WAIRIO SPORTS

Southland Times, Issue 20670, 17 December 1928, Page 13

WAIRIO SPORTS

FOURTH ANNUAL GATHERING. A SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE. Weather conditions were perfect on the occasion of the fourth annual sports of the Wairio Athletic Society which were held on the Wairio racecourse on Saturday. The attendance, unfortunately, was small, this being due to the fact that the miners were unable to attend, Saturday being a full working day at the mines. Nevertheless the small crowd present evinced considerable interest in the various events which, in the majority of cases, were well contested. The programme was gone through quickly and thanks are due to the efficient band of officials who capably controlled the sports. The tracks was in good order for the distance events although the grass was rather long in places, and very satisfactory performances were recorded. In the maiden handicap some good running was witnessed. A. G. Harrington who is at present in very good form, was successful in winning this event in the satisfactory time of 10 2-ssecs. He Was closely followed by A. B. Dixon who also displayed good form. The 75 yards handicap was productive of an interesting exhibition of sprinting, A. Forde completing the distance in 7 3-5 seconds with B. McDonald and G. Valli occupy ir- second and third places respectively. B. McDonald showed fast pace in the Sheffield Handicap 135 yards, but J. T. Skerrett proved a worthy opponent with the result that both competitors breasted the tape simultaneously. A. G. Harrington with a handicap of 7yds, occupied third place. Harrington was more successful in the 220 yards handicap, winning this event in the good time of 22 4-ssecs, his handicap being Byds. B. McDonald closely followed U PThe half mile handicap was won by J. Valli (17yds) who displayed nice form, winning tins event in 2mins. 7 4-ssecs. G. R. Forde was a close second. Going was slow in the mile handicap and probably the warmth of the day was responsible for this. An exciting finish was witnessed, however and within a few yards of the winning past, G. Forde challenged J. Valli who had been leading but Vain had a sufficient store of energy to withstand the challenge and breast the tape a yard ahead of Forde. R. Petrie’s performance in coming third was a praiseworthy effort. ! In addition to the high jump and putting I the shot, numerous ladies’ and men’s races j were run off. Several events for school I children were held during the afternoon, j Following are the results: Maiden Handicap, 100 Yards: First heat. I —G. Valli (scr) 1, A. B. Dixon (scrj 2. i Second heat.—A. G. Harrington (scr) 1, W. B. Mitchell (scr) 2. Final. —A. G. Harrington 1, A. B. Dixon 2, G. Valli 3. Time, 10 2-ssecs. 75 Yards Handicap:./ First heat.—W. Dixon (4yds) 1, J. T. Skerrett (scr) 2. ' Second heat.—H. Kitto (34yds) 1, A. B. ! Dixon (6yds) and G. Valli (64yds) 2 equal. Third heat.—A. Forde (64yds) 1, B. McDonald (6yds) 2. Final.—A. Forde 1, B. McDonald 2, G. Valli 3. Time, 7 3-ssecs. Sheffield Handicap, 135 Yards: First heat.—J. T.’ Skerrett (2yds) 1, W. Dixon (2yds) 2. Second heat.—B. McDonald (9 yds) 1, E. J. Taylor (10yds) 2. Third heat • —A. G. Harrington (7yds) 1, R. S. Harrington (3yds) 2. Final. —B. McDonald and J. T. Skerrett (dead hea«) 1, A. G. Harrington 3. Time, 13 3-ssecs. 220 Yards Handicap: A. G. Harrington (Byds) 1, B. McDonald ((14ydsJ 2, R. S. - Harrington (3yds) 3. Time, 22 4-ssecs. Half Mile Handicap: J. Valli (17yds) 1, . G. R. Forde (15yds) 2, T. Valli (40yds) 3. Time, 2mins. 7 4-ssecs. One Mile Handicap: J. Valli (scr) 1, G. Forde (10yds) 2, R. Petrie (3yds) 3. Time, 4mins. 53secs. High Jump: W. Dixon (scr), D. Forde (2in), H. Kitto (2in) dead heat 1. Height, 5 feet. Putting the Shot: G. Forde (3ft) 31ft 114 ins 1. J. Hogan (scr) 30ft 4ins 2, H. _ Kitto (3ft) 30ft 4ins 3. Hogan and Kitto tied for second place but in a deciding throw, Hogan gained the position. Single Ladies’ Race: Miss M. Hunt 1, Miss E. Grant 2. e Married Ladies’ Race: Mrs Honian 1, Mrs White 2. Married Men’s Race: J. Mitchell 1, R. Mortimer 2. Schoolboys Handicap: K. Clemicks 1, R. Petrie 2. e Schoolgirls’ Handicap: J. Excell 1, G. : Collie 2. Boys’ Race: W. Forde 1, J. Drew 2. Girls’ Race: J. Excell 1, G. Collie 2.