AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Wairarapa Age, 23 March 1925, Page 2

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

AUSTRALIANS’ RETURN VISIT PLEASANT DAY AT THE PARK The return visit of the Australian athletes to Masterton eventuated on Saturday in perfect weather. All other conditions were conducive to good athletics, and considering the lateness of the season the quality of the racing was exceptionally good, standard being equalled in four events and being lowered in a similar number The visitors enjoyed considerable success, and were popular with the attendance of 2000.

The meeting was under the contro: of the Wairarapa Sub-Centre and with the exception of a few minoi hitches, passed off very smoothly One unfortunate incident occurred in this direction, which resulted in Rose becoming confused regarding the lapping in the three miles, from which he retired. Three of the visitors appeared in a battle-worn condition, but all were reasonably fit and acquitted themselves creditably. Burness had the misfortune to be baulked by a falling cyclist, and fell,, injuring a shoulder. The abrasion proved serious enough to prevent further participation in the meeting, much to the disappointment of the crowd. Several prominent members of the Wellington contingent had also to forfeit their engagements, which robbed the shorter distances of considerable interest, but local runners responded well and fair-sized fields and liberal handicaps forced the visitors to doing their best which made interesting racing. The track was in perfect condition, as evidenced by the good times recorded, and was a credit to the Park custodian (Mr J. Horton) and his staff. For the first time for several seasons the public were well supplied with information per medium of the megaphone, Mr C. Parsonage, of Wellington, proving a valuable asset to the gathering with this instrument. The starting was in thu hands of Mr P. M. Velvin, who got through his duties with great credit, his dispatches being uniformly good. T!he big band of Officials organised by the enthusiastic secretary (Mr G. McKay) all contributed to the success of the gathering. The proceedings were considerably brightened up by the Municipal Silver Band, under Conductor Wyke. who offered their services gratis to the sub-centre. Among those present were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs O. N. C. Pragnell), Mr A. T. Davies (Pre. sident of the N.Z. Council, A.AA.), and Mr W. G. Waterson (President of the Wairarapa Sub-Cuatre). A Brilliant Sprinter. Parker endorsed all the good things said about him by brilliantly winning the first heat of the 100 yards over the last few strides by a foot from McEwen, though the latter prejudiced his chances by “breaking,” and was penalised a yard Grehan could not get wound up .in his heat and was a moderate third. Both heats equalled standard time. In the final, Parker and Grehan got away together, the former leading his mate at SO yards by two feet. At 75 yards the . Australasian champion was. flying, and he carried the ribbon away in even time'. Harrison (Wellington) came to grief in the first lap of the half mile cycle handicap which caused Burness to falter and upset, falling heavily. The Australian returned to the pavilion nursing a badly-skinned shoulder which forced his retirement for the rest of the day. Oakley, Baker, Chesterman and Flett contested the final. Entering the last lap, Flett got out on to the fence, giving Oakley a material advantage on the turn. Going down the back an unusual procedure on the part of the limit men severely handicapped the Wellington rider, who lost his position and rode last. Baker and Chesterman were leading and rode away from the line, letting Oakley through on the rails Profiting from the apparent gift, he made no error of the run home, winning by 1$ lengths. The Three Miles Fiasco. Enthusiasm on the part of the handicapper to force Rose to lower his Australasian record in the three miles flat saw the champion set an impossible task with the result that the race ended in a fiasco, Heifer completing the journey by himself. Hyde reserved himself for the mile, and only Rose (scr.) Heifer (400 yards) and Anderson (500 yards) faced the starter. Rose set out with determination to accomplish the task set him and covered the first mile in 4.38, and the two miles in 9.36. He overtook the limit man in the eighth lap, but in the tenth, through a misunderstanding with the lap steward, retired, leaving Hoffer to finish alone in 14 min 17 2-5 secs, 27 4-5 secs better than Rose’s new Australasian record established recently at Wanganui. Even had he not boon confused about the laps, ho would not have won, as Heifer held a half lap advantage over the ninth; and tenth laps, on which Rose made no impression. A Classical Furlong. Parker gave another glimpse of his brilliance in annexing the first heat of the 220 yards. He gathered the field at the turn, when his position looked uncertain, and finished, full of running with something in hand. In the second heat, R. Gully won by 8 yards from Grehan, who contented himself by beating Kyle (Wellington) for second place. Both heats were run in 22 1-5 secs. The final was thrilling. Parker rose into his stride perfectly and had the advantage of Grehan at the turn, but the record holder’s speed told its talc over tho last 50 yards, where he literally mowed tho loaders down to win by a yard in standard time. Parker beat Gully by a foot for second place. Flett, who was changing tho gear

on his machine, did not start in the mile cyclo, which was won comfortably by Baker. That rider also accounted for the two and three miles handicaps. Owing to the indisposition of Burness, the 1$ miles invitation pursuit race was converted into an ordinary handicap. Popular Local Win. Erie Gully registered an impressive performance in the 880 yards from 35 yards and to have won, the Australian ‘ Whyte, required to establish a new j Australasian record, Gully’s time being 1 min 56 4-5 sees. Whyte ran an excellent race and overtook his field i entering the last lap, but too much energy was expended in doing so and Gully, being fresher, forged ahead a furlong from home and won by eight , yards. McEachen ,after a great struggle, beat Whyte on the touch for i second place. Whyte’s time was 1 min ' 58 3-5 secs, 4-5 sees outside the N.Z. ; • record. Plucky Hyde. Rose was opposed by Hyde, Buck, ! Campbell and Heffcr in the mile which ■ ended in the two former having their , many battles over again. The limit men were not overtaken till the last • lap had been entered. Rose applied ; the pressure going down the back but the Victorian hung on. Going round the last bend Hyde made his effort, but it. collapsed to the counter of Rose, who outstrided his diminutive opponent and won by eight yards. The Victorian was loudly applauded for his plucky effort. Kyle an Easy Winner. • A moderate field opposed Kyle, N.Z. champion quarter-miler, in that distance, and the Hutt man won on the. ■ bit in 50 4-5. E. Gully and McEwen j fought out an interesting finish for' second place, the former gaining the i verdict. “Australia Will Be There.” i The relay race, Australia v. Waira- I rnpa, proved one of the events of the i day. Rose and Hyde ran the 880 ’ yards fer Wairarapa and Australia re- . speetively, and in a sensational sprint, j the Victorian got up to effect a simul- J i tancous exchange of the baton. Candy i I and Whyte conuqensed on terms, but ■ I the latter soon opened a. gap on the • local man and dispatched Grehan with ' a 10 yards advantage of R. Gully, who ’ ran the first 229 for Wairarapa. Gre- | han increased, his lead on the: journey, | and when Parker commenced’the final ’ furlong he had a 25 yards lend on i Eastwood. This he maintained to the s post, Australia winning the event in j four seconds over •standard time. i An interesting programme of field I events was shared by local. competi- j tors, who bettered the standard on three occasions. G. Harvey, after clearing lift in the pole vault, unsuccessfully attempted to break his N.Z. record. Detailed Results. 100 yards handicap, first heat.— L. C. Parker (Aust.) scr. 1, R. McEwen (Ms.), 10 yds 2, W. J. Candy (Ms.) 7 yds 3. Won by a foot Six starters. Time 10 1-5 secs. Second heat.—F. Williams (Ms.) 10 yds 1, R. Gully (Ms.) 5J yds 2, N. J. Grehan (Aust.) scr. 3. Six starters Won by halt-yard. Timo 10 1-5 secs. Final. Parker 1 Williams 2 Candy .. .. 3 Won by a yard. Time 10 secs. Half mile cycle handicap, first heat. : —T. Oakley (Ma) 10 yds 1, H. j Baker (Ms.) 45 yds 2. Time 66 secs. ■ Burness (Aus.) and 8. Harrison (Wa.) fell. Second heat.—C. Flett (Wn.) 10 i yds 1, N. Chesterman (Ms.) 35 yds 2. ■ Won by 7 lengths. Time 64 secs. j Final. Oakley s 1 > Chesterman 2 ] Baker 3 Won by 1J lengths. Time 63 1-5, I Three miles handicap.—Heffer (Ms.) j 400 yds 1. The only finisher. Also i started, R. A. Rose (Ms.) scr., C. An- I derson (Ms.) 500 yds. Timo 14.17 2-5. i High jump handicap.—B. Roberts i (Ms.) (2 inch) sft Bin 1, F. Perry i (Ms) (2 inch) sft 7in 2, W. Grantham ' (Ms) (1 inch) sft Sin 3. j 220 yards handicap, first heat.—L. I C. Parker (Aust.) scr 1, W. J. Candy (Ms.) 12 yds 2, J. Gallagher (Ms.) 17 i yds 3. Six starters. Won by half I yard. Time 22 1-5 secs. Second heat. ! —R. Gully (Ms.) 10 yds 1, N. J. Gre- i han (Aust.) scr. 2, W. Kyle (Wn.) 2 yds 3. Won by 2J yards Time 22 1-5 secs. Final. Grehan 1 Parker 2 Gully 3 Won by a yard. Time 22 secs. Long jump handicap.—R. A. McKenzie (Ms.) (scr.) 20ft 7in 1, W. Grantham (Ms.) (6in) 20ft 6in 2, F. Perry (Ms.) (scr.) 19ft Ilin 3. Bix competitors. ; • One mile cycle handicap,—H. Baker (Ms.) 100 yds 1, N. Chesterman (Ms.) 85 yds 2, T. Oakley (Ms.) scr. 3. Five starters. Won by three lengths. Time 2min 14 secs. 880 yards handicap.—E. Gully (Ms.) 35 yds 1, E. McEachen (Ms.) 35 yds 2, W. M. Whyte (Aust.) ser. 3. Seven starters. Won by eight yards. Timo 1.56 4-5 secs. Whyte’s time 1.58 3-5. Two miles cycle handicap.—H. Baker (Ms.) 170 yds 1, B. Oakley (Ms.) 210 yds 2, G. S. Bright (Wn.) 210 yds 3. Five starters. Won by two lengths. Timo 4.33.

Throwing the hammer.—W. Harvey (Ms.) scr. 135 ft 9m 1, G. Harvey (Ms.) Ssft 130 ft Sin 2, F. Perry (Ms.) 50ft. 112 ft .3.

One mile flat. —R. A. Rose (Ms.) scr., 1, G. R. Hyde (Aust.) ?«r, 2, B. Campbell (Ms.) 100 yds 3. Five starters. Won by eight yards. Time 4.25.

220 yards hurdles handicap.—B. A. McKenzie (Ms.) scr. 1, F. Perry (Ms.) 3 yds bhd 2, E. McEachen (Ms.) ser. 3. Five starters. Grantham fell. Won by five yards. Time 30 2-5 secs. 440 yards handicap.—W. Kyle (Wn.) scr. 1, E. Gully (Ms.) 22 yds 2, B. McEwen (Ms.) 30 yds 3. Seven starters. Won easily by 12 yards. Time 50 4-5 secs.

Pole vault handicap.—G. Harvey (Ms.) ser. lift 1, W. H. Roberts (Ms.) 14 inch 10ft Ilins 2.

Three miles cycle handicap.—H. Baker (Ms.) 250* yds 1, B. Oakley (Ms.) 300 yds 2, N. Chesterman (Ms.) 250yds 3. Six starters. Won by 2 lengths. Time 7.6 2-5. Hop, step and jump handicap.—F. Perrv (Ms.) scr. 43ft 1, W. Grantham (Ms?) 3ft 42ft 2in 2, R. A. McKenzie (Ms.) Ift. 41ft 2m 3. Medley relay, one mile. —Australia (Hyde 880, Whyte 440, Grehan 220, Parker 220) 1, Wairarapa (Bose, Candy, ft. Gully, Eastwood) 2. Won by 25 yards. Times: 880 yds 2.7; 440 yds 52 2-5 secs; Ist 220 yds 22 sees, 2nd 220 yds 22 4-5 secs; total: 3 min 44 1-5 see. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. On Saturday evening a most enjoyable dance was held in the Municipal Social Hall under the auspices of the sub-centre. A very large number of members and friends attended and gave the Australians a good time. The music was played by Messrs A. Jackson and L. Henry, Mr Kerr playing extras. The efforts of the ladies’ committee, comprising Mesdames Gibbs, Blake, Pickett, Grantham and helpers, was responsible for the provision of an excellent supper. Picnic at Wardell’s.

Two bus-loads and 7 or 8 car loads of people attended the picnic at Wardell’s including the visiting athletes and officials. Perfect weather enabled the picnickers to spend a merry day, swimming and games being the chief amusements..