WINTER ATHLETICS IN AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 109, 29 July 1927, Page 7

WINTER ATHLETICS IN AUCKLAND

COMMENTS ON THE FORM ELLIOT’S GREAT RECORD Ten meetings of the winter sports competitions conducted by the Auckland Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club have now been held, and steeplechasers will soon be turning their attentions to the forthcoming provincial championships. Although the fields starting last Saturday were smaller than previously, due probably to the Soccer test, these weekly meetings attract more and more attention as the season progresses. Competition between the athletes in the sprint, steeplechase and field events is now very keen, and each Saturday sees some outstanding performance in one or other of these divisions. A GREAT RECORD Standing out head and shoulders above many creditable showings is A. J. Elliot’s 75 yards sprint record—seven wins out of ten starts. For a runner who, up to last Labour Day, was unknown in “big athletics,’’ this is a remarkable record. And yet it seems that the harder the task Elliot is seu the greater is his performance. Giving 33 yards to a dangerous man on a treacherous track last Saturday, the crack pulled off his most sensational win to date. The remarkable pace at which he covered the latter half of the distance and leapt the final three yards, to win by a bare touch, stamps him as a man with a more than likely outside chance of “putting is across” Leadbeater at the; next Dominion sprint. KELLS AGAIN The return of Gordon Kells to the brilliant form which made him New Zealand cross-country champion last year, seems to be indicated by his hard-fought win in last Saturday's steeplechase. For one reason and another, Kells has had rather a patchy season. He started off by winning the first two steeplechases, but from then on up to last Saturday his performances wero only mediocre. This inconsistency was due in the first place, no doubt., to an accident to his foot some time before the Christchurch race. He appeared to be stale for a month after that, and covered the course each week with great difficulty. Had he rested earlier in the season his chances of victory would have been enhanced. However, lie has yet an opportunity of proving his mettle, and in the absence of Savidan at the Australasian cross-country meeting appears to be the likely winner of the Auckland fivemile steeplechase championship on August 13. ROPER A TRIER To be defeated by the closest of margins on so many occasions as has been H. S. Roper’s fate would have damped the enthusiasm of most other other runners. Elliot is not the type of sprinter most athletes like to run against, even with a fair handicap. But Roper is a trier. Time and time again he has chased the sprint “star” to the tape, knowing he had little chance of winning. On other occasions, however, his consistence was rewarded and he has beaten the redoubtable Elliot twice —a feat which none of his fellow starters can claim. A FINE ALL-ROUNDER R. G. Kirkwood is developing into a fine all-round athlete. His rapid advance is most noticeable in the 75 yards handicap, but he is becoming a dangerous man in the field events also. He capped several very creditable performances over the shorter distance by winning the sprint the week before last, and finished second to Elliot and Roper last Saturday. He also topped the list of shot-putters at the last meeting, and the previous week won the discus throw. There has also been an improvement in his distance running, although not so noticeable as in the other events. Kirkwood certainly bids fair to become one of Auckland'* foremost all-rounders. COOPER’S CHANCES In his present form N. F. Cooper appears likely to be Kell’s most seriou* rival on August 13. At all times a dangerous man, he gave Kells a nasty shake last Saturday, even after refusing to take a start of 12 seconds over the winner. He hung on gamely for three round* before allowing Kells to go ahead about six yards. Coming up tho straight, however, he set after the leader again, and only just failed tr> catch him. Starting the season in moderate form he has gradually improved until now no one would be surprised to see hiir* run home first at the Auckland championships.