ATHLETICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1926, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. [nY Tl'XECIlAI’ir rEH PRESS association.] DUNEDIN, Dec. 30. Tho sports meeting of the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union concluded to-day. Light showers fell towards the end of the afternoon. Great interest centred in the running of the Sheffield Cup of £SO. The race was run in four heats, two semifinals and a final. M’Leiman, on two yards, won his heat in 12 3-osecs and tho semi-final in 12 l-osecs. flis chances of winning looked rosy. Hansen, of Oamaru, however, who was on 15yds, made Full use of his handicap in the final and M’Lennan did not get to 'him till about ten yards from the tape. Tn a great finish both men appeared to breast the tape together, and the judge gave the verdict to Hansen. The decision was freely discussed by those in a position to see. many maintaining that M’Lennan had won. There were numbers, however, who maintained that the judge's placing was quite correct. Pierson (Hokitika) was right up third and Grafton (Christchurch) fourth. , M’l -ennan won the 220yds championship from E. Cook (Invercargill) and .1. Harris (Oamaru) in 22 3-ssocs. There were only three' starters.

The one mile handicap was won by W. Archer (43yds), R. J. Escreet (40.vds) second. There were three other starters. "Won by fifteen yards. Time—4min 30 2-sseos.

In the 440yds handicap F,. Cartwright (7yds) won from Booth (12yds) and Macartney (101yds). Hen other starters. Time—s3secs. Tn the final of the half-mile cycling championship Mackie was first, M. J. Fitzgerald 2, and O’Shea 3. Wells also started. Time—lniin 22secs. A protest was entered by O’Shea against Fitzgerald for carrying him out at the bend into the straight. The protest was upheld and Fitzgerald was severely cautioned. It was decided to re-run the race later in the day. In the runoff only Wells and O’Shea started, and Wells won by inches. Time—lmin 19 3-ssecs. dn the one mile and a half cycle handicap E. Fitzgerald won easily from NT. Maokev and Palmer. Six started. Time—3min 34secs. F. Wells won the two mile championship from O’Shea and Mackie. Mackie ran into a pocket entering the straight and could not get clear. He entered a protest against O’Shea for crossing, but the protest was rtis"TW. Birch (180yds) and E. Fitzgerald (150vds) paced each other right from the field in the three mile handicap and made a. dead heat of it. They were fined £1 each by the referee for pot riding the race out.