ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 370, 26 February 1937, Page 2

ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Stratford’s Lack of Runners. 1 (By "Shot-putt.”) I The Stratford club's severe defeat L at the hands of the New l Plymouth club at the Taranaki championships on Saturday vias, a cataclysmic fall from its standard of the past tew years which has always- been suf- ’ ficient to hold the place as the champion club of the province. Less sweeping success, than usual in the field events accounted to some degree for the comparatively meagre total of points gained but the principal cause of failure lay in the fact that Stratford is exceptionally weak in the running section this year while New Plymouth is unusually ttrong in this division. Stratford’s best and most promising sprinter is R. Cuff. In other years this runner might have carried the day on his present form, but this year the standard, unprecedentedly high, is just a little above him. There is no doubt, however, that if the Improvement he has shown during this season continues he will be formidable in any company. * * * If the club is badly off for sprinters it is totally without distance men but some of the juniors, particularly O. Mander, may be useful in a year or two. As was expected Miss Knox, who has had little competition at’ club meetings this season, showed no improvement on her last year’s form and was unable to hold her title. Had she had even one Stratford Woman member in her class to run against on club nights the story might have been different. * * * One of the mott interesting performances of the meeting was Stan Lay’s exhibition javelin throw of 195 ft Bin. Lay Is an athlete who thrives on competition and produces his best when bard pressed. It will be recalled that two years ago he made a similar throw againtt the Finn, Sippala. His average form at that time Was well below this standard and it was only when keyed up to a contest with a world star that he was able to reach 195 ft. It teems likely, therefore that, if he is at present able to do this distance in an exhibition throw, none but a thrower capable of well over 200 ft will have a chance against him at the New Zealand meeting. * * * W. Ireland had his unlucky day. his failure to win the high jump was totally unexpected and must have caused him some disappointment and on top of this 1 he had the misfortune to sustain a fractured ankle. On recent performances he should have had no difficulty in winning the high jump and setting a new record.- That he failed’ to do so alas probably due to an attack of nervousness of the type that is liable to afflict anjl athlete who is ‘expected to do something.” This.- is borne out by the tact that he was able to skip lighXheartedly over an Bft 6in bar In the pole-vault, thus exceeding even optimistic expectations by something like 12 fnche*. * * # J. Sullivan was again disappointingly below his form of past years. It is possible that hip injury he received during last football season may have contributed to his loss of speed. * * * It was perhaps unfortunate for M. Lynch that the high jump, 440 hurdles, and 220 hurdles heat, were so close together on the programme. This undoubtedly affected his high jumping. In the 440 hurdles he went well over half the Way but lack of training over this distance told and he pulled out at half-way. He won his heat in the 220 hurdles in convincing style and for while looked like winning the final, but he faded over the latter stage. His win in the 120 hurdles was a useful one and in spite of the fact that he lacks a trifle of speed he may reach a high standard at this distance. * * * Kofoed is most promising as a discus thrower and his throw l of 112 ft well deserved to win the Taranaki championship. If he continues hie present improvement he should soon be in the New Zealand class. His win over Bocock in the shot-putt was somewhat surprising at 1 the latter has done better than 35ft. Lack of attention to style makes it impossible for Bocock to get the best of a physique, almost perfect for this event, and in addition makes him more erratic •than is usual with shot-putters.