AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1940, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

COUNTRY CLUBS MEETING AT LOWER HUTT. McVILLY SHIELD WON BY MASTERTON. On Saturday members of the Masterton Amateur Athletic Club journeyed to Lower Hutt to compete in the Country Club’s Championship for the McVilly Shield, which the club retained by a good margin of paints. A challenge was also made to the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club for a race for the Heenan Baton, which was also won. The first success was in the hammer throw championship, W. Burns throwing a distance of 94ft 6/ inches, J. , Watt, was second with a throw of 94ft. | W. Burns also gained second place in putting the shot. In the walks, L. Taylor was rather outclassed but gained two seconds. J. Polson and J. Eastwood were first and second respectively, in the 100 yards championship. Polson winning by a yard with the same between second and third. Polson also annexed the 220 yards championship, winning comfortably. The veteran W. Grantham was seen ( in action again over the hurdles, and he performed very creditably, gaining a third place in the 120 yards high hurdles. Grantham had the misfortune to fall in his heat of the 220 yards hurdles. B. Falloon gained a third place in the final of the 220 yards hurdles. Al Edwards, the other representative also fell in his heat of the 220 yards hurdles. W. Grantham, jumped 4ft 11 inches in the high-jump to gain a dead-heat for second place, a very good effort for one who has been so long out of the game. R. Wyeth rah a good mile to gain second place to Barron of Nelson. Wyeth also ran well to be in third position in the 880 yards. The 440 yards championship consisted of Masterton competitors only, J. Eastwood winning from W. M. Sellar, with J. Heaven third. Sellar was also second in the half-mile, being beaten by a yard. The junior runners were prominent in their respective heats, but were not placed in the finals. The most unfortunate competitor on the day was E. Martin who, after winning his heat of the 100 yards in good time, pulled a muscle in the 220 yards, when in a handy position. The most impressive junior in action was B. Patrick, who won the half mile in 2min 7 2-5 sec. He moved very freely and appeals as a middle distance runner with distinct possibilities. H. Hayes revealed unexpected ability in the junior 440 yards, running a very strongly-contested race, to gain second place, and with a little serious training more should be heard of. him. A dead-heat resulted in the junior mile between R. Swain of the Hutt Club and B. F. Falloon of Masterton. Falloon. after leading the field by 15 yards in the last lap slowed up with about 10 yards to go, and the Hutt man made a final bid to just reach the tape. The only woman competitor representing Masterton in the Women’s events was Miss J. Grantham, who contested the 220 yards and 80 metre hurdles, winning the hurdles and gaining second place in the furlong.

HEENAN BATON CHALLENGE BY MASTERTON. LOCAL TEAM DEFEATS WELLINGTON. At the Country Club’s meeting on Saturday afternoon the Masterton Club challenged for the Heenan Baton, the holders being the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club. This race is a medley relay over one mile, there being four competitors in each team, two members running 220 yards each, one a quarter-mile. and one a half-mile. B. Patrick, ran the quarter for Masterton. and held the Wellington man for three parts of the journey.' when he began to drop back.

At the change over, Wellington had a 15-yard lead over Masterton. and J. Polson, the 220 yards man made no impression on his co-marker. J. Eastwood, the third string, had a gap of 15 yards to catch the Wellingtonian. Moving beautifully Eastwood caught him on the home bend, and in the straight, passed to hand the baton to W. Pullar, to run the half mile. Dickie, Wellington's half miler was right behind Pullar. and these two men ran step for step until the last 200 yards, when Pullar made his final sprint to win the race for Masterton by 20 yards. The race was won mainly owing to the efforts of J. Eastwood and W. A. Pullar. The time was 3min 37 3-ssec.