ATHLETES IN FORM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 4

ATHLETES IN FORM

WANGANUI CLUB MEETING FINE PERFORMANCES In spite of showery weather, there was a good attendance of spectators at the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club's twilight meeting on Cook's Gardens last evening. A full programme of running, field and cycling events were staged, and although the ground was in a heavy condition, times and performances were of a surprisingly high standard. The 120 yards senior resulted m a convincing win for J. Doyle, off the 84 yards handicap mark. He took the lead from veteran A. J. Darby early, and maintained a cracking pace to win by three yards in the good time of 12 seconds. Brandon, the backmarker, gave a glimpse of his old form by taking third place. A newcomer, I. McLean, won the junior sprint from G. Gifford Moore. Stockily built, McLean showed a surprising turn of speed and looks like being an acquisition to the club. The senior and junior 440yds. were highlights of the meeting. In the senior event, G. Hallam ran his best race of the season to win by five yards from P. Wallace, the West Coast champion. Off the 30yd. mark, he soon took the lead and was never caught. “Mick” Darby also ran a great race, and was only overhauled by Wallace in the home straight. The junior event resulted in a win for W. Hirdy, a first-year runner. He set the pace from the outset and finished a clear four yards ahead of T. Guthrie, with E. Lett, the backmarker, who ran strongly, a close third. The two mile senior was a repetition of last week’s 14 mile, with G. Bills just too good for K. Johnston. Bills caught the field at the end of the second lap, and Johnston was again the only runner to hold him in all but the sprint. Both the senior cycling events were won by M. Byrnes, who had J. Chalk and W. Pidwell beaten each time in the sprints. L. Gestro gained further laurels by winning the junior 14 mile. G. Seconi made an early break in the last lap and neariy got away with it, but Gestro was the fitter man in the finishing print and won comfortably. Some fine jumping performances were seen in the field events. M. Shewan showed that he is as good as ever, making a leap of 5 feet 3 inches in the senior high jump. Winning honours, however, went to a 15-year-old Technical College boy, E. Drummond, who cleared 5 feet 14 inches, to which w-as added a nine-inch handicap. The women’s high jump was also of a high standard, all the competitors being schoolgirls. Detailed results were:— Running. 100yds. Women. —Misses P. Holmes (8), 1; F. Adams (44), 2; A. Mahoney (8), 3. Time 12min. Isec. 100 yd«. Schoolboys.—J. Anderson (8), 1; R. Rusell (94), 2; G. Pye 3. Time, 12 l-ssec. 120yds. Senior. —J. Doyle (84), 1; A. J. Darby (9), 2; E. Brandon (54), 3. Time, 12sec. 120yds. Junior.—l. McLean, 1; T. Gifford Moore 2, E. Drummond 3. Two Miles Senior.—G. Bills (140)2; K. Johnston (17), 2; J. Carr (260), 3. Time, lOmin. 7sec. 440yds. Schoolboys.—G. Price 1, G. Pye 2, R. Ridgway 3. 440yds. Junior.—W. Hardy (30), 1; T. Guthrie (32), 2; E. Lett (12), 3. Time, 2min. 54 3-ssec. 440yds. Senior.—G. Hallam (30), 1; P. Wallace (8), 2; A. J. Darby (30), 3. Field Events. Hammer Throyv.—T. Price (85ft.). 141 ft. 3in., 1; R. Prince (79ft.), 135 ft.; S. Nolan (15ft.), 132 ft. 34in., 3. High Jump (senior).—E. Drummond (9in.l, sft, 104 in., 1; W. Stewart <Bin.), •sft. 9in., 2; M. Shewan (sin.), sft. Bin., 3. High Jump (women).—Miss F. Adams (7n.), 4ft. Un., 1; Miss M. Jannings (6in.), 4ft. 104 in., 2; Miss P. Holmes (4in.),, 4ft. 9in., 3. High Jump (schoolboys).—D. Cotton (T3in.), sft. 6in., 1; G. Price (16in.), sft. 34in., 2; K. Warrilow (13in.), sft. 2in„ 3. Cycling. A Grade, 14 Miles.—M. Byrnes (40yds.), 1; W. Pidwell (100), 2; J. Chalk (70), 3. Time, 3min. 421-ssec. B Grade, 14 Miles.—L. Gestro (180), 1; G. Seconi (18), 2; F. Clinton (230), 3. Time, 3min. 21 4-ssec. Three Mile (tandem paced).—M. Byrnes 1, J. Chalk 2, W. Pidwell 8. Time, 7min. 52 l-ssec.