ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19983, 28 October 1927, Page 4

ATHLETICS

PIRATE CLUB LAST EVENING’S SPORTS MEETING. GOOD CONDITIONS FAVOUR STARTERS. Nurtured by congenial weather during the day, the tracks at Cook’s Gardens last evening w’ere in the favour of competitors in the sports meeting held ‘by the Pirate Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. There was sufficient “spring” in the turf to assist runners perceptibly while the asphalt track was in excellent condition of the cyclists. Keen, competition was in evidence in every event, but unfortunately no times were taken. A feature of the evening was the increasingly large number of entrants, and the gathering was also witnessed by an extremely large assemblage of spectators. Results were:—

100 yards dash.—First heat: C. F. Maitland 1, Gard’ner 2, Ford 3. Second heat: A. Telfar 1, Guy Broad 2, Ward 3. Final; Telfar 1. Ford 2, Gardner 3.

In the final, the field got clear smartly. Approaching the tape, the issue was left in doubt until the last fewfeet when Telfar came up -with a determined dash for a good victory. Half-mile Cycle.—First heat: Beattie 1, Harper 2, Alp 3. Second heat: Olsen 1, Wakeley 2, Dustin 3. Third heat: N. Boss 1, Paul 2, Wall 3. Fourth heat: Fyfe 1, Ruff 2, Ford 3. Final: Beattie 1, N. Ross 2, JZirper 3. There was a strong field out in the deciding race. Along the back, Harper held a good lead. Entering the straight, Beattie and Ross challenged the leader and held too much for him in the final dash. There was a length between each of the placed riders. Boys’ 100 yards dash.—Lett J, M. Berry 2, T. Berry 3. 600 yards’ flat.—Newton 1, Solomon 2, Gudsell 3. There were many competitors in this race, in which a good finish was provided. Going down the back stretch, O. Maitland (limit man), Morgan, Gudsell, Pawson, Solomon and Newton (scratch) shone out from the bunched runners. At the southern end Pawson dropped out, and Morgan and Maitland found the pace too much. Entering the straight Newton took control and was never headed. Solomon hung on and finished second, four yards back. Gudsell was close up, third. Newton, ran a heady race and deserved his victory.

The form in evidence at the Thursday meetings since the commencement of the season will prove an excellent guide for the coming important events, commencing with, the evening meeting on Monday.

COMBINED CLUBS

ELECTRIC LIGHT MEETING. NEXT MONDAY’S FIXTURE. There is sure to be a large crowd of spectators at Cook’s Gardens at 8 p.m. next Alonday on the occasion of the first electric light meeting of the 1927-28 season, to be conducted under the auspices of the combined clubs in the Wanganui-Taranaki Centre. The number of enthusiasts present at the evening sports yesterday was evidence that Alonday’s will be a popular meeting. The number of first class cyclists and athletes on this Coast under the banner of the Wanganui-Taranaki Centre is steadily increasing. One has only to look at the work of Gilmour, Gibbons, Darby, Broad and others on the track at the last New Zealand championships to justify this statement. Adamson and Stenning, with 1‘ lited practice on grass, aiso acquitted themselves well. Another able athlete has recently settled in the district —“Terry” Vangioni, late of Alasterton. A first class quarter-miie hurdler, twice holder of the Wellington Championship and twice second in the New Zealand Championship, he should be a distinct acquistion. The meeting between Darby and he should be worth seeing. This year the Wanganui-Taranaki Centre and also the N.Z.A.A. Championships are being held extremely early— November 26 and December 9 and 10 respectively. This being so it is preferable that as many meetings as possible should be heJd before November 26. It is manifestly impossible for the men in the running for Championship honours to do themselves justice without plenty of racing. In this connection it is probably known that Air Andy Mercer, one of New Zealand’s most ’noted trainers, is now a resident of this city and has agreed to give what assistance he can to the Wanganui A.A. and C. Club. It is to be hoped that the Centre will endeavour to obtain his services to train and look after the team chosen for the New Zealand Championships. Wohid it not be advisable even to pick a probable team as early as possible so that, the best may be made of Afercer’s invaluable services. t It is hardly necessary to stress his qualifications for the post of trainer lor the Centre as they arc known all over the Dominion. C. H. Taylor, ex* New Zealand quarter and half-mile champion; A. E. Porritt, of this centre, and many others could bear witness to his skill and knowledge.