WITH THE HARRIERS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 220, 13 June 1933, Page 6

WITH THE HARRIERS

Race for McVilly Shield SATURDAY’S OUTINGS Followers of the barrier sport were able to gauge the strength of the; premier club in WeHington at the Hutt 1 ark last Saturdav, when the annual teams race for the McVilly Shield was conducted by tbe Scottish club. . Both the teams and individual sections revealed that the club has slipped but little, and that it will be a force to be reckoned with again this season. The. remaining dubs held the usual weekly outings.

The McVilly Shield Placed in the forefront of a large field for practically the whole of the race, G. Woodlev, at the Hutt Park on Saturday, won the individual section in the anntial teams’ race for the McVilly Shield held by the Scottish Harriers. A. L. Stevens, the Scottish champion, paced throughout with the leaders, but could not sustain the pace, set by \V oodlev in the closing stages. • - . ‘The teams’ section resulted m a draw, Tunbridge’s and Woodley’s team aggregating 72 points. The event, held over one lap ot the pronincial course, was viewed by., a large gallery. Mr. R. W. McViUy, donor of the shield, started the runners on their jourpey. A fast pace for 200 yards was set, the runners being bunched. Running on to the beach, G. Buchanan had , a lead of fifteen yards from A. L. Stevens, closely followed by G. Woodley, Parkhouse’, and Tunbridge, with the other runners well strung-out. The heavy had slowed the race considerably, but Stevens and Woodley had reduced the gap to Buchanan. Coming tp Gracefield Road, Stevens was abreast of Buchanan/ with Woodley and Violich. handy. Cross-' ing to the railway line Woodley, running very well, had taken;the lead. Holding this advantage he breasted the tape with ten yards to spare from Stevens, who had a little in reserve to beat Buchanan, the actual pacemaker from the start, 3 lohcu, Tunbridge, Parkhouse, and McLeod,-par-; ticularly the latter, who were not sighted, in the early stages, finished. closely. ' The teams’ race resulted in*a dead.neat for. first place,'two teams'finishing with 72 points. ■ Individual placings were: D.: WoocUyc, ISmin. 27sec„ 1; Stevens, 18min. 32sec., 2; Buchanan, 18min. 36sec„ 3; Aiolich,, 4; Tunbridge, 5; Parkhouse, 6. .. • The teams’ race resulted: Tunbridge s. team and Woodley’s team, 72 1 j; . Parkhouse’s team, 75 points.; The .sealed. handicap held in conjunction 'with the race, resulted: —Canute, 1; Woodley, 2; McDonald, 3. . During the afternoon tea Mr. McVilly presented the shield to the captains of ■the winning teams. Among the visitors were Mr. and Mrs. W. Ballantyne. sen., .Rev, and Mrs. Boudinet. Mr. 11. McCormick, and Mr. O.' A. Willis. . ■' • /The: team selected to represent the Scottish club at the Kennett Cup event at Christchurch this Saturday is:—A. D. Stevens (captain), D. S. Woodley, G. W.- Buchanan, M. Violich, G. Parkhouse, arid Y. Tunbridge. Olympic Club Thirty members of the Olympic Hal-, riers followed a course of about three miles from Kelburn Tea Kiosk. The trail led through the Botanical Gardens, over Tinakori Wireless : Hill, down through Northland, via, the Viaduct, and home; again. A run-in over the last 400- yards, resulted in G. - Strong winning by about two vards from A. W. McNaught. C. Campbell was third. After the ruu about sixty members and friends spent an enjoyable afternoon at an afternoon tea and dan.ee provided by Messrs. J. Perston and C. Phipson. Methodist Club The weekly run of the Methodist club was held from Miramar Methodist Church. Thirteen members and, the president of the club, the Rev? M- A. McDowell, participated in the run. The trail led through the Miramar cutting, round Point Halswell, up along Nevay Road.

finishing along Ira Street and Devonshire Road, about seven miles being covered. . Three packs set off at four-minute intervals, the fast pack overhauling the others just before reaching Scorching Bay. The run-in, held from the top of Nevay Road, took the form of a handicap, and resulted: Ingram 1, Bevan 2, Johnston 3. ; Hutt Valley Club.. The Hutt Valley harriers held a run from the residence of Mr. Charles King, at Belmont. Twenty-seven members attended an enjoyable outing, which consisted mostly of severe hill work. A trail of about 7i miles was laid by Smith and King. The route taken was from Owen Street;-then across paddocks to the back of the old picnic grounds, to reach the road at the railway bridge, then up Hut Road to reach the hilltops, across country, to regain the road at the bridge, through tbe picnic grounds, back to Mr. King’s residence. After the run. the .members were entertained to afternoon tea, and Mr. King was duly thanked for, his kind invitation. Presbyterian Club The Presbyterian Harrier Club held the weeklv run from Calvin Street, Brooklyn. The trail was laid by T. Moncrieff and N. Porritt, and covered a distance of over nine miles of varied hill and road work. After climbing up to the .top of Sugarloaf Hill the trail turned south along the rid"e coming down on to Ohiro Road, about half a mile from the coast; and crossing the ridge, via Severn Street to. Island Bay. The run up from the bay' was solid road work. The trail led above Wakefield Park and down Britomart Street, then over Adelaide Road to John' Street, before a steep final pull near Prince of Wales Park. There were 36 runners, divided into three packs under S. Dick, F. G’. Watkins, and R. D. I Moore. A good pace was maintained throughout except for the last two miles, when the strenuous nature of the . run caused the runners to straggle considerably. For this reason no run-in was held. The colts’ pack .made its first appear-; ance at this, run, and six youngsters ran over a short, easy course under the con-; trol of H. Smith. . 1 Varsity Club z

The Varsitv harriers ran from the re-, sidenee of Mr. W. P. Shorland, vicepresident, at Karori. Twenty-one runners, and supporters of the club made the afternoon’s run, together with crossed ' trails, •and the. nature of the country, an exciting ■one'for Varsity. Commencing from Duthie -Street, the,.hares,.. K. Sheard and L. 'Sceats, crossed to the hills, ou the. west of Karori and set out toward Wiltons Bush. Turning to the right, they- com--pleted the circuit by going south down Karori Road. Four or five advanced members of the slow-pack, under .Norman Clare, followed the trail all the way.Those following became confused through crossed trails, another trail being laid after the few advanced members had passed by. At this stage the fast pack, under F. B. JShorland, caught up and proceeded upward to the ridges, then turning left, followed the track that lead eventually back to Karori Road, a short-dis-tance from the tram terminus. Tfie.in-; tended rut-in for the medal was not held..