WITH THE ATHLETES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17116, 23 November 1929, Page 11

WITH THE ATHLETES

THURSDAY’S MEETING PERFORMANCES REVIEWED (Notes by “Discus'.’’) Rain marred the fourth meeting this season of the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club, held at the Childers road reserve on Thursday evening. TJio fields were good, and the contests were generally of a high standard.’ Close finishes were witnessed in the flat races; one of which resulted in a dead heat. Again, the handicapper, Mr. C. McCoy, performed his duties to the satisfaction of competitors and spectators. The decision of a dead heat by the judges in the final of the 220yds. men’s fiat handicap was considered hard on Tom Corkery, who actually beat D. Coates to the tape by inches. Coates led Corkery almost the whole length of ( the straight, but Corkery overhauled / his opponent and passed him a fraction of a second before the worsted was reached. No doubt, it was an exceptionally close finish, and it presented the judges with a difficult task; too difficult under the circumstances. Another point which was probably not taken into consideration by the officials was the fact that Corkery touched the tape with his breast, while Coates fell forward, throwing his arms out as he went down. In the writer’s opinion, Corkery won the race by six inches. Corkery showed great improvement on his first appearance this season, and appeared to be running much easier. Dudley Coates only just managed to last the, distance. Re goes better over the centufy. -'Frank Martin- ran a good race, but he is not in Oorkery’s class, over tho furlong. The shorter sprints seem to suit Frank better. He will be a likely candidate for the 100yds. title this season* . , , . George Hartley, who finished alongside Corkery in his heat, was unable to get up with, the scratch runners. This was Hartley’s first start this season in which ho did not gain a place. R. Honan made his first hppearance this season in the 220yds, event, but his performance did not impress many. Frank McDonald, E. Bridge, A. D. Hollis, and S. D. Pritchard were among the other starters. MISS PRESTON SCORES.

Judging from the way she ran in her heat, it looked as if Miss M. Preston Would- not stand a, chance in the final. However, she surprised the other competitors. Going out to the front early, Miss Preston quickly established an advantage, which she held to the finish, despite the strong challenge, mado by Miss C. McConnell. Miss Preston made a splendid effort. 1 ■ Miss McConnell finished second for the third time this season. So far this season, Miss R. Algie has not been out of a place. She finished tfeird* on Thursday. ' Miss Algie ran a splendid race, but just failed to close in on the leaders. Miss Phyllis Tier, who won her heat in determined style, also competed in tjie final. She started virtual scratch, and the penalty was too great a handicap. , Misses J. Robinson and D. Monk were the other finalists. 1 Both are gradually improving.

A. CAMPBELL’S SECOND WIN. A. Campbell, the heavyweight cyclist of the club, scbred a good win in the two-mile cycle handicap on Thursday. Gaining the lead in the second lap, lie maintained the advantage almost the whole way. His success was never m doubt after the hell, and he finished

easily, winning from M. McMahon by two lengths.’ Campbell is not good over the short distances; any raice between a mile and three miles appears to suit him better.

M. McMahon tailed Campbell’s machine throughout, blit, was unable to get up at the finish. E. Gregg kept with the leaders for the greater part of the journey, and was only half a length behind M. McMahon ait the tape. p. McMahon, the scratch ••ompetitor. was set- a difficult, task by the handicapper, and at the finish he was as far away as ever.

Thornley Campbell sustained a spill while turning into the- straight in the second lap, but Ids injuries were slight. He retired from the rnee at Hint stage. Harry Swan and Percy Markie were the remaining competitors. I lie distance appeared to he beyond the latter, who seemed to fade towards the finish. G. Quinn, a first year competitor, mado no mistake about nis success in the 75yds men’s junior Handicap, wine nine from Leo Morrow without diffi : culty.

■ Although Morrow made a splendid start,’ he was not as quickly away asQuinn. Once into his stride, Morrow, challenged strongly, hut was unable to close the gap between Quinn and himself.

P. Seidy. another new competitor, tilled third place, lie should improve after a little more training. ' J. Keane, who was a. consistent performer last season, tailed the field in the junior event. His performance showed room for improvement. THE HALF-MILE FLAT.

Disappointment was expressed by many spectators at the non-appearance of Stevens, who stood a good chance of adding another success to bis credit in the 880yds fiat handicap. The winner, M. P. Sheridan, ran a (r o od race, and had things all his own wav at tho finish, winning by 30yds. D. Watt gained second place. He just managed to beat P. Kaua, who made a great effort in the straight. Watt is running well, and should he among the hack markers shortly. Kami is another runner of promise, and might he handy when the inter-club visits come round. B. Morrow and F. Allen were unable to last the distance. . The former is not .quite fit yet. In his usual determined manner, VV. Hutchinson attempted to overhaul the limit men early, but was well behind at the finish. K. Redmond showed an improvement on his recent performances. The scratch competitors in the shot putt contest were outclassed hv big handicaps, although J. MoTnt”rc’s effort Was within two inches of the second placed competitor’s throw. A . Gaul ton. on the scratch mark with Mclntyre, did his best under the circumstances, but , Offulton’s putt was beaten by his comarker. THE GISBORNE CLUB MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The executive of the Gisborne Amateur Athletic and Harrier Club met last evening, Mr. W. Jenkins presiding. There were also present Messrs. A. 11. Thorpe, A. Hart, A. 1). Hollis, P. I 1 niton, K. C. Sutcliffe. W. Hutchinson. W. Campbell, C. King, A. Swan, and K. Algie, lion, secretary. Mr. C. A. Remnant was granted leave of absence for two months, in view of his inability to attend the comniitteo meetings. It was decided to forward a list of officials available for the country sports meetings to the various clubs. The pro-

gramme of the Ormond Sports Club was approved subject to suggestions in regard to the entrance fees. The position of patron of the club was accepted by Mr. H. B. Williams, who forwarded a donation of £2 2s.—* The secretary reported that a letter of thanks had been sent to Mr. Williams.

Messrs. G. Quinn, F. Allen and 11. A. Aspden were elected new members of tho. club. Messrs. R. Thompson, 1\ Martin, and E. Denham were appointed honorary trainers.

The' following programme was approved for next week’s meeting: 75 yards ladies’ handicap; ICO yards men’s handicap; three mile cycle handicap, second distance of the Rudge Cup; 410 yards men’s handicap, second distance of the Martin-Aislabie Cup; novelty event, half mile cycle race for runners; broad jump handicap. It was decided to include -\ race for girls, non-members, without charging an entrance fee.