HARRIERS Snell Strong Contender For New Zealand Title

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29897, 10 August 1962, Page 19

HARRIERS Snell Strong Contender For New Zealand Title

There U little prospect that thia year's Canterbury’ senior harrier team will be the one to improve on the province's record of two wine in the teams' contest at the national titles. The first senior event was in 1903. The manner in which the new Canterbury champion. G. Pyne, outdistanced his opposition in the recent Halswell and Canterbury championship races, however, gives hope that he may achieve the best individual performance since the province had the former national champion. K. E. Williams. It would be a brash supporter, who would sugges Pyne as first choice for the title today for he will be facing some of the world’s best distance runners. Circumstances on the day can play their part and sometimes luck takes a hand—there was an occasion a few years ago when M. G. Halberg lost any prospect of a win after being buried in a creek a few hundred yards from the start. At the least. Pyne may be expected to be among the major challengers for he has a fine approach to racing and is not likely to be overawed by the fact he will be racing against internationals and more experienced men. This he has shown already by being second in his first year of senior competition. to Halberg in the last New Zealand senior three-mile championship. Snell’s Prospects

There has been much conjecture about the prospect of the Olympic 800-metre champion and triple world record holder. P. G. Snell, following his success in the Auckland championships by taking the national title. One has only to go back to 1959 to find a youthful Snell was fourth in the New Zealand title at Hamilton—and he is a much finer runner today. If he has set the title as one of his targets he must be the hardest man to beat

Last year Otago's P. N. Sidon scored one of the most popular wins on his home course and became the second runner to win both the senior and junior titles, emulating an old rival. Williams, who has won four successive senior titles.

This time Sidon will be keen to show he is capable of dictating the terms over a course with which he is not so familiar. Considerable opposition will Come from other members of the Auckland team, which in addition to Snell, includes several outstanding men among whom is a former winner, J. Julian. Auckland will not be quite as strong as expected. however, as W. Baillie, another former winner and a good second to Snell in the Auckland title, has been reported as not being a starter. The rugged nature of the course at Taradale. Napier, and its high fences will appeal to Williams who won there in 1956. Williams has made some good runs in Wellington this year and if he has fully regained his old sparkle, he may be expected to further complicate the issue. A win would give him the distinction of aving won the most senior titles—an honour he now shares with C. Weller. Assessed on the "name" run-

nerg tn its team Auckland must rate as first choice for the teams* match but the unexpected has happened before. Otago has caused an upset more than once and it holds an envi-

able record of having 21 wins. 11 more than its closest rival. Auckland. In the senior event, Canterbury will be without two of its more experienced runners, the Macdonald twins. John and Jim. who were second and fourth in the provincial title The chances of Canterbury's junior runners seem fairly bright and if the team can repeat its success of last year it will equal the Auckland record of six wins. Although only three of last year's team. K. Connell. E. Bell and R. Reeke, are available this time. R. Allen is a representative from 1960. There has been a high standard of competition this season. and the more experienced juniors have had to meet some strong challenges from new juniors, particularly the Grevmouth runner. E. Gray, who split the major placings by taking second place in the Halswell and provincial races.