AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1967, 26 January 1914, Page 6

AMATEUR ATHLETICS.

A GREAT STRUGGLE. FOR THE THREE-MILE RACE AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. By Toleimu>h-Presß iajoolaUon-OoDyrlrW (Rec. January 25, 5.5 p.m.) Melbourne, January 24. There was a, hot, dusty north wind blowing when the Australasian amateur track and field championships opened hero to-day. The fixture is being run by tho Victorian A..A.A., and is one of the most notable in tho history of tho series, because of tho presence of an American team, nnd because South Australia is represented for the first time at these great biennial games. The other States represented are: Queensland, Now South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria, while there is also a team from tho Dominion of New Zealand, where the Premiership Shield is held. Tho attendance to-day was good, numbering about 3000. Tho track was in excellent order. The Three Mile Championship aroused tho greatest enthusiasm of the day. It resolved itself into a great struggle between O'Neill (Victoria) and Beatson (New Zealand). After a mile had been covered these two drew level and ran practically abreast until the bell rang for the last lap. They were still level one liundr.ed yards from homo, Beatson, with a wonderful finish, winning by seven yards. Ho dropped exhausted after reaching the tapo._ J. A. Power (America) ran to his assistance and applied a. wet towel to Bcatson's head, and the champion soon recovered. On leaving tho ground ho was cheered to the echo. The Americans and New Zealanders were delighted with the track, Parker stating it to bo the equal of many in America and better than many „they had raced on. •On the .whole' the competitions were superb, frequently arousing enthusiasm such as is rarely seen in Melbourne. The New Zealanders and the Americans were accorded an ovation on appearing. One of the outstanding features was the half-mile, tho pace being a cracker throughout. Never previously had such a field of stars been seen in such an ovent, five of the runners being capable of beating 2uiin. Dormer was rather disappointing in that event. Ho admitted that he met better men. Keddell just-qualified for the sprint hurdles. '• He was nearly caught napping iii the third heat and beat B. A. Gray (Queensland) by inches only. Cashmail walked indifferently. Parker (America) won the sprint by eighteen inches. Burton led him to ninety yards, when Parker, by a remarkable, sprint, gained the verdict. Tho officials then called for cheers for Parker, who expressed surprise and gratification. Ho.stated that such a compliment was unheard of in America. Caughey, at the weight-putting, registered a new Victorian record. Tho visitors expressed delight with the day's contests, and with tho sportsmanship of the Australians, whether victorious or defeated. To-morrow tho visitors will be cntortained at a river picnic by the Victorian Association. Tho points to date aro: Victoria 3, New Zealand 1, New South Wales 1, and Queensland 1. RESULTS. The first day's results are as follow:— Milo Walking Championship. World's record, 6min. 25 l-ssec, by G. H. Goulding (Canada); Australasian, 6min. 27 2-ssec, by F. H. Creamer' (N.Z.). A. W. Pickard (N.S.W.) ; 1 W. Murray (Victoria) 2 Cox (Victoria) 3 Won by seven yards. Time, 6min. 45 3-ssee. 100 Yards Championship. World's record, 9 3-ssec, by Arthur F. Duffov, D. Kelly (U.S.A.), and D. F. Lippincotfc (Canada); Australasian, 9 4-ssec, by W. T. Macpherson (N.Z.) and J. H. Kempton (N.Z.). G. L. Parker (U.S.A.) 1 J. Burton (Victoria) 2 J. F. Bradley (N.S.W.) 3 Won by 18 inches. Time, 10 l-ssec. 830 Yards Championship. World's record, lminf 52£ sec, by J. E. Meredith (Sweden); Australasian, lrain. 56 3-10 sec., by R, H. Watson (Vic). R. H. Watson (Victoria) 1 A. F. Thorpo (N.S.W.) 2 D. Turnbull (Victoria) 3 Won by ten yards. Time, Itnin. 56iscc. Threo Miles Championship. World's record, llmin. 17 1-osec. (grass) and l'imin. 17 3-sscc. (cinders), by A. A. Shrubb (England). Australasian, 14min. 49scc, by W. F. Simpson (N.Z.). J. Beatson (N.Z.) 1 O'Neill (Victoria) 2 W. J. Hamilton (Queensland) 3 Won by seven yards. Time, lomin. 52 2-ssec. • . Running High Jump Handicap. World's record, 6ft. Tin., bv Geo. Horinn (U.S.A.); Australasian, 6ft. ' 1 3-16 in., by L. H. Kelly (N.Z.). L. H. Kelly (Victoria), 6ft. OJin.' 1 R. R, Tem'plcton (U.S.A.), sft. lljin. 2 J. Smith (N.S.W.), sft. llin 3 Putting 161b. Shot (7ft. circle). WorTd's recorcT, 51ft., by Ralph "Rose (U.S.A.); Australasian, 45ft. OJin., by E. R. Caughey (N.Z.). E. B. Caughey (U.S.A.). 43ft. s}in. 1 D. M'Grath (Queensland). 40ft. 6in. 2 W. J. O'Reilly (N.S.W.), 38ft. 7in. 3 Victorian Amateur Milo Cycling Championship. Mac Donald 1 Cross 2 Mitchell 3 Time, 2min. 21 3-ssec. G. P. Keddell (N.Z.) won his heat oT the 120 yds. hurdles in 15 9-10 sec., and thus qualified for the final. Ho also qualified for tho final or tho 440 yds. hurdles. OTACO CHAMPIONSHIPS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, January 24. Tho Otago provincial amateur athletic championship meeting was held this afternoon on tho Caledonian Grounds. The track was in excellent condition, and the races were keenly contested, and provided some good finishes. The banner was won by tho Pacific Club, "with" 24 points. Caversham Club came second with 22 points, and University third with 20. F.- M. Perkins won the cup awarded by Mr. F. Reid to the best ail-round athlete. The results aro: — 100 yds. Championship.—E, F. M. Perkins, 1; V. Barton, 2; N. Caddie, 3. Three others started. Perkins won easily. Time, 10 2-ssee. Half-mile Championship.—R. Swinney, 1; E. Bishop, 2; O. Crimp, 3. One other starter. Swinney won as he liked. Time, 2min.lssec. Three-mile Championship.—C. Frye, 1; D. Thompson, 2; L. Henderson, 3. Four other starters. Coming up tho straight, Fryc put on a fine spurt, and won by about 15yds. Time, 16min. 25sec. Broad Jump Championship.—G. 'Austin, 20ft. 4in., 1; P. L. Withers, 19ft. 10in., 2; J, Holmes, 19ft. 3in., 3. Four other competitors.