ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 279, 24 November 1937, Page 4

ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

TRACK, CYCLE, AND FIELD EVENTS Athletes from Wanganui travelled to Palmerston North on Saturday evening to compete at a jubilee meeting. In anticipation of the West Coast trials, to be held next month, competitors are commencing to speed up their training.

In the hack sprint on Thursdayevening E. Wallace won from the scratch mark. Although he is intending to take up distance running it is debatable whether this is the section of the sport to which he is best suited. The three Wallace boys are obviously not o‘ the same type. Pat last season impressed as a potential middle-dis-tance man; Jack goes well over the mile; Eddie is taking up the mile, but his showing as a sprinter would make it seem that he might do well over the shorter distance. It is admitted that m his sprints so far he has been matched against "hacks” —distance' men—but it would be worth while pitting him against quarter-milers to see how he fared.

G. Berryman added another victory to his list of successes in these meetings, when he won the 220yds. oft' 6yds. Coming into the straight it seemed that Burgess must catch Berryman, then leading the field, but tne new runner held his own, if he did not slightly increase his lead.

It was unfortunate in the mile that the handicapper misjudged the capabilities of the eventual winner. It was not until the last Jap that the field came up on Stewart to any appreciable extent, and until the gong he was holding his own. He won by approximately 70 yards.

The time was very slow. It can be assumed that, making allowances for the mark Stewart started from, t*ie scratch time would be in the vicinity of smin. 12sec. For the initial three laps the field did not hurry and it was not until the final 300yds. that J. Wallace stirred himself and gained anything on the leader.

G. Bills disappointed in his performance. It was thought that he had lost his old habit of going out too fast, but he reverted to his fault on Thursday. He ran the first lap at great pace, and when it came to the final stages he found the field going away from him. After the race he said that he was afraid he was "going off,” but the cause of his trouble was obviously the manner in which he set out.

On Saturday evening a large number of Wanganui competitors journeyed to Palmerston North to compete in the jubilee sports. A large number of spectators were present.

In the 100yds. L. Burgess (3yds.) and G. Berryman (syds.) founa the limit of 12 yards 100 great and were unable to get through. Although they ran into places in their respective heats they were unplaced in the final.

Berryman (13yds.) won the 220 yards in no uncertain manner. From his performance in the heat it appeared that Brandon must have a good show in the final, but he failed to hold his form and was unplaced. In the 220yds. considerable improvement was shown by D. Ralph, a firstyear runner, and a bright future as an athlete is predicted for him.

Burgess (scratch) found the limit of 45 yards too great in the quarter-mile, but finished strongly in third place. His time was slightly better than 52 seconds, and can be taken as a very fair effort.

In the 880yds. P. Dwyer, on 40yds., was virtual scratch man. The field was a big one, and his chances of getting through were slight. He made a good effort, however, but could not get through. Jn this event E. Wallace showed considerable improvement, and if he can retain his present form should be an asset to the club in future club contests.

With talent such is available in the Dominion it seems that the wearers of the fern-leaf at the Games must have a fair chance in the mile. Wooderson, the English chajnpion, will not be competing, and in his absence competition will be all the more keen. It is to be regretted that A. R. Wilson cannot be a candidate. He is said to be the Dominion's "unluckiest runner,” and it seems that this contention is bearing fruit this time. As a reinstated professional he is ineligible, and this ruling robs New Zealand’ of one of her best milers.

To-morrow evening running events will include a "hack” 120yds. sprint, 300yds. sprint, a half-mile and a halfmile walk. Forthcoming events of interest to members of the Wanganui Club are the Levin meeting on December 4 and the West Coast (N. 1. Olympic trials to be also held next month. The Marton Club will probably hold an open meeting before Christmas.

The trials for the Empire games candidates loom near, and everywhere prospective representatives are training earnestly in anticipation of performing before the selectors. A line on form in the south was given at Christchurch on Saturday when V. P. Boot won a mile in 4min. 22 3-ssec. C. H. Matthews also competed, his time being 4min. 26sec. It was stated in the report of the race that Matthews was not extended at any part of the race, and was considered as being not yet at the peak of his form. At the national championships held at Auckland this year W. Pullar defeated A. R. Wilson, of Wellington by a matter of inches, and won the mile in the vicinity of 4min. 15sec., a fraction outside the world grass track record claimed for the New Zealander, R. Rose. It is obvious that Matthews must improve considerably to be in the running against men of the calibre of Wilson and Pullar, but then again, it must be remembered that few dreamed that the mile title last season would be won in under 4min. 20sec. ’

It was unfortunate that C. Weller was not a competitor in the threemile open handicap. It was expected that he would be on the scratch mark with G. Bills, of Wanganui. Recently on the Wanganui Racecourse Bills defeated the national champion in no uncertain manner, and a further contest between the pair would have held considerable interest. Bills is to be congratulated on his performance on Saturday night in finishing second when conceding such liberal starts. It was feared that he might not fare so well after his showing on the previous Thursday evening, but after a mile had been covered his supporters had little to worry about. Cycling.

Last Thursday’s cycling events again provided excellent entertainment, the handicap event especially proving an excellent race with the result in doubt right to the finish. The front-markers strove valiantly to keep clear of the back-bunch, but were gathered just after the bell.

Pidwell rode a nicely-judged race to score narrowly from Dearsley, who was not too well placed at the start of the sprint, and who otherwise would have been very hard to head off. However, it is very pleasing to see Pidwell riding with his old dash, and if he pays proper attention to training he should have a successful season.

Dearsley is riding consistently, but as yet has not had enough track experience to work into a good position for the sprint. However, it is early in the season yet, and with his natural riding ability this boy should win his share.

As usual, Beswarick rode a good race, but had to be satisfied with only a minor placing. In each handicap race he has contested this season Walter has been third. Such consistency deserves a better reward, and a win for this rider would be well received.

The scratch race developed into a most unusual one. All went well until just coming into the straight with two laps to go, when Sullivan "jumped” and opened up a gap on the field. This was absolutely unexpected and completely "broke up” the field. As was only to be expected, Sullivan’s attempt to sprint two laps was too much and when he retired it looked any odds on Dearsley being a comfortable winner. However, he too faded out, and left Pidwell and Jeromson to fight out the finish, after they had appeared to be in a hopeless posit'on at the bell. The margin in favour of Pidwell was very small and Jeromsom appeared to be finishing the faster of the two, but as he has done on numerous other occasions he left his finishing "run” too late.

Sullivan is improving with every race, and on Thursday night his laps, as usual, were consistently good. Glen would be well advised to do plenty of sprint training, as he seems to just lack that little extra "kick.”

Chalk is not riding quite up to form at present, and doesn’t seem to be taking the sport quite as seriously as of yore. Perhaps he is taking things steadily until the more important meetings come along.

McCormick rode quite a fair race in the two miles handicap and looked likely to run into a place when he followed Sullivan through in the back straight, but he failed again at the finish. It is considered that he should do with more training.