AMATEUR ATHLETICS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20995, 23 December 1939, Page 22 (Supplement)

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

HAMILTON OPEN MEETING SPECTACULAR MARCHING SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION (By “Nurmi”) The inauguration of the interhouse competition in conjunction with the Hamilton open meeting can be described as an unqualified success from start to finish: “Nurmi” has witnessed many striking events in his long experience but none can compare with the vivid impressions of the spectacular marching display by the women's teams in the interhouse competition. That the inter-house meeting will develop into one of our greatest attractions is perfectly obvious. It is to be regretted that the Hamilton public are not attracted by such displays. Of course, as the Mayor Mr H. D. Caro, stated in his address, there are quite a number of Hamiltonians who like their sport all right but they don’t like to pay for it. The fact that there were nearly as many outside the ground watching the marching as there were among the paying guests, added some weight to the Mayor’s remarks. It might have given the Hamilton Domain Board some food for thought also, had members observed over 100 young women competing at a sports meeting, where no conveniences were available and the only dressing accommodation was a small tent. Improvements to Hamilton’s playing areas are certainly long over-due.

Snappy Ball Games Under the direction of Miss Elspeth ]VfcNicol, who previously controlled the Auckland inter-house meeting, various ball games were contested. All three were won by a very nippy set of girls from Hooker and Kingston, Ltd. The triple success of this reflects credit on its coach, the well-known Waikato allrounder, R. B. Joyes, who spent most of his spare time over the last six weeks in its interests.

The Marching Contest The chief event of the day, the marching contest, went to H. and J. Court’s team, which gave a sparkling display and fully deserved its success. Chief coach, Roy Dent, is to be congratulated on the splendid work of what could easily have become an un wieldly line. It is worth noting that Ihe points for attractiveness in uniforms were headed by Dairy Company, while in the usefulness contest State Advances was first. In the aggregate, the winner was Hooker and Kingston and this team will thus hold the Woolworths trophy.

Wonderful Efforts There were some outstanding times recorded in the open athletic events. Space does not permit a detailed review but mention must be made of the phenomenal half-mile times of the junior performers Ron Buckingham and D. A. Dreyer. The former off 75 yards won in lmin. 54 4-5 s<* s, so that his time works out at 2 r as 5 3-8 secs, for the full distance v uich is some running for a junior. D .eyer, off 45 yards, finished four yard l , back, second, so his time would be - in the vicinity of 2min. 2 secs, or probably .just inside that time. The Hamilton club appears to have ’ aearthed some really class juniors this season, as the two mentioned arc not by any means the full extent of the club’s resources.

Te Aroha on Loxing D?|y Numerous entries have been received for the Te Aroha Kiwi Athletic Club’s meeting on Boxing Day and given fine weather a bumper meeting is assured. As “Nurmi” has already pointed out in this column, the Te Aroha Club has had a tough row to hoe and the dong lane must be due to turn any time now. Intending competitors please note that the meeting commences at 11.30 a.m. sharp.

Bus to Taumarunui —January 2. “Nurmi” wishes to acknowledge the following reservations for the projected bus trip to Taumarunui on January 2, leaving early in the morning and returning late that night, after the dance—Misses O’Halloran, Broughton, Signal, Buckingham, and Messrs Alker, Bogun, Bradey, Buckingham. sen., Buckingham, jun., and Veen, the latter a cyclist from Te Awamutu. Intending travellers are advised that the Taumarunui club is paying a good proportion of the expense of this 25-seater bus and it is not intended to run unless at least fifteen competitors make the trip.