WATSON FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 79, 1 October 1923, Page 10

WATSON FIRST

TIMARU-CHRISTCHURCH ROAD RACE O'SHEA'S CONSISTENT FASTEST TIME. (BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, 29th Sept. H. G. Watson, of Marshlands, won the Timarn-Christchurch road race today by a quarter of a mile from T. P. M'Avey (Ashburton), with J. Evans (Fernside) third. One hundred and sixty-three of tho scheduled competitors faced the starter at Timaru, only twelve riders failing to stand their ground. The starters left their marks sharp on time. On the whole, the race was a gruelling test, a strong nor'-west wind blowing in the riders' faces practically from start to finish, and a great many of the unfit contestants will probably say "Never again!" There was a- crowd of about 3000 at Canterbury. Park ground to see the fin- | ish. Watson and M'Avey entered the course together just after 3.30 o'clock, and Watson drew away, riding strongly to the finishing post; turning into the straight he Bpurted up to the judge's box amidst rousing cheers. M'Avey was a quarter of a mile away, and finished the round before there were any others in sight. The next men comprised a bunch of five in a motor-car, but immediately following, was Evans, riding on his own, and 300 yards away came L. Pye. As they went round the course the strong wind proved a tough proposition, but they completed the course in the order of entry. Moffat was next, just in front of Pe.irce; he drew away, and Pearce was beaten for sixth place by C. G. Lange, who came into the course a few yards behind them. . '■ THE. WINNER. "I had a good run," said the winner when interviewed. Watson is nineteen years of age, and a member of the Marshland Mairehau Club. This was his first attempt at the big- race. Very

praiseworthy performances were put up bj.- L. Pye (Temuka), a slim youth of but 15 years, who started off the 50min mark; and by G. Lange (Riccarton), a, man 45 yeara of age, who had not ridden in a ra<:e for 18 years. Lange had a son in the race, and He was riding well when he got a couple of punctures; after that he made up a lot of lost ground, but another puncture put him out of the contest.

The veteran Phil O'Shea secured the fastest time, covering the distance in 6hr Omin 50' l-ssec. O'Shea is 34 years of age, and has competed in the Timaru-Christchureh road race on nine occasions. He has secured two firsts, three fourths, and the fastest time on six occasions. In the 1913 race he secured first place and fastest time from scratch. ; • DETAILED PLACINGS. | The placings of the principal men are as follow:— H. G. Watson (Marshland), 34min 1 M'Avey (Ashburton), 46min 2 J. Evans (Femside), 41min 3 L. Pye (Temuka), 50min 4 H. Moffat (Islington), 43min 5 C. G. Lange (Riccarton), 50min 6 E. E. Pearce (Islington), 38min 7 J. Templeton (Ashburton), 25min ... 8 H..W. Birch (Christchurch), 31min ... 9 A. Sutherland (Redcliffs), 50mia 10 The best times were as follow:— P. O'Shea, 6hr Omin 50 l-ssee. H. G. Watson, 6hr llrnin lsec. G. J. Allan, 6hr 12min 50sec. J: Templeton, 6hr 21min 35sec. H. W. Birch, 6hr 27min 35 l-ssec. T. F. P. M'Avey, 6hr 27min 50sec. J. Evans, 6hr 28min 24sec. E. E. Pearce, 6hr 32min 6seo.

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