ROAD CYCLING

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 15

ROAD CYCLING

PONEKE CLUB EVENTS

UNPLEASANT CONDITIONS

Competing under most unpleasant conditions, the riders of the Poneke Amateur Cycling Club provided those who followed the club events on Saturday with some exciting racing. A feature of both the senior 30 miles contest for the Walsh Cup for seniors and the 15 miles handicap was the success of the back-markers, who "went through the field." T. Walsh was in form, and took the double, winning first place and making fastest time in the junior race. R. Loader was similarly placed in the senior contest.

From the turning point at Silverstream it was obvious that the scratch two, Dutton and Loader, who had the assistance of Blackett (oft lmin) would have a good chance of winning, but at Lower Hutt Bridge K. McLeod (who, with his co-markers, was moving well) broke away, and, riding strongly, overhauled the leaders just after passing the ramp nearing Petone. From this group, «C. Sparkes (sJmin) and J. Wills detached themselves, going away with K. McLeod and, working well, had a lead of 440 yards on the back group, who were bearing down on them with every turn of the cranks. McLeod, however, with occasional assistance from Wills and Sparkes, fought on resolutely, and it looked as if the finish might be sufficiently close for them to hold the others off, but Dutton and company were not to be denied, and just over a mile from home the two groups merged. Blackett punctured at this point, and Wills, who to this stage

brilliant dash. Securing the ball from a scrum, he beat the whole of the opposition with a spectacular run. Randwick showed their superiority in the second spell, when Eastwood and Conway scored tries. Thomas, the Randwick full-back, played a sound game, and Lovatt showed speed and elusiveness. Taylor, the Randwick centre three-quarter, made a number of openings, and was good on defence. Marshall, the Central half-back, was about the best of his side.

A Central player was ordered off for questioning the referee's decision.

RESULTS ELSEWHERE (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland.—Mount Albert 10, Ponsonby 8; Manukau 5, Newton 2; Marist 18, North Shore 4; Richmond 16, Papakura 10. Christchurch. —Sydenham 23, Waimairi 0; Linwood 14, Addington 0; Rakaia 19, Hornby 12.

had ridden very well for a limit ridar, found the pace too hot. Dutton lefpt out too early and could not sustain his effort. Forty yards from the line Loader had his measure and came away to win by two lengths. McLeod, finishing strongly, just nosed Dutton out of second placing.

Details are: — Senior.—R. Loader (scr), 7Smin 27scc, 1, and fastest time; K. McLeod <2min) I( 80min 27 2-ssec, 2 and third fastest; K. Dutton (scr), 78mm 27 3-ssec, 3 and second fastest; C. Sparkes (sAmin), 83 min 59sec, 4.

Junior.—T. Walsh (scr), 39min Isec, 1 and fastest time; F. Huxford (lmin), 40min 29sec, 2 and third fastest; N. Blair (3min), 42min 29 l-ssec, 3; W. Goey (scr), 40min llsec, second fastest. The following teams will represent the club in the first of the series of three contests for the Hope Gibbons Shield, to be held at Petone on Saturday;—A team: R. Loader, R. Dutton, V. Evans, V. McLeod, W. Lasky. B team: A. Huxford, F. Blackett, N. McLeod, G. Howard, F. Alexander. Emergencies: C. Huxford, N. Scrymgeour, C. Sparkes, C. Clark.

Junior teams' contest.—A team; T. Walsh, W. Goey, F. Huxford, H. Sparkes. B team: W. Cunliffe, N. Andrews, G. McKinnon, B. Frew; emergencies, L. Jonasen, N. Blair, J. Day.

CASH CLUB. The Wellington Cash Cycling Club held a 20 miles road race, the course being from the Grand National Hotel, Petone, to St. Patrick's College, Silverstream, and- return. The limit man B. Wakeham, rode a good race. He left his co-marker, R. Lantz, who suffered an attack of cramp, about six miles from the finish, and won by about 200 yards from the fast-finishing Staveley, who seemed to enjoy the unfavourable conditions. A. Wright, third man home, lost close on a minute when his chain came off, and but for that delay, he and Staveley must have finished practically together. The scratch men did not team as well as in previous races. Staveley gainedi fastest time by lmin ssec. , Details:— B. Wakeham (Bmin), 58min 0 l-ssee, 1; G. Staveley (3min), 53min 15sec, 2; A. Wright (4min), 54min 15 2-ssec, 3. Fastest Times.—G. Staveley (3min), 53min 15sec, 1; A. Wright (4min), 54 min 15 2-ssec, 2. Points for Harrison Cup are now as follows:—M. Cole 14, H. Houston 11, J. Clark 11, G. Staveley 11, P. Percival 9, A. Wright 7, J. Martin 6, V. Wakeham 6, F. McCoy 4, L. Woods 3, E. Sayer 2.