E. M. Gray wins sixth Canterbury title

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32976, 24 July 1972, Page 14

E. M. Gray wins sixth Canterbury title

Gray (Greymouth) showed his true international class in an impressive display of rugged speed to win his sixth Canterbury cross-countrv title at the champion* ships held at Lansdowne Valley on Saturday.

In a fiercely competitive race, full of changing fortunes, Gray had to turn on the full range of his abilities to cope with challenges by the runner-up, P. Watson (Methodist). Gray ran the severely testing undulating course in 40min 34sec, 3sec faster than last year, to come in about 80 yards ahead of Watson. The fiery pace of the race was reflected in the performance of the third runner home, the international J. Sheddan (Olympic). He finished about 200 yards behind Watson, 50 yards more than the distance which separated

him from Gray when he ran second in last year’s race. B. Rollo (New Brighton) ran the best race of his career to take fourth place, about 100 yards ahead of Canterbury’s fourth-ranked runner, K. O’Sullivan (University). J. K. Macdonald (Olympic) fulfilled the best expectations of his many supporters with a fine run for sixth, about 100 yards ahead of R. Sharpe (New Brighton) more than 10 years his junior. The West Coast's best performed ultra-long distance specialist, C. Creagh, showed his versatility by coming through the field for an excellent eighth placing. FIRM FOOTING The severely testing course provided firm footing for most of the distance and J. K. Macdonald, who had a 4min 12sec mile to his credit in his younger days, led the big field out fast from Hie start. J. Sheddan took over the lead from Macdonald after about a quarter of a mile, and the two set the pace for Gray in third place, followed by H. Neeson (United). Sheddan, in spite of his declared intention of trying to win. nevertheless ran a sporting race when he continued to set the pace for Gray for the next two miles. Watson, on the other hand, was watchful not to repeat his earlier mistakes in competition this season by going out too soon, and bv the end of the first half-mile was still well back in the field. At the last jump of the first lap, Sheddan was leading Gray bv about six yards while Watson had begun to come through, about 30 yards behind Gray. Near the end of the second lap, Gray had begun to apply pressure on Sheddan who was about three stride ahead of him. Watson by then had closed the gap to about 15 yards behind Gray, Macdonald was keeping up well about 40 yards back while Rollo had come through strongly to overtake Sharpe for fifth. A big gap separated M. Couldwell, sixth. DRAMATIC CHANGE The first dramatic change of fortune came at the first jump in the thrd lap. By then. Gray had taken the lead, with about five yards back to Watson, and Sheddan further back third. The three manoeuvred for positions to take the difficult downhill jump. Gray muffed his vault, and Watson took the advantage with a fine jump. Seizing his chance, Watson increased his lead down the slope to the next jump, about a furlong ahead, and soon after was leading Gray up the ploughed hill for the third time round.

At this stage, Sheddan had drooped back about 50 yards behind Gray, who was letting Watson do the slogging up the hill. By then. B Rollo was beginning to look exceptionally strong on the uphill grade, and in fourth place appeared to be gaining ground. With about a mile to go, Grav put in another burst of speed down the hill but Watson was hohhng on well. Sheddan had drifted further, but Rollo continued to hold ground strongly in fourth. While still well in the running and only about half a mile from home, Watson had only himself to blame for a misfortune which cost him about 60 yards. Twice he had to stop ’ to retrieve Insecurely fastened shoes. But he fought this disadvantage gamely up the last slope to the final fence. But by then. Grav was pouring on full pace downhill towards the finish. The pace had left Sheddan further behind, but Rollo continued to impress with his strength of running in fourth, followed by O’Sullivan. J. K Mac. donald, and Sharpe, the order they maintained to the finish. Creagh showed the advantage ot good preparation and a welljudged race to be one of the freshest finishers in eighth place. Olympic reversed last vear’s team race result by beating University with New Brighton third. DETAILID RESULTS Senior men.—E. M. Grav (Grevmouth), 40:34, 1; p. Watson (Methodist), 40:45, 2; J. Sheddan (Olympic), 41:15, 3; B. Rollo (New Brighton), 41:43. 4; K. O’Sullivan (University), 41:59, 5: J. K. Macdonald (Olympic). 42:10, 6: R. Sharpe (New Brighton), 42:32, 7; C. Creagh (Greymouth), 42:46. 8: C. Hicks (Toe H), 42:53, 9; S. Macdonald (University), 43:01. 10: G. Rollo (New Brighton). 43:18, 11; M. Couldwell (Presbyterian), 43:30, 12; R. Yardley (Olympic),

143:32, 13: J. D. Macdonald fOlvmHe). 43:33, 14; M. Cl«rk»ot> (Olympic). 43:50. 15; R Robln.on (University), 44:04. 1« ; w. Ken--1 nedv (Christchurch). 44:10, 17; G Harney (Ashburton.. 44:20, 18; H Neeson (United.. 44:30, 19; D. Reece (Olympic). 44:32, 20. Veterans (over 40*.—W. Hobbs (Olympic). 48 31. 1; J Farcell (University), 48 30. 2; J Hamilton (Groymouth), 49 56, S; P May (University). 50:48. 4. F. Sharp (United), 51:20. 5: R. Davies (Christchurch). 51:53. 6. JUNIOR MIN Junior men —T. Good (Pre.bvterian), 21:08, 1; A Gempton (Olympic). 21:18. 3; J. Argue (Olympic), 21:23. 3; P. Smith (New Brighton), 22 13, 4: 1 Milne (St Martins), 22:15. 5: K Ward tUmversity), 22:36. 6: B Smithers (Toe H). 22:53. 7. Colts (under 17).—W. Sheddan (Olympic), 21:26, 1; O. Hesp illniveraity). 21:59, 2; D. Greig (New Brighton). 22:15, 3; S. McMaster (Greymouth). 22:25. 4: D Gemp ton (Olympic), 22:49, 5; U. Voice (C.8.H.5.), 23:03, 6 Colt* Hinder 14).—1.. Walton (New Brighton). 12:05, 1; 1. Gempton (Reefton). 12:30. 2; K Griffiths (Greymoulh), 12:34. :(. T. Rich (Anglican). 12.36, 4; B Gilmour (Reefton). 12:38. 5; J. Wormlngton (Reefton). 12:42. 6 Senior women.—J. Beale (New Brighton). 13:22. 1; R. Hames (Technical), 13:26, 2; A. Kennedy (Pioneer). 13:40, 3; S. Ritchie (Toe H). 13:51, 4: P Bennett (Toe H). 13:51, 5; D. Falvey (Timaru), 14:20, 6. Junior women (under IT).—J. Gilllng (Toe H). 12:55. 1; L. Bovd (Pioneer). 13:45. 2; R. Palmer (Technical), 13:5”, 3; K Rollo (New Brighton). 13:35, 4: M O’Connor (Christchurch). 13:59, 5; C. Flower (New Brighton), 14:30. Girls, under 14—M. O’Reilly (New Brighton), 13:07. 1: A. Duneraft (New Brighton). 13:28. 2: .1 Prebble (Pioneer). 13:54. 3; M. McHarper (New Brighton), 14:18. 4; J. Nolan (New Brighton). 14:31, 5; G. Falls (Reefton). 14:52, 6.