CYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3257, 25 September 1928, Page 7

CYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE SOUTH ISLAND TITLE

•SLOW BUT CLOSE RACE

The South Island Cycle Championship Eoad Race was again allotted to the Southbridge Athletic Club this year, and conducted by it on Saturday last over a 36-mile course.

;By a turn of good fortune, the rain which fell in the forenoon cleared after midday, and although the outlook was still threatening for a time, the clouds eventually dispersed, and riding conditions were almost ideal, there being an absence of heat, wind and dust. The roads were comparatively good, with little mud for the most part, the morning's Tain having rather improved them than otherwise.

There were 46 starters out of an entry of sixty, and a good finish, fractions of a second separating the first bunch to cross the line in front of the Town Hall. Several riders arrived too late to start, which was unfortunate, though not blameable against any but themselves. These included L. Pither, C. Stewart and W. Briggs.

Of the three scratch men, one, L. Pither, did not start, L. W. Hill sustained a puncture on the second round and abandoned the race, and P. O'Shea, who chose not to ride solo, also pulled out at the end of the second round. There were several others with punctures, including one of the 3£-min-ute men, Muir. A comparison of this year's with last year's times shows that the race was considerably slower this year. At ' the end of the first round, the scratch men had gained only five seconds. The winner's time was nine minutes behind that of last year's winner and the champion was four minutes slower. A large gathering of spectators witnesed the race at Southbridge, and others observed its progress at points along the route. The seven men to receive place prizes were: — A. E. Hawke (Ch. Ch.) (9|min), Ihr 48m 13sec .. .... 1 W. K. Weir (Ch. Ch.) (6fmin) } lh 45m 13 l-ssec 2 W. W. Crofts (Ch. Ch.) (6fmin) lh 45m 13 3-5s ' 3 C. W. Mills (Lincoln) (9min), lh 47m 28 3-5s 4 N. F. Archer (Ch. Ch.) (7fmin), lh 45m 14s .. 5 J. F. O'Eeilly (Rakaia) (9|min) lh 48m 15s 6 C. Johnstone (Eiccarton) (9£ mm), lh 48m 16s 7 The following was the order in which the remainder finished:— L, E. Poulsen (Heathcote) (6|min), 1 hr 47m 17s, 8; A. C. Walker (Ch. Ch) 9, H. Crofts (Ch. Ch.) 10, H. W. Birch (Papanui) 11, CX Croat (Leeston) 12,

N. F. Archer (Ch. Ch.) 13, L. Mortlock (Ch. Ch.) 14, J. O'Shea ' (Ashburton) 15, W. A. Muir (Soekburn) 16, A. A. Morwood (Papanui) 17, S. A. Jordan (Ch. Ch.) 18, C. Austin (Riccarton) 19, W. L. White (Ch. Ch.) 20.

The president of the Centre, Mr W. J. Walter, always a familiar figure at cycle races in Canterbiuy, was again present, performing the duties of starter and timekeeper. Mr P. C. Lucas, secretary of the Centre, was also among the officials. Mr D. W. Hayes was secretary of the race.

When it was announced that W. W. Crofts was among the placed men one of the spectators from Christchurch entered a protest, requesting that his prize money be withheld on account of his allegedly not having paid a fine imposed upon him after a previous race. The protest was disregarded, Crofts having arranged with the secretary of the Centre' for payment, and, as a matter of fact, did actually pay the amount at the finish of the race.

A. A. Morwood (l^min.) made the fastest time, Ihr. 41min. 30sec, and was decorated with the blue championship ribbon by Mrs Dalzell, wife of the president. Mr J. T. Parkin, on behalf of the president, acknowledged the support given by. the riders and con.gratulated them on the race, including not only those who won prizes, but the later finishers as well. He also expressed gratitude to the members of the cycle trade who had given special prizes. The champion was cheered, and later, on the call of Mr Walter, cheers were accorded the local officials, followed by a further outburst for contributors to the prize fund.

Second fastest time was made by W. T. Weir (1-Jmin.) who covered the course in Ihr. 41min. 42see. C. Austin's time was Ihr. 41min. SOsee. Austin was the winner of the blue ribbon last year, when the time was faster by several minutes, H. Crofts (12min.), the tenth man to finish, took the prize for fastest man. unplaced from 10 minutes, and G. Croat (Leeston), who secured twelfth place, took the prize for first district man to finish.