NEW ZEALAND WINS CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 239, 29 December 1927, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND WINS CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD

THE Australasian track and field championships were brought to a conclusion at Wellington today with the final events of the Decathlon, won by the Queenslander. Keskinen. The Championship Shield for most points at the meeting resulted: New Zealand, tO; New South Wales, 7; Queensland, 2; Victoria, 1; Tasmania, 0. Both the others threw the discus splendidly, considering the circumstances, and Sutherland has won the South African title with, a smaller throw. Keskinen secured 113 ft 6in, Sutherland 44in less. In the pole vault. Sutherland failed, after clearing 10ft. Keskinen was not vaulting consistently, but in clearing 10ft 9in, he put in one splendid jump. Walker withdrew at the pole vault, leaving the two to fight out the last three events. KESKINEN GOES AHEAD After the vault, Sutherland still had a lead in points, but it had been re - duced to about 60. In the javelin, there was only one good throw, that by Keskinen. The 1,500 metres flat was the la event. In this, Keskinen went out fast and Sutherland had no chance of staying with him. The New Zealander was content to trot round the field and simply covet, the distance. These two met in the deeathlon at the last Olympic Games, Sutherland representing South Africa, and Keskinen Finland. Sutherland was fifth with 6,900 points, beating Keskinen, but to-day the Finn proved he is now superior. G. J. Sceats (New Zealand) and G. R. Lundquist (Victoria) were non - stari.ers. After competing in the 100 metres flat and broad jump. J. W. Shirley (New Zealand), who was suffering from muscular trouble resulting from his effort on the previous day, withdrew. A. Walker and W. Hunt, both of New South Wales, then entered, but Sutherland and Keskinen are well ahead. The best performance yesterday was Hunt’s 50 4-5 s in the 400 metres flat, and the next best. Walker s 11 2-5 s in the 100 metres flat. The basis of scoring in the five events is as follows:—In 100 metres, the 1912 Oiympic record of 10 3-6 s is scored at 1,000 points. For every fifth of a second over that time that a competitor takes to cover that distance 47.6 points are deducted. The 1912 Olympic record for the running high jump was 1.93 metres, or 6.331 ft, and this i,s scored at 1,000 points. Other heights are scored at the rate of one centimetre equalling 14 points. The running broad jump record was 760 centimetres, or 24.923 ft, and any competitor who fails to cover this distance is credited with 2.45 points for each centimetre that he jumps. In throwing the 161 b shot 50.394 ft (15.34 metres) is the 1,000 point mark. Other distances are scored at the rate of one centimetre equalling 14 points. Olympic time for 400 metres flat was 4S l-ss, and a competitor loses 7.52 points for each fifth of a second over this time recorded against him. The total points scored yesterday were: E. G. Sutherland (New Zealand ), 3,337.84: E. Keskinen (Queensland), 3,187.68; W. Hunt (New South Wales i, 2,649.76; A. Walker (New South Wales), 2.634.00; J. W. Shirley (New Zealand). 1,005.265. Shirley retired after competing in the 100 metres and broad jump events. Hunt dropped out and is leaving for Wanganui to-day. Detailed results are:— 100 Metres Flat. —Walker, 11 2-s c . 1: Hunt, 12», 2; Sutherland, 12 l-ss, 3: Keskinen, 12 3-ss, 4; Shirley, 12 4-Ss, 5. Running Broad Jump.—Sutherland, 21ft SSin, 1; Keskinen. 19ft lOfin, 2; Shirley. 18ft 7£in, 3; Hunt, 17ft Sin, 4; Walker. 17ft 4Jin, 5. Putting 161 b Shot. —Keskinen, 39ft 73in, 1; Sutherland, 35ft 7Jin, 2; Hunt, 30ft lOin, 3; Walker, 27ft 2in, 4. Running High Jump.—Sutherland, sft Bin, 1; Keskinen, sft 4Jin, 2; Walker, lit 7in, 3; Hunt, 4ft 6in, 4. 400 Metres Flat.—Hunt, 50 Walker, 52 4-ss, 2; Keskinen, 54 l-ss, 3; Sutherland, 56 2-ss, 4. 110 Metres Hurdles.—Sutherland. 18 3- ' sec, 1; Keskinen, 18 3-ssec, 2: Walker, 23 sec, 3.. Throwing the Discus.—Keskinen, 113 ft 6in, 1; Sutherland, 113 ft 3. fin, 2; Walker. 61ft 6in, 3. Pole Vault.—Keskinen. 10ft 9in, 3; Sutherland, 10ft 2. Walker did not com-