STILL SAVIDAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 171, 22 July 1935, Page 13

STILL SAVIDAN.

ANOTHER WIN. CROSS-COUNTRY TITLE. CUP TO AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph.—rress Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. X W. Savidan (Auckland) proved beyond doubt to-day that he is still the best distance runner in New Zealand. He took the lead from the start in the New Zealand harrier championship teams race, was never headed, and won by about 150 yards. Team result: — Auckland, 2S points ... 1 Otago, 33 points 2 Wellington, 3!) points 3 Canterbury. 02 points 4 West Coast, 65 points 5 Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay, 103 points 6 Individual result:— J. W. Savidan (Auckland), 35.43 .... 1 W. Cooper (Auckland) 2 W. A. C. Puller (Otago) 3 A. L. Stevens and J. Riddington (Wellington), dead heat 4 A, E. Geddes (Otago) 6 G.H.Watson (Canterbury) 7 W. A. Stewart (Otago) S W. Birtwistle (Auckland) 0 W. K. Johnston (West Coast, North Island) 10 C. Weller (West Coast, North Island) 11 The contest was over a 6J miles course, and was held in cold, southerly weather. THE RACE DESCRIBED. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, Saturday. Despite bitterly cold weather, Auckland lor the second time only in its history, won the Dominion championship teams race to-day at Lyall Bay. From the start on the beach Busby (Canterbury) took the lead, but soon Savidan overtook him. Roberts and Cooper were prominent, and then Pullar (Otago) vent ahead of Birtwistle (Auckland). Crossing the main road Pullar ran up to second place, with Weller (West Coast) next. Thirty yards back came Watson and Park (Canterbury), Cooper was back, and the whole Auckland team, with the exception of Birtwistle, were slow at starting. Hawke's Bay were definitely outclassed. After commencing up the hill Savidan was five yards ahead of Pullar, with Weller a similar distance back. The latter dropped back another ten yards as Savidan took a -steep spur. At this stage the whole of the first fifteen took the longest and steepest climb, missing the trail. It was noticeable that the first three men ran up the hills, whilst most of the others slowed up to a walk. Going round Scots College and round the bitumen road Savidan drew away, and on the second lap was 75 yards ahead. Pullar was then 50 yards ahead of Cooper, who previously was 120 yards back. Watson was just ahead of Weller, with Riddington (Wellington champion) and his team mate Stevens next. Park (Canterbury) came next, followed by Birtwistle (Auckland), Geddes (Otago) and Johnston (West Coast). Over the main hill Savidan increased his lead to 150 yards, with Pullar about 80 yards ahead of Cooper, and Watson, Weller, Riddington and Stevens next. After a gap of 50 yards came Birtwistle and Geddes, followed by Harding, Johnston and Briggs. This was the first indication that Auckland had a real team chance, although Birtwistle's points did not count, as he was officially an individual. The last time round Savidan was 200 yards ahead of Pullar, with Cooper 20 yards behind the title-holder. Cooper was sprinting hard now and coming up fast. Riddington and Stevens, Watson, Geddes, Birtwistle, Johnston, Briggs and Mackenzie were next. Mackenzie was making a great run from a back position. Down the 500-yard home straight Cooper passed Pullar and even gained rapidly on Savidan, who was, however, content to jog home an easy winner. Cooper was another 90 yards ahead of PuUar, with Stevens and Riddington almost catching the Otago man. H. Briggs (Auckland), with a great late run over the last three miles, finished after Johnston and Weller." Park (Canterbury), Mackenzie (Auckland) and Harding (Auckland) filled the next places, and Bagnall was just behind with Nicholson. Auckland, with Savidan first, Cooper second, Briggs eleventh and Mackenzie thirteenth, won the championship. Savidan and Cooper definitely outclassed Pullar, the previous title-holder. TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. SAVIDAN SELECTED!, BUT DOUBTFUL. <By Telegraph.—Press Association.)' WELLINGTON, this day. The following cross-country team has been picked by the joint selectors, Messrs. B. R. McKernan and A. Croker, to represent New Zealand at the Australian- championships at Sydney on August 17:— J. W. Savidan (Auckland), N. F. Cooper (Auckland), W. A. Pullar (Otago), A. L. Stevens (Wellington), J. Riddington (Wellington), and A. R. Geddes (Otago). G. H. Watson (Canterbury) and W. A. Stewart (Otago) were selected to replace any of the above unable to go. On Saturday night Savidan, who announced on Friday that he would not be able to make the trip, said he was still very much in doubt. Unless financial arrangements could be made there was little prospect of his going.