ATHLETICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1922, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

RAHOTU CLUB’S SPORTS. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The Rahotu Athletic Club had made complete arrangements to ensure the success of their annual sports meeting yesterday, and everything pointed to a record gathering, as not only was keen interest being evinced in the meetihg by residents of the coast, but splendid nominations had been received, particularly in the chopping events. Unfortunately the weather conditions militated considerably against the gathering, drizzling rain setting in about 9 a.m. and lasting practically all the morning. The committee, however, decided to carry on, and they were justified, 1 as the weather cleared and the afternoon proved fine. Though the attendance was good under the circumstances, the "gate” suffered considerably. Undeterred by the weather, the officials worked hard, and so well had the details been arranged that everything passed off without a hitch, the varied programme being much appreciated. Great interest centred in the chopping events, and there were some very keen contests and close finishes. The running events were also keenly contested, prcTVing that Mr. P. H. Holmes (of Opunake), the handicapper, had fairly accurately gauged the merits of the contestants. Messrs. H. Annis apd S. Willoughby, starters in the running events, and Mr. P. H. Holmes, starter in the chopping, ably carried out their duties, whilst the judges (Messrs. A. F. Chapman, G. Gibson, and G. Prosser) had some close finishes to decide, but they gave general satisfaction. The horse jumping events proved very interesting. The . open hunters’ competition wiis won by R. Fleming's King, whilst the consolation was won by Father Doolagfrty’s Hazelwood, ridden by his owner. This victory was an extremely popular one. Tte judge (Mr. Harry Linn, of New Plymouth), expressed himself as greatly pleased with the exhibition given by the winner of the open competition, considering that tne pony. King, would be heard of in the future. The officials all worked well, and this was undoubtedly the contributing factor to the success achieved. Tte committee, of which Mr. L. Fischer was chairman and Mr. W. H. W’aswo secretary, deserve *to be congratulated on / the result. Th e secretary carried out his arduous duties admirably. The catering was in the hands of a strong committee of Rahotu ladles, headed by Mesdames W. R. Wright, L. Fischer and W. Butler, and It was of a high standard. The Opunake Band, under Conductor J. Humphries, enlivened the afternoon by rendering a splendid musical programme. Details are:— RUNNING. 150 Yards Maiden.— W. Smyth 1, V. Warner 2, J. Conroy 3. Also started: M. Booker, C. J. Shrimpton, C. Holmes. Won by two yards. Time, 18 4-ssec. 100 Yards Handicap.—W. Sutton (10yds) 1, W. Smythe (9yds) 2, C. Trotter 3. Also started: W. H. Whlthaun (6yds), D. Grimwood (7yds), H. Booker (10yds), A. Carter (10yds), C. J. Shrimpton (10yds). A great finish. Won. by a yard. Time, llsec. 220 Yards Handicap.—D. Grimwood (20yds) 1, C. Trotter (25yds) 2, W. H. Wlffin (12yds) 3. Also started: M. V. Jones, IT. Booker, W l . Smythe, W. Sutton, C. J. Shrimpton, each 25 yards. Another close finish. Time, 26sec. 440 Yards Handicap.—C. Trotter (35yds) 1, T. E. Taylor (18yds) 2, W. H. Wiffin (15yds) 3. Also started: Jones, Conroy, Booker, each 35 yards. Won by four yards, the third man six yards further back. Time, 52 2-ssec. BSO Yards Handicap.—T.> E. Taylor (13yds) 1, W. H. Wlffin (25yds) 2, T. Conroy (60yds) 3. Also started: C. J. Strimpton (60yds). 'Taylor easily caught his field and won easily by several yards. Time, 2min. 7 2-ssec. Sack Race.—E. Benton 1, W. Mace 2, W. Bloomfield 3. Twelve started. Won easily. Forced Handicap, of 120 Yards.—W. H. Wiffin (Syds) 1, D. Grimwood (Syds) 2, C. Trotter (10yds) 3. Six started. A great finish. Only two feet separated the placed men. Time, 13 2-ssec.

CHOPPING. 12-inch Novice Chop.—C. Holmes 1. W. Mare 2. Also started: T. Conroy and C. Holmes. Won easily. Only the placed men finished. Time, lmin. 27sec. 12-inch Maiden Chop.—T. Coffey 1, M. Galenby 2, H. Jones 3. Also started: J. Fisher, H. Clark, W. Jones, D. J. Rum ba 11, S. Jones, W. Crawford, and EJ. Coombes. Won with a little to spare. Time, 53sec. 12-inch Open Chop.—First heat: W. White (IGsec) 1. D. J. Rumball (23sec) 2, H. Magon (15sec) 3. Also started: M. Gatenby (20sec), W. Jones, F. Magon. H. Clark, R. J. Jones, Tai Coffey, each 25sec. Won with a little to spare. Time, 38 4-ssec. Second heat: E. Gibson (18sec) 1, E. Remnant (23sec) 2, P. Corbett (ISsec) 3. Also competed: S. M. Coombes (Bsec), H. Birkett (13sec), V. L. Warner (Msec), C. Magon (16sec), J. H. Fisher, N. Morgan, W. Crawford, each 25sec. A close go. Coombes, whose starting number was not called, was allowed to compete in ’the final. Time, 33sec. Final: E. Gibson (18sec) 1, D. J. Rumball (23sec) 2, H. Magon (15sec) 3. All qualified started. Won with a. little to spare. Time, 35sec. 15-lnch Handicap Chop.—First heat: W. White (20sec) 1, H. Magon (20sec) 2, S. M. Coombes (12sec) 3. Also started: C. Magon (24sec), Jones (30sec), Gatenby, Skipper, Tutu, N, Morgan, D. J. Rumball, each 35sec. Won by several seconds, only a couple of blows between second and third. Time, lmin. 15 2-ssec. Second heat: E. Gibeon (23sec) 1, V. L. Warner (20secj 2, P. Corbett (25sec) 3. Also started: H. Birkett (ISsec), Fisher, Remnant, Tai Coffey, each 35sec. Won comfortably, tte third man very close up. Time, limin. 23sec. Final: W. White (20sec) 1, E. Gibson (23sec) 2, V. L. Warner (20sec) 3. All qualified smarted. A great go. Won by a couple of blows. Time, lmin. 17sec. Forced Handicap,, 12in. Chop.—First heat: W. Crawford (25secX 1» V. L. Warner (15sec) 2, W. White (Msec) 3. Ten started. Time, Tilsec. Second heat: E. Gibson 1, Magon 2. Time, 50sec. Four started. Final: N. Mor■gan 1, Gibson 2, Crawford 3. Time, 51sec. Four starters. HORSE EVENTS. Open Horse Jump, hunters’ style.—R. Fleming's King 1, R. Fleming’s Spanker 2, Father Doolaghty’s Hazelwood 3. Four starters. Consolation Horse Jump.—Father Doolaghty’s Hazelwood 1, R. Spanker 2. MISCELLANEOUS. Stepping the Chain.—W. C. Green, exact distance, 1; W. Fleming 2. There were 103 entries. Heavyweight Wrestling.—Tia Neia 1, Holmes 2. A good contest. There were eight entries. Members’ Race, 100 yards, all from scratch.—Holmes 1. Boys’ Race, under 14.—Leatherby 1, Robertson 2, Pollard 3. Fourteen started. Girls’ Race, under 14.—Miss Morrow 1, Miss Fleming 2, Miss Harford 3. A concert and dance was held in the Rahotu hall last night. The ladies’ refreshment booth cleared £24, but the total takings of the gathering are not yet available.