TRACK AND FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 15

TRACK AND FIELD

ATHLETIC NEWS AND NOTES

[By Pistol.]

December 15.—Otago Amateur Cycling Club’s Sports, Caledonian Ground. Jm» ary (date to bo fixed).—Ladies’ Club Evening Meeting, Caledonian Ground. February 9.—Wellington Amateur Championships. February _ 9.—Canterbury Amateur Championships. February 22 and 23.—New Zealand Amateur Championships, at Wellington. REVIEW OF FIFTH MEET. A howling gale faced the runners at the Otago Amateur Athletic Centre’s fifth evening meeting last week, and as was only to be expected the times were not particularly fast. Even allowing for the heavy wind, the 100yds was a slow-run race, and at the present time there is a lack of sprinters of championship calibre in Dunedin. The Otago championships may bring to light one or two prospects, and according to all reports Bert Gedcles, the brilliant Invercargill sprinter, is showing fine form in training, and if he shapes anything like he did a year or two ago he’ will stand a very big chance of inclusion in the Otago team. In Dunedin itself, C. H. Duff is looked upon as being likely to be a contender for championship . honours in the sprints, but so far he has been something of a dark horse. Bastings and Macassey are another likely pair, but none of these have yet shown form that is up to championship standard. The trout ir. Dunedin seems to be that those taking part in the sprints do not specialise as they should, and while they may meet with a fair a nount' of succesi in handicap events, they will not achieve titular honours unless they realise the importance of specialisation. Many of the leading handicap sprinters are numbered among the starters in the middle-distance and oven field events, and while it is pleasing on occasions to see evidence of all-rounci ability, it cannot be too strongly stressed, however, that if athletes wish to achieve the highest honours at the sport they must specialise. No sensational performances were registered in the 100yds handicap last week, the field not being of a very classy nature, though eighteen runners faced the starter. Harry Lethaby, formerly one of Otago’s best-known athletes, who has been off the track for some years, met with his first success since resuming active operations, winning the 100yds handicap off 6yds in 11 l-ssec. Lethaby ran well in his heat against the wind, but could have done better in the final, and for a runner of his experience to glance around when nearing the tape was foolish. He was easing up at the finish, and with a fast finisher in the race he might have been beaten. Lethaby began well and waa soon into hia stride, put once he started to ease near the finish his form went to pieces. A. G. Hoi* is an improving sprinter, and after securing third place in his heat of the 100yds off 3yds he finished well in the final to take second place. Holt is very keen, and he is now developing a much better finish, but is still rather slow into his stride and wants to devote time to practice in starting. For one who is practically a novice, F. C. Andrews went a fair race off the Byds mark, and finished third in the final of the hundred. He is a good finisher, and with coaching should do well in sprint events. M. G. Valk went a good race in his heat of the 100yds handicap off the lyd mark, but the time was_ very slow. He was unable to get up in the final, in which he was unplaced. Valk is a good runner, but does not relish running in the face of a strong wind, lie went a very fair furlong in-the relay for Civil Service, which won the mile mteroliih event off scratch in the useful time, under the conditions prevailing, of 3miu 52sec. A member of the winning team was W. Farr, a recent acquisition, who promises to make a useful sprinter, more particularly over the furlong if ho is trained for it.

It is not so very long since tho writer advised B. G. Waller to try himself out over the quarter, and that there was some reason for this advice was shown when the Civil Service secretary won the 440yds handicap last week off 25yds. Walle- move a to the front after about 10yds had been covered, and he was not headed, staying on to win by 3yds. Waller was striding well along the back, thongh he was shortening a bit up the straight. The time was 54 4-ssec, but if Waller will train seriously for this distance he will register better time before the season is over._ He is a fast beginner, has a good stride, and only wants a little more form to he a very useful quarter-miler. One of the outstanding runners of the evening was C. J. Thompson, the ex-Christchurch athlete, who has come on very quickly. Already he looms forth as a contender for tho Otago 440yds title, for it is quite on the cards that L. O. M‘Lachlan will run the 880yds and one mile instead of the 140yds and 880yds Thompson ran two fine races over the quarter last week. Off scratch, he finished second in the 440yds handicap, and after M‘Lachlan had given his team a great start in the mile relay Thompson carried on the good work and put his team in front, overhauling the field at about < the 300ycls mark. Thompson was striding well, but it was only his determination that got him there in the 440yds handicap, and he must guard against climbing. It was noticeable in this race, but he went better in the relay. If Thompson improves as he has been doing he will have to be seriously considered for the Otago team should the race with Canterbury eventuate.

Another improving runner is W. Fraser, who aid well to secure third place in the 440yds handicap off 10yds. Fraser has been doing well in sprint (events so far this season, and considering that this was his first serious essay over 440yds, he ran quite a good race. He did not finish on, but if he trains for this distance he will bo ca’wble of a better finishing effort. Though he did not gain a place, a /unner who took my eye in the 440yds handicap was R. Wahlrich, a sixteen-year-old Pacific boy, who was off 30yds. Young Wahlrich did not get a good start, but onco he got into his stride ho moved along freely and was attending Wallet until halfway up the straight, when lack of training began

to assert itself. Wahlrich has a nice, long, loose stride, and if he does not overdo things should develop into a very sound middle-distance runner in a year or two. He must pay attention to his arm action, however, as he is inclined to drag them from the back. The fairest walker in the half-mile walk handicap was C. Holmes, the limit man, the other* being more or less doubtful in action. The winner was ID. S. Nicholson, a High School boy, who is holder of his school’s record for this event. He was off 60yds, and went a strong race, though he was lucky not to be called off during the second lap. Ho finished strongly and won by 3yds from C. Henry, who was off 75yds. Nicholson is a powerful walker, and it some old-timer, such as Mr Alex Bain, were to take him in hand, he would bo likely to develop into a walker out of the ordinary. _ Henry is improving, but ms style is still rather crude. He has the making of a good walker, and the same might be said of C. Birt, the Port road race winner, who was trying himself out in the walk. Reg. Cabot went well off the scratch mark for about 300yds, and then faded out. He should be in much better form by the time the championships are decided. Colin Nicholson is a very versatile athlete, and in addition to his prowess in field events he is a fair sort of sprinter. Last week ho added to his laurels by annexing the shot-putting handicap, his actual putt being 30ft 6iu. L. Stroud, the scratch man, waa second with tho host actual putt ■ of 31ft 7in., and if he would undertake to devote time to this event ho would better this mark considerably. Stroud’s brother won the Otago shot-putting championship a couple of seasons back. LADIES’ ATHLETICS. The most improved lady runner in Dunedin at tho present time is Miss J. Maxwell, who finished second off the scratch mark in the ladies’ 100yds handicap last week. Miss Maxwell lias a great finish, and if she would concern trate a little more on form, would take a lot of beating. Miss J. Welsh ran a good race in the 100yds handicap, which she won off Byds in 12 4-ssec against the wind. Miss Welsh began well and stayed ou to finish strongly. Miss N. Flynn, who was on Byds, ran quite a good race for third place, while Miss I. Maxwell ran well enough in her heat in which she deadheated for second place with her sister, Miss J Maxwell. She could not get up in the final, however. Among the long handicap girls are some keen enthusiasts, and even if they do not meet with a great deal of success, they derive much pleasure from the sport and a place now and again is at least some compensation for their eforts in training. The ladies are looking forward to the novelty relay at the cycling club’s meeting to-morrow, and this should certainly be productive of some amusement. Teams comprise three a cyclist, a runner, and a lady runner. The lady scores, however, for the prize is a handsome box of chocolates which goes to the lady member of tho winning team. AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND. A report from a sub-committee set up to consider certain matters in connection with the Australia y. New Zealand amateur championship meetings was discussed at the last meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. The committee recommended that there be instituted biennial championship meetings, Australia v. New Zealand, to be held alternately in Australia and New Zealand, the first of such meetings to bo held in Australia in 1930 The following championship events to be held: —looyds, 220yds, 440yds, 880yds,. one mile, three miles, one-mile walk, three-mile walk, 120yds hurdles (3ft Gin), pole vault, 440yds hurdles (3ft), running high pump, running broad jump, running hop-step-and-jump, putting tne 16lb shot, throwing the discus, throwing the 16lb hammer, throwing the javelin, decathlon, onemile medley relay. If it was desired that any events should be deleted, then they be the deletion of the decathlon and the one-mile and threemile walk. That the meeting be a two days’ meeting ; with extra time if the decathlon be included. The local association to have complete control over tho meeting in financial matters, bearing any loss, and receiving any profit. The association whose representatives gained the most firsts to be champions unti. the next meeting. Should the associations obtain an equal number of firsts, then the championship to be awarded to the one which had also obtained most seconds. If this does not decide, then the championship to be held equally. Neither association to be at liberty to start more than throe representatives in an event. Overseas competitors might compete subject to the consent of the two associations, but their placings (if any) could not count for points. Representatives of an association must be bona fide residents in the Commonwealth or the dominion they represented for three months immediately prior to the date of the meeting, except in the case of members who had left their dominion or Commonwealth for a specific purpose known to and approved of by the associations where they had resided. No entrance fees to bo charged. Meetings to be held between and including, the months of January and April. Postponements in case of bad weather to be loft in the hands of the local association. The championship shield at present known as the Australasian Championship to be awarded to the winning association, to hold untn defeated. The competition laws, as laid down in the handbook of the Amateu Athletic Union of Australia and New Zealand, dated 1926, to apply unless otherwise provided.—The council decided to adopt the report, and have it forwarded to the A.A.U. of Australia asking for an early discussion and reply. PROPOSED VISIT OF GERMANS. It is pleasing to note that the council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association intends making an effort to secure an extension to New Zealand of the visit to Victoria of the German champions, Dr Otto Peltzer and Oorts. Peltzer, at his best, is a marvellous half-miler and miler, and the day he beat Lowe in the English half mile championship a couple of seasons back he lowered the world’s record for the distance. Corts is a I fine sprinter, and as both are re- ' putedly splendid sportsmen they should | prove to he very popular in New Zea- ! land. The fact that there is a chance 'of W. M. 'Whyte also being brought acre-. -I'ri'i': ! stimulate a remarkable .. ’ of ’ r,' crest ill middle-dislam > i oi ,>! r. iv (to Victorian Olym.mi ; rcpim-iii.ii• -e is a gieut pciim - a land it will be remembered tliat lie proved / very popular on his previous {tour of Now Zealand; ’ New Zealand • has some first-class middle-distance and distance runners to stack against the pair, but unless Malcolm Leadbetter decides to emerge from his retirement

Corts will not met with a great deal of serious opposition, though sprinters such as A. J. Elliott and G. H. Jenkins have great possibilities. Jenkins is brilliant at times, but is rather inconsistent. Tho New Zealand A.A.A. can ill afford to let a chance like this go abegging, for if the boom is amateur athletics is to continue the introduction of famous runners from abroad is essential. CYCLING COMMENTS. W. J. Templeton secured an overdue win in the mile cycle handicap at last week’s meeting, the Pacific rider unloosing a determined sprint in the closing stages of tho race, which gave him the victory by a wheel in 2min 31sec. Templeton was off 80yds, and rode a soundly-judged race. He could occupy a better position on his machine with ' advantage to himself, for as things are he is inclined to veer about a bit on the track. C. Lucas is one of the most steadily improving and consistent riders in Dunedin. second place in the mile falling to his lot at last week’s meeting. Lucas made a big effort to get up with the field, and succeeded before the bell went, but the effort took just enough out of him to make it impossible tor him to withstand Templeton’s challenge up the straight. Conroy was off 120yds, and he rode a good race, showing further signs of his sprinting ability, which took him into third place. _lf ho would only endeavour to sustain it a little longer, he would provide the opposition with a much tougher proposition. J. C. Fogarty made a reappearance after his recent spell, but did not exert himself unduly in the mile, in which he finished just outside a place in his heat. Fogarty should have to bo reckoned with at the Cycling Club’s meeting to-morrow, however. Sid Bremford should not be long in striking form now. _ Off 20yds, last year’s Otago champion won tho first heat of the Cycling Club’s half-mile handicap in Imin 9 2-ssec, but ho was not placed in the final. Bremford is a solid rider, and when he strikes form there should be some interesting races between Fogarty and him. S. Hodge is a consistently successful rider over the shorter distances, and added another win to his credit by carrying off the Paul Cup half-mile last week. Hodge occupies a good position on his machine, and possesses sound racing judgment, while he Is able to sustain his sprint longer than most of our local riders. The ex-Christ-church ridei put in his final effort in the final about a furlong from home, and he stayed on well to win by a length. _ ' _ . A. Harris, who was on 60yds, is a useful rider, but he wants to endeavour to cultivate a little more dash up the straight. When challenged by Hodge in the half-mile event ho was unable to call upon any extra effort, and had to be content with second place. _ P. Fraser is going to be heard of in local cycling competition before he is much older. He has not been long astride a racing machine, but already he shows promise above the ordinary. Off 65vclfl lie was third in last week’s half-mile, and with a little more finish ho will be closer up. . W. Isaac, the enthusiastic High School boy, was well up in his heats, but failed to get there in the finals. He has been riding very well of late, but should not overdo things yet a while. ' A. L. Rosenbrock rode a fair race in his heat of tho mile, and had he made his final effort a little sooner he might have been even closer up. In the final he left it too late, and was beaten out of a place. Cooper qualified for the final, but did not show form that was anything to enthuse over. He may do better as tho season progresses, but, as I have previously pointed out, he is not riding with the clash he showed last season. TITLES OR NOT? A few seasons ago, when the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association was very anxious to spread the cloak of amateurism over the country districts, it allotted to those country clubs which sought them, Canterbury championships in both running and cycling oyer distances other than standard distances. The idea waa that races to which titles were attached would attract the best of the competitors, and add to the importance of the meetings (says “ Sprinter ” in the Christchurch 1 Sun ’). Amberley and Waikari sports are the only meetings which now feature these events, and tho running races arc over 75yds and 120yds. Both these events have provided some good races, but the centre has now shorn them of their titles, and it has acted unwisely in doing this just at the time when there are at least half a dozen sprinters in the province with thoughts of grabbing the honours relinquished by Malcolm Leadbetter. With this state of affairs, the more titles that are floating around the better, for. although nobody will pretend that either the 75yds or the 120yds championship is of the same importance as the 100yds and the 220yds, the fact remains that they were titles, and the winning of one of them would give an incentive to carry on _to a man who has failed in the standard distances- Moreover, for men who could not strike form, or who wore unlucky in the standard races, there would 'be these “ odd distance ” titles to help them retain self-confi-dence. And with half a dozen or so sprinters on about a par, the bolding of four titles by four different men would be a wonderful aid to the creation of healthy rivalry. Scratch races should be increased in number, but depriving the two events mentioned of championship importance is likely to decrease the number, for some runners who would enter for those comparatively expensive races if there wore a chance of collecting a title, can hardly be expected to worry about a scratch race when tTie-o are good handicaps to be won. TO-MORROW’S MEET. Splendid entries have been received for the Otago Amateur Cycling Club’s meeting to-morrow, the cycling and running events alike being well patronised. The quarter-mile handicap should provide a great race with Fogarty, James, Hodge, Bremford, Rosenbrock, Lucas, Traill, and Farmer among the back-markers to make tilings interesting. Fogarty should bo hard_ to beat in the mile 'A grade event, in which the limit is 90yds, but Hodge, Bremford, Roserbrock. Lucas, yud Traill should all rid" wc;l. ami I'aiaiicr I;;.,-, been d"i'!" well I'" mv:l ai - a •I'j ,■ „ ,j..'■i■ <m: i : ■ - i >” V ,•' ( ■ 11 ' ,; ’; < ; ; :' " -■ is i' l -.'IV I H ‘ task in being asked to give awry 410yds. If he should succeed he will have proved himself to be even beyond expectations. Among the middlemarkers Smith, Conroy, and Fraser should ride well, but the limit men are bound to take some catching.

The B grade events should all be worth watching, and so far as the running programme is concerned, rne of the most interesting events will be the mile, which will be contested by a good field, the scratch men being M'Lnchlan, Morris, Barnes, and Wood. With tho exception of M'Lachlan all the back-markers are tried nilers, ami it will be interesting to bserve bow the middle-distancer gets on in opposition to tho others. There are some good men further out, but most interest will be centred on the doings of this quartet, and in the quarter another good race should bo witnessed M'Lachlan is on scratch, and giving away starts up to 45yds. Tho limit man is R. Wahrlich, who may give the field a bit of trouble if ho shapes as well as he did last week, and can finish a little more strongly. Tho mile walk lias drawn the biggest field for some time, and altogether a most enjoyable meeting should result. JOTTINGS. Roger Lander five times New Zealand 120yds hurdles champion, and well known in Otago athletic circles, has resumed training, and he should again bo well ti the fore at the New Zealand He is a sure pouitgetter for Wellington, and if ho can win the national title again ; he will have put up a remarkable achievement. So far. little has been seen of Otago’s star hurdler, C, L Taplcy, who was second to Lander in the New Zealand 120vds hurdles championship last season, but it is hoped he will shortly be getting down to solid preparation in view of the Otago Championships. Last season be showed much promise, and if he shows the same improvement this season as lie did last year, he should bo well to the fore when the Otago team is' being selected. The only event in which Laclue M'Lachlan competed last week was the relay, and he wont a fine race over the half-mile distance, suggesting that he is gradually approaching his best form. It is bin Intention to compete at one or two meetings in Canterbury over the Christmas holidays in order that he may keep in form for the Otago championships, which will bo held about n month later.

Another Morgan is likely to loom large in University athletics before very long, and it is interesting to note that he is a brother cf H. D. Morgan and R. O. Morgan, two Otago athletes, both of whom held New Zealand championship titles on the track—R. C. Morgan, the 220yds champion in 1925, when ho dead-healed with L. A. Tracy and H. D. Morgan (Now Zealand University star), 440yds hurdles champion in 1926. The one referred to is Owen Morgan, formerly a Hamilton High School boy, who won tho 100yds University handicap off at the Varsity Club’s first meeting in Auckland recently. Young Morgan’s time was 10 3-osec. He beat Jackson Scholz at Hamilton early in tho latter's tour. Morgan was then attending school, and running in the 100yds handicap off 6yds he won in lOsec, Scholz finishing second _ oil tho hack mark. Young Morgan is also a good jumper, and while attending school did over 21 feet in tho long jump and over 43 feet in tho hop, step, and jump—a promising member of a great athletic family. A. H. Malcolm, Otago University athletic ace, and holder of the Otag high jump title, met with considerable success at the Canterbury Country Club’s championships last_ Saturday, winning the 120yds hurdles in 16 3-sscc and tho 440yds in 55scc. Tho 410yds hurdles ho won in the slow time of 69sec, but ho had no opposition, Malcolm is a very promising hurdler. The New Zealand Council has approved of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre’s dates of February 22 and 23 for tho New Zealand track and field championships. Tho Coaching Committee of the Otago centre will have little opportunity of doing much before Christmas, but after the holidays, and with the approach of tho championships, some good work should be possible. Once tho Otago team is selected tho committee should bo able to do its share in supervising the training of ihoso selected to represent the province at Wellington. In a 220yds handicap at Auckland recently, A. J. Elliott, star Auckland sprinter, who was third in both sprints at the last New Zealand amateur championships, won the event brilliantly by IJyds in 23sec. _ At the same meeting, J. W. Savidan, New Zealand mile, three mile, and crosscountry champion, finished third off scratch in the naif-mile handicap, 15yds back, the winner’s time off 35yds being 2min 1 l-ssec.

Looking fit and well, B. R. M'Kernan, one of the stalwarts of tho Civil Service Club, returned from a writ to Melbourne last week, where ho had the pleasure of renewing acquaintance with the former Anglican Club enthusiast, George Luckhnrst, who wishes to be kindly remembered to all Iris old Dunedin friends. George was best known to the outside public as a champion with tho megaphone, but in an administrative capacity he did a great deal of work’ on holm If of tho sport here.

Last night marked the last evening meeting of the present year, and tomorrow’s fixture will be tho last meeting to be held before Christmas. _ It is to be hoped that little time will be wasted on resuming activities after the Now Year, for it cannot bo denied that these evening meetings are giving the sport a groat fillip, and introducing many new runners to the sport. It is lime now that one or two oi tho chibs took a hand. So far nearly all tho evening mootings have been staged by the centre, and it would bo a pity to think that the club spirit was dead during the summer. Civil Service, Pacific, Caversham, Anglican, ami ’Varsity Clubs should ail ho capable of staging a meeting during the next couple of mouths. The Taieri Amateur Athletic Chib and the Otago Amateur Cycling Club are the only dubs outside tho centre which have put on meetings, and the latter _ is certainly to be congratulated on being possessed of such energetic and enthusiastic officers. Usually the entries for the field events at sports meetings in Wellington are not large. There are a few who compete always, but only a few. Primarily with the object of encouraging more athletes to join in in this section of the sport, the Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., arranged a field events and relay meeting at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon for club members. It was in the nature of a training mooting; there were no entry foes and no trophies wore awarded (says tho ‘ Post'). The town chibs were well represented in the various -Mr 1 , predib il ■'Hie,' ;■" d c.m- , :■ . i .ci.. u that some aI - iciiiiun uad hour given to • training, t ndoubtedly the meeting was a success, but it , would have been more so had it been possible to have the services of a few more of the old champions to pass on their knowledge to the younger athletes, in practically all the field