VISITING COMPETITORS PERFORM WELL AT MARTON SPORTS MEETING

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 November 1947, Page 2

VISITING COMPETITORS PERFORM WELL AT MARTON SPORTS MEETING

Feilding Taihape cyclists and runners “scooped the pool’' at the first sports meeting of the season held on Marton Park on Tuesday night under the auspices of the Marton Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. Visitors won every running and cycling event on the programme for men, and in some cases filled the minor placings. There were five Feilding competitors and four from Taihape. N. Rogers, the well-known Feilding cyclist, won both the half and one mile events and was up with the leaders in the two-mile race when he unfortunately crashed. Several cyclists came down in this event but no one was injured.

There was a fair attendance of the public, but it has been a lot better on previous occasions. The fields were

rather ’‘thin" in some events, but the presence of the visiting trackmen added to the interest of the meeting. Field events on a club night were introduced for the first time, and the club was well rewarded for this innovation. All three events were well supported, and although the standard was not high, competitors are expected to show vast improvement as the season progresses. During the boys’ 440yds. walk a demonstration walk of two circuits of the oval was given by D. McKay (Feilding), the West Coast title-hold-er. Results were:— Running Evente

Men’s 100yds.: M. Wilson (Taihape) 1, N. Pearce (Taihape) 2, D. Barr 3. Time llsec.

Men’s 220yds.: N. Pearce 1, W. Towler 2, D. Jackson 3. Time, 25 1-5 sec. Three-quarter mile flat: D. Bond (Taihape) 1, S. Robertson 2, D. Robertson 3. Time, 3min. 24sec. Field Events Long jump: C. Hunt, 17ft Bin. 1; M. Wilson, 17ft sin., 2; W. Kereama, 16ft 10in., 3. Shot putt: R. Fittler, 31ft 4in., 1; W. Kereama, 30ft 5Mn. 2; G. Waldron, 29ft Bin., 3. Hop, step and jump: W. Kereama, 37ft 6Mn., 1; C. Hunt, 36ft Biin., 2; C. Velvin 36ft., 3. Cycling Events Half-mile: N. Rogers (Feilding) 1; L. Simpson 2, J. Stitchburv 3. Time, lmin. 12sec. One mile: N. Rogers 1, L. Simpson 2, J. Stitchbury 3. Time, 2min. 37 2-5 sec.l Two miles: W. D. Holt (Feilding) 1, J. Stitchbury 2 J. Simpson 3. Time smin. 25sec. Women’s Events 50 yards: J. Cairncross 1, H. Griffin 2, N. Blackledge 3. Time, 7sec. 75 yards: H. Griffin 1, J. Cairncross 2, N. Blackledge 3, Relay: H. Griffin’s team 1, J. Cairncross’s team 2 B. Marsh’s team 3. Childrens’ Events Boys’ half-mile cycle: G. Ward 1, A. Watts 2, P. Waldron 3. Boys’ 440yds.: A. Foote 1, B. Hogan 2, B. Bennett 3. Girls’ 50yds.: B. Marsh 1, M. Hauseman 2, Nancy Kan 3. Boys’ 440yds. walk: B. Bennett 1, P .Kendrick 2 J. Mudgway 3. COUNTRY CRICKETERS TO PLAY TOWN NEXT WEEK No Rangitike! players were successful in gaining selection in the Country team to play Town in the annual cricket match at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, on December 5 and 6. The Rangitikei nominations were P. L. Marshall, D. McCarthy (Taihape), and M. Marshall (Porewa). Three Wanganui players, however, were chosen. The team announced yesterday by Mr A. M. Ongley is as follows:—J. A. Ongley (captain), C. McVicar W. Rainbird. R. Adcock (Manawatu), T. P. Reanev (Hawke’s Bay), H. B. Cave, D. Beard, E. K. Hunt (Wanganui), N. Autridge (Taranaki) G. Rowe (Wairarapa), G. Botting (Nelson); 12th man, F. Collis (Manawatu). The wicketkeeper is Botting. A notable omission is Meuli (Taranaki), who last season was included in the Auckland Plunket Shield team. He has been meeting with considerable success both with bat and ball in Taranaki this season. SOFTBALL DEMONSTRATIONS TO BE GIVEN IN MARTON Some 30 enthusiasts attended a meeting in Marton on Tuesday night with the object of fostering softball in the district. Present at the meeting was Miss S. Jones, from he Physical Welfare Department, Palmerston North, who gave the meeting details of equipment required and a few hints on the formation of an association in Marton and the inauguration of a local competition. The meeting which was convened by the Marton Sports Society, was presided over by its president, Mr E. V. Calkin. Before deciding to form a body to control the sport in Marton the meeting thought it advisable to secure the services of teams from other centres to give demonstrations on Marton Park some Sunday afternoon. Miss Jones endorsed the suggestion and offered to contact various clubs in Palmerston North, both men and women, with a view to their giving an exhibition in Marton and instructing local players. Appreciation was expressed of Miss Jones’ offer, which was accepted. The date for the appearance of the teams in Marton was left to her to arrange. The Sports Societv agreed to mark the diamond on Marton Park and organise the gathering. At a later date it is proposed to convene another meeting and decide whether a committee should be formed to control the game in Marton. It was stated that most Martonians had never seen the game played and were unable to decide whether to take to this new form of sport. They preferred to see an exhibition first before making a decision. It was prophesied that after the demonstrations many would agree that it was a highlv interesting and healthy nastime. It was stressed bv Miss Jones that the purpose of introducing softball into Marton was to gather in (hose who did not participate in any summer sport. If there was sufficient enthusiasm in Marton it was hoped 10 interest Kata, Hunterville and Bulls in soft hall and thereby inaugurate a competition similar to football. TODAY’S SHOP DAY All is in readiness for the shop day to be held in the Convent Schoolroom. Marlon, this afternoon from 2 to 5

p.m. Well-stocked stalls will be a feature of the fixture, which will nrovide an opportune occasion to select

pretty and useful Christmas gifts. Admission to the “shop" is free, but a small charge will be made for afternoon tea. The funds are in aid of St. Francis’ School. COMING ATTRACTIONS. Today (Thursday): General meeting of Marton Junior National Party in Parish Hall. Real music and action hit, “Don’t Fence Me In ” with Roy Rogers, and the associate feature, “Trouble Chasers,” with Billy Gilbert, showing at Civic Theatre. Shop day in Marton Convent schoolroom; stalls of all descriptions. Opening meeting of season for Bulls-Ohakea Sports Club on Bulls Recreation Ground. Sunday, November 30: South Makirikiri Pony Club rally on Mr. F. McLean’s property, commencing at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 2: Annual dance recital by pupils of Joyce Hayward School of Dancing in Marton Civic Theatre. Saturday, December 6: Grand gala day at the Marton Junction School grounds, in aid of School ground improvement funds.