TRACK AND FIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 4

TRACK AND FIELD

WANGANUI CLUB COMMENTS ON FORM. It the form shown by members ot the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club at last week’s twilight meeting is any indication, visiting athletes will have to fight hard for the honours in the open meeting on Cook’s Gardens next Saturday night. R. Harris is getting back to form again, which shows that training must be done seriously to bring results. Harris ran a very well-judged race to win the mile last week. He has a nice style and should go far in open company. A year or two should see him in championship class. P. Wallace ran well to finish in second place. With a first and a second he wins the Zinox Cup, R. Harris being runner-up. G. Bills showed slightly better form to fill third place but is yet a long way from fit. More hard and serious training is required, Gordon, to win those championships in three weeks' time, so get at it to bring the results to yourself and the club. M. Stewart, a new member, won the 220 yards in convincing style, leading throughout. He appears to run very easily and with more experience will be a decided acquisition to the club. A win in a race like that is wonderful encouragement, so keep at your training. R. Burbush again performed well to fill second place which was no mean effort for a junior member, and it won't be long before he is on a back mark with the seniors. He goes better over a straight distance, so will have to master the bends for that win in a 220. E. Lett is showing promise with keenness and training steadily, which will prove to his benefit later on. E. Brandon seemed to have lost that bit of extra 'ash in the 220 yards and was not able to fill a place, which would have won him the cup. He was a decidedly different runner to last week. However, his speed will come when required.

FIELD EVENTS. Last Thursday the hammer throw and high jump were held, both events beign won with good efforts. S. Nolan whirled the 151 b. hammer the good distance of 122 feet, and is a moral to capture the West Coast record for Wanganui this season. A believer in physical fitness, Nolan keeps in regular training and <s rap/1ly striking form. J. Wilson and R. Prince were second and third respectively. They ar< apparently competing in thi.i event mainly for the exercise. M. Shew an registered a tine effort

in lhe high jump, to clear sft. 4iin., using the old scissors style. A. J. Darby also put up a great showing in clearing sft. 4in. He shows distinct promise as a jumper, but should do more ground work. His improved broad jump style will make him hard to beat in the championships. Both Shewan and Wilson have a bad habit in the hop, step and jump of curtailing their step. If the same time was taken with each effort, a better distance would result.

P. Wallace’s javenlin throw of 135 feet, was an excellent effort lor a

A newcomer to the discus throw during the week-end was J. Waters. Possessing an ideal physique for this event, he shows great promise. With no knowledge of the correct style, he hurled the discus 79 feet, and after receiving short tuition from J. Morgan, he sent the platter 90 feet from a standing position. In the opinion of Morgan, he is a natural thrower and with the correct training he will rench the top flight. CYCLING. Although conditions were not idea for last Thursday’s races some satis factory performances were given ii the time trial event which resulted ir a popular win for Clinton. Taylor’s second placing was equally popular Both these boys improved greatly on their performances of the previous week.

For the first time this season a paced race was held, the distance being five miles. There were five starters, but with still five laps to go the field had been reduced to two. Danielson had made a break at this stage, and Broadbent was the only rider capable of bridging the gap. It was expected that these two riders would fight out an exciting finish, but Danielson won very easily. His ride was an excellent one, and so was Broadbent’s. No doubt the hard effort required of the latter to bridge the ’ gap had taken it’s toll. There is now some discussion as to who should be the two Wanganui riders selected to compete in the ten miles paced event on Saturday next. Pidwell, who on account of several spills at Taihape on last Wednesday night, was not a competitor In last week’s paced race, is one of the logical selections. However, so that everyone will have a fair chance, it has been decided to stage another paced five miles to-night (Wednesday) at 5.45. Will those who acted as pacers last week kindly oblige again. There is every indication of a wonderful meeting being staged on Saturday next. It is now definite that two of Auckland’s crack riders, Merv. Gamble and Colin Gooder, will be present, as well as several Wellington top-notchers. Both the Aucklanders mentioned above are N.Z. record holders for track events. Cycling fans should certainly have their fill.