HARRIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 14

HARRIERS.

CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE. SAVIDAN'S EASY WIN. Once again W. Savldan, the crack distance runner of the Dominion, scored a very easy win in the Auckland provincial cross-country championship when at Ellerslic on Saturday he made easy work of the 10,000 metres race, approximately 6J miles, and never gave his opponents a chance of getting within range of him once the trying trip was properly under way. There were 132 runners, representing in all 11 clubs. K. Cooper, who Is recognised as Auckland's second best distance runner, followed Savidau home, being bcatcu by about 500 yards. The course was a trying and heavy one. Starting at the judge's box on the Ellerslie racecourse the runners completed one lup of the course, going over the hill. The second time at the, top of the hill they broke out on to the road and covered about two miles over the country m-hioli. in place,s, was swamp near Lake Waiatarua. Here it was impossible to run, and the men waded through the swamp. Agaiu entering the- racecourse the runners had to make a complete circuit of the course, Including the hill, and lluish down the straight

That with fow. exceptions the whole 132 competitors should finish out the Journey, a real test of stamina, showed the excellent condition the men were in nnd the keen Interest they took in the event. Willi Savldan in the fleld there was never any doubt about who would tiulsh In front. The popular Aucklander has long established that he Is in a class by himself over a long journey, and his run was in keeping with his wonderful record. He immediately went to the front and set a pace which soon established for him a commanding lead. Littler and Cooper were always at the head of the others. When t the first lap bad beeu covered, and before the final stages were entered upon. Cooper took second place, Uilt was never threatening- to Bavlrfan, who maintained his solid pate , and was actually getting further away over the last mile. At the same time Cooper put up a grand effort, as did also Littler, a young runner who promises to develop Into a champion. He Is the star of the Pnpatoetoe club. Brlggs (Lynndale), McKeazle (Papatoetoe), and Harding (Technical), completed the first half dozen and all wece, .responsible for fine performances.

The. teams championship which was decided as part of the race had an additional incentive to the various clubs this afternoon as the honour carried with It a very fine silver cup presented to the Auckland Centre by Mr. W. Morton, probably the greatest amateur athletic enthusiast Auckland has known. Mr. Morton has filled every position it is possible to fill in amateur athletics and it is 47 years since he joined up with the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club. The handsome cup he presented will make a record of history, as it is intended that the name of the winning club each year shall be engraved thereon. _j In accepting the trophy, Mr. J. P. Kiilaugher, president of the Auckland Centre, paid n high tribute to the services Mr. Morton had rendered to amateur athletics over a long period of years. To Savidan, Cooper and Littler were presented medals for the respective places they filled in the championship, and to the captain of the Lynndale team was presented the team's medal. The start was made at 3.7 p.m.; and .1. W. Savidan quickly went into the lead followed by N. Cooper, J. Littler, .T. Nicholson A. S. Hill and the others handy. Savidan led rouivd the back of the racecourse, and had a good 100 yds advantage going over the first hill, where the big field now spread out. Coming up the straight tor the first time round the order was SavWan, Littler, Cooper, Birtwistle, Harding, Hill, McKenzle. Nicholson, Pinson and Valder. Before I again passing the grandstand the runners had a big round of country to cover near Waiatarua Lake. On completion of the next round Savidan had 800 yds lead of the field, the second man being Cooper, . followed by Briggs lOOvds later, with Little close up. Then came Harding, McKenzic, Hill, Browne, Orompton, Nicholson, Valder and Pinson in this order. , , Savidan got a round of applause each time he passed the members' stand, which was very well patronised by spectators. , ■ , Very little change was made in the final round except thnt Briggs moved up, and the finish was:—.l. W. Savidan (A), 30.57, 1: N. Cooper (T), 41.17, 2; C. Littler (Pap), 41.36, 3; Briggs (L), 41.50: Mackenzie (UPap), 42.20; Harding (T), 42.22; Hill (A), 42.23: Crompton (M, 42.57; Browne (t,), 43.11; Nicholson (T), 43.12; Clow (C), 43.24; .T. Valder (P). 43.35: Pinson (A). 43.39: Henshall (Ham). 43.42: P. Savidan (A), 48.43; Francis, 44.3. The championship teams' winners were: liynndnle.—W. Briggs (4), K. Crompton (8), A. Browne (0), and R. Harris (18), total, 30 points, 1. / Auckland.— J. W. Savidan, A. G. Hill, K. Pinson and J. Dunn, 43 points, 2. ' Technical.—N. E\ Cooper, J. Nicholson. W. Brlerley, A. Harding. 44 points, 3. The order of the other teams was: — Papatoetos 47. Calliope 83, University 3 03. Presbyterian 170. Wesley 270. Baptist 333. Lynndale team also won the handicap teams' event. All the team wore a black armband as a mark of respect for the club's oldest member. Mr. J. Dolan, whose wife died this week.

AUCKLAND TEAM.

The following runners hnvo been chosen by the local centre committee to represent. Aucklnnd at tbe New Zealand crosscountry championship, to be run on July 20 nt Wellington:— J. W. Savidnn (A.), N. F. Cooper (Tech.) C. Littler (Pap.), W. Brlscs (Lyn.). R MeKenzie (Pap.), and A. TTnrtHnjr (Techi. Emerjrenrios: .T. R. Vnlder (Pap.) and A. O. Hill (A.). Indlvidunls: .T. Nicholson (Tech.) and B. Birtwistle (A.). PRESBYTERIAN CLUB. The Presbyterian Club's run on Saturday was from thn Mount Edon Church over a course of country and road. The placings in the runs-in were :— Slow Pack.—B. Devitt. W. P. Budge, W. Mclndoc. V. Field. Intermediate Pack.—H. Younsr. D. Campbell, G. Q.dlin, Handcoek and Easton, equal.

"WAITEMATA LADIES'- CLUB.

'the Waitemata Ladies' Harrier Club' hPld a. run-on SaturdiiTi the course beins once round tbe Kllerslie racecourse. A Edod start was pffectfil by thp nine competitors, and the finish was : Miss F. Nelson I. Miss I. Good 2, Miss J. Salt 3. A very dose finish.