SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22145, 26 June 1935, Page 19

SPORT OF CYCLING

ROAD RACING POPULAR HARD TESTS FOR RIDERS RAPER'S NARROW VICTORY Road racing is a very strong attraction for local amateur cyclists, and even the heavy rain and strong easterly wind last Saturday did not prevent any of the six local clubs from conducting their respective events. Most of tho clubs take pride in tho fact that during the past three seasons no occasion has arisen for the postponement of a road event. So abnormal were Saturday's conditions that several riders raced with light celluloid mudguards fitted to both wheels to prevent a continuous spray from their wheels adding to the otherwise unpleasant circumstances. One of this number, E. F. Raper, won the Manukau Club's 25 miles race over the difficult Avondale South circuit. Raper had 2m start from the lone scratch rider, A. W. D. Robinson, and with his fellow-marker, J. R. Hall, paced out strongly to take the lead with eight miles to go. Over the last five miles Robinson made a great effort to catch Hall and Raper, but the pair through excellent mutual pacing held the lead. The sprint was most exciting, Raper and Hall crossed the lino almost abreast, tho former winning by inches only. Raper's win in the 20 miles race tho previous week, off 3m 455, must have given him much encouragement after three seasons with no victories, for ho again rode with confidence. Fastest Time to Robinson A. W. I). Robinson proved himself worthy of tho scratch mark when he finished only 50yds. behind tho two leaders, to secure fastest time in 71m 535, lm 49s slower than J. R. Hall's 1933 course record, which was established under more favourable conditions. With Robinson, J. Brown, A. G. Patrick and L. H. Dwight, tho Manukau Club has good prospects in the forthcoming teams' raco next month.

The Auckland Club intended to decide a teams' race over the Te Atatu course, but owing to depleted teams a time trial was substituted. J. Price, an enthusiastic member who rides from St. Heliers each week, a distance of 14 miles, returned the best time in 40m 12s, to beat another good distance rider, L. Laloli, by 22s for the 14 miles course. R. Linn won the sealed handicap by lm 21s from S. Thompson, a promising recruit. Linn is a big, rugged type of rider, and generally figures high in unpaced competitions, wbere each rider has to cover tho distance unassisted. So strenuous was tho LVnndale Club's 27 miles event that only six riders were left after the first ten miles. F. L. G. Hughes, scratch, managed to go right through the field, but in the final sprint F. W. Bates, 3rn, won by inches, while Hughes also made fastest time in addition to gaining second place. His time of Ih 43m 49s may appear slow, but the course was in a most treacherous condition, and the six riders who finished were almost unrecognisable under a layer of road silt. Success ol Morris

Following his win the previous week, F. D. Morris, 4m 30s, rode another fine race when he won the Papatoetoo Club's senior 22 miles event over tho difficult Whitford course. S. F. Pinfold, scr, just failed to catch Morris, who boat him in by two seconds. Pinfold was fastest rider in 74m Bs. Last year Pinfold captained the Papatoetoo team which won the open teams' race, and this season lie again appears to be the strongest of the club's riders. The lakapuna Club's 26 miles race vras a harder test than usual. Two long markers, A. Chaplin and L. Coleman" off Cm, paced well together, took the JOcid early, and sprinted for the premier placing, for Chaplin to win by a wheel. A. Parker and L. Denning, scr, had a spirited finish for time honours, which Parker gained in 73m 6s. Both are splendid distance riders, but Parker appears to be the better sprinter. Although the conditions were far from ideal, C. French, off 455, rode verv well to win the Beach Haven Club's 24 miles race, and make fastest time with the course record figures of 74m 9s. Tho previous best time was 75m 245. French was the only rider to reduce any record last week.

LAWN TENNIS WfMBLEDON TOURNAMENT PERRY REGAINS BEST FORM BY SIDELINE Chief interest in the tennis world at the moment centres on Wimbledon 010 L '? f(,r supremacy for the season 1930-36 will be advanced a further stage.. The entry of the United states Davis (.up team, Jed bv W Allison along with the Australians, headed by J. H. Crawford, the South Africans, .New Zealanders and all leading European exponents, will make the present meeting one of tho most representative on record. I'. J. Perry, the greatest Knglish player since Doherty, is defending his title, and his recent success in the French championships will make him a strong favourite, lie has now held every tennis title of any importance in the world, and would seem to have once again established his mental supremacy over J. H. Crawford, who rather turned the tables on him in Australia. Indeed, after those results, many claimed that ( rawford was definitely the superior player. Results, however, point the other way, as Crawford has never defeated Perry outside Australia since the latter reached the top of t!ic world's ranking. Competition this year will be keen, although .T. H. Crawford's recent form has not been such as to lead to tho belief that the Australian plaver can repeat his success of 1933. It is improbable that the winner this year will be found outside a quartet comprising F. J. Perry, G. Von Cramni. j. 11. Crawford and W. Allison. Perry's ability is well recognised. Crawford's chances will be enhanced considerably if the weather remains fine and the courts fast. Von Crainm is Germany's chief hope, and he lias performances to his credit which support bis claim to A satisfactory feature, from an English point of view, has been the fine form shown by Tl. W. Austin in recent first-class tournament play.

The presence of Mrs. Helen Wills Mondv will add considerable interest to the women's events, and it remains to be seen whether she can reproduce the wonderful form which enabled her to reign supremo until her illness in 19.12. .Miss Dorothy Round will be defending her tide, and she will have many supporters, both in Australia and New Zealand, after her wonderful exhibitions here in 1934.

Anita Lixana, woman champion of South America. and Chile, varvingly described as the "new Lenten" and 1 lie "Pavlova of the tennis courts," has entered with a flourish of trumpets. Not even the "come-back" of Mrs. Wills Moody will attract more interest than this vivacious South American. She has had little experience of English conditions, but that she is good all the critics arc agreed. Wimbledon this year will he the poorer by the absence of Miss Kvnn, one of the greatest women players in the game, who will not be defending thv doubles title she holds with lime. Mathieu.