SPORT OF CYCLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23052, 1 June 1938, Page 22

SPORT OF CYCLING

INTEE-CLUB CONTESTS EVENTS AT PAPATOETOE LOCAL RIDERS SUCCESSFUL Inter-club races undoubtedly help to foster goodwill between club members and intensify competition. Nothing was more evident from the results of the Papatoetoe Cycle Club's races last Saturday, in which the Manukau Club riders had been invited to compete. Of the 28 riders who lined up for the senior event of 133 miles to Clcvedon and back, 15 were from the Manukau Club. Thus, with the visitors slightly stronger in numbers, an even contest was anticipated. However, the Papatoetoe members proved too strong on their home course and four of their number were in the first six to finish. The outstanding competitor was M. C. Johnson, off 3m. Starting off with a group of six noted stayers, J. I. and W. R. Walker, C. H. Picknell, last year's junior road champion, G. R. Purdom, W. Ferguson and R. H. Waterman, he paced out to the Clevedon turn in their company, but when his group turned into the wind and a heavy shower two miles later, Johnson went steadily away and overhauled the leading five with five miles still t.o go. .Johnson has had three wins this year, and his latest was such an outstanding effort that he also accounted for the best time of the day, 90m 51s. Taking into consideration the undulating course and strong winds, his ride was a splendid effort. F. Irvine, who finished second, has developed into a good distance rider, while F. James was responsible for the fast pace set by the leaders, among whom J. S. Calder also contributed his share of the pacing. G. H. Cunningham headed in a bunch of six riders and just failed by 10 seconds to equal the winner's time. Lack of combination proved the undoing of the two scratch men, J. Brown and E. A. Langridge. F. J. Smith was first and fastest in the junior race of 16 miles in 42m 50s. The Manukau Club's leading junior, N. F. Harvey, off lm. I was set a difficult task, for he had to ride alone. Nevertheless, he rode well and was only six seconds slower than Smith DETERMINED EFFORT F. CROTHALL'S HARD RIDE E. HUGHES REGAINING FORM E. L. G. Hughes, 100 miles champion, is gradually striking form and made his best effort to date when be clocked fastest time in the Lvnndale Club's 19 J miles race. A. H. Sil- j cock, also scratch, was unable to hold the champion over the concluding j stages. F. Crothall's win was the result of sheer determination, for he had a hard ride to keep ahead of R. J Owens and D. Wrathall. The Reach Haven Club's senior race of 21J miles was over one lap of the club's home course and thence out to Albany and back. The event, which was for tlie Clark Cup, provided E. Atkinson with an opportunity of proving himself against the seniors in his first race with this section since his transfer from the junior ranks. His fellowmarkers were L K. Elia, J. Morris and C. I. French. R. E. Clark, one of the Manukau Club's leading juniors, started from scratch in this event, and, although he took turn about with A. Elia, scratch, in the pacing, was unable to hold his older rival on the fast downhill swoop and sharp rise at the finishing point. Elia's time of 59m 22s indicates that he will be a strong representative of his club in the 43 miles open race next Monday. The junior event developed into a duel between W. Marris and R. Chetwvnd, who struck trouble the previous week owing to a broken chain. Only a length separated the pair at the close. Marris was first and fastest from scratch in 38m 17s. Competing in the Northern Club's continental style races, in which the field sprinted for points at the conclusion of each lap, J. 13. Johnston, of the Manukau Club, was the victor after a great exhibition of stamina and speedy sprinting. G. Webb combined with the winner throughout, while J. Price rode strongly to be third. The Auckland Centre will hold an open senior race of 40 miles on Saturday, while on Monday the Beach Haven Club will conduct an open 43 miles event to Orewa and back. The Hamilton Club will decide a 38 miles race from Hamilton to Morrinsville and back, for which several leading Auckland riders, including M. T. Gamble and J. R. Hall, have entered The Orewa event will not replace the Takapuna Club's annual event, which is scheduled for August 13. over a distance of 52 miles.