CYCLING

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 14

CYCLING

NORTH CANTERBURY CASH TITLES The track season ended last night at English Park, when the North Canterbury cash cycling and running championships were decided. The opening event of the night was the final of the 500 metres sprint, and in the run-off for first and second places. a M. Hertnon (Timaru) beat C. Ferguson (Australia) in two straight races. Ferguson was riding under great difficulties as during the heats he slipped a disc in his spine and was not fully recovered. He lost the sprint title but he showed great determination in the one-mile pursuit, and although weakening towards the end, held on to win from C. Henderson (Timaru) and take his first title. R. Martlew rode a well-judged race in the junior half-mile championship. At the bell he had taken the lead and held the front position for the last lap. He was hard pressed by K. Kerr and P. Binnie, who filled the minor placings.

The finish of the one mile championship final was full of excitement, and from the start a steady pace was maintained. About 150 yards before the bell. Martlew opened up a gap. but in the last lap he was caught and passed. In the last lap, Duffy was watching B. Woodgate very closely, and then McCracken sprinted from the back and. passed these two. In the last few yards. Woodgate sprinted across the line to win from McCracken by a tyre, with Duffy in third place. Fifteen riders started in the fivemi le efiampidnship event. A fast pace was maintained throughout the race and a good time of llmin 4sec was recorded. With two laps left. G. Armstrong and Martlew opened up a gap of 60 yards on the other riders and held this lead at the bell. Over the last 350 yards, McCracken moved brilliantly round the field to gather in the leaders with B. Woodgate close behind. Once again Woodgate's sprint won I him another title, with McCracken filling second place by the narrowest of margins. The results were:— CASH CHAMPIONSHIPS 500 Metre Sprints.—First trial.: M. Hertnon beat C. Ferguson. Time, 13sec. Second trial: M. Hertnon beat C. Ferguson. Time. 12.4 sec. for third place—First trial: K. Giles beat S. McCracken. Time. 13.8 sec. Second trial: K. Giles beat S. McCracken. Time, Msec. Placings: Hertnon 1, Ferguson 2. Giles 3. One Mile Pursuit.—C. Ferguson 1, C. Henderson 2, O. Duffy 3. One Mile.—Fiist heat: B. Woodgate 1. K. Sutherland 2, O. Duffy 3. C. Henderson 4. Time. 2min 13.4 sec. Second heat: R. Martlew 1. S. McCracken 2, R. Lucas 3. M. Hertnon 4. Time, 2min 14.6 sec. Final: Woodgate 1, McCracken 2, Duffy 3. Time, 2min 18.8 sec. Five-Mile Scratch.—B. Woodgate 1, S. McCracken 2. J. Williams 3. Time, llmin 4sec. Half-Mile Junior Scratch.—R. Martlew 1, K. Kerr 2, P. Binnie 3. Time, Imin ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS 100 Yards Scratch.—First heat: P. Tongue 1. N. Ward 2, R. Collins 3. Time, 10.2 sec. Second heat: B. King 1. G. Reid 2. A. Williamson 3. Time, lO.Psec. Final: Tongue 1, King 2. Reid 3. Time, 10.2 sec. 440 Yards Scratch.—E. Ward 1. S. Stevens 2. N. Ward 3. Time, 53-2 sec. OTHER CASH EVENTS One-Lap Handicap.—First heat: R. Pont (55yds) 1. B. Creeland (70yds) 2. Time, 28.6 sec. Second heat: R. Whitten (45yds) 1. W. Lucas (60yds j 2. Time. 23.8 sec. Third heat: A. Carter (55yds) 1. D. Houghton (50yds) 2. Time, 28.8 sec. Fourth

heat: L. Seeker (55yds) 1. K. Bush (50yds) 2. Time, 29.8 sec. Final: Lucas 1. Creeland 2, Seeker 3. Time. 28sec. One-Lap Novice Handicap.—A. Godfrey (50yds) 1, K. Brown <scr) 2, A. Stamper (15yds» 3. Time. 32.45ec. Two-Lap Novice Handicap.—T. Smith (40y;s) 1, K. Brown (scr) 2, A. Stamper (30yds) 3. Time. 63.8 sec. Three-Lap B Grade Handicap.—K. Kerr (35yds) 1, R. Martlew (10yds) 2. L. Seeker (50yds) 3. Time. Imin 40.4 sec. AMATEUR EVENTS Quarter-Mile Handicap.—First heat: J. Mugford 1. P. Owen 2. B. Wood 3. Time, 30sec. Second heat: M. Mathieson 1. G. Murphy 2. R. Bryant 3. Time, 30.4 sec. Final: Mathieson 1, Mugford 2, Wood 3. Time, 30.4 sec. Three-quarter-Mile Mairehau Novice Handicap.—V. McMillan (120yds) 1. J. Redden (140yds) 2, J. Drink water (140yds) 3. Time. Imin : 2.4 sec. One Mile Mairehau Novice Scratch. —I. Hazeldine 1, T. Weir 2, R. Kennaird 3. Time. 2min 17.4 sec. One Mile Open Handicap.—B. A’Court 1. J. Mugford 2. G. Murphy 3. Time. 2min Half-Mile Scratch.—B. Wood 1. B. A’Court 2. p. I ang 3. Time, 59.65ec. One and a Half Mile Mairehau Novice Handicap.—J. Redden (290yds) 1. J. Drinkwater (290yds > 2. V. McMillan (250yds) 3. Time. 3min 13.8 sec.