ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 17

ATHLETICS

The past week has been a somewhat momentous one athletically, the secondary school championships and the first evening meeting of the season having been disposed of; and a. further attempt to pour oil on the troubled waters of the New Zealand Council having lamentably failed. Athletics liavo been dragged through the mir© sufficiently already—just at a moment when they have risen so high in the estimation of the public—and a definite solution must be found. The farce cannot be allowed to continue, but the mere suspension of Air l»\ Wilton does not appear to have disposed of the matter. His centre has yet to reconsider for the third time the stand he has taken.

“I am quite content to leave the whole question in my centre’s hand, and further, I will again express my willingness to to stand aside and make the way clear for the appointment of some other delegate,” declared Mr Wilton, in discussing the situation with the writer. “So far as 1 am concerned, the fight is not between the chairman (Air R. W. McVilly) and my--olf, but it is between the chairman and my centre. . . In the meantime, I do not propose to attend the meetings of the council, in spite of the fact that I hold office as a delegate, as I have no desire to be ordered out.” It is to be hoped that the centre will ho able to arrive at a decision that will make for peace. FINE COLLEGE ATHLETES A success from every aspect, the secondary school championships adequately bore out the contention that athletics in Wellington, at least, has nothing to fear for the future. That the high standard set by students since tlie inception of the combined gathering in 1921 was fully maintained, was amply demonstrated by the fact that several new records were established—the senior division distinguishing itself in this respect—and many others were equalled. Of the seniors, F. S. Ramson (Wellington College), N. Goodson and R. Leech (St. Patrick’s) and J. E. Holmwood (Wairarapa) figured most prominently, and with the exception of Goodson, each registered times which are records, and should take a good deal of eclipsing.

The most stirring contest of the day was provided in- the hurdles event, when Ramson was ousted bv a fraction by the Wairarapa lad in the record time of >ls 3-ssee, after equalling S. Tait’g 1922 record of 16 l-sseo in his first heat. Holmwood covered the distance two-fifths of a second slower in the second, althoufffi not seriously pushed by E. H. Gifford, of Wellington College. In the deciding clash he displayed his real ability. All eyes were focused on the champion pair, in admiration for their respective styles, as they rose together until the last hurdle was reached, when Holmwood maintained an advantage of about a foot. With a last final effort he covered the intervening space to the tape, and flung himself home to get the decision by inches.

Ramson was out-hurdled, although faster between the sticks; and the race was reminiscent of the historic Krog-ness-Wilson events of several seasons back. The performances and development of Holmwood will be watched with interest, and he gives promise of becoming a real champion. Ramson performed consistently throughout the day, although beaten over the shorter sprints by Goodson. Leech was in great fettle, and won the 440yds, 880yds, and 1 mile events, and succeeded in lowering the record of 4.59 2-sseo set by R. Anderson in 1924. by 4 2-ssec. A. "Whelplv (St. Patrick’s) and C. P. Scarfe (Wellington) were tbe most conspicuous intermediate boys, Whelply setting a new record for the 220 yds flat and Scarfe winning the 120 hurdles in 17 2-5. JENKINS IN BETTER TRIM* The Selwyn Club is to be congratulated on the success of its first evening meeting. The racing, both in cycle and flat events, was good, and the attendance was very gratifying for the inception. In the sprints, C. Jenkins, virtually eoratch man, ran better than ever, and, though conceding upwards

of 10 yards in the hundred, managed to breast the tape a foot ahead of his club-mate, J. T. Fleming (12yds). Rabbit (9fyd.s) filled the third position, and shows promise of much improvement. The time was 10 2-ssec —a very creditable performance. W. Kyle, 440 yds New Zealand and Wellington provincial champion, faced the starter, hut could only manage to finish fourth in his heat, off three yards; while Dave Paris was on the bank.

In the mil* handicap, Priestley (4()yds) and Colin Campbell (40yds> tailed to finish after getting up with the bunch early in the piece. The limit men made the pace a cracker, any many others were compelled to drop out. The winner, W. Ormerod (90yds) sprinted for about 220 yards to beat off W. Shepard (90yds) by 10 feet in the time of 4.30 4-sset\ Ormerod with a good trainer on him should make a name for himself. His style is very cumbersome, and many of the spectators feared that he would fall over backwards during the race. A slightly forward Jean would assist him greatly, for he appears to havo the stamina of a distance runncj.

E». G. Sutherland (scr) won the long jump rather comfortably with a fine jump of 21ft 2in.

The* ladies were all going well, particularly Miss Porter, who secur6d second place in the hundred from tho much-improved Miss J. Wilson (syds). The probable relay team demonstrated that the Gisborne combination have n big hurdle to surmount on November 27th, for in their try-out

they covered the 440 yards in 54sec, five seconds short of their record time of 49sec.

AMONGST THE CYCLISTS G. Bright is dogged with ill-luck, and in cycling events has had almost as many falls as the prince. _ln the one-mile A grade cycle handicap on Athletic Park on Monday evening he was upset when entering on the third lap, and when he held a good posi-

tion, through another competitor looking behind and w'obbling as a result Fortunately the track was soft, and he escaped injury. » • • *

Another crash was witnessed in tho B grad© cycle handicap, and, as a result of swinging wide on a fiend, R. J. Clarke smashed his cycle up by running into the fence. A great race was provided by the two scratch men, C. Flett and P. W. Robinson, in the principal cycle event. Robinson, who had the inside running, got the decision by a quarter of a wheel. Both men rode splendidly, and much should be heard of them during the sea@on* •

Further keen rivalry on the track is anticipated on Saturday week, when a big athletic carnival will be staged on the Basin Reserve ; and there is every indication that splendid fields will face the starter in the various events of a particularly attractive programme. One of the principal features of the gathering will be tbe finish of the 40-mile road race from Wellington to Akatarawa and back. Local cyclists, will experience strenuous opposition in their contest for premier honours, for it is announced that T. Oakley, of Masterton, and Grose and Day, two crack track and road racers from the South, will be amongst the competitors.

HUTT EVENING MEETING The Lower Hutfc A.A. and Cycling Club will conduct its first evening meeting on Monday next, when the following events will be decided: 220 yards, 880 yards, cycling A grade two miles, cycling B grade one mile, 100 yards junior (under 18), 100 yards ladies’ handicap, boys’ race, relay race (four 110), and the javelin throw. Air “Dorrie” Leslie has consented to deliver a lecture to club members after the sports on the subject of “How to Train, and Why to Train?” The club has been granted the use of the Recreation Ground for it* meeting on New Year’s Day, and 10 per cent, of the gate receipts are to go to the local Borough Council.

A trio of Dannewirke A.A*C. members went to Levin last Thursday, and were successful in annexing both points prizes at the local club’s evening meeting E. Clemence, of Dannevirke, won both the 100 and 220 yards handicap, while F. Gruschoxv filled second place in the 220. F. Datziell (45yds) captured the 880, beating Gruschow to first place. Out of a possible of 30 points, 24 were scored by the Dannevirke hoys, who acquitted themselves with merit.

A correspondent in Dannevirke writes: “In view of the country championships being held here on New Year’s Day everything is going with a swing on the track, and an effort is being made to produce talent that wilt be sufficient to relieve the Masterton Club of their hold on tho McVilly Shield.” # * • • LAMB ATTACKS RECORD Jn view of the forthcoming visit to tho Dominion of R. “Fatty” Lamb, the following paragraph is of particular interest locally:—R. Lamb, tho Australian champion amateur cyclist, haa completed arrangements with Melbourne Carnivals Pty., Ltd., to make an attempt on the world’s 10-mile motor-paced record, which stands at 10min llsec, made by Lamb a few months ago at the Motordrome. But what appears to bo Lamb’s chief objective is to break all world records now existing. The fastest speed over 10 miles for a push cycle is the world’s professional record held by H. Opperman, the young Victorian professional. wlio covered the distance in Dmin 57nci\ so that for Lamb to bo .swors«tul lie must attain a speed up lo GG miles per hour.