CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 16

CYCLING.

INTER-CLUB RACES.

FOUR DOUBLES SCORED. SMITH, JOHNSON, MAURIS AND BRAMLEY. Unsettled conditions prevailed for the cycling road events last Saturday, but fields were well up to standard and over 100 amateurs were out again. The first really long race of the season under handicap conditions was that promoted by the Papatoetoe Club to Clevedon. 33 miles, and in which members of the Manukau Club raced by invitation. There was practically an equal number in the senior race from each club, but the Papatoetoe members were undoubtedly superior and filled all the prominent placings, although of the first 18 men in nine were from each club. M. C. Johnson thoroughly deserved the laurels of the race with his first and fastest, and his ride over the second half was reminiscent of Jack Wake's 1927 championship win over a Clevedon course, too. With 15 miles yet to be ridden Johnson steadily went away from his group, and for 10 miles had a hard lone chase against wind and one heavy shower before he caught the leaders. The sixth road race of the season organised by the Matamata Amateur Cycling Club was won by E: A. Smith (3.0), who got home by a length in a great finish from Carter, Coles and Swinbourne. There were 22 starters. Excellent Teamwork. For teamwork F. Irvine, J. S. Calder, E. James and J. Edwards set a fine example on the home run. A. W. Stonex made a brilliant effort over the first half, to turn at Clevedon (16 miles) with the leaders, but just had to ease up with five miles to go. Little J. I. Walker stood up to the hard conditions better than Brother William, while G. R. Purdom finished stionger than usual. After his bad spill the previous week D. E. Knight was not expected to ride for some time, but he started and finished with his group. In the junior 16 miles event there was little to. choose between F. J. Smith, P. E. Knight, F. Tredrea and K. G. Pieknell. The four remained together throughout for Smith to win the final T? ri "t and be fastest in 42.50 against C. H. Pieknell s 46.50 for last year's interclub race. Harvey, scratch, deserves praise for his lone ride from scratch in 42-56. Beach Haven Enthusiasm. ti Wonderful enthusiasm prevails among the Beach Haven Club riders this season, and practically the whole club was out last week. E. (Ted) Atkinson celebrated his entry into the senior ranks with a victory, which was no gift for he had doughty opponents in L. K. Elia, J. Morris and C. I. French. The four remained intact until the last mile, when Atkinson and Elia set things going. Atkinson just got there in 60.40. A. Elia was accompanied from scratch by R. E. Clark, scratch junior of the Manukau Club. Elia clocked the beet time in 59.22 for the 21M: miles course out to Albany and back for the Clark Cup. The junior 12 miles, over three laps, ended with four rushing for the line in a bunch. W. Marris just beat R. Chetwynd by half a wheel, with C. Cameron and A. Bews so close up that only the judges were able to sort thdin out. Ray Atkinson was making a game effort until he punctured. Rivalry at Takapuna. Three scratch men, A. Bramley, L. H. Pratt and 1). Laurence, dominated the Takapuna Club's race over eight laps of the almost level course around Lake Pupuke. Riding right through the field little separated them at the close, but Bramley was just a shade the better, probably inspired by his previous week's win. The win was not conclusive enough to suggest that Bramley could have given either Pratt or Laurence a start, and only -indicates keen rivalry among the Shore cyclists. Speed and stamina were qualities necessary for success in the Northern Club's "Continentals." In every lap a sprint took place and Johnston was brilliant enough to pile up enough points to beat G. Webb and J. Price, although, at one stage, Price looked as if he might have broken away and made no race of the event. Three big races will be held this weekend. On Saturday the Auckland Centre's senior race to Kumeu, via the rough road over the Swanson tunnel hill, 40 miles;' and on Monday the Beach Haven Club's 43-miler from Birkenhead to Orewa and back, and the Hamilton Club's 38-miler from Hamilton East to Morrinsville and return. M. T. Gamble and J. R. Hall have entered for the latter, while J. A. and Jim Robertson, of Te Awamutu, will be up for the Orewa event. These two brothers have represented their club in almost every open race.