SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 22 (Supplement)

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

By “Spectator”

WAIKATO ATHLETIC TITLES DECIDED Tauranga Gathering Creates Record : Find in Ladies' Section : Six Successes Gained : Hamilton Retains Championship Shield : Banners Also Retained : Wooller's Grand Display Held under ideal conditions in the picturesque setting of thi Domain, Tauranga, last Saturday, the Waikato Sub-centre, X.Z.A.A.A., track, field and cycle championships meeting was an unqualified success. Athletically the standard throughout was uniformly high and, if there were some events won in slow times, it was due more to the shrewd tactics of the winners, than to their inability to do better. Proceedings commenced with the now traditional parade of competitors. The teams, ied by Hamilton A.A. and C.C., holders of the championship shield, lined up three deep in the straight. The National Anthem was played and the parade, led by the Tauranga Pipe Band, marched one circuit of the sports arena, returning to their original positions in the straight. There they halted and turned to face the grandstand. Then, one club after the other, cheers were exchanged, thus symbolising the sporting spirit, finder which amateur athletic competitions are conducted. The parade then dismissed and the various events commenced. The parade on the march presented a fine sight and spectators were not slow in expressing their approval. Several clubs have secured banners for parade purposes, and these, together with the colourful uniforms of the various clubs were most pleasing to the eve. Events throughout the day were well controlled and the meeting was pushed through with the greatest dispatch. Credit for splendid preparation must go to the Tauranga club, whose executive, led by secretary H. Sommers, were responsible for the entire control prior to the actual day, when their forces were augmented by experienced officials from all parts of the Waikato area. The track bore eloquent testimony to many hours’ hard work.

Financially the meeting was a reccrd success and will no doubt -be a deciding factor in the sub-centre’s annual balance. For the last season or two the Waikato controlling body has not had the best of luck in its Championship and other ventures, and it is refreshing and encouraging to note the turn of the tide.

Abbreviations for clubs are as follows: H) Hamilton A. A. and C. C.. 'TG) Tauranga. (TK) Te Kuiti, 'TH Thames, (P) Paeroa. 'TP Te Puke, (R Rotorua, (O Opotiki, (TA) To Awamutu, (M) Morrinsville, (HS) Hamilton Sports Club, (TU) Taumarunui, (WH; Whakatane. The Sprints Although somewhat unconvincing in his preparatory races, the title-holder. A. J. Denz MI) made no mistake about the result on the day. Both in heat and final of the hundred he was at speed like a shot, and his winning margin left no doubt as to his superiority. K. Rowsell (TG), who was confidently expected to top Denz off, ran below the form he displayed at Rotorua on Boxing Day. and was relegated to second place. Rowsell, however, impresses as one likely to go a long way in the sport. Just turned 20, he is the ideal build for a top-notch sprinter. In the furlong, in a remarkable finish, Rowsell got up in the last stride to dead-heat with C. Goosman (H). The latter was again unlucky in the draw for lanes, and had to make all his own running. According to the N.Z.A.A.A. rules dead-heats must be run off, and arrangements have been made, at the suggestion of the Tauranga man, to decide this title at the Fitness Week meeting in Hamilton next Wednesday. f The race between this fine pair of sprinters on the speedy Hamilton truck should be well worth seeing. Brains rather than brawn won the 440yds title for t. R. Dick (H). After Martin I? and Whiting (TG) had run themselves into the ground Dick came with a perfectly-judged run to win going away. The winner’s previous efforts have usually been characterised by good headwork, and this stood him in good stead on the day. Hamilton Again Hamilton was again to the fore in the junior 440 and 880 yards. In the former, B. Wilson (H) came with a erreat rattle at the end to take the honours from A. Brown (WH). In the latter, L. Kasoof (H) gave a splendid display of head work to defeat McCormick (TK) in the last hundred yards. McCormick had his turn in the mile, which he won in a close finish with King (R) and Farrelly (TP). As in past seasons, the junior track events were of a very high standard.

I. Devcich, of Thames, scored two field events successes, taking the high jump with sft Tin (exceeding the senior’s efforts by 3*in), and the discus wrth 118 ft lin. Devcich made his total three on end with an easy victory in the 120 hurdles. Other -fields events winners were K. Chell in the javelin, 177 ft, E. Beable (TK) in the shot, 41ft 2in, and J. Inskip (O) in the broad jump, 20ft. From the winners’ efforts throughout, the really high standard of junior competition may be gauged. Brilliant Lady Performer Not since the days of the Waikato, Auckland and national champion and record holder, Ida Campbell, has there been a better prospect in the ladies’ section than the Tauranga miss, 81-sie Sommers. Miss Sommers competed in six events and won each with consummate ease, setting up a record that is likely to stand for some considerable time. The new champion is a wellproportioned girl of 15 years, and when interviewed after her sixth success would scarcely have blown a match out! Miss Sommers’ events were the 75 yards in 9 1-5 sec, the 100 yards in 12 sec, the 220 yards in 28 sec, the shot putt with 28ft ltin, the javelin with 74ft lin, and "the discus 79ft 34in. It is interesting to note that the Auckland standards: 75 yards 9 sec, 100 yards 11 4-5 sec, javelin 70ft, discus 65ft. At present there is not an Auckland standard for 220 yards nr shot putt, although Miss Sommers’ 28ft Hin has not been beaten in “Nurmi’s” knowledge. It is the intention of Tauranga secretary, H. Sommers, father of the champion, to enter his daughter for events at the Auckland women's championships on March 11 and her progress at this meeting will be followed with considerable interests in the Waikato. The events in which Miss Sommers was not a competitor were won by Miss M. Reekie (H. broad jump lift. 19in.), Miss M. Aitken TG high jump i ft... while in the ladies’ hurdles a diminutive Miss from Thames, Miss M. Cowley, gave a smart display to clock 15s. The Hamilton quartette, Misses Cockhead, TrenberUi, O’lialloran and Reekie

had little trouble in disposing of the Tauranga girls in the 4 x 110 yards relay. Miss Sommers, very wisely, did not represent her club in this event, nor did Miss D. Buckingham (H) who was runner-up in all three track races. Cycling Section

The standard of competition in the cycling section was far head of that exhibited in the past two seasons. This was due partly to efficient control by the cycling referee, Mr A. B. Allen (Te Awamutu), and partly to the fact that the present list of -cycling competitors is much more evenly matched than previously. Added to this, in practically every race there was at least one rider who endeavoured to put daylight between himself and the remainder with about two laps to go. In any case, whatever the reason, the cycling titles were well and truly earned. To the delight of a thousand odd Tauranga fans, their dashing idol, J. Wooller, collected all three senior titles. Wooller, unlike most class riders, believes in jumping the field at the straight entrance just before the bell and the result in most cases was a thrilling battle throughout the final lap with first one and then another challenging and dropping ' back. Wooller is a worthy champion and the Tauranga folk may well be proud of him. N. Coker (TG) and N. K. Freeman (T.P) divided the junior titles, the former narrowly defeating his club mate Richards in the mile and the latter taking the half-mile. Irwin’s Good Double L. D. Irwin (H) recorded a good double in the 880yds in 2min 3 3-ssec and the mile in 4min 47sec. In the half the Hamilton trio, comprising Irwin, Dick and Silvester, lay well back over the greater portion of the race, and surged through in the last furlong to take the winning places in the order named. In the mile Irwin “sat in*’ on his field with good results. The Paeroa veteran, A. Morrissey, gave his opponents 15 years in age and was first into the straight, although the winnwas far from ex-

tended. J. Devcich (TH) took third place after being in the lead throughout. Irwin has now 7 won the 880yds title in successive years and has thus two notches in his assault on the great record of P. G. Lindsay fformerly of Whatawhata and now of Waihi', who won both half and mile titles five times on end. E. Francis (TU) travelled over 200 miles to compete in the three miles fiat and received a great hand from the crowded gallery as ho sprinted up the final straight to win the title in 16min 9 2-ssec—good time, considering that he was unsupported throughout. Francis has a true Marathon style and the remarkable ease of his running impressed several good judges. Hurdles to Bane and Joyes Showing great improvement since last season, E. Bane (TA) defeated A. H. Malcolm (H) in the 120 yards high hurdles. The time, ITsec, was slow-, but Bane gave a dashing display of hurdling. The Auckland' lowhurdles champion. R. B. Joyes (H), made no race of both the 220 yards and the 440 yards hurdles events. Joyes gave a polished display and takes the eye as a likely winner of both ; these titles at the Auckland championships next week. Bane (TH) , followed him home in the 220 and jK. Jacka (H) in the 440. The latter, j competing in his first Waikato championship event, was far from disgraced. Last-minute scratchings reduced the one-mile walk to one en- ! trant, and D. Martin (H) returned a good performance of a difficult task. Martin leaves Hamilton on transfer to i Auckland next, month, and his future j efforts will be followed with interest. Field Events The senior field events section produced its usual proportion of sur- ! prises, disappointments and narrow' : victories. Probably the finest example of the last-named was in the : shot putt, won by the title-holder, A. E. Graham OH) with 36ft 4Jin 1 from his club mate, G. Tait. with 36ft 4in. If there has even been a closer battle “Nurmi” has not seen it.

Hamilton monopolised the placings in the discus and hammer. In the former O. Bogun, A. E. Sutton and G. Tait were the best three, with Bogun a comfortable winner with i 14ft 2in. In the hammer Tait hurled one out to 126 ft 7in to take first honours from Sutton and Graham.

The Jumps 11. Parsons (H) and S. B. Carter (iH) staged an excitinjg duel in the broad jump and hop, step and jump. In the former Parsons took first honours from Carter with 20ft 7in. Carter turned the tables in the hop, step and jump with a fine effort of nearly 44ft. The high jump was noteworthy, as it produced the first Waikato title success of the newlyformed Paeroa Club, whose representative, A. J. McKain, outjumped a good field. McKain’s success was particularly well received. The former Wellingtonian, G. Bradey, secured his first championship when he cleared 10ft Gin in the pole vault. Former Champion J. Ferguson performed well below- form on the day. In the javelin L. Pearson put a good one out to 154 feet to secure the title from the Tauranga representative, J. Whiting. Junior Section The junior sprint events unearthed one of the most promising athlets of recent years in W. Tanner, of Tauranga. Tanner strolled home in the 100 yards in 10 3-ssec and repeated the performance in the 220 yards in 23 3-ssec, and his efforts give considerable weight to the contention of his supporters that he may collect a national junior title on March 25. Tanner's style reminds one strongly if the former national 100. 220 and 440 yards champion W. 5. Bainbridge. The similarity was particularly marked in the 220 yards, and “Nurmi” would mark the Tauranga lad down as a topnotch quarter-miler two or three seasons hence.

ATHLETIC CALENDAR (By “Nurmi”) FEB. 18.—PAEROA. Entries close February 9. FEB. 25. AUCKLAND CHAMPS at. Auckland. Entries Close FeD. 16. MARCH 4. —FOURTH WAIKATOS at Steele Park. Entries Close February 25. MARCH 11.— TE AWAMUTU (Postponed from Anniversary Day), also N.Z. Championships, at Napier. MARCH 18.— AUCKLAND v. WAIKATO Relay meeting at Morrinsville. Appearance of Miss Decima Norman. MARCH 25. —MATAMATA, also N.Z. Junior and women’s cnamplonships at Auckland. APRIL 1. —THAMES. APRIL B. (Easter Saturday), TE KUITI. APRIL 10. —(Easter Monday), TAURANGA and TAUMARANUI. APRIL 15.—KAIPAKI.