IRISH ATHLETIC SOCIETY’S SPORTS

Southland Times, Issue 16687, 16 March 1911, Page 3

IRISH ATHLETIC SOCIETY’S SPORTS

A SUCCESSrUL GATHERING. IN SPITE OF THE RAIN. .After many weeks of dry, hot weather, the Irish Athletic Society’s officials were unlucky yesterday to experience the break-up of the drought on the occasion of their twenty-fifth annual sports gathering. Rain commenced to fall shortly after mid-day with persistency and continued until a late hour at night, the result being that the attendance at Rugby Park was materially affected. However, a large number of country visitors were present and keen followers of athletics and dancing among townsfolk turned out well. Thus there was a much better attendance than in 1910, when rain also interfered with the proceedings. The gate receipts amounted to £132, while £l4 was taken in connection with the grandstand and inner ring, to which sums have to be added the proceeds of a large number of tickets issued and disposed of. Precise figures are not yet available, but it is understood that the receipts will surpass those of last year and that the meeting will return a small profit. Despite the inclemency of the weather, the programme was smartly carried out, and had it not been for some delay necessary in connection with the testing of hurdles and course in view of recordbreaking possibilities, it' is safe to say that the fixture would have concluded within a few minutes of the advertised hour —as it was, the officials have to be complimented - on a very prompt performance, as the final event was decided shortly after 5.30 p.m. The ground was in good order and presented a greatly improved surface, as compared with last season, while the moisture which fell did not affect it as adversely as might have been expected. Unexpected demands on our space will not permit of individual mention of a lengthy list of enthusiastic officials, but the superintendent of sports (Mr C. W. Mathe.-jon) is deserving of congratulation for his endeavours to aid matters in working smoothly, while the secretary (Mr B. E. Murphy), with some assistance from his predecessor, Mr J. McNamara, performed his arduous duties very satisfactorily. The officials were also indebted to a number of directors of the Southland Caledonian Society, who lent valuable assistance in controlling a varied and heavy list of competitions. The Hibernian Brass Band contributed a number of enjoyable musical items, and the Southland Pipe Band have to be commended for volunteering their services and attending in force. The principal event, St. Patrick’s Sheffield Handicap (135yds> which is looked upon as the most important pedestrian event of the season in the Dominion, attracted a large field and provided high-class running, with close finishes. First place fell to N. W. Aldred, a stylish local runner, who has shown greatly improved form this season, and his success did not end here, as he subsequently carried off the Flying Handicap, and thus secured a “double” which is greatly coveted by wearers of the spiked shoe. It is interesting to note that only three of the men who accepted for the Sheffield Handicap failed to put in an appearance. When the final heat came up for decision it was noticed that two of the backmarkers in H. Strang (2yds) and J. Curry (3yds) were included in the select field of four and this was generally looked upon as a tribute to the skill of handicapper J. Bell in bringing his field together—in several minor events this was also noticeable. A feature of the middle-distance running was the victory of W. F. Trembath, New Zealand champion, in the half-mile handicap, as. running from scratch, he overtook and passed a very large field and won with something in hand in imin 58 l-ssec. Trembath was tendered a great reception on breasting the tape, and this honour was richly deserved, as it was probably the finest 880 yds performance yet witnessed in Invercargill. The veteran, L. C. Mcßachlan, also ran splendidly and despite suffering from a very bad cold, gained second place in both the 440 yds and 220 yds handicaps from strong fields. Frank Forde, the well-known field games exponent, made his re-appearance in the arena during the afternoon and showed that he is far from a back number when it came to stone putting and hammerthrowing. The ex-New Zealand front row Rugby footballer E. Hughes caused some surprise by easily defeating - a strong field in the collar and elbow wrestling competition and his quickness of foot, which gained him high honours in the football field, stood him in good stead yesterday. Handicapper G. Double had every reason to bo satisfied with the result of his work in the cycle races, as some close finishes eventuated, and it was also to be observed that the bicycles ran more evenly on this occasion than at any previous time on Rugby Park, showing that this class of racing can be made popular on grass tracks. The amateur crack G. P. Keddell started in the 120 yds hurdles with high hopes of cutting the New Zealand record, but a nasty, cross head wind and a slippery track were against him. However, be ran splendidly under the circumstances, and got inside the standard. His performance was loudly applauded, and demonstrated to many previously unbelieving persons, that the claim of his having broken records at Otautau the previous week under favourable conditions, had probably much to recommend it. The starting of Messrs B. Bain (Sheffield and Flying Handicap) and A. McGavock (minor events) was decidedly meritorious. The directors of the Society wore mourning badges as a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr L. W. J. Morton, a gentleman who was associated with them for many years. Results; —

THROWING STONE (Irish style, handicap).—£2, F. Fordc, scr, 46ft Sin, 1; £l, W. Forde, Ift, 44ft Sin, 2; J. Crowe. 2ft, 41ft B%in, 3. Others—J. McFadgen. M. Forde, R. Cross. 100 YARDS FLAT HANDICAP (for competitors not having won £5 or over) First Round —First heat: E. T. Smith,

2yds, 1; C. Dixon, 4yds, 2. Also started —A. Ross (4), E. J. Young (5), W. Smith (6). Second heat: E. A. Horn, syds, 1; Jno. Shand, syds, 2, Other entries —T. Baird (scr), J. P. Barr (3). W. Booth (4), T. Martin (G). Third heat: G. Gray, 4yds, 1; "W. Rangford.” 6yds, 2. Other entries —H. G. Curran (scr), E. Kennedy (4), J. Gilfedcler (5), Semi-final —First heat: Horan 1, Smith 2. Started —Dixon. Won two yards. Time, 11 2-ssec. Second heat: Shand 1, “Rangford” 2. Started —Gray. Won easilv. Time, 11 2-ssec. Final —£2, Jno. Shand, syds, 1; £l, E. A. Horan, syds. 2; 10s, “W. Rangford,” 6yds, 3. Started —E. T. Smith (2yds). Won by two yards. Time. 10 4-ssec. HALF-MILE HICVCLE RACE—First heat; A. J. Sutherland, 30yds, 1: C. Hannan, 25yds, 2; T. E. O Brien, 35yds, 3. Also started —W. Baird (scr), A. J. Clearwater (20), C. Sutherland (40). Won by fifteen yards, three yards between second and third. Time, Imin ISsec. Second heat: A. P. Ritchie, 35yds, 1; G. Wallace. 10yds, 2; W. E. Goodall. 20yds, 3. Also started —A. Welsh (30), J. D.' McMillan (30). E. Cockerill (35). Won by half a wheel, third twenty yards awav. Time, Imin 17sec. Final—£3, A. P. Ritchie, 85yds. 1; £2, A. J. Sutherland. 30yds, 2: £l, T. E. O’Brien, 35yds, 3. Also started —C. Hannan (25), G. Wallace (10), W. E. Goodall (20). Won by threequarters of a length, a fair third. Time, Imin 16 3-ssec. ONE MILE HANDICAP—£6, J. Smith. 70yds, 1; £3, C. J. de la Cour, 55yds, 2; £l, H. McLeod. 28yds, 3. Also started — G. McQueen (scr), W. Mason (18), G. Brownlie (25), D. Stewart (30), H. Holmes (35), W. Staples (40), M. J. Forde (40). Smith made ground at an early stage and had a commanding lead at half-way. Several of the runners were leading alternately from a bunch, but de, la Cour went out in pursuit of the leader, and travelling smoothly and prettily looked like beating Smith over the last hundred yards. The leader, however, drew out again in the straight and beat de la Cour home by ten yards, thirty yards away came H. McLeod and D. Stewart and the former secured third money by half a yard after a good stuggle. Time, 4min 32sec. QUOITS (handicap).—Silver cup, valued sgns, J. Saunders (Browns), spts, 1; gold medal, valued 2gns, W. Wilson (Invercargill), scr, 2; gold medal, valued Ign, C. Kidd, 4pts. 3; silver medal, valued 10/6, W. Wilson (Winton) 4. J. F. Chrystal, A. Murrell. S. Lindsay, J. Mitchell, D. Knight, J. Jamieson. G. Lindsay, W. Jamieson and J. Lindsay also competed. ■ COLLAR AND ELBOW WRESTLING (under 12st).—£3, E. Hughes; £l, M. Forde. In the first round E. Hughes beat Frisby and J. Caulfield beat McCaskell. M. Forde met J. J. Hughes and defeated him. In the second round B. Hughes met Caulfield, securing the first two falls and the bout. The final was a willing set-to between Hughes and Forde, each man endeavouring to gain advantage of the other. Hughes made most of the play and was paiticularly neat in his foot work. The men were together for close on 65 minutes, when a “dog fall” resulted. Time was extended an additional five minutes and Hughes succeeded in placing his opponent squarely over. The winner was loudly applauded at this success. 120 YARDS HANDICAP (for boys under 16). —Gold medal, valued £2 2s, —. Jamieson, 1; gold medal, valued £1 Is, E. Kelly 2. Eight started. Jamieson, who was liberally handicapped, had too much pace for the remainder of the field, and won comfortably. Time, 14 l-ssec. C ATCH-A S-CATCH-CAN WRESTLING (list 71b and under). —£3, T. Forde; £l, M. Forde 2; J. Caulfield 3. This event was a prolonged one, and some very interesting bouts eventuated. The wanner, who was of very slight build as compared with most of his opponents, proved himself to be a particularly tough customer, and at times , extricated himself from some awkward positions. The win of the youthful exponent met with the applause from the spectators that it justly deserved. 220 YARDS AMATEUR HANDICAP— Gold medal, valued £2 2s, G. P. Keddoll (scr) 1; gold medal valued £1 Is, A. M. McDonald. Bvds, 2; W. Henderson, 15yds. 3. Also started; W. L. Gardiner (4yds), R. A. Keddell (syds), J. P. Moore (7yds), T. R. Robertson (Syds), R. T. Williams (9yds), J. W. JohnstoneOyds), H. Indor (15yds) and S. C. Gillies (IS yds). The field bunched together until the straight was reached. Here Keddell came through, and won handily. McDonald beat McKenzie by about a yard, for second money.

ST. PATRICK’S SHEFFIELD HANDICAP (135 yards). First prize £4O and Sir Joseph Ward’s gold medal; second, £7; third, £3; fourth, £1 10s. —First Round A.—

First heat; J. Stinson (Milton, B%yds, 1; A. McKay (Waiwera South), 12% yds, 2.’ Also started —W. F. Trembath (Gore), 2yds. Won by a yard, a yard between second and third. Time, 14sec. Second heal: T. Martin (Lumsden), 15yds, 1; J. D. Forbes (Gore), G%yds, 2. ' Also ran —A. C. Nicholson (Invercargill), 12yds. Won by two yards. Time. 14 l-ssec. Third heal; E. D, Mcßae (Invercargill). llt/j.yds, 1; D. Livingstone (Browns). 13% yds, 2. Also started —A. S Peters (Lumsden). Won by a yard, a foot between second and third. Time. 14scc.

Fourth heat: H. S. Strang (Invercargill) 2yds, 1; A. Brown (Bluff), 9yds, 2. Also ran—W. L. Horne (Pulcerau), 11% yds. Strang and Horne were each penalised a yard for breaking. Won by threequarters of a yard. Time, 14sec. Fifth heat; J. Curry (Heriot), 3yds, 1; S. Nash (Invercargill), 12yds, 2. Also ran—T. A. White (Bluff), 9yds. Won easily by two yards. Time, 14sec. Sixth heat: J. G. Forster (Dunedin), 14% yds, 1; W. Baird .Invercargill), 6% yds* 2. Also ran —J. C. Middleton (Pukerau), 10% yds. Won easily, yard between second and third. Time, 13 4-ssec. Seventh heat; S, Aitken, 12% yds, 1; L. C. McLachlan (Dunedin). 3%yds, 2. Also ran —”W. Rangford” (Invercargill), 15yds. Won by half a yard, third close up. Time, 14sec. Eighth heat: N. W. Aldred (Invercargill), 10% yds, 1: E. T. Smith (Dunedin) 12yds, 2. Also started —H. Pearse (Hedgehope), 14yds. Won by five yards. Pearse fell. Time, 13 3-ssec. Ninth heat: F. W. Dingwall (Invercargill), 10% yds, 1; J. P. Barr (Clydevale), 14% yds, 2. Also ran—H. G. Curran (Stirling), 13yds. Won by two yards. Time, 13 4-ssec.

—First Round B (second men in A Round). — First Heat: Forbes, 6%yds, 1 Also ran—McKay, 12% yds, Livingstone, 13 yds. McKay penalised a yard for breaking. Time, 14 1-5 secs. Won by two yards. Second heat: Nash, 12yds, 1. Also ran —Brown, 9yds, Baird, 6% yds. Won by a foot from Baird. Time, 14 3-5 secs. Third heat: Barr, 14% yds, 1. Also ran —McLachlan, 3 % yds, Smith, 12yds. Won by a yard .from Smith. Time, 14 2-5 secs. —Second Round. — First heat: Aldred, 10% yds, 1; Forster, 14% yds, 2. Also ran- —Forbes, G% yds, Stinson. S%yds. Won by throe yards, Forbes close up. Time, 13 4-5 secs. Second heat: Gurry, 2yds, 1; Aitken, 12% yds, 2. Also ran —Mcßae (11%), Martin (13). Won by a foot, Martin close up third. Time, 14.secs. Third heat: Dingwall. 10% yds, 1; Strang, 2yds, 2. Also ran—Nash (12), Barr (14%)., Won by a yard, Nash close up. Time, 14%• Dingwall was penalised a yard. —Semi-Final. — First heat; Dingwall. 10% yds, 1; Strang, 2yds, 2. Also ran—Forster (14%). Won by two feet. Time, 14 1 -ssec. Second heal: Aldred, 10% yds, 1; .1. Curry, 3yds, 2. Also ran—Aitken (12%). Won by six yards, a yard between second and third. Time, 13 4-ssec. —Final.— £4O and gold medal—N. W. Aldred (Invercargill), 10% yds 1 £7 —F. W. lung wall (Invercargill) 10% yds 2 £;; —J. Curry (Heriot), 3yds ;; £1 10s —H. S. Strang (Invercargill), 2 yds 4 (Winner trained by J. C. Pope.) The men rose together, Curry and Dingwall moving out quickest. The backmarkers moved up at fifty yards, but gained slowly. Aldred drew out forty yards from the Judge and gained a slight advantage on Dingwall, but the latter came again. A final spurt landed Aldred a winner by half a yard from Dingwall, with Curry a yard and a-half away, six inches in front of Strang. Time, 13 2-ssec. Previous winners of the Sheffield Handicap:—• 1894 — H, T. Dawson (Lumsden). 1895 — W. Homer (Invercargill). 1896 — A. Small (Lumsden). 1897 — G, A. Cameron (Mataura).

IS9S —A. Fowler (Bluff). 1899 B. Bain (Invercargill). 1900 — G. McKettrick (Invercargill). 1901— G. McKettrick (Invercargill). 1902 F. C. Mosman (Colac). 1903 — W. Black (Invercargill). 1901 —T. Kirk (Wlnton). 1905 G. W. Collie (Dunedin). 1906 — D. Sanson (Owaka). 1907 J. Curry (Heriot). 1908 — P. C. Stokes (Invercargill). 1909 — G. McLeod (Roxburgh). 1910 — H. S. Strang (Invercargill). 75 Yards Flying Handicap (First Round) —First heat: A. Brown, 3yds, 1. Also ran—A. McKay (6 %), broke twice and was called off. Second heat ; T. Martin. 7yds, 1. Also started —J. Stinson (3 y 2 ), C. W. Webber (5%). Won by two feet. Time, 8% secs. Third heat: Aldred, 4%yds, 1. Also ran—T. A. White (3%), E. T. Smith (5%). Won by two feet from Smith. Time, 8% secs. Aldred was penalised half-a-yard for breaking over. Fourth heat : Dingwall, syds, 1. Also started —Forster (6%)., J. D. Forbes (1%). Forbes lost half-a-vard for breaking. Won by a foot from Forster. Time, Sy s secs. Fifth heat; Mcßae, svds, 1. Also ran—A. S. Peters (1%). W.' L. Horne (6 Vi ). Won by two feet from Peters. Time, BVs secs. Sixth heat: W. Baird, 2% yds. and S. Aitken, syds, dead heat. Also ran—J. P. Barr (6 :! 4 ). Fine race. Time, Ssecs. Semi-final —First heat : Aldred 1, Martin 2. Run out—Brown. Won by a yard. Time, Ssecs. Second heat : Baird 2. Also van—Aitken, Mcßae. Won by two feet. ' Time, Ssecs. —Final.— £s — x. w. Aldred, 4%yds 1 £2 —F. W. Dingwall, syds . 2 £l—T. Martin (Lumsden), 7yds 3 Also started —W. Baird (2V4yds). Won by a foot. Martin a yard away just beating Baird. Time, Ssecs. 120 Yards Amateur Hurdles —G. P. Keddell 1. Also started —M. Hazlett (9 yds), C. E. Robertson (16yds), W. L. Gardiner (16yds), R. T. Williams (17 yds), A. M. McDonald (17yds). A cross head wind and slippery ground troubled the runners. Keddell gained on his field rapidly and caught them half-way when a mistake by an opponent caused him to falter. Recovering himself neatly, Keddell headed the field and finished alone. Time, IGsecs ; N.Z. standard, lessees : N.Z. Record, G. W. Smith (Auckland), 15% secs. One Mile Bicycle Race—First heat : G. Wallace (20yds) 1 ; A, P. Ritchie (50yds) 2 ; A. J. Sutherland (60yds) 3. Also started : W. Broad (scr), C. Hannan (50yds), T. E. O’Brien (70yds). Second heat : ..I. Shand (10yds) 1 : A. J. Clearwater (40yds) 2 ; W. E. Goodall (40yds) 3. Final : £4, G. Wallace (20 yds) 1 : £2, J. Shand (10yds) 2 ; £l, A. P. Ritchie (50yds) 3. In the final lap Wallace got out to the front, with Shand in hot pursuit, and a ding-dong finish resulted in Wallace winning by half a length, Ritchie five yards back, third. Time, 2min. 49%secs.

Plighland Fling (for jvtyenilao under 13 years)— Gold medal, value. £1 Is, J. Stewart ; silver medal, valued 10/6, C. Lipscombe 2. Highland PHng (girls under 16 yrs)— Gold medal, value fl Is. S. Glennie 1 ; silver medal, value 10/6, B. Miller 2. •140 Yards Amateur Handicap—Gold medal, valued £2 2s, W. L. Gardiner (10 yds) 1 ; gold modal, valued £1 Ib, A. M. McDonald (Syds) 2; W. J. Wren (14yds) 3 Also started —T. R. Robertson (Byds), R. A. Keddell (12yds), H. Inder (22 yds), F. D. Marshall (25yds); Wren led the field into the straight, where Gardiner and Macdonald challenged. Gardiner 1 breasted the tape three yards ahead of McDonald, who just beat Wren for second money. Time, 53%secs. Cumberland Wrestling (youths under 18 years)—£2. G. Davidson, 1 ; £l. R. C. Frisby. 2. Anderson and Christie also competed. High Leap Handicap—£2, R. Cross (3in), sft lin., 1. H. Young (sin) and A. Henderson (sin) cleared 4ft 10% in. and divided second money, £l. Nine competed. Irish Jig (open)—£2, W. Burke 1. £l, J. Slattery, 2. Schools’ Relay Race (4 laps of about 506 yards each) —For teams from primary schools, composed of 4 boys under 14 years of age. Four gold medals valued 1 %gns. each and Pennant, to be held for the vear ; Marist Bros.' No. 1 team (J. Coakley, M. Gilooly, J. Carmody and 10. Morris) 1 ; 1 silver medals, valued 15s each. South School, 2 ; Central School. 3. Marist No. 2, Waikiwi and Clifton teams also competed. The winners established a good lead from the commencement and won easily. Half Mile Flat Handicap—£6, W. F. Trembath (scr), 1 : £3. R. Pedlar (60 yds) 2 ; £l, R. Kennedy (62yds) 3. Also entered : L. C. McLachlan (13yds), W. Taverner (35yds), G. McQueen (42yds), M J Forde (45 yds), W. Staples (45yds), R. Bissett (45yds), G. Brownlie (52yds), D. Stewart (55yd«), H. Holmes (55yds), H. McLeod (55yds), C. J de la Cour (55yds), J. Smith (65yds), W. Evans (65yds), “W. Rangford” (70 yds). -The limit men made the pace a cracker over the first part of the journey, and half-way from home Trembath had' still a lot of ground to make up. In the back stretch he commenced to mow down his field and entering the straight had the race at his command. Treinbath eventually won by five yards from Pedlar, the third man a few feet awav. Time, Imin. 58%secs. McLachlan did not finish. Cumberland Wrestling (open)—£3. M. Forde ; £l, J- Forde. F. and W. Forde also competed. Throwing Hammer (Scotch style) £2 F. Fordo. 1 ; £l, W. Forde. 2. M. and j"’ Forde also competed. Sailors' Hornpipe (open)— Gold medal valued 30/, H. Stewart, 1 ; silver medal valued 15s, S. Cavanagh, 2. 410 Yards Handicap—£4, R. Pedlar (4 svds) 1 ; 12. Ij - c - McLachlan (12 yds) 2 ; £l, S. C. Nash (45yds) 3. Also ran w, F. Trembath (scr), A. S. Peters (15) R. Kennedy (27), G, McQueen (33), C Dixon (40). W. Evans (10), C, J. de la Cour (42). H. Holmes (45). “W. Rangford” (50). Won by about live yards, Nash being overhauled by McLachlan a few yards from the tape. Time. 48-f>secs. Irish Jig (under 16 years)— Gold medal valued 30s, S. Glennie, 1 ; silver medal valued 10s, Master Stewart. 2. 220 Yards Elat Handicap—£4, E. D. Mcßae (Invercargill). 21yds, 1 ; £2, L. C. McLachlan (Dunedin), Syds, 2 ; £l, j Slinson, IGvds, J. Also started—H. s’. Strang (3). A. S. Peters (6), W. Baird (S), J. D. Forbes (12), R, Pedlar (16), S C. Nash (18), E. T. Smith (20), J. siiand (21), S. Aitken (21), J. Gilfedder (22), T. Martin (22). Thirty yards from home Mcßae looked an easy winner, but McLachlan came with a fine run and about caught him on the (ape. Won by a bare yard, two feet between second and third. Time, 21secs.