HARRIER CLUBS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 187, 7 May 1934, Page 6

HARRIER CLUBS

Annual Novice Events RAIN-SODDEN TRAILS Over rain-sodden trails novices of several local barrier clubs held their annual: novice events on Saturday afternoon. The ' bad weather did not prevent large entries: being recorded, and, although times were slow, interesting and close competition resulted generally. Races for the most part were held over trails under three miles. Reports of the different events are given as under: — Scottish Club A few supporters and 45 members of the Scottish club met at the Miramar tennis courts for the novice race. The course selected by Stevens and Buchanan was started from the tennis court gates up to the top of Darlington Road, and then across the swamp, and turning up the hill to the old cowyard, and over another hill into Tauhine Road; up to the gasworks, along Miramar Avenue to Bara Street, along Para Street to Darlington Road, to finish at the starting point, in all about 2-J miles. Nineteen runners faced the starter, the first man being dispatched at 3 p.m. The race was full of interest and the runners soon began to change places. Duffy, the limit man, held the lead to Tauhine Road, where the mitldle-mark-men began to come up. At this stage Garty, the winner, and Frederic came on the scene, closely' followed by the backmarkers. Archer (scratch) was just short of the necessary experience to make the front men step on it, and he did well to finish in sixth place and get fastest time. Into Darlington Road Garty had a lead of about 50 yards from Frederic, Leeks, and Williamson, and a bunch following further back. Garty seemed to take it easy, and came on to win by about 20 yards from Frederic, who was a similar distance ahead of Leeks, the rest being separated by about similar distances. . ■ The results are as follow:—Garty (1.50), 17.21, 1; Frederic (1), 17.29, 2; Leeks (1.40), 17.39, 3. Fastest times;— Archer set-., 15.39, 1; Elleray, 15.55, 2; Garty, 1.50, 16.11, 3. Wellington Club The Wellington club held its maiden handicap race over a distance of two miles 1000 yards at Miramar before a large attendance of spectators. Officials for the race were: Starter and judge, F. Wilton;, handicapper, W.. T. Whelan; timekeeper, W. Whelan; stewards, R. Newson, J. O’Brien, and A. Spence; trail-layers, S. McKinnon and T. Mulcahy. Owing to the unfavourable weather, only eight runners faced the starter. J. Drawbridge, the limit man, held his lead until half the distance had been covered, when W. Owens took charge, and came on to win comfortably from H. Brady, with J. Drawbridge just beating W. Allan for third place. Fastest time was made by W. Allan. The following were (he starters, with their times and handicaps: IV. Owens (1.20), 16.6: H. Brady (50), 15.47; J. Drawbridge (2.0), 17.18; W. Allan (scr.), 15.21; E. Willetts (30), 15.55: R. Wickham (1.20), 17 47; Raven (1.40), 19.4; Barnhill (1,20), 18,40. Next week the club will be the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. O'Brien, Te Whitt Street, and will not hold its run from Island Bay as announced. < - Methodist Club , ' There was an attendance of 18 members at the novice handicap held by the Methodist club at Miramar. Th 4 trail, laid by Messrs. F. Thorley and A. Mackay, was very heavy as a result of rain, and led for two arid three-quarter miles from the Methodist Church along Broadway, through tha- ttumeL and up Tio Tio Road, along Seatoiip Heights, and; fin.-, ishiug along Devonshire Road. Allpy was first, F. Hickling second, R. Tucker third, and R, Ingram fourth. Time places resulted in R. Ingram being 118.35,_ CThompson 19.21, R. Alley 19.25, and McCormack 20.5. • ■ ,P. Mercer ran a splendid race, but near the finish followed the wrong trail. An enjoyable afternoon tea, served by lady members of the Bible class, brought the'afternoon to a close. Next week s fun will be held from Thorndon, and will lie followed by a social evening at Hataitai. ■ Victoria College Club Twenty members of the Victoria College club, in 'two packs, rau from Thorudon on Saturday, the attendance being a record for vacation runs. The trail, laid bv Bagnall and J. B. McGee, led along 'Thorndon reclamation, up the hill behind the recreation ground, and along to the waterworks on Kaiwharawhara hill. Dropping down through the bush, the runners crossed the Ngaio Gorge Road, descended and forded the stream, and, after a stiff, slippery climb, found their way home from Wadestown down the tram track. The Slower men did good pack work, Murray, Shaw and Freeman running well, while the fast pack ran steadily throughout. At the conclusion of the run all adjourned to the home of Mrs. Oliver for afternoon tea. The club captain, in expressing thanks for this hospitality, took the opportunity to wish Mrs. Oliver good fortune for her forthcoming departure tor Australia. in Next week’s , run will be from Lyall Bay. Olynipic Club The Olympic club held its weekly run at Lyall Bay, and, despite wet weather conditions, there was an excellent muster. The run was a distance of about eight miles, and although it was his first run of the season, Jack Perston led the pack throughout. The run-in over the hist 400 yards was a tie between L. Meyers nnd R. Garnham, third place going to K. McDowell. ' The colts had their first ’ run of the season, and their run-in was won by E. Richardson, and K. Guest and J. Bczer tied for second place. Next week’s run will be the maiden handicap.