Whakatane News

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 399, 7 December 1932, Page 6

Whakatane News

Our Own. Correspondent.)

GENERAL REYIEW OF WEEKEND SPORTING ACTIYITIES.

(rom

The weather throughout the past weak and over the week-end has- bqen ideal from the sports point of view. Bright sunshine has been temperad with mild to fairly istrong winds. All classes of summer sports have their devotees here and all have made the most of the chance to ejoy themselves. Of major interest was the opening of the Whakatane Def ence Rifle Club's new range. Practically since its inception isome, six years lago, the cluh has been seeking a location more suited to its purpose and situated handier .to the town. The old range, admirahle in its way, never afforded members th© practice at all ranges so necessiary to ensure success when meeting other more fortunately situated clubs. Again, .being over eight miles from town militated against its popular use. Now Messrs. E. J. Butler and J. Thom have grianted the club the ■ use of a site on their properties at . Whakatane West, and the cluh members have available to their use a first-class range within reasonable distanee of th'e town.

There was a good muster of members, who did all in their power to ensure a pleasant afternoon for the visitors from the Rangitaiki Cluh and also several visitors from the town.' Matches, eompetitors nominating their own handicaps. were fired over / the 200 and 300 yards ranges. In the event of a competitor's rifle score plus his nominated handicap exeeeding the possible, three points were deducted from the possible for every point in exeess. The best rifle scores of the afternoon were made by Messrs E. Morey (Rangitaiki Club), and E. W. Newton (Whakatane Cluh), who each recorded 33 at 200 yards. At 300 yards Mr. J. Follas (Rangitaiki Club) returned 32 and Mr. R. Wilson (president of the Rangitaiki Glub) 31. As a m'atter of fact Mr. Follas was

actually placed last in this event. He llad nominated his handicap as 7, which, with his rifle score of 32, made his iscore 39. As the possible was 35, he was penalised 12 points for the exeess and his score recorded .as 23. The club's action in providing light refreshments was duly appreciated by members and visitors. Practice Cricket. As a means of affording the boys some match practice hefore the forthcoming Bay of Plenty High Sch'ools comp'etition, a cricket match was arranged between the High School XI

and one described officially ias "Town." The play was never impressive, but with more match play and with their undoubted keenness, the ischool team should soon be able to give a good account of themselves. Particular attention should be given to bowling and fielding. Most seem to have a very fair knowledge of batting tech'nique. Friday's Sports. The ever popular Friday night sports meeting drew an- enthusiastic crowd. The track was in good order for the cyclists and the entries accordingly large. The club will soon have to fix a safety limit. With a field of 14 in a mile race, as there was on Friday, the risks of a serious accident should *a spill occur are too great. Again the back markers are set a hard task to round all these riders, as they must do if they are to win. However, nothing marred the enjoyment of the evening's sport and the racing provided thrills and excitement aplenty. The results were: — Boys' Cycle Race. — Dave Brown (scr), 1; W. Green (5yds), 2. 100 Yards Handicap. — J. Grose, 1;

L. Grose, 2; K. Pyne, 3. One Mile Cycle Open Handicap. — A. Lander (200yds), 1; E. Wilson (10yds), 2; R. Harland (190yds), 3. The strong wind hlowing and the big field (14) made the task of th'e back markers doubly hard. Lander's time, 2min 24s was good in the cireumstances. ' Ladies' Half -Mile Cycle Handicap*. — Miss A. Cartwright (scr), 1; Miss A. Wilson (scr), 2. There were only three* starters in this- event, but the enthusiasm displayed at the close finish of the two scratch riders was intense. Both girls showed improved form. Miss Wilson's cornering, if unorthodox, is certainly effective. She cut in on her co-marker at each corner, only to he headed again in the straights. Miss Cartwright won by inches.

Mile and a Half Handicap, Open. — T. Abarhart (70yds), 1; G. Gresn (90yds), 2y J. Whitten (scr), 3-. There was less than a wheel between these three paissing the post. This was th'e tit-bit of the evening and provided a fine display of stamina and skill. The three placed men were virtually the 'hack markers, and the bursts of speed -they staged in their 'endeavours to get through the field were very stirring. It "was only after they got straightened up in the home straight that it was noticed that Whitten had got through to within * striking distanee. Then he, Green sand Aberhart staged a great sprint to finish in a bunch. One of the best pleased men with tbe race must have been the handicapper. On the last lap practically any one of the riders looked to have a chance, and at the finish there was not more than about 25 yards between the lot.