CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 13

CYCLING.

THE CASH RIDERS. RUDGE SHIELD CONTEST. W. PRATNEY BACK TO FORM. FIXTURES. September 24. —20J Miles Handicap, 2.45 p.m. October I.—McAneny Cup (40 Miles). October 15.—Cambridge-Auckland, North. Island Championship (finishing Papukura). October 24 (Labour Day)/—Xe Aroha A. and C. Club's Carnival. The annual road race for the Rudge Challenge Shield was decided last ■ Saturday by the Auckland Cycle Club at 'l'amaki, under ideal racing conditions, with only a light breeze. The course used was the usual one, six laps and a half having to be traversed, a total distance of 30 miles. Once again a good field of 22 faced the starter, which has been a pleasing feature of the season's distance events. There is no mistaking the fact, that those who contemplate starting in the classic event next month are out to get in all the racing they can, to ensure that they will be well'fitted for their'long journey. It should not be for the want of racing if they do not uphold the prestige of the. club this year. Those who started were: J. Sampson, L. Devlin, 15.0; C. Reid, W. Hills, F. Clarke, A. Mackrell, T. Davis, 12.30; E. Grover, 10.30; F. Lowndes, O. Porter, 9.0; P. Biclinell, A. Brass, 7.0; D. Storey, S. Ward, 4.30; W. Pratney, G. Hall, W. Pinker, 2.45; E. Cleaver, J. Cooney, K. Mathieson, 2.0; R. Watson, S. Litchfield, scr. At the halfway mark the field clocked in thus: Sampson, 43.37; Reid, Clarke, Mackrell, 45.8; Hills, 45.25; Grover, 46.45; Porter, 47.41; Devlin, Brass, Bicknell, 48.37; Pinker, Pratney, 50.2; Hall, 50.40; Mathieson, Cociney, Cleaver, 50.52; Litchfield, 53.28. The front-markers still led for the next two laps, with the back men now fast moving up, and with two miles and a half to go a bunch of six led, namely, Reid, Brassj Clarke, Pratney, Pinker and Mackrell, with Hills a few seconds after them. Sampson and Porter were next to pass, 45s after the leaders, then Mathieson, 1.11. Into the home stretch came six in a bunch, Brass was missing, but Mathieson was with them. Reid immediately led out in a long sprint, and a great battle was witnessed all the way to the line. He held on well, but Pratney, Mathieson and Pinker shot up, for Pratney to just get there by half a wheel from Reid, with Mathieson the same distance away, as was Pinker also.

Reid's Surprise Packet. Bill Pratney (2.45) demonstrated he is right back to his best form again, and, as in jiast seasons, lias come to light at the tail-end of each one. Of course, he may have done better ere now, only for receiving a fractured shoulder whilst training halfway through the season. This rider, as of yore, will be wonderfully fit to tacke the big classic, .also round the mountain, and track events on Labour Day. When right he is a rider of class, and the writer is of the opinion that though he won by a small margin, he was not in top-gear by any means, for he finished very fit. One can expect some good displays from him from now on. If the leading buncli had not slowed up over the final stages, Pratney would also have gained time honours. His riding time was lh 25m 19s. "Chiller" Reid (12.30) was the surprise packet of the race, inasmuch that he not only rode a great race, but sprung a surprise at the lhiish that caught the others napping, and which just failed to materialise. He went down with flying colours, and a victory for him would have been one of the most popular of the season. This was his best performance for many seasons, and showed he is going to be a much fitter man for the big race this year than ever before. A good sprinter on the track a few years back, "Chiller" gave ample proof he has not lost the art when he put in his "long-sleever," which nearly came off. The rest evidently thought it was only a flash in the pan, as it were. He is only able to race once a month. His time was 111 35m 4s. N Ken Mathieson (2.0), by sticking to his task, had the satisfaction of not only figuring in the finish, but gaining time honours into the bargain. .This was brought about by the leading division slowing up over the last two miles and a half, so much so, as is shown when Mathieson was 1.11 behind at this stage. There was nobodv more surprised than Pratney when he ranged up. Ken, although' tired, went out for a "feeler" just before rounding into the finish, whereupon Reid set. sail for the line. It was to this that Reid attributed his defeat. Ken's riding time was lh 24m 355, which will now be the standing record for 30 miles over this circuit, against Jack Wade's lh 32m .30s over the larger circuit. \ Bill Pinker (2.45) rode his best race since joining the club, and, along with Pratney, gave a finished display of team work, although to Pinker must be given the credit for the lion's share, his laps being stingers. The "twa Bills," with time up their sleeve, at two miles and a half to go, looked assured of fighting it out for the honours, but they erred by slackening. Although Pinker did not manage to share in the stakes like his partner, lie deserved to for his good work. His riding time was 2s slower than Pratney's. Alt' Mackrell, Frank Clarke and A. Brass all went good races, the two firstnamed especially so; they seem to relish the distance events. Brass in his two races so far lias only failed in tlie closing stages, and looks a likely proposition ere the season ends. Entries for the big Cambridge-Auckland championship are now coming to hand from the province, and there is every indication of a record field lining up this year. Rumour hath it that one or two prominent provincial amateurs will figure in the entry list. For the benefit of those who have received programmes, £2 cash has been added to the first prize by the Waharoa Club, making £9 cash now. Entries close October 7, with the secretary, P.O. Box 305,. Auckland. . The Whakatane Club's ten miles and a half race on September 10 was won by A. Stewart (3.30), who was competing for the first time. He rode a splendid race to score by a good margin from C. Hansen, also off 3.30, with W. Hansen (15s) third. The latter also recorded fastest time, beating Aberhart and Doncaster in the final sprint by one lengtli and a half in 27.0, breaking the record by 20s. K. Benton (3.30) spoilt a chance of a place when he came down through touching another rider's wheel. This club's big open race from Tauranga. which was to have been held this month, has not as yet been finalised.

WITH THE AMATEURS. TAMAKI CLUB. Nominations and Mr. J. Harrison s handicaps for the Tamaki Amateur Club s l-oad race next Saturday, which date finally closes tlie competition of points, being the club's last official road race of the winter, are: — . „ . . Junior Event, 121 miles. —L. Fry, 0.0 . A Joass. 4.30; D. Clarke, 3.30 : It. Sawver. C. Raffert.v, 2.0 ; F.. Crosby, K. Clarke, 1.30: IT. Maxted. J. Keinzley, A. Jeeves, 30s-: W. Hedges. J. Price, scr. Seniors, miles.—J. Stewart, J. App.evard, 0.0; S. IJaverne, W. Perks, K. Mcinnarney, 8.0; N. Negus, 7.0; A. JJankins A. Lepper, 6.0: R. Rishton. 5.30s \ McNeil. 5.0 : A. Winstanley. 4.30 : A. V'avev, 3.30 : G. Harvey.. L. Cooper, G. Claydon. A. Keith. 3.0: C. W. Allen, Gil. Jeeves, Geo. Jeeves, S. Stockin, J. McKenzie, 2.0 : G. Walters, C. Hoggart, 1.0 : J. Bell, E. Harrison, scr.

MANUKAU CLUB'S HANDICAPS.

The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club's senior event on Saturday next will be the annual race for the Cotter Cup, held by K. Mullane, over a distance of 13 miles, and a junior race of 10 miles. The junior race will commence at two o'clock. The following handicaps have been declared by Mr. J. D. Auckram :—

junior Race. — J. Brown, E. L. G. Hughes, scr; E. R. Hansen, G. Wheelhouse, 1.0; It. Campbell, L. R. Jepson, 2.0; L. Wedderspoon, A. H. Dwight, 3.0 ; A. Davies, J. H. Gillbanks, C. 11. Hodge, 4.30; H. It. Davies, 5.30.

Senior Event.—H. V. Gordon, M. P. Byrnes, ,scr ; E. Mullane, S. J. Baird, F. 11. Markhani, 455; E. D. Andrews, S. G. Webster, K. N. Clark, L. M. Nicholson, I. C. Bellini, 1.15 ; G. I J . Clark, C. A. Clarke, K. 'Spragg, N. B. Casey, E. W. Bates, E. Raper, 2.15 ; J. H. McLachlan, D. W. Lawson, R. C. Chappel, 3.15 ; L. Gerken, L. Ilall, C. Hansen, \V. Borland, <i. W. Clark, 4.15; H. \V. Bellini-, H. W. 'Smith, J. G. Morris, I. H. Reid,' F. H. Baston, 5.0 ; C. D. Thackwell, J. H. P.' English, D. J. McAnulty, W. R. Walker, 6.30.