ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 20082, 20 January 1927, Page 6

ATHLETICS

SPORTS AT PUKEARUHE. GOOD PERFORMANCES BY LAWSON. Favoured by excellent weather conditions, the seventh annual meeting of the Pukearuhe Athletic Society, held yesterday on the local sports ground, proved an unqualified success. There was a large attendance of spectators from all parts of the district, and the financial result of the meeting is sure to be satisfactory. The strong westerly wind blowing unfortunately made things somewhat difficult for the competitors. An outstanding performance was that of J. J. Lawson, of Tuatapere, who again justified his claim to the title of champion by winning the 220 and 880 yards events from scratch. In both events Lawson scored effortlessly, registering 2 mins 7 2-ssecs for the half-mile. This must be considered fast under the circumstances. The winner of the Sheffield handicap was R. Mcßride, who won off the 9-yard mark in a tight finish. Thanks to the efforts of the honorary staff of officials of the club, the meeting was well conducted, though the running off of some of the field events was unduly delayed. The secretary (Mr T. L. Fahey) and the treasurer (Mr W. Baird) were largely responsible for the results attained. The handicapper in the running events was Mr J. Reid, and the judges Messrs T. Baird and R. Burt. Results were as follows: — PUKEARUHE HANDICAP (135 yards). P. Mcßride 9yds 1 J. Reid 12yds ’ 2 P. Murphy 3 The Sheffield resulted in a great race. From a good start, Mcßride came through fast and overhauled the leaders on the tape, winning by a matter of inches. Two yards separated the field on the tape. Time, 14 l-ssecs. 220 YARDS HANDICAP. J. J. Lawson scr 1 J. K. Ward 13yds 2 E. J. Diack scr 3 A field of thirteen started. Lawson went away smartly and gradually moved into a handy position. Coming into the straight he moved easily past the leaders, and went on to win effortlessly by two feet. Time, 26secs. 440 YARDS HANDICAP. D. McLauchlan 18yds 1 H. Sparks 22yds 2 E. J. Diack 13yds 3 Six started. McLauchlan won easily by five yards. Lawson, who was on the scratch mark, did not start. Time, 62secs. 100 YARDS HURDLE RACE. First Heat: Anderson syds, 1; Christie 6yds, 2; E. J. Diack scr, 3. A close finish. Second Heat: F. Langford syds, 1; Allison 6yds, 2; Cosgrove 7yds, 3. —Final.— ' Allison 6yds 1 F. Langford syds 2 E. J. Diack scr 3 The start was a good one. Allison, who was hurdling in excellent style, won by a narrow margin. Time, 14 l-ssecs. 880 YJLRDS HANDICAP. J. J. Lawson scr 1 D. McLaughlin 45yds .. 2 C. King 65yds 3 Eight started. The field bunched at the end of the first lap, Lawson moving up easily into a good position. About 200 yards from the tape Lawson was lying fifth, with McLachlan in the lead. Coming into the straight Lawson increased his pace and moved up behind Me Lauchlan. Twenty yards from home he drew out and won easily by two yards. Time, 2mins 7 2-5

100 Yards Maiden Race: W. Dowler 1, E. G. Cowie 2. Six started. Dowler won slowing up by two yards. Hammer Throwing (40A1b.) : M. Crowe 10ft (91ft 2ins), 1; W. Woods 20ft (82ft Ln), 2; M. Anderson scr (96ft lOius), 3.

Putting Shot: J. Murphy 3ft 3ins (31ft Bins), 1; W. Crowe 4ft 3ins (39ft Jin), 2; M. Crowe 18ins (31ft logins), 3.

Sailors’ Hornpipe (between 12 and 16) : A. Halpin 1, R. Smith 2, J. Matheson 3. Seann Truibhais (between 12 and 16) : R. Smith 1, A. Halpin 2, J. Matheson 3. Highland Fling (between 12 and 16). A. Halpin 1, R. Smith 2, E. McDermott

Irish .Jig (between 12 and 16).—A. Halpin 1, J. Matheson 2, R. Smith 3. Highland Fling (under 12) : K. Haberfield 1, D. Forrester 2.

Irish Jig (under 12) : K. Haberfield 1, D. Forrester 2.

Seann Truibhais (under 12) : D. Forrester 1, K. Haberfield 2. Sailors’ Hornpipe (under 12): D. Forrester and K. Haberfield 1 (equal).