taking the lead. She failed to hold the position, however, and over the last 10yds Miss Tier put in a great finish to break the worsted lit ahead of Miss Beale. Miss Robinson was a yard further back third.

The competitors in the one mile cycle handicap appeared to take things easy for the first quarter-mile, though . on passing the stand for the second, time the scratch men had reached the middle markers. Millier, who was leading at this stage, was riding a great race. At the bell lap, the position past the stand was as follows: Bardswell, Millier, Mercer, and P. McMahon, with the remainder close behind. When 200yds from home Millier sprinted, and regained the lead, going on to win by three lengths from Bardswell. The first time past the stand in the 880yds flat handicap J. Hulleu led Kaua and Ingram, with the balance of the field bunched about 10yds further back. The position remained unchanged until I.soyds from the winning post, wnen Fisketi sprinted, and, amidst great excitement, carried on to win from Ingram by three yards, with Kami four yards away third. Hutchinson finished fourth, and W. McDonald and J. Hulleu fifth. The officials responsible for the sue cess of the meeting were: Judges, Messrs. H. F. Forster, A. S. Parker, F. Maher, J. J. Martin, J. J. Trines, J. Herbert, J. R. Kirk, J. Pollard, and Drs. D. L. Muir and H. G. Rice; starter, Mr. L. Houlalmn; handicapper and referee, Mr. A. G. Swan; timekeepers, Messrs. J. Harvey, J. Haisman, A. Ingram, P. Fulton, and M. McMahon, sen. : megaphone steward, Mr. P. Fulton ; call stewards, Messrs. E. W. Forrest and A. Hart: track stewards, Messrs. A. Rice (chief), E. C. Sutcliffe, and C. Remnant; supervisor, Mr. W. Jenkins. DETAILED RESULTS. 75yds Handicap.—First heat (4 starters): A. Owen (61yds) 1, I'. McDonald (sjyds) 2, L. Smith (4jyds) 3. Time, Bsec." Second heat (5 starters): F. Martin (31yds) 1, R. Tier (61yds) 2. R. Aislabie (syds) 3. Time, Bsec. Third heat (6 starters): A. Lockett (syds) 1, S. Shanks (sAvds) 2, G. Mills (6£yds) 3. Time, 7 4-ssec. Fourth heat (5 starters): D Mace (71yds) 1. A. Thorpe (6*yds) 2, P. Kennedy (svds) 3. Time, Bsee. Final (8 starters): A. Owen 1, R. Mace 2, A. Lockett 3. Time, Bsec. 75vds ladies’ handicap (5 starters): Misses P. Tier (81yds) 1, V. Beale 71yds) 2, J. Robinsop (llj,-yds) 3. Won by' lft, and Iyd. Time, 9sec. "One-mile cycle handicap (8 starters): D. Millier (145yds) 1, J. Bardswell (165yds) 2, P. McMahon (scr.) 3. Won by three lengths, and four lengths. Time, 2min. 51 4-ssec. Putting the shot (4 entries): L. Smith (15in) 1, V. Gault on (scr.) 2, A. Lockett (36in) 3. The winner threw 33ft., and Caulton registered a throw of 30ft 9jJn. Lockett’s distance was 30ft 9in. 880yds flat handicap (10 starters): 11. R, Fisken (30yds) 1, G. Ingram (60yds) 2, P. Kaua (60vds) 3. Won by 3yds, and 4 yds. Time, 2min. 9 3-ssec.