ATHLETICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5322, 7 February 1947, Page 3

ATHLETICS

SPIKE.)

(By

Although the members- of the junior and ladies' teams did not meet with any success at the Waikato championships held at Paeroa last Saturday, they were not disgraced. The limit for juniors is 19 years, and the majority of Rotoi'ua's1 representatives have still two more seasons before becoming ineligible to compete in this grade. The experience gained on this occasion should be of value in their •future attempts to win championship titles. The women's representatives were both under 16 years, and as there is no age limit for women's championships, they can feel quite" satisfied with their- performances. In the senior field seetion, J. Hedley successfully defended his shot put title, improving on his previous effort by* 52 inches, to record 39ft 10 in. He also annexed the javfelin title this year. It was unforunate that J. P. Fox suffered a recurrence of an o.ld lcnee injury and was unable to malce the trip. He must have had a good chance of winning the hop, step and jump title, as the winning distance was well within his capa'bility. The broad jump saw another senior record go when J. McLean, of Tauranga, leapt 22ft. lin. Three junior records were betterea, namely 220 yards, in 22 4-'5sees, by H. Vosper, Cambridge, 220 yards hurdles, 26 2-5secs, B. Cowley, Hamilton; and the two-mile, in which L. Christie, of Matamata, took 29 secs. ofT the previous record when he rau the distance in lOmin 36 2-5secs. Only one new record was established in the women's seetion, Miss M. Miller, of Te Aroha, running the furlong in 26 2-5seconds. Inter-Club Competition. Arrangemerits are in hand • for a visit from the Old Grammarians' Club, Auckland, and there is also a possibility of a visit from the Paeroa Club' later in the season. These visits should pi'cjvide a gqfod opportunity for * local athletes to try themselves out against more experienced opponents than they meet in their club competitions. The Paeroa Club is holding an open meeting on Saturday, March 8, entries closing on 'Saturday, February 22, with G. Miller, Paeroa. All entries must be on the official form. If sufficient nunibers are interested, an endeavour will be made to obtain transport for the occasion. Last Monday's Meeting. Several newcomers helped to add interest *«r last Monday's pr.ogramme. J. Haimona, ofT 112 yards, returned good time in the junior 120 yards, but the best effort was by P. Anaru, who finished second, off 0 .yards. All three placed runncrs in this evetit were Maori boys, T. Kapua, another newcomer, filling third place. I. Kennedy had a good win in the ser.ior 120 yards, in spite of lack of recent competition. There were four competitors on the back mavk, 5 yds, and of these, W. Kemeys beat J. Boyle for second place. Once again K. French only just g'ot home in the .haif-mile, winning in the last fevv strides. The time, 2m 5secs, was a iurlher improvement. J. Wild, in winning the junior half-mile, ran slightly faster time, but he • was in receipt of a longer handicap. Using the senior diseus, which is heavier than that used in junior cvents, D. Bowden won the junior seetion with a throw that was 2 feet better than the besf effort of any of the seniors. In the women's raees, two new xunners filled the winning positions. Miss N. Martis used a powerful stride to take the 150 yards in good time, and Miss J. Bould prevailed in a closely contested 50 yards. lEivents for next Monday night are: 50 yards, 1 mile, and hop, step and jump, junior and senior; 140 yards open (not for points). Women's, 22'0 yards and broad jump, and 75 yards, not to count for points.