N.Z. CROSS-COUNTRY

Evening Star, Issue 23055, 6 September 1938, Page 12

N.Z. CROSS-COUNTRY

OTAGO TEAM IN TRAINING LEAVES FDR NEW PLYMOUTH TO-MORROW The Otago team, under the management of ttie sole selector ami, coach, Mr B, R. M’Kernnn, will leave by the first “xpress* to-morrow for New Plymouth to take part in the New Zealand crosscountry championship on Saturday. The team comprises L. Dick Ison (St.

Kilda). A. R. Geddes (Civil Service), L. I, Curtis (Anglican), AY. Mackinnon (Civil Service). G. R, Colston (Caversham). and C. Afoore (Mornington). Tho team has been training hard, and Colston and Moore have shown'the most improvement, their form being such ns to indicate that they will give a better account of themselves than in the Otago cross-coiin try cha nipionship. Mackinnon ran a good race in the Civil Service Chib’s five-mile Anderson Cup road race last Saturday, and he was running very freely without unduly exerting himself.

Geddes gave Mackinnon 30sec and gained 12sec on him in the first lap, finishing only seven seconds behind him at the end of five miles, Mackinnon holding his own both times in the loose sand. Geddes is not running so freely this season as he was last year, but be may bo expected to go a good race at New Plymouth. Dickison, the Otago champion, and Curtis have both been training consistently, and are in good form, leading to the belief that they will be well up in Saturday’s race.

If Dickison, Geddes, and Curtis run to form, Otago may finish three in the first five, which would materially improve the province’s prospects of retaining the teams’ championship. Strongest opposition is expected to come from Auckland and West Coast (North Island), though Auckland's chances may depend on whether or not Savidan is included in the team.