SOLDIERS' SPORTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 190, 1 May 1918, Page 7

SOLDIERS' SPORTS

FIELD DAY AT TRENTHAM CI MAN WINS CROSS-COUNTRY RACE Tho sports meeting of tho Thirlysevonth Reinforcements was begun yesterday morning soon after nino o'clock, in line, cloudy weather. Shortly after two o'clock the wind changed to tho south, bringing rain with it, which soon soaked- tho ground and made it necessary to abandon several events. The bulk of the events on the long programmo were got off, however, some of them being held in heavy rain. Later, in the afternoon the rain cleaved off, and tho final of the tug-of-war, tin exciting contest, was held. The onlookers included numbers of civilians, who viewed the sports from the shelter of thtj grandstand. following camp and Headquarters officers worn present: Major-General Sir Alfred Kobin, C.8., Colonel C. M. Gibbon, C.M.G., Colonel 11. R. Potter, C.M.G., Colonel Joltiifc, of the Australian Forces, Colonel C. R. Macdonald, 1.G.5., Major Griffin, and Major Smythn. The sports wore held undwtho direction of tho president of tho Sports Committee, Colonel C. It. Macdonald, Chief Infantry Instructor, the committeo consisting of Lieutenants P. O. Bridgman, V. Stocker, S. W. Pearn, P. M. Evans (hou. secretary), and T. H. M'Loan. (Hon. secretary). Tho Camp Band under Bandmaster Pox played during tho day. One of the biggest events on the programme, the cross-country race, was hold last Saturday, its tho number of competitors and the coarse required a speoiul timo and place. About 800 men paradott in tho bayonet-fighting grounds, and tho signal to start was given by the Cnmp Commandant. Tho course was across tho eastern parade grouud and along outside the racecourse to Wallacevill'p Road. There the riinmrs turned to the right, through native bush, and returned to tho starting-point by a routo which led them over rough country consisting of spurs of hills, drains, aud trenches. At the end pf the run the men of each company ontered separate areas which wero roped off. These were close J when tho timo limit of thirty minutes had elapsed. The first man to finish was Private Johnstoiij of C Company, a soldier who began his training in. tho Cl Camp at t'eaftwreton. \lc> ooxcfed ft\a tt-m\Y« course in JBi minutes. A Company won tho race, (il per (-out. of their men having iioished in t/'me. D Company vus second with 59 uer ceut., C Company third with 52 per cent., and B Company fourth with '48 per cent. Of all 'the .starters 55 per cent, finished in time, as against 17 per cent, in a similar race held by tho Thirty-sixth Reinforcements. Tho boxing contest for novices was held in the Y.M.C.A. Institute on Saturday night, and produced soiuo of the most interesting and exciting bouts ever seen in Trenthani Camp. General opinion .appeared -to bo that A Company had tlio test indminal Viglitas, tt\o\iglv, on. & i basis of aggregate points, 1) Company ! was first with A second and C tiircl i In tho purely sporting events on yesterday's programme, D Company won the most points, while in tho whole of the events C Company lead. ! Tho Chiugford Reinforcements dialI leiiffo Cup, presonted by Ifesir.s. C. W. Kattraj-, P. C. Neill, and S. D. Noil), of Dunedin, to bo won. by tho company gaining tho highest nggregato points at tile meeting, was won by C Company with 48 points; D Company camo next with 46 points, A Company third with 40 points, aad B fourth with 30 paints. The cup was presented to C Company, to be held until tho draft sails, by Her Excelilcney tha Countess ol Liverpool, at a concert given. l>y U\o camp tvaiiUw; etafl to tho Thirty-soveuth Reinforcements lasl night Following aro- tho results of the day's sport:— Platoon Drill.—C Company, 1; B Company, 2; A Company, 3. 100 Yards.-Privato A. W. G. Walker, D.Company, 1; Private S. Shaw, B Couipairy,.2; Private J. Ryan, A Company, 3. Sack! Race.—Private Hayman, D Company, 1; Private Hanuaiiii, D Company, 2. High Jump.—Privnto V. D. Reynolds, D Company (Ift. Gin.), 1; N. Keats, A Company, 2; C. Wightman, B Comuany, 3; 1 , . Ca.™> C Company, 4. , 44.0 Yards.—Corporal AY. E. Ilolmps, j> Company, 1; Privato J. Ryan, A Com pany, 2. Milo Walk-Private C. Wightman, B Company, 1; Private V. L. Jiiitler, A Company. 2. Half-mile.-Privato A. W. G. Walker, D Company, 1; Privato J, V. B. Lockhard, A Company, 2. Physical "'milling.—-C Company, 1; B Company, 2; D Company, 3. ■ Three-Legged Race.—Privates Caine and Wood, C Company, 1; Privates S. Sliaw land. H. G; Ucaoli, B 2. l\olay Eace.—l) Company, \; A. Com pany, 2; B Company, I). Tug-of-War.— D Company, I. Ono Mile—Private T. J. Jutißstou, C Company, 1 j Corporal 11. SpiiTH, A Company, 2; Private W. C: Lucas, A Com pany, 3. Cross-country Run.—A Company, 1 D Company, 2. . . Boxing for Novices.—Heavy-weight: Privato N. Richmond, A Company. Middle-weight: Privato J, V. B. Lockhart, A Company. Welter: Sergeant ;J. Alcross,, D Company, Privato J. M'Gibbon, A Company, and Privnto J.. Blvie, A Company, fought a stirring bout, which was not decided either way! Liitht-weight: iPrivate 3. 'M.'Cliiakey, I) Coimiauy. On an aggregate points basis the respeoVivi compauios 'voro placed in the followini order: D Coiiipazly, 1; A Company, 2 C Company, 3.