ON THE WHEEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 16

ON THE WHEEL.

SCRATCH RACING. MEETING AT PAPATOETOE. SUCCESS OF NORTHERN AND LYNN DALE RISERS. Ihe chief feature of tho scratch racing at I'aputoetoe last Saturday was the detoat of tlie Pap.itootoe and Manukau Clubs' riders, who have iu previous seasons dominatod t.lii.s type of racing. On Satuiday meinbcrs of those two strong clubs were completcly outclassed by riders from tho Northern and Lynndale Clubs. 'I he A glade was a walk-over for tho Lynndale trio, (!. Hughes. 15. Baldwin and ('. Gooder. The uitpaced kilometre gave Hughes his opjiortun ity of proving his worth against tho still' wind prevailing find his 1.22 compares well with the best times at I'apatoeloo. Baldwin is only 17 years of age. yet lie rivals tlie best. He was only ]-.~>th <>L a second slmver than Hughes. The A giade 10-miler over GO laps of the track was si.oilt as ;i race, for early in the event I!. Taylor dropped l>ack a lap and then paced \\ . K. Kcnwick to such an extent that Ronwick gained a lap on the field, which had evidently become disappointed at the tactics employed and ret used in make a rare ~t it. The bell for the final lap was rung six laps too early. The 15 giade events were the best contested ol tlu' series, 11 ■ r very little separated the ridels m cadi event. Cunningham made a welcome reappearance alter a few months' ali.-enee. In the mile lie appealed tu have the measure oi' all, although 1). Knight made him move over the last lap. Y\ . A. Bainctt would do even better if he adopted a steadier type of riding instead ot darting out in spasmodic Mashes. ,1. Johnston rode splendidly in his heat, but, like It. Clark, lacked brilliance iu the final. The .best of the C graders was undoubtedly C. Ooirigan, who should compete just as successiul|y in a higher grade at tho final meeting, for he always keeps near the head of a field, a useful position on a small track. Ho helped T. Tan field in the tivesniiler to linis.li second. Junior J. White is one of the Fynndale Chub's best beginners. Strong and sturdy, he is rapidly improving his splint. J. Macd crmott had little opposition ill the D grade and uon both events again as he did last December aL the initial scratch meet. One of tho Northern's best handicap riders, lie was wearing the gold jersey just before the holidays at the Kllerslie track. This jersey is given the points winners and has proved a splendid incentive and attraction to the rulers. B. Binns would have done better had he not collided with a dog while riding in the mile event. He and Junior L. Fynam both fell when the dog crossed immediately in front of them. Fynam was not hurt and in the 24 laps points race he ran second, but after a great struggle with P. J. Donergan, who was unlucky to unship his chain on the bell lap. Lonergan completed the final lap to be placed third on points. At the stadium last week G. Purdom gave the scratch men something to ponder over when he won the two-niiler in 4.4. 4-5, the fastest two-iniler of the season. Old-timer Stewart Baird was a close se-.-ond, .but his steady and utiHurried style did not indicate any fast pacing. C. Corrigan won the hali-iniler and this robust lad should furnish a lew surprises at the club'a ch amnions h I,p meeting this month. J. O'Gorman is another Northern rider who is doing well in handicaps. J. Archer's five miles win proves that this rider has a future as a paced rider, for lie appears to have plenty of stamina and is able to sprint alter a distance. M. Byrnes, second, is the oldest of the present»track men, having won races as far back as 1!r24. ...

The Waikato cycle championships will be the feature of the Tauranga Club's sports next Saturday. ■ By invitation, H. R. Baldwin, M. T. Gamble and C. K. (Jooder will race at the banked track at Wanganui on Saturday evening next. Gooder will return next day, while Gamble and Baldwin continue on to Dunedin for the national championships on February 17 and 18. R. Taylor and Joe Gilllwnks will also be going down to Dunedin for the title meeting. The Wellington provincial ehaimpionahips ended with S. R. Webber winning the junior half and <T. I'. Burn, of Nelson, the five-iniler. Ron Ulmer and _A. Pennington nipt in the final of the sprint, which L"liner won in two straight heats. Ulmer accounted for the unpaced kilometre in 1.20 3-5, almost a second better | than Les. Sower by. second best. Next Saturday the Ararim.ii Club will hold its postponed meeting and will accept post entries. The Te Awannitu Club has decided to hold its postponed meeting on March 11. The Matamata Club has an attractive trophy list for its meeting on March 2."). The Te Kuiti ('lul» has arrangements in hand for its Faster Saturday meet and the mornin« road race from jjiimilton.