"DOWN."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 33, 9 February 1928, Page 9

"DOWN."

THRILLS AND SPILLS.

IN CHRISTCHURCH CYCLING,

FIELD REDUCED FROM TWELVE TO FOUR. (By Tekgraph.—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, this day. There were thrills combined with speed at English Park Stadium last evening, when the Christchurch Cycling Club conducted a sports meeting. There were six spills during the evening, over a dozen riders being involved. In neither of the first two spills was a rider injured. A third smash took place at the top bend of the track when two or three riders became entangled during the progress of a cycling handicap. The climax came in the last event of the evening, the Five Miles Scratch race. Twelve riders started, pacemakers assisting in the race. After a few laps had been covered a sudden change in the order of the riders resulted in W. T. Weir and another falling heavily, arid Weir received a few scratches. A few more laps had been covered when, as the field entered the straight, some sudden jostling caused five or six machines to collide. Five riders fell in a heap, the field thus being reduced to five. With only two laps to go, A. C. Ritchie was seen riding inside the line as he went to pass Mackie, who was leading. His machine caught Mackie's wheel and Ritchie fell heavily. Fortunately he came down on the grass and was not seriously hurt. The race resumed with only four riders left, and nothing of incident occurred, Mackie winning from ,T. Henderson. Many of the spectators were far from satisfied and mingled with the cheers accorded the winner there were many hoots. A large crowd rushed the enclosure where debates and arguments were held and heated discussions took place between many of the riders.