ATHLETICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2694, 27 December 1909, Page 6

ATHLETICS.

HOLWAY VERSUS POSTLE.

Mail advices bring particulars of the race over 120 yards at Wigan, m winch tho Australian sprinter, Arthur Jostle, sustained his first defeat ins victor being Charles Holway of America. According to the Manchester “Sporting Chronicle,” the conditions were most unfavorable for sprinters. Rain fell in torrents -on the day of the race, with tho result tbah the track was sodden. Holway provided himself ■with an extra pair of shoes -with specially long spikes, and just before the race he decided' to use them. Postle, on toother hand, had mode no such provision, arid the “Chronicle” states that using short spikes on such. o. track had considerable effect on his strides. The race is thus described “Get ready,”' both men rose at the word, the pistol fired, and, to a splendid start, they got away. Postle, sweeping low, as usual, seemed to bo the quicker into his stride,' but Holwav lost nothing at the start. 1 ostlc, however, was the quicker into his running. Inside 20 yards he was clear ; at 30 he was a yard in front of his rival, 4ind the crowd shrieked as the wellknown figure of the Australian, stealing low, the while, Holway, in contrast, “ran high,” seemed to be going the better, of the pair. But Holway-hau tremendous reserve; they had no sooner crossed the 30 yards mark than the American put on an effort that carried him, inch by inch, nearer to his rival. In'less time than it takes to tell he had drawn level —this was at CO yards, and from thence to the finish the men battled out a truly great struggle. Shoulder to shoulder they came on; like a flash of white and red they got within ten yards of tbe tape. Then Holway’s stride—longer than Postle’s—gradually carried him just a- little in front. For a fraction of a second the race hung in the 'balance, but the next stride saw Holway just clear; another stride, rind his right foot landed exactly on the line marking the end of the 120 yards, while nis breast broke the worsted above, less than a foot in front of Postle in time equivalent to two and a half' yrifds /inside- 12sec. '- > A magnificent finish, truly! Postle’s last stride to the tape was five inches short, and this little difference marked the margin by which Holway won. Postle had! nothing, to say. Like a sportsfnan, he never complained, never found an excuse. The first thing he uttered when he had recovered his breath was:; “Well, he’s a great runner.” And that sririis up the situation. / Postlo, however, will run him again, but ‘in--the spring or summer time. Such weather conditions as ruled ori Saturday are not to his liking. W. Growcotb was an interested spectator of * the ’.match: said he would take two yards off either for £SO aside ; Nat Cartmell, too, watched the race ; and another who was greatly interested was Reggie Walker/ ; - " , ; li -And all gave credit -to Holway- for a magnificent victory, well won. • TTNCLER BEATS HEFFERON. The mile match -between Georgiv Blennerhasset Tincler (Ireland) /and Charlie /Hefferon v (South Africa) took place at Lord’s Ground, Durban, on November 13. The attendance numbered about 1500/people, including many prominent citizens and sportsmen of note. , The S.'A. record was held by Hefferon at 4min 31 4-ssec, and although Hefferon finished in 4 min' 30 3-ssec, Tincrer/beat : hini easily, winning by about 30 yards, in 4min 25 3-ssec. The South African

distance- crack forced' the pace for 2$ laps, when Tincler went to the front and stayed . there.: Tincler pulled' up fresh and well, but his opponent was run right out.