HARRIERS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 47, 23 August 1930, Page 22

HARRIERS

BY "P+PIRCHAS*I»"

CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS

DISAPPOINTING TEAM WORK.

WON BY A. L. STEVENS

With the exception of the peforrmance registered by the consistent Scottish runner, A. L. Stevens, there was nothing brilliant about the Wellington Provincial Cross-country Championships, heia at Hutt Park on Saturday. The team work in the A grade event left much to be desired, and the Brooklyn Club, winners of the shield, were the only party that displayed the generalship of previous seasons. The Scottish Club was expected to show up, but for some unaccountable reason their display was very mediocre. Hutt Valley, 'Wellington, and Olympic also lacked combination, and individualism among the respective runners was most conspicuous. Masterton did not qualify owing to the required number of the team failing to finish. A. L. Stevens's performance in winning the title with a 150 yards' advantage, stamps him as a runner above the average. The little champion opened up a gap of 100 yards when the second mile of the journey had to be covered, and on the hill work he- excelled himself. The gruelling nature of the hillclimb did not shorten Stevens' stride to any extent, and his pace on the down journey was a heart-breaker to his opponents. L. Watson ran one of the best races of his career and held second place until a mile from' home, when A. Barclay passed him. He made a strenuous effort to withstand the challenge, but Barclay was a more experienced and fitter ni'an. C. McCarthy did all expected of him, and filled fourth place. The Pedersen brothers were always in the picture, and ran creditable races in spite of the fact that the youngest was a much distressed runner at the finish. F. Silver, A. Hi yon, and J. Shephard wero far below their usual form. All appear to bo "stale" and a short spell probably would be advisable. J. Bibby, L. Sinclair, G. Prosser, A. Porter, and V. Smith were of great assistance to their team-mates and all finished well to the front. B Grade Championship. The display in the B grade, championship compensated for the A grade, for the team work was outstanding, and the race evenly contested. O. Eoberts gained first place, with J. Burns second, J. Meit third, and J. M'Conchie fourth. .At the conclusion of the race protests were entered on the ground that certain runners cut a corner of the course. On Tuesday evening the Harrier Subcommittee met to decide what action should be taken. Mr. A. C. Kitto was in the chair, and O. Eoberts, A. Meit, M. Violich, and J. Donovan ,the runners who were alleged to have cut the cornei> were present and were given the opportunity of explaining their actions. Each runner admitted that the course had been cut, and the chairman could take no alternative but disqualify them and award the places to Burns, M'Conchie, Chalk, and W. Zander. The team honours, won by Wellington, were not affected. It was suggested that the five clubs should be,notified as to the re-running of the race at an early date. Only runners who competed in the race last week will be allowed to start. These arrangements were left solely in the hands of the five clubs concerned. / New Zealand Championship. Next Saturday at Hutt Park the New Zealand Championship will be decided. Teams from Otago, Christchurch, Wellington, and WanganuiTaranaki, and possibly Auckland will be competing, and a thrilling race is expected. Tho teams selected are as follow: — Wanganvsi-Taranaki: H. Brown, E. Johnson, C. Weller, H. Capon, E. Walsham, and A. Hoskins. Wellington: A. Stevens, A. Barclay, L. Sinclair, P. Francis, C. M'Carthy, L. Watson; emergencies, J. Shephard and F. Silver. Otago: Barnes, Mann, Tapp, Johnson, Brown, and Morris; emergencies, M'Knight and M'Laren. Christehurch: A. Park, B. Barrer, G-. Watson, M. Eobinson, L. Smith, and P. Pascoe; emergency, G. Broadhead. It is doubtful whether Auckland will be represented as a team, but N. Cooper, J. Nicholson, and T. Montgomery will enter as individuals. B. A." Rose has officially notified the centre that ho will compete as an individual runner for Wanganui. Bose is very fit and has been training hard for the last two weeks. P. H. Francis arrived in Wellington from Gisborn© yesterday ,and was participating in today's training run with the Wellington team at Hutt Park. C. M' Carthy, who is stationed at Palmerston North, was the only member of the team unablo to take part in this run. The officials and members of the teams, at the conclusion of the race, will be entertained at a presentation dinner at Barrett's Hotel, which will be followed by a dance at the Kelburn Kiosk. All members and supporters from the Wellington clubs are asked to be present at the, dance. On tho Sunday tho visiting runners will be taken on a motor tour. Any gentleman desiring to place his car at tho disposal of the visitors is requested to got into touch with tho secretary, Mr. J. Goodall, of the Laykold Office. On the night prior to the championship a round-table conference of delegates fropi the principal centres will be held in the A.M.P. Building, where several important questions will bo discussed. Tho conference held last year in Dunedin proved a big success. It is gatherings of this kind that help to place | "harrierism" on a higher plane. Championship Events. Tho Canterbury championship was contested over tho Cashmere course, and resulted in a win for Park, witk Bswrer

second, and Watson third. The time registered for the distance (GJ aiiles) was 39min 54scc. Savidan (Auckland) covered the same distance three years back in the time of 39min 6sec. The Otago championship was won comfortably by J. Barnes, with A. Mann second and J. Tapp third. J. Morris ran with a bandaged leg, but, nevertheless, was below form, and could only fill sixth place. Auckland hold a five mile championship over four laps of the Ellerslie Racecourse. The handicap event resulted in J. Nicholson (85sec) leading the field home in tho timo of 30min 4J sec, followed by T. Montgomery (175 see), 32min 11 2-ssec, second. Fastest time honours were secured tojr JP-. Coopor, fit S&aiai Ataah