Harriers

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1933, Page 24

Harriers

By "Mercury." NOT SO GOOD

THIS SEASON'S SHOWING

MATERIAL DEVELOPING

The harrier season in Wellington has not been an outstanding one; iv fact, the quality of the running has deteriorated when compared, with, previous years. This was shown very clearly at the New Zealand championships, at which the Wellington team put up a very poor showing. Even allowing for some exceptional factors, such as the absence of G. Prosser, the performance of the team was not such as to excite any enthusiasm. Nevertheless, ' the writer does not subscribe, to the view, which is all too frequently advanced in such cases, that "there is something very much wrong with the sport in Wellington." No centre can expect to be at or near the top all the time, which -is just as well for the sport generally. Wellington has a good record, and will again come to the top. Too many are apt to acclaim a team when it wins and decry it when it loses. Certainly this year we had' to rely too much upon the old hands — Stevens, Barclay, Pedersen and Co. The younger runners did not come to the fore as much as might have been expected. But the material is there, and with some confidence one can anticipate better things next year when the younger men have had a little more experience and another year's running to give them more strength 'and confidence. Just at present there does not appear to be anyone likely to show outstanding brilliance, though even that is not beyond the bounds of possibility with one or two, but there are qujte a number who are slowly but surely forcing their way to the front and Who will prove to have very solid ability even if they do not shine with especial lustre. One swallow does not make a summer, nor do one or two brilliant runners necessarily make a team. In the writer's opinion it is better to have a solid team of even capacity rather than a team with. a big gap between the first one or two and the others. SCOTTISH CLUB. The outstanding feature of the season in Wellington has been the success of the Scottish Club. In interclub events the club scored an easy win in the Dome Cup race both in the teams race and in the individual section. In the provincial championships their team had to be content with second place to Brooklyn, but they again scored a win^ for the individual title. In the Vosseler Shield race they excelled themselves, winning the teams race with the greatest of ease and, providing the first five men home. Of course, the Broo.klyn Club did not contest this racer Had they done go Scottish would not have won with such a great margin, but they would nevertheless still have won with ease. In addition, the club put up a very meritorious performance when their team came in second in the Kennet Cup race at Christchurch. The club has undoubtedly a greater number of runners of promise-''than any other club in Wellington. Parkhouse, McLeod, Riddiugton, Woodley, and Tunbridge have during the past season given sufficient indication of .what may be expected from them--next year.