Gray Now World Title Prospect

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31317, 13 March 1967, Page 3

Gray Now World Title Prospect

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON.

The wi r y We s t Coaster, E. Gray, established himself as one of the leading prospects for next week-end’s international cross - country championship in Wales when he beat an invitation field in a Simile race in London on Saturday.

For three miles, Gray answered repeated challenges from G. North, recognised as one of England’s finest crosscountry runners, but never looked in danger of being shaken off. He ran his now customary race, solid and consistent, and over the last 400 yards was in complete control. Although the official times showed Gray’s winning margin as isec, they were not a measure of his superiority. I The race was contested by (nine English runners and

nine of the New Zealand team. While the event was not regarded too seriously, it was a profitable outing for the New Zealanders, and especially for R. M. Maddaford and C. G. Wheeler.

These two had struggled to capture form in the Scottish and English championships, but on Saturday found freedom in their running for the first time.

Maddaford gave the first real indication since arriving in Britain of his undoubted potential. The youthful New Zealand title-holder made the paee for two miles and came home strongly in sixth place, 36sec behind Gray. Wheeler, who looked strained and pale in the first two races, felt much happier with his form, and finished ninth.

Another who benefited was the team captain, R. P. Welsh, in fourth place. He said he was at last able to relax and stride out

The team manager, Mr F. Sharp, said that the individual showings would give New Zealand a full-

strength team for the international..

“It was a very useful run because it put everybody back in the team, as it were,” Mr Sharp said.

“Wheeler and Maddaford have regained their normal place and Welsh also showed a big improvement. So the pattern now emerging is what we had hoped to see before we left New Zealand.” It was most encouraging that all of the athletes were able to run so well, and yet run within themselves on such an arduous and exhausting course. With the exception of one stretch over half a mile, they slipped and struggled their way through deep mud and water. But once more Gray was able to demonstrate bis flair for handling conditions ranging from the best to the worst.

He won the Scottish race in heavy going and was sixth in the English championship on a course tailor-made for speed. Approaching two miles Maddaford had the edge on

North, 10 yards ahead of Gray, Wheeler and a former English international, T. Briault. In the second of the three laps Gray stepped up his tempo and joined North, and although the lead changed several times, this pair dominated the rest of the race. With about two miles left they were 50 yards clear of Maddaford who had 100 yards on Welsh and Briault. Then, at intervals of 20 yards, came B. G. Rose, who was making no effort to chase the leaders, Wheeler, B. J. Everitt and a trio comprising M. R. Ryan, J. L. Julian and N. E. Wyatt. As the pace increased over the last 400 yards, Gray’s superior strength kept him ahead and North was unable to take up the challenge. Results:—

E. Gray (N.Z.), 29:11, 1; G. North (Belgrave), 29:12, 2; T. J Briault (Enfield); 29:28, 3; R. p Welsh (N.Z.), 29:43, 4; B. G Rose (N.Z.), 29:43, 5; R. M. Maddaford (N.Z.), 29:47, 6; J. L. Julian (N.Z.), 29:48, 7; N. E. Wyatt (N.Z.), 29:49 , 8; C. G. Wheeler (N.Z.), 29:58, 9: R. Gomez (Southgate), 30:4, 10: M. R. Ryan (N.Z.), 30:10, 11; B. J. Everitt (N.Z.), 30:10, 12.