SPEEDWAY SUCCESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27517, 11 October 1950, Page 10

SPEEDWAY SUCCESS

Sports Commentary

Ron Johnston’s Record In England By the Sports Editor Ron Johnston, the Otago Speedway captain, has recently been promoted to the reserve berth in the first division Belle Vue side and has helped to put it at the head of the first division of the English League. Of the Harringay-Belle Vue match, a London newspaper reports: “ Ron Johnston, a 19-year-old novice from New Zealand, outrode the home experts at Harringay last night and helped in Belle Vue’s 46 to 37 speedway win over the London Club. Johnston, who has an easy style, won his first two races as reserve and then took the place of the injured Belle Vue leader, Jack Parker, in the final race. An overslide cost him a point in his heat, but his two winning rides put Belle Vue on the road to victory.”

Tom Stenner, world famous writer and organiser of the Sunday Despatch World Speedway Championship, writes: “ Hero of Belle Vue’s '46-37 speedway win at Harringay last night, one which gave them the lead in Division 1 table, was 19-year-old reserve Ron Johnston. He won two of his three races at a critical stage. Johnston, who started riding less than a year ago, is in this country because supporters of the Dunedin track in New Zealand collected his fare.” Praise from the pen of Tom Stenner is high praise indeed. Later came the Belle-Vue-Wimble-don match. The Wimbledon team is captained by the brilliant English rider, Norman Parker, and Ronnie Moore, of Christchurch, is a regular member of the side. In this match Johnston again filled the role of match winner. Substituting for his teammate Dent Oliver, who was ill, Otago’s representative captain scored nine

Second Visit To Dominion

points on a rain-soaked track. Success in his last two rides turned the tide in Belle Vue’s favour, Belle Vue winning the match 43-41. Ronnie Moore took a heavy toss in heat five and then retired from the match.

Peter Thomson, the brilliant young Victorian professional golfer, who led the field in the first round of the Open at the New Zealand golf championships at Shirley, has been to New Zealand on one previous occasion, when he competed in the masters’ tournament in Hamilton earlier this year. He won the competition with a total of 288—10 strokes clear of the New Zealander, D. L. Woon. He was later beaten in the match play event by A. J. Shaw, the veteran New Zealand professional. One of his major successes was in the Australian Open Championship in August this year, when he finished one stroke behind Norman von Nida after being seven strokes behind with a round to play. In the final round he was out in 30 (von Nida 36), picking up six of the seven strokes in the first half. Each returned a 36 in the final half. On this occasion Thomson set a course record. Excellent Start J. Cornish, a promising Otago junior, made an excellent start in Senior Grade lawn tennis at Logan Park in the Roslyn-North-East Valley game last week. Cornish defeated the Otago intermediate champion, Colin Allen, in straight sets, 6—5, 6—2. Allen started well, but when Cornish forced him from the net with beautifully-judged lobs he fell into errors and appeared to lack the ability to steady down again. Cornish refused to be drawn into a battle of hard hitting, and was content to maintain a medium pace and a good length, allowing his opponent to make the errors. Wellington Cricket Coach The Warwickshire professional, H. E. Dollery, is expected to arrive in the Dominion under engagement to the Wellington Cricket Association in November. The Wellington, Association has offered to include the ‘Hutt Valley in the coaching Scheme to be carried out by Dollery. Until he arrives, a squad of promising young players is to be prepared-for him by the New Zealand and Hutt Valley representative. J. R. Reid. District Sports Meeting

On September 7 at Sheffield, Johnston successfully contested the Cussens Memorial Trophy. Add these feats to his unbeaten record on the Dunmore Speedway and his win in the Belfast Supporters’ Trophy, and Dunedin Speedway supporters can feel with pride that Johnston has more than lived up to the confidence placed in him when subscriptions were forthcoming. to send the Otago champion overseas.

Latest news is to the effect that Johnston is on board the Rangitoto now at sea bound for New Zealand, and with him is Bob McFarlane. present South Island champion, who has been one of the mainstays of the Oxford team in England. These riders are expected to reach Dunedin before the middle of November, shortly after the start of the new season which is scheduled to commence on November J Chinese Tournament

A notable feature of the New Zealand Chinese Sports Tournament being conducted in Dunedin during the past few days has been the fine sportsmanship displayed by all concerned. Naturally the various provinces have supported and encouraged their own teams, but, whatever the result, have wholeheartedly applauded the winners. A great deal of credit must reflect on the local committee which, by hard work and careful planning, ensured that this, the third tournament, will guarantee the continuance of such gatherings, even in the face of financial difficulties. The controller, Mr C. W. Wong; the deputy-controller. Mr K. Young; the adviser, Mr K. Kwok; the secretary-treasurer, Mr J. C. Young; and the enthusiastic committee members responsible for the unqualified success of the tournament deserve praise for a job well don'e.

The Pine Hill, Liberton. Dalmore Athletic Shield meeting will be held at the Pine Hill School on October 28. commencing at 10.30 a.m. A full programme of events has been arranged, and the interest displayed by the residents augurs well for another successful function in this area. Last year’s entries totalled 375, and it is expected that the 400 mark will be passed on this occasion. The holders of the shield, Pine Hill, are already in training, and representatives of the other districts are not idle, so some “ local ” records seem sure to be broken. The Ladies’ Pipe Band will be in attendance, and a marching display will be given by the Pine Hill ladies’ basketball team. The shield will be presented to the winning team at a dance to be held in the evening.