AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 139, 27 January 1939, Page 3

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

(By “Pistol”) Once again the sports meeting for the Moody Banner was a great success in every way and the committee is verv pleased with the result of its efforts. It is upon this big day that the committee relies to get its financial support, and the takings last Saturday for the whole day were a record for the club. The committee is grateful to alt those who billeted the visiting athletes and who assisted in making the sports and dance an outstanding success. ’lhe performances of the local athletes last Saturday were very creditable, and in a few ■eases were excellent. It would be unfair to single out any particular performance but D. Debreceny, E. M ilson. Fenton and Yercoe performed exceptionally well in their respecth e events. Debreceny won the junior 100 yards in the good time of 10'4-5 secs., E. Wilson threw the» javelin nearly 143 feet (which was oft. better than the next best throw), Fenton of Waimana cleared oft- Gin. in the senior high jump, and B. Yercoe rode well to win the 3 miles senior cycle 1 ace. Griffin was unfortunate in the senior hep, step and jump when he was spiked and was beaten by a few

inches. His jump of 41ft. 2ins. was very good considering liis mishap. Upton ran well in the 880 yards and the 440 yards, being placed! first and second respectively. Upton is always very fit and if lie .trains properly and concentrates on these two distances he should put up some Very fast times. Inskip’s jump in the junior high jump was quite good but did not come up to expectations. He was placed only third in the junior broad jump with a leap of 18ft. 3ins. Ho will have to improve on this distance considerably if he hopes to retain the national title which he gained last season. Special mention must be made of the ladies’ team, which put up a very good performance. Considering it was its first appearance in open competition and they were all school children last year, their performances for the day were outstanding. Aliss Coral Shalfoon was perhaps the best of the ladies’ team and the way she beat the older girls was a great credit to,her. She should be an outstanding runner in a year or two. Aliss Hampton also ran very well and with further training should do very well. Aliss Cochrane showed her outstanding ability in the field events. Her jump of 13 ft. 4ins. in the broad jump was as good as has ever been seen here. She would be wise to concentrate on this event and the high jump in which she was placed second' with a height of 4ft. 3ins. A very strong team is . being sent to Gisborne next Aionday and there is no doubt that it will give a good account- of itself. AVith one or two exceptions the best team is making the trip and the competition ' with Gisborne should he keen.

After the Gisborne meeting the local club will have to prepare for the South Auckland Championships to lie held at Tauranga on February 11th. Owing to the short distance to .travel a fairly large team will be sent this year. The team will be stronger and more representative than those- of previous years hut owing to the greatimprovement in the sport in other centres it not likely that the local club will win an event, although the team will comprise some very good juniors who are capable ot putting up good performances.