Fine Skellerup Steeples Win To E. G. Maguire

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31731, 15 July 1968, Page 8

Fine Skellerup Steeples Win To E. G. Maguire

A sustained final sprint took the New Zealand 5000 and 10,000 metres representative for the Olympic Games, E. G. Maguire, to his second successive Skellerup Steeplechase win, at Queen Elizabeth II Park, on Saturday morning.

The tall Maguire (Auckland University) continually disputed the lead over the sixmile course with the little Canterbury cross - country champion, E. M. Gray, of Greymouth. Gray appeared to have the race in hand with a lap to go although he was making “heavier weather” of the hurdles. In spite of flagging a little, Maguire had suffldent power to beat Gray by two seconds. Gray came to Maguire’s shoulder about 150 yards from the finish but his repeated efforts to “shake off” Maguire had taken their toll, leaving Maguire to win one of the best cross-country races seen in Canterbury. Rough Course Maguire’s time over the rough, boggy course was 29min 47sec and Gray’s 29min 49sec. Third, 7sec later, was the 1965 champion, R. P. Welsh (Otago University) and the 1966 winner, B. G. Rose (Wellington) was fourth. There was a 26sec gap to the next finisher, J. Robinson (Tokoroa). The New Zealand mile champion, D. Sirl (Owairaka) was sixth and the Olympic marathon runner and New Zealand cross-country champion, M. R. Ryan (Tokoroa) was a fast-finishing seventh. M. Clarkson (Methodist) ran with distinction to be the first Christchurch runner home followed by the consistent W. K. Kennedy (Christchurch) and the national 880 yd champion, K. Ross (Wanganui) was tenth. Passing the stand for the second time, Welsh, Gray, and Maguire were running together followed by Robinson, Rose, Sirl. Ross. K. Hamilton (Technical). Kennedy and R. Sharpe (St Martins). The drst three began to move away from the rest of the field, which already was strung out. Gray began to make most of

Ute front running, and Maguire and Welsh seemed content to run close behind. Sirl had a brief spell In fourth place before being passed by Rose, who began his unsuccessful valiant effort to catch the leading trio. In front of the stand for the third time Gray led from Maguire. Weigh. Rose, Sirl, Robinson, Kennedy, Sharpe, and Ryan. The first sig runners had now opened a big gap on the remainder of the field. Hurdling with greater ease, Welsh and Maguire were keeping with Gray, who often lost yards clearing the obstacles. Clarkson came up fast and led the second group of runners in seventh place. He was having a great battle with Ryan, but by the time the runners went past the stands with a lap to go Ryan had movsd ahead. Lead Cut Gray and Maguire opened a gap on Welsh as the pace increased, and Robinson moved to fifth place ahead of Sirl. Going out of the scrub for the last time. Gray burst to a ISyard lead, but Maguire quickly cut it to five yards. At the third to last hurdle Maguire moved into first piece. Gray fought back to Maguire’s shoulder, but did not have the strength to forge ahead. "I thought that Rose and Gray would be the two toughest to beat," said Maguire after the race. "When I was still with Gray with <OO yards to go I knew I would win. I have been able to beat Gray many times before In the final sprint.” Wot Pushed J. Sheddan (Olympic) confirmed his superiority in the junior events when he was not Jushed to win. He stayed with Tomlinson (New Brighton) much of the way, but when he made his break ho ran out of opposition. Miss C. Russell (Ladles' Pioneer) ran another fine race to win the senior women's event over 1J miles. She bent Miss L. Fisher (Technical) and the experienced Miss D. Dlxoy (Ladies’ Pioneer). Results were:— MBH Senior.—lndividual (fi miles):' E. G. Maguire (Auckland University). 10:47, 1: E. M. Gray (Greymouth), 1»:4», It R. P. Welsh (Otago University). 2»:S«. 3: B. G. Rose (Wellington),

30:04, 4: J. Robinson (Tokorod), 30:30, 5: D. Sirl (Owairaka)’ 30:30, d; M. R. Ryan (Tokoroa), 30:44, 7; M. Clarkson (Methodist), 30:30, S; M. K. Kennedy (Christchurch), 30:30, 0; K. Rose (Wanganui), 31:04, 10. Kennett Cup Teams Title.— Tokoroa (M. fc. Ryan, W. Sutcliffe; J. Robinson, G. Cox), 48 points. 1: Olympic (R. Stevens. G. Clarke, N. Reid, D. Reece). 77, 2: Otago University <L. Dey. K. Darling, D. Corner, R. P. Welsh), 34, 3. Sealed Handicap.—Olympic. 21 points, 1: St Martins, 21, 2; Arial and Methodist, 33 (equal), Junior.—lndividual (3 miles): J. Sheddan (Olympic), 15:37, 1: J. Tomlinson (New Brighton). 18:07, 2; J. Shlrtciiffe (New Brighton), 18:18, 3. Teams: New Brighton, 73 points, 1; Arlkl, 75, 3; Canterbury University, 34, 3 Senior Colts.—lndividual (li miles): I. McGregor (Chrlst-

church), 8:55, 1: J. Barrett (Arlkl), 0:01, 2; G. Mabey (Cashmere), 3:01, 3. Teams: Christchurch, 24 points, 1; Cashmere, 51, 2; New Brighton, 71, 3. Junior Colts.—individual (1) mileg): O. Hesp (Cashmere). 0:31. 1; W. Sheddan (Olympic), 10:00, 2: P. Smith (New Brighton), 10:01: 3. Teams; New Brighton, 23 points, 1; Olympic. 30, 2; St Martina. H, 3. WOMIN Senior —lndividual (li miles): C. Russell (Ladies' Pioneer), 10:05, 1; L. Fisher (Technical), 10:08. 2; D. Dixey (Ladles’ Pioneer), 10:11, 3. Teams: Ladles' Pioneer, 13 points, 1. Junior.—lndividual <l4 miles): R. Williams (Ladies’ Pioneer), 10:38, 1; R. Mitchel (Caversham), 10:47, 2: A. Tait (Ladies’ Pioneer), 10:53, 3. Teams: Ladies' Pioneer No. 1. 13 points, 1; New Brighton, 30, 2; Ladies’ Pioneer No. 2, 73, 3.