AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17227, 5 April 1930, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

PpyERTY BAY TITLES PERFORMANCES REVIEWED (Notes by "Discus.") Tli' 1 third series of the Poverty Bay amateur athletic I nek championships were held nl the reserve ou Thursday evening under iin favorable conditions. As a whole, the performances wore disappointing, it was unfortunate that the high jump had to be held on Thursday, for tlic competitors labored under a disadvantage in lbe form of a slippery patch of turf from which (hey Commenced their leap. \V. Findlay won the high jump with a leap of 4ft! llii). This was well below his average performance, which is in tin , e iniiy of sft. 3in. Dudley Coajtes and R. Sheridan, both of .whom cleared sft. Viii. this season, were unable to better 111. 10 in., hill almost immediately ul'tet the event concluded Sheridan leaped 6ft,

Vaulting in characteristic style.. W. Fimllay retained his title in the pole vault championship, beating F, Donald easily. !>. Coat.es also competed, but retired alter one vault. The contest was won with an effort of 7ft. 6iu., which il 2ft. under Findlav's Ties! performance, and lft. 9in. below the .subcentre record established by himself and equalled this season by F.' Atkins, who was unable to be present on Thursday. Disappointment was expressed at the non-appearance of Atkins in the discus championship, which was won by J. Aide, last year's champion, with a throw of 82ft. Atkins holds the subcentre record, 106 ft. 4jn.. although his nest performance with the "plate" is I.llft. 7in. SLOW CYCLING. The one-mile cycle championship was hardly as interesting as one would have expected, chiefly on account of the .slow pace set by the competitors in the early pait of the race. Thornley Campbell again demonstrated his superiority, defeating P. MeMahon, cliampion for three successive years, in a finish which would have been exciting, had the front wheel of M.eMahon's machine not came in contact with a loose clump of turf King on the side of the track. T. Campbell is undoubtedly the most improved cyclist in the club, and this season has come right into form. "Discus" predicts a successful career for him. He has youth on his side, and uses sound judgment in af} in's races. P. McMahon rode well, hut Ihe un fortunate mishap spoiled bis chances at the finish. He is still a good cyclist, and will be hard to heal in the handicap events' at Te Karajca on Easter Monday. F. Pollard, who finished third, several lengths behind AlcMahon, 'evidently lacked training, and did not look dangerous at any stage. A «UEFRI.SE PACKET. Frank McDonald was a surprise packet in the quarter-mile flat championship. going away at the finish to win in convincing style. AlcDonald ran with splendid judgment, and timed his finish nicely, passing the loaders at the straight entrance with a burst of speed which left them bewildered. In view of the fact that ho was oppsed by H. R. Fisken. who was regarded as a. certainty, and 11. Martin, form.er Poverty l<ay" champion. McDonald's performance "was all the more praiseworthy. Well-built, and possessing plenty of confidence and determination. Mi Donald has competed with a large measure of success hi sprint and middledistaneo events this season. His win on Thursday was well earned, Fisken and Martin paid too much attention to each other, and when one quickened his pace the other kept with him. and in this manner the pair cov ercd more than three-quarters of the 'distance Martin looked tired at the finish, while Fisken, who holds the Poverty Bay half-mile and one-mile titles, will have to improve if he anticipates winning a scratch "quarter. WELLINGTON REVIEWS An improvement both ill the mini her of competitors and in performances has been noticed among # our field men, states a Wellington writer, and there is no doubt that the field day inaugurated by the local centre is grensy responsible for this. * Peter Monro (Wellington) still holds pride of place as far as The shot ■Uid discus events go, and is good for many'more years. F. .Tones (Olympic) has 'been competing for many seasons iii the 'shot-putting event, and certainlv has shown some improvement, this, venr, but he has reach oil his limit. E. G, Sutherland (Wellington), though lie was second in the New Zealand ■liampionships, cannot he expected to ■ro on much longer. Outside of the old hands, P. Munro (Wellington), .1. McHolm (Wellington), H. Me.Nutt (Wellington) and E. G. Sutherland (Wellington), our discus throwers are of poor quality, and,hero again h. Griffiths will have ,to lie our future salvation. Milton Gane (Wellington) was the outstanding rider of the season, thought it was apparent, that he; war. rather stale towards the end. .Next coin.es Les I'earee (Wellington), perhaps the most attractive rider to watch, and one who will show more improvement next season. CONDUCT OF CHAMPIONSHIPS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. As a. result of the criticism which has heeii levelled at the management of the. New Zealand Amateur Athletic, championships meeting held at Wanganni a few weeks ago, the council of the N.Z.A.A.A. at, its meeting last evening. made a statement in which it congratulated the Wanganni-Taranaki officials on the way they had run the meeting.