ATHLETICS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 45, 17 November 1926, Page 8

ATHLETICS

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Forthcoming Fixtures. , Lower Hutt, evening, November 22. Hawera, electric light, November 21. Wellington Club, November '27. Lower Hutt, January 1. Paraparaumu, January 1. County Clubs’ Championships, Daunevirke, January 1. Eketabuna, January 26. Mauriceville, January 29. A Promising Hurdler. Mr. Eric Dunbar is at present coaching C. F. Thompson, the well known Wellington sprinter, for the 120 yards hurdles. It is considered that Thompson, who is an ex-Wellington College boy, shows every prospect of becoming a first-class hurdler. The Gisborne Ladies, Much interest is being taken in the visit to Wellington this month of the Gisborne team of girls. Misses N. Eastwood, N. Wilson, C. Billing, and M. McDonald, have been selected to make the trip, and according to Mr. E. G. Guy, of the council of the N.Z.A.A.A., who has just returned from a visit to the East Coast districts, they have been splendidly coached. Their style, he says, equals, if it is not superior to, that of the Wellington girls. In relayracing they are expert, a feature of their performance in this branch of running being the method of exchanging the batons. This is the same as that adopted by the New York Amateur Athletic Club. “To me they seem to get away more smoothly than men's teams,” added Mr. Guy ’ “Their _ costume is very smart, the colours being red and white. Miss Eastwood, the Gisborne champion, is a very fine runner, and there are several other girls almost on a par with her. She must have an excellent chance of beating Misses Porter and Swinburne at the meeting in Wellington this month. The Gisborne girls have been training for some weeks now in view of the trip to Wellington. They are to compete at Hastings on the way to Wellington, and will probablv appear on the track at Napier on their way home to Gisborne. If the girls do well in Wellington, they will probably 7 be sent to contest the New Zealand championships at Auckland later in the season. Gisborne also has many fine young men, who promise to do exceedingly well as athletes andcyclists. Some ’ have already proved themselves. They are keen on training, big fields being out every night for practice. The Gisborne Chib is anxious to secure a visit from R. W. Lamb, the Australian cyclist, who is to visit New Zealand this season.” Relay Race.

It is understood that Misses Porter, Man t tan, Stevenson, and Swinburne will represent Wellington in the relay 7 race against Gisborne at the Basin Reserve on November 27 The Gisborne team (which includes Miss Eastwood, who won the New Zealand ladies’ hockey race of 100 vards at Gisborne, beating Miss Dawsori, at that time champion of New Zealand) is confident of success, and the Wellington girls will indeed have to look to their laurels. Although Miss Eastwood is the champion, she is very little superior to the other members of the team. She has to do her best from the scratch mark every time thev run. This event should prove to be one of the most interesting of the day. World’s Sprint Champion.

After 12 years, Australia has regained the professional sprint running championship of the world, through the agenev of Tim Banner (Nev. 7 South Wales), the 22-vear-old Australian and New Zealand champion, who won the 120 vards title nt Glasgow on September 4 from P. Chesters (Scotland), and R. Murray (also of Scotland), in 11 9-10 sec. He finished easily with two vards to spare. Patience has its reward- Fifteen years ago. as a lad of seven. Banner saw Tack DonMdsnn win

“Spike,”)

the world’s championship from Arthur Postle (Queensland) and Charlie Holway (U.S.A.) in a series of matches held on the Sydney Sports Ground. Donaldson inspired young Banner, who declared that one day he would try to emulate the “Blue Streak,” as Donaldson was then known. As a first step towards achieving world fame on the running track Banner won the Stawell Gift two years ago off the back mark of 5 yards. Oldtimers then declared that, at last, a runner had been unearthed who could justly claim to follow in the footsteps of Donaldson. Their opinion of Banner was more than justified in January this year, when the little New South Welshman won the 75 yards, 130 yards and 220 yards championships of Australia and New Zealand at Horsham (Victoria) in such convincing style, states an Australian writer. Stimulated by his success, Banner issued a challenge through “The Sporting Globe” to race anyone in the world for the sprint title. After waiting for some months without anyone accepting. Banner and Schultz decided to go to England, where they threw down the gauntlet. “The Sporting Chronicle” took up the matter enthusiastically, with the result that Mr. Albert Bird, the well-known sporting pro moter in Manchester, not only sponsored the Australians but staged the championship matches at Shawfield Park (Glasgow), last month, with the co-operation of the Clyde Football Club. Banner had to travel close on 25,000 miles to regain the title. Australia is justlv proud of him. His victory should act as a great stimulus to . foottunning in Australia. Talented Distance Runner. Mr. Ira G. Emery, honorary secretary of the South African Olympic Council and Amateur Athletic Association, is at present in Melbourne on a visit. Speaking of Olympic matters, he said that, while South Africa was short of first-class sprinters, they have discovered a talented distance runner in Jacobs, winner of the four and ten miles Transvaal championships and the South African championships at the same meeting last season. Prior to the 1 four miles of Transvaal he had not been heard of. Some little time before the meeting he made a call on the telephone to an official and inquired the record for the four mile event, and when informed stated, “Oh, I can beat that.” He entered and appeared on the day in bright running apparel of unorthodox cut and sand shoes, and ssked an official what he should do in the race. The champion, Richardson, was pointed out to him, and he was told to “run behind that man.” He carried out the advice literally, until only twelve or fifteen vards from the finishing line, and then he sprinted and won by a yard or two. He later won the ten-mil e from. Richardson, who had held the distance championships of both the Transvaal and South Africa for many years, and before the start made the statement that he would beat the champion by a foot, which he did. Subsequently be won the four and ten miles of South Africa, and the Union followers of the sport expect great things from, him when tested further. Jacobs is in the Pretorian constabulary, and most of his training is done on the roads of the country districts where he is stationed. 'Mr. Emerv is keen on British Empire contests being instituted, and announces that South Africa is anxious to see such meetings brought about, such to be held every fourth year, says an exchange. Stylish Hurdlers.

The brilliant performance of J. EHolmwood, of the Wairarapa High School, in the 120 yards hurdles at the inter-college meeting on Saturday last will not soon be forgotten. Chatting to the writer, a Wairarapa official expressed the opinion that G. McGregor, who was unfortunate enough to fall in his heat, was equally 7 as good as Holmwood. Both are stylists, and should i'o a loim wav in the game.