CYCLE ROAD RACE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 December 1928, Page 10

CYCLE ROAD RACE.

E. WATSON, KAPONGA CLUB

CI-lA3SPION,

WILLIAMS WINS -WATSON CUP

Under the auspices of the Kaponga Cycle Club, the last of a series of six long distance cycle road races for a handsome silver cup, presented by Mr E. Watson, was contested on Saturday last over the usual 44-mile course from .Kaponga, through Manaia, Opunake and back to the starting point. An unfavourable head wind for the greater part of the first half of the journey militated against registration of fast times, .tile honours in this respect falling to J. 11. Blackwell, who shared with IT. W. Boeoek and E. Aroa the position of virtual scratch, with 2min. handicap. Blackwell’s time was 2hrs. lOmin. 43see. E. Watson (7min.) was first past the post with G. Williams a wheel behind, and IT. Thorpe six lengths away in third place. Blackwell, A. Aroa (Smin.) and E. Aroa (2min.) straggled in singly in that order, while N. Adlam (14min.) and Boeoclc were picked up on route by Mr E. Aroa and conveyed by car to .Kaponga, The latter struck disaster at the Mangahumc Bridge (Main South Road) when nearing Opunake, the frame of his machine collapsing. The rider was .thrown and suffered minor injuries. Adlam withdrew at Opunake. Owing- to head winds on many stretches, of the Main South Road the riders were unable to make even moderate times for the full journey. Watson caught Williams and A. Aroa (Smin) at O.takeho, and this [group ■overhauled Thorpe and Adlam at Oeo. The -scratch men, E. Aroa, Blackwell and Boeoclc were never in the picture. Details were as follows: — E. Watson (7min.), 2hrs. 12min. 10 sec 1 G. Williams (Smin.) 2hrs. 13min. 11 11. Thorpe (lOmin.) 2hrs. lomin. 12 sec 3 J. Hz Blackwell (2min.) 2hrs. lOniin. 43 sec. 4 Fastest time: J. IT. Blackwell, 2!irs. lOmin. 43sec. G. Williams, with a .score of 14 points over the series, takes the Watson Gup; 11. Thorpe (12 points) wins Mr A. Melville’s gold medal, and E. Watson (11 points) receives £1 cash, donated by Mr A. Gargan, Biverlea. (CLUB CHAMPION SHIP. Saturday’s race decided the club’s long distance championship, for which the “Curier” gold medal was awarded to E. Watson. G-. Williams, with 2hrs. 13min. llsee., won the trophy for putting up tfye fastest time in ,t,he junior division. Officials controlling the event were: Messrs A. Melville (starter and timekeeper), C. H. Brewer (cheek timekeeper), R. J. Payne, G. W. G. Bell, W. j. Noonan (judges), A. Melville, W. J. Noonan (handicappers). A POOR. SPORT. Three of the competitors, A. Aroa, Watson and Williams, complained of interference and lack of sportsmanship on the part of the driver of a Ford car on that part of the journey from Otakeho to Omuturangi Road. For a good two miles this humourist zigzagged his car across the cyclists’ course. Even when the riders passed the car the driver distorted sense of a joke prompted him to speed up and renew his undesirable attentions. It was perhaps just as well that the car was numbered and the riders had retentive memories, for they expressed a desire to return igood for evil if the opportunity occurred. KAPONGA CLUB NOTES.

Mr A. E. Gallagher has presented a miniature silver shield of unique design and splendid workmanship, mounted on oak, for allocation by the 'club. Another supporter of the club, Mr W. Carrington, has donated a .silver shaving outfit for competition after the New Year. Allotment of this trophy is also left to the .club’s officials.