SPORTS AT TURUA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4376, 10 February 1922, Page 3

SPORTS AT TURUA.

HAURAKI PLAINS. CLUB, A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The Hauraki Plains Athletic and Sports Club held its second annual sports gathering at Turua yesterday. The recreation ground had been specially prepared by energetic working bees, and to those great credit is due for converting the rough ground, covered with rushes, thistles, and weeds, into comparatively good running tracks. The day was an ideal one for an outdoor gathering such as this, and between 700 and 800 attended. The grounds have a distinct .asset in a large'dump of trees, which was taken full advantage of as a retreat from the scorching sun. The greater portion of the crowd, however, was gathered round the chopping ring and the running tracks, to witness the many spirited contests between athletes who’ hailed from the Hauraki Plains, Thames Valley, Paeroa, Thames, and Auckland. The entries, in most events were large and the prize money good. One of the best performances of the day was put up by A. Morrisey in the mile handicap. From.a start of only 20yds arid with only the scratch man behind him, this young runner (he is only a school boy) ran a great race and finished strongly with about 15 yards to spare.

The Hauraki Plains Chop, which carried with it a first prize of £2O, drew 21 entries, and was won by J. O’Sullivan after a very exciting com test in the final. In this event A. L. Fisher commenced a few seconds before the word go, but he did not appear to be doing his best, as no doubt he was aware that had he been placed his break at the start would have led to his disqualification. In the Maiden Chop a protest was lodged against H. Johansen, who was placed second in the final. The contention was that Johansen had won a similar event at Kerepeehi, but jrihansen contended that it was not a registered meeting and therefore he was eligible for the maiden chop at a registered gathering. The protest was referred to the Northern Athletic Union. Another protest was made against the second and third men in the 880 yards handicap, the allegation being that these men ran inside the pegs which marked the course. The matter was later amici ably settled between the competitors. The refreshment booth on the grounds was well patronised and should prove to be a good asset to the club. Mr Davis was in charge, and quite an army of ladies' were kept continually occupied tending to the numerous wants of the hungry and thirsty. The ladies who helped were Mesdames McLean, Jensen, Elvin, Davis, Gray, Millar, White, Ansford, Horrox, Porteous, Gopdsell, and Miss Reeve. A couple of side-shows attracted a fair ampunt of attention. With regard to the chopping events, the club’s thanks are due to Mr L. Bagnall? of Kerepeehi, for the generous donation of blocks, which were of splendid quality. The gate takings amounted to £22 0s 6d, which amount exceeds that taken last year. ' ■ THE CHOPPING.

Maiden Handicap Chop (15in blocks).—First heat: G. Johnasen (26secs) 1, H. Johansen (23secs) 2, GEgan (26secs) 3. Won easily. Time Imin 26secs. Stecond heat: S. Trotter (26secs) 1, Amps Fisher (23secs) 2, F. Burkhart (26secs) 3. Time 2min 4secs. Final: G. Johansen 1, H. Johani sen 2, G. Egan 3. Time Imin 24secS.

Hauraki Plains Chop, first prize £2O (18in standing, block). —First heat: J. O'Sullivan (12secs) 1, W. Herkt (35secs) 2, F. Patterson (32secs) 3. Time 2min 2secs. Second heat: T. W. Collins (35secs) 1, A- McCormick (30secs) 2, A. L. Fisher (8secs) 3. Time 2min 15%secs. Final: J. O’Sullivan 1, W. Herkt 2, T. W. Collins 3. An exceptionally close finish. Time 2min 2 3-ssecs. Underhand drop (15in blocks). R. Angel (17secs) 1, A. L. Fisher (3secs) 2. W, Herkt (23secs) 3. A very exciting finish, the second and third blocks being cut through almost sii multaneously. Time Imin Isec. THE RUNNING EVENTS.

120yds Maiden Race.—J. Thrupp 1, W. Nash 2, E. Green 3.

120yds Hurdles. —L. Clotworthy (syds bhd) 1, A. P. Ingley (12yds bhd) 2, J. Maloney (10yds bhd) 3. A close finish; won by inches. Time 18secs. 100yds Handicap.—First heat: M. McAneny (2yds) 1, R. Morrison (6yds, 2, J. Gavin (Byds) 3. Time llsecs. Second heat: J. Maloney (Syds) 1, PGavin (6yds) 2, G. McCowatt (Byds) •3. Time llsecs. Final: J. Maloney I, M. McAneny 2, R. Morrison 3. Time 10 2-ssecs. 220 yds Handi cap.— A- McMill a n (20yds) 1, G. McCowatt (14yds) 2, I. J. ifowers (18yds) 3. Time 24 3-ssecs. Hop, Step, and Jump.—J. W. Campbell 39ft 2%in 1, M. McAneny 39ft 2, T. O’Carroll 38ft 9in 3. Single Ladies’ Race, 75yds.—Miss D. Candy 1, Miss Mi O’Connell 2, Miss K. Millar 3. 440yds Handicap. A.. McMillan (40-, yds) 1, P. Gavin (20yds) 2, R. Morrison (24yds) 3. Time 51secs. 880yds Handicap—J. Dr ago vi ch (20yds) 1, N.. Nesdale (20yds) 2, A. Morrisey (10yds) 3. Dragovicfi began to draw away from the field about 200yds from home, and with a strong finish won comfortably by 10 yards. Time 2min 3secs. Married Ladies’ Race.—Mrs L. James 1, Mrs P. Burtelspn 2, Mrs A. Wallace 3. Returned Soldiers’ Race, 100yds.— R. B. Penlington 1, M. McAneny 2. Schoolgirls’ Race, Plains Championship, 100yds.—Ruth Porte'ous 1, Edna Candy 2, Violet Treadaway 3. Putting the Shot,—T. O’Carroll 40ft 4in 1, J. Dragovich 39ft 9in 2, Adams 39ft 6in 3. Schoolboys’ Race, Plains Champion-i ship..—M. Madgwick 1, J. Vercoe 2, H. Young 3. One Mile Handicap.'—A Morrissey (20yds) 1, N. Nesdale (40yds) 2, D. Rumble (90yds) 3. 'The limit men held their own till half the distance had been covered, when the scratch

man began to catch the field, but it was not long before the latter dropped back agaim In the last lap Morrissey was seen making his way from the ruck, and about 220yds from home had only two men to pass. These he accounted for in the next 50yds, and wi*h a clear run home finished strongly about 15yds from Nesdale. Time 4min 37 li-ssecs. Long Jump.—T. O’Carroll 17ft 3in 1. 1. J. Towers 16ft Ilin 2. J. Gavin 16ft Bin 3. \ Obstacle Race. —V. B. Murray 1, G. McCowatt 2, R. Morrison 3. Forced Handicap.—J. Maloney 1, R. Penlington 2, L. Clotworthy 3. A very close fihish ; won on the tape. Tug o’-War.—“Dinkum Cookies” v. Labourers, —“Cookies” 1. A medal for the most -Mumber of points in the 100, 220, and 440 yards races was won by A. McMillan with 6 points.