Although heavy rain fell all day Saturday, the weather on Easter Monday was fine, and people from the surrounding districts flocked to Wyena for the sports. A large band of ladies came from Golconda to assist the ladies' committee at Wyena. The men gathered old manferns, enabling the ladies to neatly decorate their stalls.
Herrick and Launceston brought large contingents, while by horse vehicles and motors others arrived. The gate takings amounted to £23 19s, being far above expectations. Nearly 600 people passed through the gate, and the total takings for the afternoon amounted to £110.The secretary was Mr. J. A. Wallace, and everything passed off without a hitch.
The first event was timed to start at 11 o'clock sharp, and was got off punctually. The handicapper (Mr. G. Watts) acted also as starter and time-keeper. The Judges were Messrs. Haas, G. Reid, and C. Allenby.
The final handicap chop created keen competition, as every competitor seemed to have a winning chance until the last second, when the whole of the blocks toppled off almost together. The championship went to the veteran axeman, John Keogh, of Lebrlna,who secured the gold medal and blue ribbon. Mr. Keogh was congratulated from the whole of the competitors on his success. Mr. H. F. Wood, champion of the North-East Coast, although narrowly defeated, gave a splendid exhibition of chopping by downing his block in twenty-one seconds. Results:
First heat-G. Harrison, 28sec., 1; M.Storey, 22sec., 2. Won by a blow. Time,35sec.
Second heat-J. Jacobson, 22sec.,1; A. Lang, 21sec., 2. Won by a blow.Time, 32Sec.
Third heat-J. A. Williams,22sec., Ron. Shepherd, 28sec., 2. Won by half a blow. Time, 33sec.
Fourth heat-Colan Brown. 24sec., 1; A. J. Johnson, 24sec., 2. Won by a blow. Time, 45sec.
Fifth heat - E. Pangbourne, 28sec., 1; F. Kelly, 18sec., 2; B. Bishop, 24sec., 8. A protest was entered against E. Pengbourne for slabbing, and P. Kelly was placed as first. Time, 45sec.
Final.
G. Harrison, 28sec........... 1
M. Storey, 22sec... .. .. .. .. 2
Ron Shepherd ............ .. .. *
B.. Bishop .................. .. .. *
* Dead-heat. Won by a blow. Time, 46sec.
OPEN CHOP.
First heat-G. Brown, 34sec., 1; W.Shipton, 16sec., 2. Won by a blow, Time, 55sec.
Second heat-J. F. Wallace, 26sec., 1; B. Bishop, 24sec., 2. Won by two blows. Time, 55Sec.
Third heat J. Keogh, 34sec., 1; W. Watts, 20sec., 2.Won by two blows. Time. 57sec.
Fourth heat-D. Power, 20sec., 1; E. Pangbourne,30sec., 2. Won by two blows. Time,87sec.
Fifth heat-C. Coward, 20sec., 1;A. Clements, 18sec., 2. Won by half ablow. Time, 37sec.
Final.
J. Keogh, 34sec, .. ... ..... 1.
D. Power, 20sec. .. .. ... ...2.
F. Kelly, 22sec... .........3
Won by a fraction of a second. Time,51sec.
SHEFFIELD HANDICAP.
First heat-S. Fowelly, 7yds., 1;
A.Ryan, 16yds., 2.
Second heat-V. Watts,16yds., 1;
A, Burns, 9yds., 2.
Final.
A. Burns ....... . .. .. 1
V. Watts ..... . . .. .. 2A.
Ryan ............. .. 3
WYENA MILE TROT.
F. Hills' Bill Byron .. .. .. .. ..... 1
C. Allenby's Meg .. .. .. .. .... . 2
B. Hills Dolly Byron .... .... .. ..3
LEBRINA TROT,1½ miles.
Adams' Mack .. .... ..... .. .. 1
Jones' Wallard .. .. .. .. .. . 2
F. Hills' Bill Byron .. ...... . .. 3
TUNNEL MAIDEN TROT,One mile.
W. Partridge's Dandy Jean . . .. ..1
T. Shipton's Joan .. .. .... .. . .... .. 2
Adams' Holly O.E. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3
OTHER ATTRACTIONS.
Weight of Live Sheep--Mrs. T. Crawford.
Stepping the Chain.--S. Hill and D. Harrison, dead-heat.
Tug-of-War.-Rope broke.
Pea Puzzle--H. Broad.
In the evening a concert was held in Wyena Hall. This also proved to be a great success, about 200 people being present. Those who contributed were Misses Watts, Partridge, and H. Keogh; Messrs. Matherson, Bennet, Williams, Johnson, and Bennett. After the supper the floor was cleared for the dancing, which was indulged in till the early hours of the morning. Miss H. Keogh supplied the music for the evening. The dancing was in the capable hands of Mr. G. W. Watts who was M.C.
Wyena Sports (1924, April 29). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 3 (DAILY). Retrieved October 17, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51337959