METEORIC CYCLISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12659, 20 January 1927, Page 8

METEORIC CYCLISTS

ELECTRIC LIGHT CARNIVAL LAMB AND GROSE DIVIDE HONOURS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GATHERING The high northerly wind that prevailed last evening proved no deterrent to speed thrills being provided some 6000 spectators, who assembled at the Basin Reserve for the fourth electric light carnival, conducted under the auspices of the Wellington Centro of the N.Z.A.A.A., by one of the cleverest coteries of cyclists ever seen on the racing tracks in the Dominion. The star attraction of the evening was the re-appearance of the flying Victorian, R. W. (“Fatty”) Lamb, with additional experience of New Zealand grass tracks and conditions. When first he appeared early in the New Year his most redoubtable opponent was Cyril Flett, the local champion, but on this occasion he was presented with a still tougher proposition, for he also had to contend with Fred Grose, the Canterbury idol, and the recognised best track and road rider in the Dominion at the present time. The visitor had his first try-out iu the half-mile short limit handicap, but failed to qualify. The difficult nature of his task was exemplified when it is mentioned that neither Grose nor Flett was able to get up with the limit men in the final, though they scraped home in their respective heats. A SLASHING FINISH The mile saw the Canterbury man triumph over the Australian, after a slaihing finish that created the tensest excitement. Five riders faced the starter (Mr “Dorrie” Leslie), and the order as they lined out across the track was McFederies, Carswell, Flett, Grose, and Lamb on the extreme outside. Flett gained the advantage. of the push-off, and was/ closely followed by Grose and the visitor. Carswell lay last going round the hack for the first time, , and Flett was setting a brisk pace-.in the teeth of the wind. Passing the cheering crowd at the stand Grose led, and then came Flett, Lamb, McFederies, and Carswell. This order was maintained for the next quarter, and Grose was forced to make the pace, the others showing a decided disinclination to take their lap. Carswell'shot to the. front in the third and with the bell was piloting the way for Grose. Flett, and Lamb, McFederies having pulled out earlier in the piece. Wheels alone separated {ho struggling wheelers going up the back straight, until, 300 yards from home, Grose came away in fine fashion to swing into the straight two lengths ahead of Lamb. The Ritter made a game effort, but was finable to make any impression on the Canterbury man, who sailed past the post nursing , an advantage of three lengths. Flett finished a length back, while Carswell was not a serious contender at the death. The win was a popular one, but an participants were accorded rousing receptions on retiring to their dressing sheds. AT HIS BEST The Australian was really at his best oyer the major distance (three miles invitation), when he displayed his genius 'as a rider to grasp opportunities. He drew second position, being outside-of Bright. Flett was next to him, then. Carswell and Grose. Lamb got out smartly but, before 20 yards had been covered, Flett ■ went to make the pace. Over the first mile Lamb was content to fluctuate between second and fourth position, although he took his lap the second time round. The first mile was covered in 2min 40 sec, and it was apparent that the competitors did not intend to bustle themselves too greatly. The pace was quickened, however, when Carswell shot to the front in the seventh. The two miles was left behind in smin 15 sec, and Grose was doing a trifle more than his share of the hard going. In the second to last time round, the field was bunched going up the back straight, and each man was battling for a good position. With the bell, the field with Grose leading swung out a fraction to let Lamb through on the inside, to establish a substantial lead. Grose and Flett set off in hot pursuit, and although the former rode the race of his life, he could not manage to overhaul the visitor, who flashed past the post the winner by a length. Flett was three lengths away third, while Carswell was well back fourth. Bright failed to finish. The full distance occupied 7min 56 2-5 sec. The battle royal was fought out amidst the tensest scenes of excitement, and the victor was cheered again and again on dismounting. The running events were of the usual high standard, and the meeting was generally speaking well conducted. All the events .were dispatched with a minimum of delay, and an; excellent evening’s sport was provided. The track rolled out well, and was particularly holding for the cycling events. Results are as follow: 880YD3 CYCLE HANDICAP. First heat: J. Morris (50yds), 1; C. Flett (scr), 2; E. E. Clouston (20yds), 3. 'rime, 1.11 2-5. The youthful rider (E. It. Poulton), 20yds, led at the bell, while Flett was' trailing the bunch. Morris came away on entering the straight, and went ahead to win by a length and a half. A similar distance separated two and three. Second 'heat: A. J. Pearco (110yds), I; L. Butler (70yds), 2. Time, 1.5 1-5. J. Carswell, the virtually scratch man (off 40yds), failed to get up, and finished fifth. Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Third heat -. P. Harrison (60yds), 1; F. Grose (scr), 2. Time, 1.4 2-5. Grose simply flew along with the wind, and lay third at the bell. Harrison, however, was equal to the occasion and went ahead to win bv a length. Fourth heat: R. James (80yds), 1; M. Gano (40yds). 2. Time, 1.10 2-5. James led at the bell, and went on to win by a length. Lamb (Vic.), off scratch, started in this heat, but could not do better than secure fourth place. Final: P. Harrison, 1; James, 2; Butler, 3. Time, 1.3 2-5. The event was : robbed of a good deal of interest by the fact that Lamb failed to qualify. However, a great race" was expected between Grose (Christchurch! and C. Flett, the local crock. The visitor, with the advantage of the inside running, heat the local man out, but his advantage was quickly turned into a deficit of ten yards going round the back. The limit men were pedalling well out in front going out for the last lap, and the scratch man had made little impression on them. Grose was at this stage leading Flett. by four lengths, but his task was hopeless, and he pulled out going out of the back straight for second time. Flett also gave up the hunt, and Harrison, finishing strongly, wan with ease by Fix lengths. ONE MILE CYCLE INVITATION. F Grose (Christchurch) 1 C. Flett (Wellington) ; 2 R W. (“Fatty”) Lamb (Victoria) 3 •Time, 2.28 3-5. Also started—J. Carswell and D. McFederies. THREE MILES INVITATION RACE. E- W. ("Fatty”) Lamb (Victoria) 3 F. Grose (Christchurch) 2 C. Flett (Wellington) 3 Time, 7-56 2-5. Also started — G. Bright and J. Carswell.

THREE MILE CYCLE HANDICAP. H. Scarfe (scr) 1 T. Hayes (70yds) 2 J. Carnley (140yds) 3 Time, 7.57 2-5. Twenty-two competitors started in this event, which was characterised by three spills, but no one was seriously injured. At the bell Scarfe led. He maintained his position throughout, and won by a length. Two lengths separated second and third. ONE MILE CYCLE HANDICAP. First heat: H. Scarfe (scr), 1; R. J. Clarke (60yds), 2; A. Beattie (40yds), 3. Time, 2.37 2-5. Second heat: P. Harrison (40yds), 1: J. Prendergast (50yds), 2; F. Brittain (80yds), 3. Time, 2.26 2-5. Third heat: Butler (50yds), 1; H. Gane (40yds), 2; T. Hayes (40yds), 3. Time, 2.26 2-5. Final: P. Harrison, 1; M. Gane, 2; Prendergast, 3. Time, 2.80. Won by two lengths, a wheel separated second and third. Putting the shot: P. Munro (scr). 42ft lin, 1; J. Gorrie (14ft), 41ft Bin, 2; F. G. Sutherland (6ft), 41ft 3in, 3. 100 YARDS LADfES. First heat: Miss R. Manton (scr), 1; Miss A. Murray (syds), 2; Miss J. -Wilson (4yds), 3. Time, 13sec. Second heat: Miss N. Josephs (7yds), 1; Miss M. Collins (Iyd), 2; Miss E. Kins' (9yds), 3. Time, 12 l-ssec. Final: Miss Josephs, 1; Miss Manton, 2; Miss Collins, 3. Time, 12 l-ssec. 100 YARDS HANDICAP. First heat: V. McEHwain (sJyds), 1; C. Jenkins (scr), 2; H. Miller (7yds), 3. Tjme, 10 2-ssec. Second heat: J. K. Tindall (9yds), 1; J ,T, Fleming (l£yds), 2; T. Mathevs (6yds), 3. Time, 10 3-ssec. Third heat: W. Kyle (3yds), 1; A. Barnet (6£yds), 2; E. Murphy (4£yds), 3. Time, 10 4-ssec. heat: H. Larcombe (10yds), 1; K. Eastwood (4yds), 2; H. Wilkins (6fc yds), 3.- Time, 10 2-ssec. Final: Larcombe, 1; Barnet, 2; Fleming, 3. Time, 10 l-ssec. Won by a foot; six inches separating second and third. 880 YARDS HANDICAP. H. Gordon (45yds) 1 W. F. Ingram (50yds) 2 J. O'Brien (55yas) .. 3 Time, 2.0 4-5. Twenty-one competitors faced the starter in this event, but the short limit men were handicapped out of it. Their task was a fairly considerable one as the time will indicate. Gordon won a good race and came away in the straight to win by a yard. One and a half yards separated second and third. 880yds Bovs' Cycle: Anderson, 1; Killick, 2; Sutherland, 3. Time, 1.15 2-5. Boys' 100yds Handicap; ICillcen, 1; Silver, 2; Burton. 3. 75yds Ladies' Handicap? Miss A. Murray (syds), 1; Miss M. Collins (Iyd), 2; Miss N. Wilson (6yds), 3. Time, 9 3-ssec. 400yds Hurdles :H. Wilkins (scr), 1; F. Stroud (syds), 2. Time, 1.4 2-5. Won by two feet, winning in the run home. High Jump : F. Brady (lin), sft 10£in, 1; G. J. Sc eats (Jin), sft B?in, 2; E. G. Sutherland (scr), sft BJin, 3. 100yds Junior (final): D. Currie (Iyds), 1; J. Arthurs (scr), 2; W. Rabbit (scr), 3. Time, llsec. One Mile Wafi: D. Pederson (35yds), 1; W, Tonkin (20vds), 2. Time, 6.31 3-5. Only starters. Won by ton yards. Boys’ Motor Tyre Race: Taylor, 1; Sage, 2; Sullivan, 3. 440 YARDS HANDICAP. C. F. Thompson (20yds) 1 T. Montgomery (25yds) 2 J. T. Fleming (6yds) 3 Time, 51 2-ssec. Won by .3. yard, with the bunch close up. ONE MILE HANDICAP. G. Bayne (70yds) 1 T. Mulcahy (105yds) 2 W. J. Shepperd (105yds) 3 Time, 4.28 2-5. Won by two yards, fifteen yards between second and third. Throwing the Disc*. P. Munro (sect 126 ft lOin, 1; F. W. Jones (35ft), 120 ft Bin, 2; D. Brown (20ft), 119 ft 3in, 3. Ladies' 440yds Relay Race: Yellow team (Misses Pederson, Miller, Josephs, and Collins), 1; Red team (Misses King, Murray, Wilkins and Manton), 2. Men's Relay Race: 'Varsity (12yds), 1; Wellington (scr). 2. Time, 1.34 1-5. Hop, Step and Jumn-. F. W. lVrrv (3ft), lift. 2in. 1; I). Barker (2ft), 38ft Bin, 2; H. D. Preston (3ft), 38ft 6in, 3.