Our Sports Summary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 9, 11 March 1925, Page 41

Our Sports Summary

. ATHLETICS. . At the-'Otago Provincial Championships ' held at the Caledonian grounds the other Saturday, J. Cameron s won the 3-mile and •T. McAllen was second in the 1-mile - walk. A. Brown won the l-mile cycle handicap. All three are members of the St. Patrick’s A.A. Club., CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ CRICKET CLUB, DUNEDIN; The 2nd grade team had no difficulty in defeating Albion on Saturday, the 28th ult. Toomey (25) and MoCarten (20) batting well; Brooks and .■ McCarten sharing the bowling honors. The bad wicket provided for the 3rd grade permitted of but poor cricket, but the Brothers’ team showed their superiority over Albion- 3rd to the score of 59 to 32. For the winners Toomey (15), Roughan (14), O’Connor (11), and Ryan (10) batted well. O'Connor (3 for 0), O’Neill (5 for 10), and ■ Cusack (2 for 8) bowled well. For Albion Holden 6 wickets and Duncan 4 were the only successful bowlers. None of the Albion players reached double figures; Silver being top scorer with 8. By defeating Carisbrook the 4th grade surpassed all expectations. This game was the most exciting one 'of the season, Christian Brothers’ just managing to better their opponents’ score by 2 runs. Rae (34), Paul (29), Sheehy (13), and Parsons (12) were the only batsmen to reach double figures; while Sheehy (3 for 20), Paul (5 for 34), and MoKewen (1 .for 28) were the most successful bowlers. DUNEDIN FOOTBALL CLUB. ANNUAL REPORT, 1925. In presenting the 54th annual report of the Dunedin Football Club, the committee have much pleasure in congratulating the members on ‘ the improved status of the club in the Rugby world, gained by their added interest in all club affairs and their keenness on the field. The active membership has increased from year to year during the past four years, and this numerical increase has strengthened the club both on the field and in its financial position. The recent very successful tour of the All Blacks has had the effect- of increasing Rugby football interest amongst all classes of the public throughout New Zealand, and the Dunedin Club, together with other clubs, can look forward during the coming season to increased public support. On comparison with 1923 season all teams showed distinct improvement in their various grades. The sth grade are to be congratulated on their winning the banner in the grade; their record:—Played 12, won* 11, lost 0; drawn' 1, points for 176, against 18; being a very fine one. This team also won two matches played with a Palmerston junior team; one match being played at Dunedin, and a return match at Palmerston. Mr. J. Bond, as coach, is deserving of all thanks from the members of the team -for the very active , interest he took in them During the year the club suffered severe losses by ;the.‘transfer of Mr. St. J. J. Dunne and Mr. .T O'Sullivan • fmm "rinno-Jiri "R.i+.Ti

of these gentlemen took an active interest in club affairs, and while being sorry to Jose them we wish them success in their new spheres.

The social side of the club has not been neglected during the past year. The several dances were well patronised and the final dance in particular, was a highly successful function. A smoke concert was also held and this proved a very enjoyable evening, representatives from the 0.R.F.U., Referees’ Association, and sister clubs being present. The annual picnic for junior members was again held at Company’s Bay, and favored by perfect weather, a record attendance of over 100 boys resulted. During the day, races were run off and the winners presented with prizes, kindly donated by several of the club supporters. It behoves all members to put the best foot forward at the commencement of the coming season and endeavor to advance their club still further up the football ladder in Dunedin. This can be done by the introduction of new members and by consistent training. The erection of proper arc lights by the Caledonian Society on the grounds, provides greater facilities in this direction. The thanks of the club are due to the many generous supporters who materially assisted with donations; to Mr. F. Carter for the use of office for meetings, to Mr. R. Maxwell (caretaker of the Caledonian ground), to the Referees’ Association, the 0.R.F.U., and the press. TIPS FOR THE RUNNING TRACK. (Concluded from last week.) Away back in pre-war days New Zealand athletic sports meetings were attended by the speediest performers in Australasia. Men like McLachlan, McManus, Morris, and Hourigan, put up some of their finest performances on New Zealand tracks, and these men were living examples of the value of massage. They were for ever searching their bodies for hard spots. Deft fingers would burrow into the firm, springy flesh imiil the hard spot was located and isolated. It would then be kneaded like dough till the uardness disappeared. Of course, they used oils and embrocations, but when men have been running for months upo~ all .kind of tracks and exposed to all kinds of weather they very often had to use artificial means to pat<h themselves -up quickly pro tern. And even when using the liniments they always insisted that the benefit was derived' from rubbing. The Shoe. The runner should always V very particular about his shoes. He should see that they fit him. His best plan is to have his shoes made to measure by a shoemaker who knows the requirements of the running track. Slop-made shoes are usually made of a material that stretches easily. Consequently, after a run or two they are useless. To give satisfaction the leather must be stretched before the shoe is made. It must fit very tightly on the foot, as there must be no slipping and sliding inside the shoe. It must be made so that it will fit

very tightly without giving pain, and the leather, though very thin and light, must no strong enough,, to withstand the strain put upon it by a strong runner in a sprint race. McLachlan used to say that a runner was a four-yards better man over a hundred in a well-made shoe- than -he was in one of indifferent make. The shoe should be fitted with six spikes, each -Jin in length. There are no heels, of course, to these shoes. For distance running (four-fortys, half-miles, and miles) the spikes should be much shorter. It is inadvisable to wait until a pair of shoes is worn out before ordering another. The better plan is to have the new pair broken in long before they are needed. The old professionals, while they were very careless about the condition of other parts of their running gear, were always scrupulously exact about the condition of their shoes. Sox should not he woman running shoes. A man always runs better if he can feel the grip of his spikes in the track.