ATHLETICS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10306, 15 January 1927, Page 11

ATHLETICS

A SPLENDID EVENING MEETING NOTES AND NEWS. (Bv "Stride.”) Til© splendid programme submitted by tlie G.A.A. and H.C. at their evening meeting on January 6 was greatly appreciated by a large attendance of athletic “fans.” The amateur officials are to be complimented on introducing novelty events as tlie sameness of the evening meetings was becoming monotonous. CYCLIST AND RUNNER DEADHEAT. in their first match over 75 yards Paltridge easily defeated Douglas, but the second race over 100 yards was a thrilling affair-and resulted in a dead heat although each thought he had won. Paltridge got away fast at the gun and soon established a handy lead, which tlie cyclist tfegnn to reduce at the 75 yards npirlc. Much diversity of opinion existed as to who had - won, but a dead-heat was a fair decision. One so-called athletic expert considered the runner had got a “flv” but this is entirely wrong and would only appear so owing to the superiority of Paltridge at tlie start. No cyclist in the world can get off With the same speed as a crack sprinter.

.miss McDonald sprints well

Since returning, from Wellington, Miss McDonald lms been much below form, but is evidently on the improve. as was shown when she collected the century dash. She certainly wasted no time when the gun went, anil managed to hold cut long enough to defeat -Miss Eastwood by a narrow margin in tlie fast time of 11 4-osec. -V PECULIAR DECISION. Although the Poverty Bay crack lady sprinter was only inches behind Miss McDonald she was not placed, much to the surprise of everyone bar the judge concerned. Second place was awarded to a girl who was obviously fourth. Anyhow judges are not infallible, so I will leave it at that. RELAY TEAM DEFEAT QUARTER CHAMPION. Where Billy Kyle (440yds _N.Z. champion) failed against the Wellington ladies, Harry Martin boned to succeed in his match against the ladies’ relay team. The “quarter’ champion bolted for the first three laps and then closed like a book. He ran the wrong kind of a race under adverse conditions. Chasing “thin air” is lisp'd for any runner but if Martin had eased up when lie came to Miss Hansen ho would then have had enough energy to run up the straight. As it was he was “pumped” when Miss Eastwood caught him and couid not carry on. The time established by the girls was high-class considering the wet track. a McDonald affair. All three places went to the McDonald dan m the 600vds Handicap, and as Miss McDonald also collected the ladies’ race I am sure the great Scotch \comedian would have been pleased if lie bad been present. Billy McDonald ran in great stylo and at the finish ivas an easy winner. This member has been well to the fore in all his starts and is greatly improved.

SECRET DISTANCE CYCLE RACE. I thoroughly enjoyed this race, although some of the competitors did not. Big Jack Algic was on pins and needles from the gun and was always in a handy position. A furlong from the finish the Algic- Bros, and Douglas sorted themselves out and in a great finish Jack Algic led his brother over the line with “Digger” Douglas also right there. A fewmore of these races would be interesting and next time 1 would suggest that the hell not be used. WELCOME TO FATTY LAMB AND RANDOLPH ROSE. “Stride” would like to extend to “Fatty” Lamb and Randolph'Rose a hearty welcome to Poverty Bay. 1 am looking forward to seeing these two great athletes in action and 1 am sure Gisborneitcs will appreciate their appearance on the. Oval track. Although their stay’ will he brief 1 am sure it will he a pleasant one. JOTTINGS. “Stride” intends in the near future to write an article which may appeal to members of the Club. My brain wave will he headed “The three S’s,” namely stvle, speed and stamina. These three things are essential to any athlete. • . A great athletic writer of America recently said: “Any athletic writci can criticise when he knows nothing about the game; few can write athletic article's.” I am taking the hml and will do my best. Owing to the fact that I was asked to write an article on the Olympic Games in this issue my notes this week will be abbreviated. Miss Eastwood was in great form on January 6 and her run in the Una of the 100yds was equal to 11 3-ssei on a good track. jt was said at the Reserve thal “lavish” is going to be handicappec in the next 600 yards “Who pushec me?” is always asked after this run ner tears' through the field. A number of Poverty Bay track re cords are in eminent danger to-day If- -Randolph Rose wins the mile wha a shock Wallv Ingram’s time will get .Some cvclists are greatly concerned that “Digger” Douglas and . Erni A hue are on the mark with h att; Lamb. The two riders themselve are greatly honored and are no squealing. Others do that for them