Cycling trophy revived

Press, 30 August 1977, Page 36

Cycling trophy revived

By

RAY CAIRNS

New Zealand meets Australia in a four-match test cycling series in January, but no-one yet knows how the Bob Carruthers Cup will be decided.

It is 13 years since the two countries last met for the trophy, and while all other arrangements for the series seem well in hand — they will travel together, the venues are set, the New Zealand selectors will decide the events — the mechanics of deciding the series appear to have been overlooked.

If it is decided on a majority of tests won, the four-match series would probably demand provision for a countback of total points in the event of a twoall result. The only real alternative is for a cumulative points tally, but if Australia is stronger than New Zealand — and this appeared the case at last season’s Oceania Games — all interest would be gone by the time the troupe reached Christchurch for the final (and perhaps televised) test. The tests are set for January 8 (Auckland), 12 (Wanganui), 15 (Wellington) and 21 (Christchurch), with supporting events on January 7 (Auckland), 10 (New Plymouth), 14 (Levin), 16 (Christchurch), and 18 and 19 (Invercargill). Both teams will consist of six seniors and six juniors.