AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 18 (Supplement)

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS CONDITIONS MAR MEETING NEW CHAMPIONS UNEARTHED (By “Nurmi”) The much-awaited Waikato championship meeting was held at Paeroa last Saturday under weather conditions suitable only for indoor sport. About two minutes before the first event was due to commence a strong drizzling rain came on and continued for 20 minutes. The officials decided to carry on and hope for the best, and it must go to the everlasting credit of officials and competitors that every event scheduled was duly run off. The three miles flat event, which was decided last, finished at 6.55 p.m. and there were still over 400 spectators on the ground, a tribute to the interest of the Paeroa public According to the gate takings, the attendance fell very little short of the thousand mark, and it may be assumed, therefore, that on a fine day the three-thousand mark would most l'kely have been passed.

Several New Champions The number of “present titleholders” retaining their crowns was remarkably few, partly because the holder did not defend his or her title, but more because some new star has arisen. The cycling events results were particularly surprising and all five titles changed hands. The cycling was conducted under almost impossible racing conditions and it says something for the cyclists when it is noted that only one of the best men declined his engagements.

Miss Bradley, Broad Jump Champion The unexpected success of Miss Mona Br»diey (Hamilton) in tha women’s broad jump championship is pleasing for three reasons. Firstly, local supporters will be delighted because she carried the black and golds to victory. Secondly, her winning jump was nearly a foot better than she had previously done in actual competition, and it was also better than the previous two champions’ figures. “Nurmi,” however, is pleased for a third reason, and that is the fact that Miss Bradley’s career in athletics commenced as a direct result of the “Hooker Cup” interhouse relay competition.

Paeroa Relay Victory One very bright spot, especially for the Paeroa spectators, came in the 4 x 110 yards junior inter-club relay when, in a thrilling finish, the Paeroa competitors snatched the victory by inches. The applause after this great race was almost deafening. Pitted against a Hamilton team of no mean calibre, the Paeroa quartette fully deserved the title.

Inter-club Banner Points The official banner results steward, Mr W. Rudraan, supplies the following interesting information:—ln the open competition the order was: Hamilton 85, Rotorua 20, Tauranga 20, Te Kuiti 10, Matamata 10, Morrinsville 6, Thames 5. Paeroa 4, Te Aroha 3, Whakatane 3, Te Awamutu 1, Taumarunui 1, Opotiki 0, Te Puke 0.

Junior and Women’s Banner The junior banner is now decided on the total for the junior and women’s events. It is interesting, however, to record them separately. In the junior section Hamilton led with 58 points (they scored in every event). Paeroa came second with 13, and then there were Te Aroha 11, Tauranga 6, Thames 6, Whaka-

tane 6, Opotiki 5, Morrinsville 2, Matamata 0, Rotorua 0, Te Awamutu 0, Taumarunui 0, Te Kuiti 0, Te Pukt 0. In the women’s section Morrinsville led with 32, Tauranga had 24, Hamilton 15, Paeroa 11, Thames 8, and nine clubs failed to score.

Cycling Banners’ Competition The junior cycling banner again changed hands, going this time to Paeroa with 10 points, Tauranga gaining 3, Te Puke 3 and Morrinsville 2. In the open cycling, Tauranga retained the banner with 12 points, Te Puke having 8, Matamata 5 and Morrinsville 2.

Champion Shield to Hamilton The Champion Shield, symbolic of inter-club supremacy over all championship events, resulted as follows: Hamilton A.A. and C.C. 158, Tauranga 65, Morrinsville 44, Paeroa 38, Rotorua 20, Thames 19, Matamata 15, Te Aroha 14, Te Puke 11, Te Kuiti 10, Whakatane 9, Opotiki 5, Te Awamutu 1, Taumarunui 1.

Broad Jump to Joyes While waiting to defend his 220 and 440 hurdles titles (which he did successfully), R. B. Joyes participated in the open broad jump, and duly

acquired his third title with a neat effort of 20ft Bin. Strangely enough, Hamilton also won the junior broad jump with P. W. Kelly’s 18ft 11 in, while Miss Bradley’s win earlier brought all three jumping title* to Hamilton. Most Thrilling Eventa There were three exceptionally exciting events. They were the 880 junior, in which W. Voysey (Ta Aroha) just topped off Ron Buckingham (Hamilton) after a wonderful battle down the long Paeroa straight; the three miles open, won by the new mile and three miles champion, W. J. Potter (Matamata), who beat B. Lodge (Tauranga) by inches in 16m 11s; and the junior relay, previously commented on.

The women’s section produced a new star in Miss J. Hart, of Morrinsville, who annexed the 75yds, 100yds and 220yds titles. Misses Hart, Greaves, Keatinge and Mrs Heeps later made no race of the women's relay. The future doings of Miss Hart individually, and the Morrinsville women’s relay team, will be followed with more than usual interest.