CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 154, 1 July 1936, Page 18

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS. J f ' !. -• || LYNNDALE CI/ÜB. Last Saturday the Lynndale amateur cyclists held two races, the most import-, ant being the junior club championship/ contested over the out-and-home course of 13% 'miles under unpaced conditions. In the junior- race a number of the riders experienced mechanical trouble and punctures, including H. Hawke. winner of the Takapuna "50," L. Whyle, L. Johnstone and J. McKearney. Thus a very close finish in the championship was lost; as it was Hawke and Johnstone were only sft? behind the winner. In the senior race of 12V& miles only two experienced punctures, G. Hughes and E. Bates. On Saturday a number of the club members are taking part in the junior and senior races conducted by the centre. All club competitors are warned against the practice of riders riot goin;; to the turn and riding across the finishing line, not turning around the man on point duty at the corner of Great North Road and Gladstone Road, or removing their hands from the handle bars before crossing the finishing line. For breaches of these or any other rules the centre is handing out severe penalties. On Saturday, July 11, the seniors will race for the Hughes Cup, arid the juniors for a pair of military hair brushes, both these trophies being presented by Mr, and Mi's. A. J. Hughes. These prizes are in addition to the usual open orders. Bert Baldwin, winner of the junior championship, did not experience any trouble, but nevertheless his ride was full of merit, as he was one of five fancied for the championship. Bert is having his first year of racing, and has a large number of years of racing ahead of him. He is very keen. ' Runner-lip was Haddon Hawke, who was 49s behind H. Baldwin, and Lance Johnstone was Is slower than H. Hawke. Winner on handicap was Derwent Margison, who was having his sccond win this season, and second was Harry Davies. Colin R. Gooder (scr) was first and fastest senior. He lost his co-marker at the five-mile peg. but went on his own to catch the leaders, and show the spectators that he has not lost any of his sprinting abilities, by defeating Len. Farrant. a high-grade sprinter, and Baillie Scott. Len. Farrant is a much better rider than he was last year, as he is turning on some fireworks at the end of his races this year. B. B. Scott (third) is also showing much improved form. PAPATOETOE CLUB. The Whitford hills are notorious to cyclists, their steepness and rough state making them the most difficult around Auckland. The privilege of winning a race over the Papatoetoe amateur cyclists' Whitford course is ft high honour, but these same hills helped to build up some great pedallers. To R. Hamilton fell the honour of winning last Saturday's race over this circuit. He showed extraordinar.v staying power, leaving his co-markers and finishing strongly. Colin French, one of the most consistent members, was at home over the hills, for this ex-Beach Haven boy was practically reared on such as these when lie figured as a prominent member of the brother club. The year has seen a gradual return to form on the part of Eric Moffitt. He rode very smoothly on Saturday to finish in third place, and make second fastest time. He will be a strong member of the club's team. Tom Moore did well to finish fourth. And then, fifth, was the wonder rider, Charlie Cochrane. Such great men as Sid. Pinfold, O. B. White. Len. Foubister, G. Bellini, Norm. Pinfold and Ray McInnarne.v have shot round this 23-mile course, but the best times of all of these was bettered by Charlie. The finish of the junior race was a rare go between three of the. smallest and youngest members. Alan Yost had ridden a good hard race, so when he plugged up the straight into the wind, a length to tiie good, lie was given a good ovation. He has all the solidity of brother lan, while his stamina is unquestionable. Don Arvidson upheld the family name and honour to finish second, staving off a desperate last-minute effort by Jack Auckram. Don. had to go hard to overhaul the other two, who were lapping steadily. But young Auckram also has a cycling name, which lie has been keeping well lately. The all-round evenness of the juniors, from middle-markers to the scratch pair, always excites speculation to fastest tinje. Now the honour has gone six ways. Jim Middleton is the latest to clock fastest. He rode the best race he has yet ridden on the road, and his finishing sprint was a revelation. His willing partner was Colin Carter. The two were a great combination. lapping steadily and well. Colin misses the polish of a track season, but is very strong unnaced. The pair were 24s faster , than the Des. Knight-Noel Gamble combination. Next week's events are centre races, when club members will be competing, although a shortage of entry forms has prevented some intending starters from competing. The July centre race last year was a triumph for Papatoetoe, five of the first bunch of eleven being from the club, with Eric Morris first, "Bubs" Allan third, and Sid Pinfold third fastest.