SPORT OF CYCLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20203, 13 March 1929, Page 16

SPORT OF CYCLING.

MANUKAU AMATEUR CLUB.

WIN FOR THE LIMIT RIDER

EAST TAMAKI CLUB'S SPORTS

Very rarely this year has a limit man registered a win. Therefore A. W. Mackrell's victory in the final of the one-mile handicap conducted by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club last Wednesday evening at the Domain was a very popular one. The race was decided in two heats, G. J. Whitchouse, 120 yds., accounting for the first by inches from J. A. Dykes, late of Hawera, and X. J. Farrelly, 210 yds., the second. The six finalists were three front-markers and two back-markers with Whitehouse sandwiched in between. The Umit tr:o paced out a good race and at the bell Mackrell gradually went away iroin the other two. li. Dwight, 70yds., who entered the final lap fully lOuyds. behind, put in an exceptionally last burst of speed to rapidly overhaul ail but ilackrell, who crossed the line with seven lengths to spare m2m 25 4-os. I his is Mackreil's hist, victory in open competition, hi.3 only other win being in a class B, one inile off 120 yds., on January 23. A fine day's sport was witnessed by a record attendance at the annual meeting of the East Tamaki Club. The surface of the grass track was well-nigh perfect and no spills occurred during the afternoon. L. Pinfold, 35yds., stole a march on J. Vvhitten, scr., in the half-mile local. Wliitteu led down the finishing straight and, apparently believing himself assured of first place, eased up slightly, only to allow Pinfold to flash past right on the line when he had no possibility of recovering lost pace.

Local Eiders Placed. The only two East Tamaki riders to bo placed in the open handicaps were R. 11. Watson, 190 yds., and IS. Kara, 200 yds., who were lirst and second respectively in the one mile. Watson won easily, having obtained the lead early in the first lap from a record field of 18, which really necessitated two heats. Wade, scr., was set a difficult task to pass such a big number of riders and under the circumstances did well to finish immediately behind the leading bunch of 12. Twelve contested the event, which provided L. Aldred, 160 yds., who was placed second in the five-miles House Cup race last month, with premier honours by a narrow margin from C. Francis, of Papakura. Excitement ran high in the last race of the day, the two-miles, which was won by the scratch man, J. H. Wade. He and R. G. Foubister, 80yds.,. who were together on the completion of the initial lap, rode at a fast pace throughout and were with the field at lj laps to go. At the bell lap L. B. Roberts, 140 yds., led, with Wade lying fourth, which position was maintained until the finishing straight was entered, when Wade came out and, with a magnificent effort, beat Roberts in a most desperate finish by a wheel in srn 3s. It was a fitting conclusion to a good afternoon's sport that the scratch man should, after being set such a difficult task in the two previous races, win in such convincing style. St. Patrick's Sports.

The iSt. Patrick's Day sports at the Domain nest Saturday 'promise to be exceptionally interesting. Only cycle, races feature on the athletic side of the programme and the event for the veteran cyclists who were prominent riders 25 and more years ago should create great interest.

h. Nelson, who was unsuccessful in his attempt to lower 11. G. Brewin's record ride of 65 hours for the Auckland-Well-ington journey of 474 miles, first came into prominence when he won the, halfmile handicap at Whatawhata last New Year's Day. Bad weather and fatigue compelled hiin to abandon trio attempt lit Te Kuiti, 134 miles out. For endurance tests such as this long and careful preparation is absolutely necessary, but many do not realise this fact. The English unpacccT road record for 24 hours stands to the credit of ,T. W. Rossiter at 402J, miles. No doubt the good roarls of England played an important part in the compilation of the latter figures. Tn Ihe professional ranks R. Hayes, scr., had no difficulty whatever in accounting for the three-miles handicap decided last Wednesday evening by the Auckland .Athletic and Cycle Club. At the, completion of two miles he was with the field and contented himself by winning by a wheel. Haves enjoys much the same position with the professional riders as Wade with the amateurs.