HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 8

HARRIERS

(By

“Trailer.”)

The Road Race.

Next Saturday the clubs will bo in action for the Bennett Memorial Shield and the Craig Cup. Last year the Hutt Valley Club was successful in winning both trophies, and Olympic was second in both, with Wellington third. P. Wilson (Olympic) put up fastest time—36uun. 3 3-3 sec. Aitnougn the Wellington Club has been successful m all the interclub races this season it would not be lair to tho other clubs to predict an easy win for the senior club, tor. all the races to date have been cross country, and on Saturday, it will be seven miles of hard road with no fences to jump or bogs to iall in, so all the clubs will have an equal chance of winning. It may be stated in passing that the Wellington Club is very keen on winning the shield, for it is a memorial to one of their old members, W. B. Bennett. With P. Wilson, last year’s winner, on the sick list, J. Shepherd appears to be tho probable winner, but one must not look lightly on the claims of Andrews (Hutt), Silver and Stevens (Scottish), and Bibby (Brooklyn'. Should the Wellington Club be successful in winning the Bennett Memorial Shield on Saturday they will have attained the unprecedented distinction of haring won the Wellington Provincial Championships and the road race in the same year. .This honour has ncvec before been attained by any club, but Wellington, on their form shown this season, should defy the t atc > which, in previous years, has been against the strongest team on paper. A surprise may be expected from tne Hutt Valley Club. Mr J Donaldson, at the presentation if the Dome Cup, referred fo this club as being under a cloud this year. This statement was replied to by Air. N. W. Craig, who said that although his club might at present be obscured behind a cloud, they w ouk emerge again into the sunshine before the season ended. Probably tho latte, was referring to tho road race... For the Craig Cup the chances of the Wellington Club are veiy bright, for in tho two B teams entered there are seven who were iu the hrst 25 in the Dorno Cup race. Tho following will represent their Respective clubs in the Bennett Memorial Road Race on Saturday:— Wellington Club.—A team: W. Whclan (captain),J. Shepherd, A. Burns, T. Mulcahv, S. Morris. Bl; L. Watson 'captain), N White, E. Green, P. Barlen, R. Spence. B2: A. Hivon (captain), D. Thom, C. Wickham. 11. Wickham. R. Newson. Emergencies: F. Harlen and W. Weston. , Scottish Club.-F. Silver (captain). Stevens, Woodcock, Whitehouse. Wood. Emergencies: Trail and Dernpsey. Olympic Club.—H. Gordon. A. T. Porter, S. Npwnham. A. Carter. R. Lovalt. Brooklyn Club.—J. Bibby. D. Pederson J. Thornburgh, L. Todd. S. .Tapes. Hutt Valley Club.-S. Andrews R. Kent, G. Dome, J. G. Mitchell \ Smith,

Wellington Club. On Saturday afternoon the Wellington Club and their numerous supporters were the’guests of Mr. and Mrs. Thom at their residence. Sixteen runners followed the trail from Stoke Street, up Adelaide Road along the Parade and around the Queen’s Drive to Haughton Bay. A halt was made at this point. To enable the hand’eapner to decide on the Bl team to run in the

Bennett Memorial road race next Saturday, a test race was run from Haughton Bay back to Stoke Street, a distance of three miles. Soon after the start W. JVhite, L. Green, P. Harlen, and R. Spence were heading the field. Green dropped back at the half distance, but with a great effort over the last half-mile managed to run White to a close finish, Harlen and Spence being a few yards away. D. Thom showed an improvement, and ran a good race to finish fifth. On behalf ot the club Mr. W. Donaldson thanked the host and hostess for the excellent manner in which they had entertained the runners, who showed their appreciation in their usual hearty way. Mr. Thom replied in humorous vein. , Scottish Club.

Last Saturday the Scottish Harriers were entertained for the second occasion this season by Mr. and Mrs. Baudinet. The run took the form of a three-mile handicap from the Boat Harbour to Lalena Bay and back. Each competitor wes nominated by a lady, the jiroposer of the winning competitor receiving a gold bracelet, presented by Jlr. and Mrs. Baudinet. Silver was pn scratch, conceding starts up to 3min. A mile out Whitehouse bad worked up to a leading position, and steadily at the one mile and a half peg. M oodcock was straining to head Whitehouse, but was overhauling rather too slowly. At this stake Silver had almost caught Stevens (9sec.), but at the half-way mark the latter romped away in what seemed a hopeless task of heading the” leaders. That he passed all save W hitehouse, with whom he dead-heated for first place, speaks for itself, and should he last (he distance in the B.M.R. race on Saturday, the writer anticipates his maTtig n bold bid for individual honours. Whitehouse is perhaps the most consistent runner in the club, and this, his first victory this season, was indeed popular. Woodcock, by filling third place, and gaining third fastest time, showed that he is still to be reckoned with on the road, and the club looks to him on Saturday in the Bennett Memorial. Silver is apparently not fitted for road work, ns he returned very poor time on Saturday. The announcement by Mrs. .Baudinet at the social gathering after the run that two bracelets would be given, ns the first place resulted in a tie was indeed appreciated, and so also were the many Items that Airs. Baudinet had arranged. 5». A. Rose.

It is learned that R. A. Rose is leaving the Wairarapa district: to reside in Wellington, but there is every likelihood vf his going further south. Jottings.

The Wiiliimlon Club have issued a challenge to the Scottish Club to a Rui-bv match at the end of thfijSensou. on the condition Hmt the team consist of active harriers onlv Members of the Scottish Club are looking forward to the match. 4 ->nil bone that arrangements will be -ompleted. rr-irricvs will bo rind fo learn that P nriiaori is now O"t of hosmtal. and is wbll on the rood to recovery. It Is hi* intention fo have a rest until next hay-i-inr season. Thn cnmncHtors nre reminded fhn‘ fn-Well-nrion Centre is in charro of nffaire ■p fho road moo. and insist flu>t aU runners are to we?’ x beir club colours (Pberwiso they are ’’’ble to disqualification.