TIRAU SPORTS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 127, 8 April 1926, Page 4

TIRAU SPORTS.

GOOD GATHERING. Interesting Events. The annual field sports were once again held at Tirau, after having lapsed the previous year, and the weather proving fine, a most successful meeting resulted on Easter Monday. This year the sports were run under the management of the Patetere Lodge, M.U.T.C. Oddfellows, and proceedings went with a swing until the latter part of the afternoon, when it appeared on at least one occasion that, so many of the officials were themselves competing, there were not sufficient left to stage the events promptly. The meeting was held in the F.A.C. paddock, and several hundred spectators rolled up from all the surrounding districts. A feature of the meeting was the large number of entries secured, several of the events having to be run in heats. Even in the ladies’ races there was no lack of competition and the willingness with which those present ad “ a go ” in the various events contributed largely to the success of the meeting. There was no untoward happening throughout the day, and much credit is due to a small but competent hand of energetic officials for the success of the day’s outing. Compared with previous years, it is stated that this Easter’s sports meeting was an improvement in every way. Following are the details of the various events: — 100 Yards.—There were 20 starters in this event, and the handicapping of Mr. J. W. Anderson, as in the other foot races, resulted in a very close finish. The winner proved to be a youthful competitor on the 12 yards mark. Final: C. Parsons (12 yards), 1, J. Main (10 yards), 2; H. Brown (8 yards) 3. Won by a yard. Potato Race.—Owing to the large number of entries this event was run in three heats and a final. The event proved immensely popular, and a feature was the smart work of some oi the horses, which appeared to know their job at least as well as their riders. The necessity for competitors keeping- an eye on their opponents was strikingly in evidence in one of th« heats, when a competitor w-ho finishec with a full minute to spare failed tc qualify as lie had not lodged one of his potatoes in the bucket provided. His place was secured by another competitor, who had appeared to be in a hopeless position. First heat: J. Hethering.ton 1, B. Amoore 2, F. Batley 3. Second heat: J. Amoore 1, F. Crabb 2. Third heat: W. Allen 1, Broomhall 2. Final: J. Hetherington 1, W. Allen 2. High Jump.—This event drew nine competitors, and some excellent jumping wes witnessed. The winner cleared over sft, and in an exhibition jnmn afterw-ards a local competitor (J. Hetherington) also made a clean jump of this height. Result: J. Smith, 1, height sft Oiin. 440 Yards.—A great race was witnessed in what is regarded as the 1 hardest race in any athletic pro- | gramme. F. Rossiter (Putaruru), a youthful entrant on the 20 yards mark (limit), ran a beautifully judg-ed race. Without taking too much out of himself at the start he made the pace sufficiently warm to eliminate most of the back markers. Unfortunately, lack of strength caused his failure five yards from the tape, where he fell. With a plucky effort he arose and. finished a very close third. With attention to training, increased strength gained by age, Rossitter should make a good middle distance runner. Result: D. Reid 1, T. Freeke 2. Won by four yards. Hop, Step and Jump.—Some excellent leaping took place in this event, the winner coming- from outside the district with a local man second. Result: D. Reid 1, J. Hetherington 2. j Distance, 39ft 2in. Wrestling- on Horseback: This event proved a popular one with the crowd, tw r o teams of four competing against one another. The referee’s instructions of “ no bridles, no clothes, and no wrestling- holds ” w-ere somewhat overlooked in the excitement of the contest, but no one worried and an easy victory w’ent to the “ skim-dicks,” who lost but one'man to the “ rabbi ters ” four. Result: W. Allen’s team 1. SSO Yards.—Again a great field faced the starter, and Parsons, one of the limit men, set a great pace at the start. The issue was in doubt till the competitors w’ere nearing the straight for .the last time, when Fell came away with a surprising sprint, which, he maintained to the tape. The speed at which the race w'as run in the early stages militated against the scratch man’s chances, and he could only finish third, 25 yards behind the winner. Result: E. Fell 1, S. Chapman 2. Won by ten yards. Tug-o’w.ar (horseback). —The horses

■— = * played a big* part in this event, the winning- team’s four proving’ to be very steady animals. One of the losing team unfortunately was attacked by cramp before the second put. Result: W. Allen’s team 1. Tug-o’-war (foot). The married men proved much superior in this event, winning the first two tests easily. Norman T. Todd proved an entertaining- and staunch anchor for the winners, who also won a third and jg challenge pull against the same opponents. Result: Married men 1. 220 Yards. There was again no lack of competitors, and a great race was witnessed. Result: G. White 1,. W. A. Rossitter 2. Tying the Tie.—This novelty-event took well with the spectators. From a given mark the mounted competitors rode about 100 yards, dismounted and ran a further 50 yards to a lady assistant, who tied the tie i*ound the competitor’s neck. As soon as the operation was completed the competitors returned to the starting mark by the same methods. Result: J. Hetherington 1, W. Allen 2. Married Ladies’ Race. —The smallest field of the day faced the starter in this event, and the winner proved to be in a class by herself. Result: Mrs. J. Cocoran 1, Mrs. S. Dobbs 2. Single Ladies’ Race. A big field started in this race, and a close finish resulted. Result: Miss S. Symes 1, Miss Blackman 2. Stepping- Competition. —ln this event two pegs were placed in the ground and competitors had to step * the distance and hand in their estimates. Both sexes competed, and the winners, who tied, were but an inch out in the estimate. Result: S. Hetherington and. A. Gray 1. Bending Competition.—This, the last event on the programme, drew another large field, and some good riding- was witnessed. Many of the competitors, however, galloped over the pegs. Result: F. Crabb 1, B. Amoore, 9