ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10230, 8 January 1927, Page 11

ATHLETICS

HOLIDAY MEETINGS. NOTES AND NEWS. i(J3y “Stride.") Amaetenr athletes had imicli to engage their attention at New Year time, althongh at the Ngatapa meeting events were few, whilst the reverse was the case at Ormond.

NGATAPA MEETING. Onlv two amateur events were held on the first day of the Ngatapa meeting, but both drew good fields. Why the 220 and 440yds were down for decision on the second day is a mystery to me, especially when it was known that all the amateur runners had nominated for Ormond.

A THRILLING SPRINT—PALTRIDGE DOES “EVENS.”

"When Owen Paltridge, the crack Povertv Bay ’sprinter, won his heat of the 120' yards .handicap from scratch in 12 l-ssec great time was expected from him in the final, as he appeared to have a bit in reserve. As Sutcliffe had clashed off a heat in the same time it was anticipated that the back marker would have to do “evens” to win. The final was a credit to the h;uid i capper (Mr. Arthur Swan) and reminiscent of the finish of the Black- and White Handicap, and the 220 yards won by the world’s champion, Jackson Scholz, on the Childers Road Reserve. From a perfect start the six finalists immediately began to spark on all six cylinders Twenty yards from’ the tape Bobbie looked a sure winner hut Paltridge, with a great burst ot speed, fairly flew over the remaining distance to snatch victory from putcliff© hv an eyelash, with Bobbie a hair away third. The whole field finished within two feet of each other The time was eagerly awaited and even the winner seemed curious. When tlie time was announced the winner was heartily congratulated on his 12-see run, the most brilliant performance he has ever accomplished.

LIVINGSTONE BREAKS HIS “DUCK.”

Quite a respectable field contested the mile handicap, in which Livingstone scored his initial win, a _state of affairs which was very popular with the hoys. This member is a great trier and runs a very solid mile. Lie finished full of ginger and easily staved off a determined challenge from “Olahby” Clouston. THE.SECOND DAY. Somewhat to the surprise of many people Grant McDonald attended the .sports on the second day and won the furlong and a quarter from two opponents who have not had a shoe on tins season. The was the Allen Cup. THE ORMOND SPORTS All the active members of the Amateur Club transferred themselves to the Ormond sports on January 3. Ihe meeting, solely confined to amateurs drew lnree entries in all events. reached L of the splendid . surface was certainly fast for wheelmen, but not at all suitable for peds. Competition in all events was keen whilst the handicapping of Mr. A. O, Swan was all that could be desir-j ed.

PARTRIDGE AGAIN SPRINTS WELL.

Something extra good was expected from Owen Paltridge after liis brilliant run at the Ngatapa meeting, and lie duly won the century dasli in 10 2-ssec on a track inches deep in mud. If the sprint ace had let himself go in his heat, which he won in the same time as the final, a “ten-one” run would have, been registered.

DOBBIE BOLTS A FURLONG. I was indeed pleased to see Frankie Dobbie collect the 220 yards handicap, after making a splendid run right down the straight. If this member would display the same determination at the end of a race as lie showed at the Park and Ormond, he would find that the judges would soon get to know him better, Dobbie also ran a good race in the “100” final and caught second “pussy.”

TRUMAN RUNS A GOOD QUARTER.

Evidently Fred. Truman thought a couple of whippets were figuring on the scratch mark, because he got down to business and annexed the quarter in great style. It was perhaps the best run lie has shown this season, whilst his hurst of speed down the straight was really an excellent effort by one who had had a hard day’s racing.

MCDONALD’S GOOD EFFORT

Charlie McDonald’s effort in the “half” was quite good, and seeing that lie lias not won a race for a day or so lie evidently thought it uas time he got into prime again. “Mac” still persists in hunching his shoulders up when sprinting, which must greatly impede his speed. GEORGE INGRAM BREAKS THE ICE, Now that Brother Wally lias departed, George .Ingram has started out to keep up the family reputation in the distance events*. This youth certainly ran a good mile for liis initial win, and strode along nicely throughout the race. Ingram has a good style and when lie becomes stronger should develop into quite a handy miler.

MISSES WILSON AND HANSEN AGAIN.

At the Kaiteratahi sports Miss Hansen won the 75 yards and Miss Wilson the 100 yards. Just by way of a change the platings. were reversed at Ormond. Both girls sprinted in great tsvle and Miss Hansen showed the sensational time of 11 3-5 sec from the 24 yard mark in her heat of the “hundred.” She won the final alter a dashing run and more pleasing still went strongly right up to the tape.. Miss Wilson iairly bolted in the 75 yards final, her display being very high-class. Ibis young lady* has improved out of all knowledge since returning from the Wellington visit, and on form would hold her own against the best in tho country. As a matter of fact she has nothing to fear from other centres, her most dangerous opponents being Gisborne girls.

SWAN COLLECTS THE “HALF.” When Harry Swan is in form lie can pedal with the best of thorn, and from the good mark he received in the “half” lie only had to sit on Iris bike to win. This rider was also very prominent in the other two cycling events, and as he is now training’ consistently a race or two should soon conic liis way.

A GREAT RACE—“DIGGER DOUGLAS SHINES.

One of the most exciting races I have witnessed was the 2 miles cycle handicap l , in which “Digger ’ Douglas showed great judgment to score narrowly from Ernie Algie. It was a clinking finish to a splendid race which was pedalled throughout at a great pace. Unfortunately for Jack Algie he received a had bump in the final lap, otherwise matters would have been more interesting still, as this rider was only defeated by his brother right at the finish. Douglas is now in liis best form and I greatly enjoyed his free and effortless pedalling’in this race. His time was the fastest ever registered by an amaiui in this district and smashed liis own Poverty Bay record by about twentyfive seconds.

SPLENDID DISPLAY BY LADIES RELAY TEAM.

The most interesting feature nt the Ormond sports was the splendid display given by the ladies’ relay team over 440 yards. Paced by Tom Corkery and Owen Paltridge, the four girls sent the baton around the track at a great rate. The baton exchanging was very snappy and even their coach seemed highly pleased with the run. To scamper a quarter in 52 3-osec on a very dead track is high-class and should make even the Wellington team tremble slightly.

JOTTINGS. • Congratulations to Frank Dobbie on winning the L.V.A. Cup for most points in Lite 100, 220 and 440 yard events. Paltridge and Truman tied for the Kirk Medal, given to the runner-up in the above races and will doubtless argue it out on the Reserve track.

Officials of the Amateur Club were very conspicuous by their presence at the' Ormond sports. ■Charlie Brown acted ns starter nt Ormond and proved Ihat, although, short of practice, he still retains a gcod trigger finger. Miss Newey ran in.something like her true form to secure a second in the 75 yards. She seemed quite delighted, too. At present Les. Barker seems to run too stiff, but is improving each time' ho competes. He performed well at the holiday meetings. The way in which Miss Hansen slid round the bend during the relay exhibition made the sprint ace who was pacing her have a look to see if it was really one of, the team who was on the track.

“Snowy” Thomson was quite pleased with himself at the conclusion of the holiday meetings, as each of his team had registered a win. The Poverty Bay cycle champion, Ernie Algie, is in great form and along with Brother Jack will make things interesting for “Digger” Douglas when the championships come off. Where did all the stop-watches come from just prior to the 120 yds. final at the Ngatapa sports? The good advice Fred Trumau received from the hoys before racing the. whippets must have greatly assisted him in his strenuous task. It was bad luck for Harry Martin to be left out of the quarter at Ormond, hut as the others were ready, so should he have been.

The most popular place on the Ormond sports ground appeared to.be the secretary’s tent. The officials had to get somewhere out of the rain. _ ... Handieapper 'Swan, armed with a stop-watch, various books and pencils, was quite a prominent figure at the’ country meetings.

As Ingram, iJunr., strode over the' line a winner, Vice-president Ingram, Senr., fairly beamed his pleasure at his son’s first win.

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

“FATTY” LAMB MEETING

ENTRIES CLOSE TO-DAY

Great interest is being evinced in the appearance of It. W. (fatty) .Lamb at the Oval on Saturday, January 15. The Australian champion is the world’s greatest'amateur cyclist and is equally at home on the track or road. He is considered the fastest motor-paced rider in the world, and has attained the incredible speed ot 67 miles per hour behind the rollers. At the recent motor cycle sports on the Park race course the crack riders were lapping at a mile a minute so some idea can be obtained of Lamb’s extraordinary power on a cycle. On the recent performances of the Algio Bros, and Douglas the mile invitation scratch race should .prove the greatest cycle event ever witnessed in Poverty Bay. By the number of entries already received it is anticipated that nominations for the meeting will constitute a record. Intending competitors are reminded that entries close this evening with Mr W. Hankey, at Mr Chas. Adair’s.

RIDE-OFF FOR PUDGE CUP

TROPHY WON BY J. ALGIE

The ride-off for the Pudge Cup, owing to three competitors tying on points in previous competitions, was held on the Reserve last night over a distance of L] miles, J. Algie (scr.) M. McMahon (80yds), and J. Mercer (165yds.) being the contestants. Mercer Ted at a fast pace, McMahon gaining about 20yds in the fust lap on the leader. Algie made up a lot of ground in the second lap, and passed the SSOyds. mark 75yds. behind the leader, J. Mercer. In the third lap McMahon passed Mercer, and at the end of the mile McMahon was leading Algie by about five yards.' Mercer had trouble with one of Ids foot straps and pulled up. At the bell Algie and McMahon were together. McMahon'took the lead for a hundred yards then Algie sprinted and came home a winner by two vards. Time, Amin. 26sec.