ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 8

ATHLETICS

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS SOME OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES GIBBONS’ UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCES (Special to u Chronicle.’’) AUCKLAND, Feb. 12. Performances at the Dominion championships on Saturday reached a high plane, and Wanganui-Taranaki runners shared in making the meeting memorable. It was unfortunate that ,Broad should be disqualified after finishing second in the 120 yards hurdles, as he ran a fine race and had reserve strength to beat Shirley from the last hurdle to the tape. One of the finest performers was Newton, who finished second in the 440 yards and 880 yards championwhich attracted unusually large fields and were won in fast times, a characteristic of the meeting. The disqualification of Gibbons in the mile spoiled one of the most exciting races it would be possible to see. Gibbons carried more weight and height than the three miles champion, and ran with splendid determination, which was also possessed by Savidan. It is hard to say who would have won had the jostling not occurred. There was hardly anything between the two men, and either might have won, although the margin would certainly have been very close. The incident which caused the disqualification happened a few yards from the Press table, and from that point it was apparent that Savidan was deprived of any chance he had. Hurdling Artist A beautiful display was given by Lander in the 120 yards hurdles. He soared over the battens with an artistry of movement which left no surprises as to his time. He had a bad run in the. 440 yards hurdkts, which Garlick, the Auckland champion, won in the very fast time of 58 sec., which is the best performance by a New Zealander over 3ft. hurdles, and will be recognised as a Dominion record. Leadbetter has entered the ranks ci great sprinters by breaking evens for 100 vards, and, moreover, winning for the third time. He returned 10 1-5 sec. when he won the championship at AVanganui in 1925, 10 2-ssec. at Dunedin on a very heavy track, and now he has registered 9 4-ssee. He is 23 years old. The straight 220 yards course suited him. hut he was feeling the strain of the gruelling 10.0 yards, and registered 22 2-ssec. in comparison with his heat time of 22 sec. A Promising Runner Fleming, the Wellington champion, was moving faster than anyone ovei the final few wards, and must have gone to the front had the distance been a trifle longer. He is a fine discovery for Wellington, as later in the da»- he followed up his fourth in the hundred and second in the furlong bv annexing the classic 440 yards. The field in the quarter was a formidable one. and Fleming had to beat such cracks as Newton, Olsen and Garlick. L. C Williams was again second in the 100 yards to Leadbetter, being assisted greatly by a flying start. . He certainly lived up to his reputation, -supported by the opinion of Scholz, that he is the smartest beginner in New Zealand. . Miss Mantan proved indisputably her speed in the ladies ’ events. She is a small, golden-haired girl with an excellent track appearance. Miss East wood had to be content with third. RESULTS lOOyards Championship. —Leadbetter (Canterbury) 1. Williams (Auck land) 2, Elliott (Auckland) 3. Williams got a splendid start and had a break on the field at the 60 yards. From that point Leadbetter began to show up, running with beautifully free action and making up his ground rapidly. Williams began to tire, and Elliott drew up on him. The last burst saw the title-holder irresistible, and he won by a yard, six inches separating second and third. Fleming was a close fourth. Leadbetter’s time, 9 4-sscc., equalled the Australasian record. 220yds Championship.—Leadbetter (Canterbury) 1, Fleming (Wellington) 2, Elliott (Auckland) 3. A good start saw Williams leading the field, but it was not long before Leadbetter moved forward and showed the way. He increased the lead, but then Fleming made up much ground. However, he could not pass Leadbetter. who won by half a yard. Elliott was six inches away third. Time 22 3-ssec. 440 vds. Championship. —Fleming (Wellington, 1, Newton (WanganuiTaranaki) 2, Garlick (Auckland) o. Maitland and Gilmour (WanganuiTaranaki) were among the starters. McCoy made the early running. Fleming was in charge at 250 yds., and led into the straight from a bunched field. In the. dash to the tape Fleming won brilliantly by three yards from Newton, with Garlick third. Time 50sec., the best performance by a New Zealander. Half - mile Championship Olsen (Otago) 1. Newton (Wanganui-Tara-naki) 2, Allan (Wellington) 3. Gilmour (Wanganui-Taranaki) was also a starter. Won by two yards from New ton, Allan being a yard away third. Time, 1.59. One Mile Championship.—Savidan (Auckland) 1, Priestley (Wellington) 2. Also started: Gibbons (WanganuiTaranaki), Donovan (Auckland). This was a sensational race 1 . Donovan set out to make the pace and kept ahead for two laps. Savidan led over the third lap, when Donovan retired. It was evident that Gibbons and Savidan would fight out the finish. They tested each other all the way over the third lap. and Gibbons led into the fourth lap. Gibbons’ pace momentarily carried

him well clear of Savidan, but the latter challenged and drew abreast. Gibbons shook him off, only to be challenged again just before the straight was reached. Savidan now led over the last stretch, and thrill followed thrill. Fifteen yards from the tape the sensational happened. Savidan was inches to the good and very close to Gibbons, who was on the inside. The Wanganui champion accidentally collided with Savidan, and the Aucklander stumbled. He* was 10 yards from the tape, but he kept on his feet just long enough to pass the tape and then pitched forward. Gibbons won by nearly three yards, and was announced as the winner. The bumping was investigated by the referee, Mr li. AV. McVilly, who disqualified Gibbons and placed Savidan 'first and Priestley third. Gibbons’ time was 4.25.

120yds. Hurdles Championship.—Lander ( Otago( 1, Shirley (Auckland) 2. Broad (Wanganui-Taranaki), the only other starter, was disqualified for knocking down three hurdles. Lander gave a beautiful display of hurdling, and won by six yards from Broad, who beat .Shirley in the sprint to the tape. However, Shirley received second award. Time, 15 l-ssec. —equalling the Australian and New Zealand record.

440yds. Hurdles Champjienship. — Garlick (Auckland) 1, Vangioni 2, Nesdale (Auckland) 3. Broad (Wanganui) was the early leader, but he dropped back and Nesdale led to the turn, where Vangioni displaced him. Garlick then made a very strong challenge and dre*v away from the last fence to beat Vangioni by a yard. Nesdale was eight yards away, and inches in front of Darby. Time, 58secs. —a New Zealand record.

One Milo Walking Championship.— Cabot (Otago) 1, Lankcy (Wellington) 2. Clarkson (Auckland) was disqualified. Won by ten yards. Time, 6 n 39. 100yds. Ladies’ Championship.—Miss Mantan (Wellington) 1, Miss Swinburne (Wellington) 2, Miss Eastwood (Gisborne) 3. Won by a foot in the record time of 11 3-ssec., one-fifth better than the previous record. Pole Vault Championship—Batstonc (Canterbury), 10ft. Sin. 1; Sutherland (Wellington), 2. Throwing 161 b Hammer Championship.—Harvey (Wellington), 142 ft., 1; Hunt (AVanganui-Taranaki), 126 ft. 2. Only competitors. Running High Jump Championship.— Shirley (Auckland), sft. 9Jin., 1; Sutherland (Wellington), sft. Sin., 2; Kalaugher (Wellington), sft. 6in., 3. Running Hop, Step and Jump Championship.—Shirley (Auckland), 47ft. 4s in. (a New Zealand record), 1; Sutherland (Wellington), 45ft. 3in., 2; Kalaugher (Wellington), 44ft. 74in., 3. Throwing the Discus Championship. —Hunt (Wanganui-Taranaki), 119 ft. lin., 1; Sutherland (Wellington), 108 ft. 10|in., 2; Shirley (Auckland), 96ft. 104 in. 3.

Half-mile’ Cycle Championship. —Lamb (Victoria) 1, Grose (Canterbury) 2, Flett (Wellington) 3. In a wonderful finish the Victorian won by half a length. Time, 1.59. One Mile Cycle Championship.—Oakley (Wellington) 1, Byrnes (Auckland) 2, Douglas (Auckland) 3. Won uy inches. Time, 2.32 2-5.

Three Miles Cycle Championship.— Lamb (Victoria) 1, Oakley (Wellington) 2. Byrne's (Auckland) 3. AVon by a length. Time, 7.49 2-5. Final points scored for interprovincial trophies are as follows:—Championship Shield: Wellington 57, Auckland 35, Canterbury 20, Otago 15, Wan-ganui-Taranaki 15. Queensland Memorial Shield (for standards and records): Auckland and Wellington tied with 11 points each, the' shield going to Auckland, which secured most records.

In the three miles walking championship Lankey (Wellington), who finished first, was disqualified for lifting. Cabot (Otago) the title holder, left the track in the straight, evidently as a mark of protest at Lankey’s lifting. Although Cabot changed his mind ond going back on to the track, finished the race he dah broken the rules, and “no race” was declared.

ELECTRIC LIGHT MEETING COOK’S GARDENS DRAWS CROWDS RACING OF HIGH STANDARD An enjoyable electric light sports meeting was held’at Cook’s Gardens on Saturday evening under the auspices of the West Coast (N. 1. Centre of the New Zealand Athletic Association. The tnack was very fast and some good finishes Avere witnessed. A great deal of , interest was taken in the tug-of-war contest, in which Pirates defeated Kaierau in two straight pulls. The winning team displayed superior combination. During the evening la number of enjoyable selections were played by the Wanganui Garrison Band, under the baton of Mr J. Watson. Results: — Running Events 100 yards, under 16—First heat: Berryman 1, Windleburn 2, D&shfield 3. Second heat: Sommcrvillc 1, Briscoe 2, McPikc 3. Final—Sommerville 1, Briscoe 2, Berryman 3. Time 11 4-sscc. 220 yards handicap—Ball 11yd. 1, Weir 20yd. 2, Monigatti 17yd. 3. Time 23 l-ssec. 300 yards handicap (junior)—F. Weir 10yd. 1, B. Soloman 12yd. 2, H. Dustin 19yd. 3. Time 34 l-sscc. 440 yiards handicap —F. Ford 27yd. 1, W. R. Bradley 20yd. 2, J. Pawson 20yd. 3. Time 50 l-ssec. 880 yards handicap—B. Solomon 45yd. 1, F. McLean 40yd. 2, G. Moore 45yd. 3. Time Imin 59sec. One-mile handicap—Moore 125 yd. and Clarke 125 yd. equal 1, K. Johnson 60yd. 3. Time imin. 27 2-ssec. Cycle Events «• Half-mile handicap (open)—Anderson 25yd. 1, Wttkeley 10yd. 2, Moorehouse 40yd. 3. Time Imin. 2 4-ssec. Onc-mile boy£ under 16—Kenney 1, Alp 2, Dawson 3. Time 2min. 26sec. One mile second class handicap —N. Ross scr. 1, A. Fyfe 50yd. 2, M. Crotin 50yd. 3. Time 2min. 22 2-ssec. Three-mile handicap (open) —Wakeley 50yd. 1, Gave 50yd. 2, Bowyer 200 yd. 3. Time 6min. 54 l-ssec. Other Events 300 yards tyre race —Green 1, Dashfield 2, Myers 3. 400 yards tyre race—Myers 1, Green 2, Dashfield 3. Bandsmen’s race—C. Wright 1. Tug-of-war—Pir&tea defeated Kaierau in two straight pulls.