Athletics

This year's tournament athletics should mark the beginning of a number of years in which a high standard of athletics is reached. Unfortunately Victoria did not march with the times, and relative to other Colleges our results were as bad as our least optimistic predictions.

The results of Saturday's events showed that our opponents were not only on form but several of them were doing better that they had done previously in the season. A few records were likely to be broken if the ground improved. On the Monday the ground having dried considerably was no longer slippery and considerably firmer than on Saturday, while the sun was shining and there was again very little wind. This Tournament produced very few surprises and as was expected several records were broken. Brown of Canterbury, who ran second in the National Championships at Wanganui broke the mile walk record, and Eustace of Auckland took three-fifths of a second off the 220 yds. hurdles record which is not as good as he has done. The high jump record was raised to 6 ft. by the National Champion, Borland of Canterbury, and also Mara of Otago. It was a pity that many people, including the announcer did not realise how easily a jumper can be put off by small noises and movements. In this event some jumpers can spend over a minute looking at the cross bar mentally preparing themselves for the supreme effort which comes in the form of an emotional climax. When people choose the same time to run a boozing race just off the field it is no wonder that Mara was a little unsettled and had several mis-jumps.

Miss Gourley of Canterbury equalled her N.Z. record in the 80 metres hurdles and produced good times in the sprints though Mary Schouler VUC was not far behind her. Another splendid runner was the N.Z. Junior Champion, Plunkett of Canterbury.

In the javelin throw Errol Apperley looked like a winner until Mara put up a winning throw near the end ruining our only hope of a point against the tournament trophy. Tony Munden came in second in the 440 yards. Clem Hawke finished fast in the three miles keeping with the winner until 100 yds. from home, and Gib Bogle came second equal in the 440 hurdles after looking like a second for most of the race.

In the women's relay Gay Nimmo ran in place of Yvonne Chapman, who strained a leg muscle, with Mary Shouler, Julie Flett and Peg Leamy. The girls were terribly disappointed to be disqualified after running second to Canterbury in the race.

The final blow fell at the ball on Tuesday night when Ewen Drummond. the only VUC athlete to collect a trophy, received the Athletic Wooden Spoon from the hands or Mrs. Tocker.

Canterbury are to be congratulated on winning the Athletic Shield by a clear margin, and we thank them sincerely for the splendid way they organized the Athletic Meeting and the hospitality on and off the field.