HARRIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22022, 3 August 1933, Page 4

HARRIERS

ANGLICAN The Anglican Club- held its Five-miles Cross-country Handicap for the Connell Cup, which is awarded to the competitor gaining fastest time. After the completion of the first lap the limit men were going well, but the back-markers were moving up fast, and it was evident that they would be in the picture at the finish. W. Foliar, who gained fastest time and second place, was the junior cross-country champion last year. Pullar is probably the most versatile runner the club has ever possessed being at home either on the track or across country. T. Allen, who was the straight-out winner, ran his best race over country to date. He is the holder of the club two-miles record. Third place went to L. Waugh, who was not able to stay with the first two men over the final stages, but he is a young runner- and is bound to improve. W. Walker, a new member, filled next place. Walker did not quite run up to expectations, but the race will do him good. R. Scott, off 2min 25sec, ran quite well, but seemed to find the hill rather hard. E. M'Dougall ran his usual solid race, and with a little more length in his stride he would be further up in long distances. CIVIL SERVICE The Civil Service Club’s cross-country trial was full of surprises though J. G. Barnes’s win was quite expected. The disappointment of the race was the failure of E. C. Brown to start through having strained a sinew in his leg. L. C. M'Lacblan was another who was almost certain of a place, but he pulled out after the first lap. Many athletes on being disappointed with the results of their races are apt to leave _ the sport alone for a season, but this is not the case with L. M'Keich. In spite of the fact that he did not gain a place in the Kennet Cup team he came to light last Saturday with his best, race to date and finished second. George Garbutt is nearly always a rival to M'Keich, _ both being about the same standard and it was gratifying to see these two men so well up. Gerken and Geddes came in practically together, the former running quite a good race, while the latter was _ content to take things a little more easily than usual. P. G. Spence was another who went well, finishing second in the Sealed Handicap, while F. Williams, who came first in this contest, excelled himself. This, his first placing, comes as a result of hard training. B. R. M'Kernan did not perform os satisfactorily as expected, but the w’riter is confident that more good displays will be given by the veteran. CAVERSHAM In Qputrast to most of the club crosscountry races which were held at Wingatui on Saturday, the Caversham Club’s race provided a very close finish, and the issue was in doubt right to the finish, as Morris and Clark were only a few yards apart when the tape was reached, and the winner seemed very tired. George Sadler and C. Clark ran together most of the way, and it was only in the last stages of the race that Clark drew away, to be headed in tum by Morris, Both Clark and Sadler ran their best races this season and should be well up in open competition. R. Coulston, who finished fourth, has been mentioned in these notea in previous weeks. He won the_ Sealed Handicap which was held in conjunction with the championship, and did not appear the least bit troubled by the run, although this was his first race over the course. G. Hebbard did not run up to past form, the same remarks being applicable to J. A. Robertson and L. Gerrie. The veteran, C. Frye, showed good form and finished seventh, but C. K. Heaton did not run up to_ his usual standard in this event, in which he is a very keen competitor. Second and third places in the Sealed Handicap went to A. Agnew, a first year runner, and R. Knox. The handicapping for this event was particularly good, and 12 out of 19 who finished were handicapped to within one minute. PACIFIC Once again J. H. M'Laren proved to be the best distance man in the Pacific Club this season. On Saturday he annexed both first place and fastest time over the five mile course. Thus he holds the Isbister Memorial Cup for 1933. He ran a well-judged race to win comfortably yards, and on form should gain a place in the Otago race in a fortnight. Second place went to L. Hill, who, ns was expected, ran a confident race. It was only over the final quarter mile that he was lacking power. J. Mann and Chettleburgh filled third place (equal) after a fine finish. Mann ran one of hig best races and deserved to gain a place. Chettleburgh did not run as well as was expected, but no doubt the heavy state of the ground told on him. The next placing was filled by S. Lucas, the club’s junior title holder. Although on a hard mark he rah very well to be so far up. T. Whaley gained sixth position, thus earning a position in the team in the Otago event. LEITH On Saturday the Leith Club’s Five Mile Cross-Country Championship and Sealed Handicap was held at Wingatui. A good field was despatched, and the race resolved into a tussle between Miller and Anderson, the latter drawing away to advantage over the final stages.' A noted absentee from the race was E. Reid, who, on his running of late, was expected to make the race very interesting. S. King and G. Markham were third and fourth respectively. Although the team to represent the club in the Otago CrossCountry Championship has not been selected, it will probably be picked from the following members;—Anderson, Miller, King, Markham, Mann, Watson, and Reid. MORNINGTON The conditions were ideal for the Mornington Club’s cross-country championships, which were decided at .Wingatui last Saturday. The course for the Five Mile was in good order, and provided a fair test of cross-country ability. L. Rackley,. who has shown such marked improvement this season, secured a wellearned win, having made the pace for most of the journey. F. Sanders ran well for second place, but should probably show to better advantage over a flat course, as he is not at home in the rough going. C. Birt is a proven performer over this distance, and considering the lack of serious training, did well to finish third. W. Taylor led the next bunch in and his good showing should encourage him to keep up his training. D, Paulin secured a very popular win in the sealed handicap. The Junior Three Mile was held over a fiat course and resulted in another addition to E. Mullin s growing list of victories. W. Pullar struck impressive form, but was unable to withstand Mullin’s final challenge. HANOVER The presence of the Hanover Baptist Club’s first captain, Mr H. J. Hayward, has been felt lately, and his intention to contest the chib Five Mile will make competition all the more interesting. J. Chandler has been out twice, and if he elects to become an active member should make the sprints in the chib sports interesting. It is hoped that W. Mercer will contest the club championship. C. Watson and W. Harris arc solid juniors, and with more determination should make the sealed handicap interesting. T. Milburn possesses a nice style and if keenness counts for anything should be well to the fore. NORTHERN The Northern Club held one of the meet enjoyable nm e of the season last Saturday in the form of a paper-chase. The finish of this chase was one of the most spectacular seen in the club for some years, J. Lothian just beating B. Haugh on the tape by about two yards. B. Haugh ran well up to form all through the afternoon, and was in the lead in the home stretch, but J. Lothian, who wag some distance back, showed that he was tiie best man at the finish. F. Harkness showed up well also, being third. He is running very well just now, and will be a man to be watched in the club’s coming events. Of the younger members of the club, T. Harkness proved his worth last Saturday. Within a mile from home he was in the lead, but was unable (o maintain his advantage. The fifth man to finish was J. Bolitho. He is not a fast runner, but has plenty of grit, and can always be depended on to stick the distance out.

CARGILL ROAD The Cargill Road Club's Five-mile Championship was hold at St. Kilda last Saturday, last year's winner once again proving the victor. The race this year was run in much faster time than last year. N. Thomson won with half a minute to spare. M. M'Gregor ran very well, considering a Jack of training and the fact that he has had only two runs this season. H. Clark ran steadily throughout. He is a young runner with a very steady notion, and more should be heard of him. The Sealed Handicap was won by Roy Wilson, a first-year runner, who lias already shown himself a strong runner. So far there is no announcement of the personnel of a team for the cross-country race at Wingatui, but it is likely to include the first six home last Saturday.