CLUB RACING

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 22

CLUB RACING

IDEAL CONDITIONS

EVENT IN HUTT VALLEY

Several of the harrier clubs in Wellington held their most important club functions, apart from championship racing, last Saturday under ideal conditions. In the Hutt {Valley the first annual contest for the Robbie Shield was held between the C.Y.M. and Hutt Valley Clubs. Although the older club registered a comparatively easy victory, the C.Y.M. team put up a very creditable performance under the guidance of A, Porter, whose long experience with the Olympic Harriers has made him a very able leader for the new club. Veteran V. Smith, of Hutt Valley, led the field, Barlow and Wilson (C.Y.M.) being next to finish. The fact that C.Y.M. gained three out of the first six places augurs well for its prospects in team racing. Being a small club, it is unable to compete successfully in ten-men races. '. There was.an entry of 43 runners in .the Scottish Harriers' race for the Le Gaye Rosebowl last Saturday. J. Riddington scored an easy victory over his clubmate, A. Stevens, who was not challenged for second place. The remainder of the runners were well bunched, and for the most part ran true to form. H. Cowan, the young champion from Presbyterian Harriers, finished in fourth position, and should easily earn a place in the club's A team. The Olympic Harriers' Grand Memorial race was won in good style by E. Richardson, who has graduated from the colts* pack. Richardson undoubtedly has outstanding ability as a crosscountry runner, and, with careful training, should do well in inter-club racing. His progress will be watched with interest by the club officials. At the conclusion of the race, delegates from the various harrier clubs were the guests of the Olympic Harriers at a social function commemorating the club's twenty-first birthday. Mr. Wilton, president of Wellington Harriers, spoke of the sport thirty-four years ago, when it- was a generally accepted fact that harrierism would never be as popular in Wellington as in the southern cities. He gave an interesting account of the steady progress made through the ensuing years. ,