LOVELOCK RELAY RACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27383, 8 May 1950, Page 9

LOVELOCK RELAY RACE

Canterbury College Wins Trophy CIVIL SERVICE SECOND The fourteenth annua] harrier- race for the Lovelock Olvmpic Relay Trophy was held at the University Oval on Saturday, 10 teams competing. Under nearly ideal conditions a good-sized crowd witnessed a thrilling contest tor the trophy, and the well-balanced Canterbury College team gained a narrow victory by two yards from Civil Service. The college win was due largely to the excellent efforts of M. Craighead and P. Ellen, and the excitement was intense as Civil Service almost snatched victory over the last two stages. Craighead (Canterbury College) forced the pace and led nearly throughout the first " leg.” with J. B. Parcell (Civil Service) and G. Dumble (Caversham) following At the first change-over, College led by 40 yards from Civil Service, with Caversham 10 yards back. K. Collett (Caversham) and G._ C. Nelson (Civil Service) closed the gap in the second stage, and, with a fine finishing burst, Collett put his team eight yards clear of Civil Service and Canterbury College, with University in fourth position. Running third. R. McLean (Canterbury College) opined up a 30-yards break on L. T. Bradshaw (Civil Srevice), with G. Campbell (Caversham) dropping away. N. Hattaway, the fourth Canterbury College runner, held the advantage, to hand over 20 vards clear of R. Wilkinson (Civil Service), with J. E. Sherwood (Caversham) 100 yards further back. A. McKernan (Civil Service) swept into the lead in the fifth “ leg," and the crowd, which had been particularly quiet, woke up with a roar. H. Ward (Canterbury College) held on, but was 10 yards behind at the final change-over. G. McMillan (Civil eSrvice) led Ellen (Canterbury College) for two laps; then Ellen moved into the lead and an exciting duel ensued. Ellen endeavoured to get a break, but McMillan responded gamelv and in a grandstand finish Ellen prevailed by a bare two yards and Canterbury College thus gained its first Lovelock win in one of the most exciting finishes to date. Caversham was 150 yards back in third place. Results: — Lovelock Olympic Trophy Canterbury College (M. Craighead, M. Darling. P. McLean, N. Hattaway, H. Ward, P Ellen), 26min 22sec. 1; Civil Service (J B. Parcell, G. C. Nelson, L. T. Bradshaw, R. Wilkinson, A. McKernan, G McMillan), 26min 23sec, 2; Caversham (G Dumble, K Collett, G. Campbell, J. Sherwood P. Sidon, R R. Martin). 26mm Slsec 3; Leith 4; University 5; Anglican 6; St. Kilda 7; Mornington 8; Presbyterian 9; Celtic United 10. Sealed Handicap (Clark Baton) Anelican (A Marrett, D. Williams, R. Thomoson. W. Burridge, A. Wilson, N. Jelley). actual time 28min 2sec, handicap 2min lOsec. net time 25min 52sec, 1; Mornington (M. Richards, R. McFayden, W. Harris. H. McArthur, B Sinclair, R. Bennett), 29min 20sec. 3min 20sec, 26min, 2- Civil Service. 26min 23sec. scr, 26min 23sec, 3. Canterbury ColLge won the sealed handicap, but under the rules could not take both trophies.