Takapuna favoured

Press, 8 September 1989, Page 14

Takapuna favoured

New Brighton will be seeking its third successive national road relay men’s championship tomorrow, but it faces strong opposition. The pre-race favourite could be Takapuna, which looked set to win the last open Takahe to Akaroa relay in 1985, only to miss out over the last lap when Ken Maloney had to struggle to the end with a knee injury. The team finished third, behind University of Canterbury and New Brighton. Maloney will take the first lap this time and should give Takapuna a good start. Greg Cameron should have Hamilton 1 handy at the end of this stage, while Robert Schuddeboom (Greymouth) and Tony Good (Olympic) will be very close. On the second lap former Christchurch runner Dave Drummond will try to hold on for Takapuna, but may lose

some ground to runners of the calibre of Derek Froude (Wellington), Grant McEwen (Brighton), Bruce Rattray (Christchurch) and Paul Smith (Olympic). Chris Pilone is a tough customer with marathon stamina taking over for Takapuna on the third lap. By the end of this stage Greymouth may have lost contact with the leaders,, which are ■ expected to be Takapuna, New Brighton, Wellington and Olympic. The lead could change on the fourth and fifth laps, with Takapuna and New Brighton still strong but some internationalclass runners are on the fifth lap. They are John Walker (Manurewa), John Campbell (North Shore), Richard Lindroos (Old Boys United) and Dave Burridge (University). Others who should be among those with top times are Dallus McCallum (Wellington) and

Tom Birnie (Brighton). Takapuna has Neil Madgewick, Pete Williams, Brett Mclntyre and Phil Clode on the last four laps, while Brighton will have Birnie, lan Lauder, Grant Hardy and Peter Renner. In the open women’s relay Owairaka will defend its title but, like Brighton, will have strong opposition. A team with a good chance is Leith (Otago), which includes Mary-Anne Hanzell, Erica Todd, Lisa Pollock and Sara Rees. Owairaka is led by Sharron Higgins, Hazel Stewart and Helen Moros. Wellington is also strong, with Sue Corbett, Ngaire Drake, Ann Hare and Barbara Moore in the team. These three teams look set to dominate, with the University having an outside chance of a place. Sumner should have no difficulty in defending its veteran women’s championship title.