AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 15

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

REVIEW OF SEASON.

SAVIDAN AND BTJTIjER GAIN CUPS.

Last Satif-day marked the conclusion of the series of winter competitions that have been conducted by the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club, with a view of keeping the athletes in training for the summer season. A review of the sport would therefore not be out of place. Regarding the sprints, there has been At least one distinct find in A. E. Butler. Since first gaining prominence at the Henderson sports gathering in February, Butler has steadily improved, until last Saturday he competed off the scratch mark and added another brilliant success to his credit. By securing the most points for the season he also annexed the Points Cup, with 42f points. He always gives the impression that 100 yds events would suit him better, as he is always putting in great work over the last bit. When the summer season rolls round, and with the athletes competing, ha should gain more than his share of successes. H. S. Roper again demonstrated that he is a good winter runner, and he also should be to the fore next season. With all of his age, Alf. Clarke showed that he could still make the younger runners do their best. V. R. Walker only started on about three occasions, but ran with the luck against him. However, his turn will come, as he can sprint very fast. Another to show promise was J. Turnbull, who did not always push himself, and may be noticed in the sprint ion Labour Day. J. Savidan proved that he is still the best distance runner Auckland possesses, end it was a meritorious performance in gaining the Points Cup (steeplechase), as he started off scratch on every occasion. G. Kells ran rather disappointingly, but surprised by his good showing in the New Zealand cross-country championship, finishing seventh. Judged on this run, he has not lost any of his dash. Two young runners that show distance possibilities are J. Green and A. B. Browne, and when more experienced they should be capable of a great distance race. For a first year's competitor J. Cram put up a good performance in being runner-up to Savidan in the Points Cup, and there are successes ahead for this runner.

WHANGAREI SCHOOL'S STEEPLES. WHANGAMDL ttriday. The Whangaret High School senior and junior steeplechases were held yesterday, there being a large attendance of spectators. The junior event was fun over the same course as last year, which does not include the hill. At 3,10 p.m. the limit men of 190 entrants, K. Given, A. Lilley and A. Davies, got away. The first to cross the Stashing point were Rush (Sim), 1; Hollows, 2; Maitland, 3; McKenzie, 4; Clark, 5; P. Harrison, 6 and D. Brooks, 7. The winner'* time was 19m 15s. He won with ease. There were over 200 competitors in the senior event, over a 31-mlle course. Bees* ton crossed the line first, 350 yds ahead of the second runner. Wilson. Then followed Mullins, Birch, Hill, FuHer, Marshall. Bird, King and Porter.