CROSS-COUNTRY INTER-CLUB TEAMS RACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 53

CROSS-COUNTRY INTER -CLUB TEAMS RACE.

Some three years, ago, when there were only four harrier clubs in th© district, the first idea of holding an inter-club teams raoe was brought forward, but for several reasons the idea was dropped until the present season, when th© officials of the Otago Centre of the N.Z.A.A.A. took up th© idea with some energy, ajid a determination, with the support of tiie eight clubs now running in the city, to carry it through. Th© sport of harrierism has gone ahead this year in the district with leaps and bounds, and being one that embraces all kinds of healthy exercise for those who take part in it without necessarily overtaxing one's strength, has appealed to many of the youths of the city, and on a Saturday afternoon during .th© season just being brought to a clos©, the number of harriers out with the several clubs has often totalled juat on 200. With such a large number of harriers in the district, th© Otago Centre had something substantial to work with, and is to be congratulated for the manner in which it Iras brought this, the firet race of its kind in the colony, to such a successful issue. The conditions of the raoe drawn tip allowed teams of six to enter from among th© members of the clubs, five of the team to count, and points to be given as follows: — First 1 point, second 2, third 3, and so on, the tearh securing the best number of points to win. Wingatui was selected as the place from where the run was to b© cle.ciu£d A and the cojyitrv rpund about

the racecourse being suitable for harriers, a good race was expected. The afternoon was all that could be desired, being exceptionally fine and clear: with the sun shining brightly and the ground in capital condition everything pointed to a successful race Competitors and friends journeyed to Wingatui by the 2.10 train, and the run out into the country was very enjoyable. Ten entries from eight clubs were received, the following b&ing the teams: —

Pert Chalmers No. 1. — Love, Ward, Andrews, D. Bauohop, R. Bauoliop, Harkness.

Port Chalmers No. 2. — Collier, Wilson, M'Cormick, Taylor, M'Lean, Drew.

St. Joseph's.— Jay, Mmm-o, Quelch, Swanson, Hug-heb, Miles.

University. — Whetfcer, Hyde, Will, Harrison, Baldey, Patrick.

V.M.C.A.— Allan, Darling, Sharpe, Dawson, Gordon, White.

Cnvei sham. — Spence, M'Knight, Brown, Muir, Fonestor, Conroy.

St. Andrew's. — Rutherford, Duke, Struthers, Thomson, Watson, Connor.

Civil Service — Melville, Stephens, Turvey, Fergusson, French, Reynolds. ' Dunedin No. 1. — Diowlands, Bonnin, Murray, Webb, Melville, Watson. Dunedin No. 2. — Galloway, Romeril, Mcore, Muir, Campbell, Foley.

On looking over the individual names of the teams, it will be at once seen that many prominent barrier runners are included — men who have represented their ■clubs and the district in many important harrier fixtures in the past, and that several club champions, were also in for the race. This, together with the fact that the race was the first of its kind, aroused considerable enthusiasm amongst followers of the sport, and a large gathering was on the course to see the running of this important fixture. Previous to the race M'lntosh, Briekell. Jackson, Cannon, Shand, and Moreton, who had gone out to the ground early, laid a heavy trail of paper over a •suitable course, the distance being, as near as they could judge, five miles, the; required length. Starting from the racecourse proper, the trail led around the course to the north-east corner, where the fields were taken, followed by a ploughed paddock, with a slight rise to the Silverslrcarn. Crossing the Silverstream, a turn was made to the left, where some capital harrier country was found, and the traillayers managed to pick out' the best spots. Before reaching the course again about three-quarters of a mile on the road was taken in, and close on half a mile round the course completed the distance. ■* An impressive sight was seen on the lining r out of the teams, 57 harriers taking part in the race (three of Port No. 2 team not having turned" up), and the spectators present gave them a cheer before Mr W. J. Burk gave the- signal io " Go." From the start ,the men went at their journey with a vengeance, and the pace was for the first part of the race, as far a*, could be seen, a " cracker." Melville, Sharp, Murray, and Stephens were in r,he lead, and were losing no time in their first effort. Leaving the course, the pack began to spread out, and when the first ploughed paddock was struck going down the hill the paoa was terrific, the "runners all talking the plough in splendid style. Passing up the hill, tho competitors were strung out to a considerable length, and Silverstream was crossed with the same men still in the front. Once en to the flat fields, the men settled down to their work, and passing the railway line the. first 20 were maintaining an even pace, which they kept up till meeting the road. Several changes took place in the order before the road was left, and on the course being taken up again, the, first to lead into view was Melville, followed by Sharpe, some 10yds behind, with Stephens, M'Knight, and Bonnin close up. Sbarpe sprinted on entering the course, and closed with Melville. The pair ran together until some 200 yds from home, where Melville foil away, and Sharpe (V.M.C.A.), continuing on, secured the honour of being first in for the race, having taken 30min 17see to complete the distance; Melville (Civil Service) second, come IQsec behind. Then followed Bonnin (Dunedin No. 1), Stephens (C.S.), M'Knight (Caversham), Dowlands (D.H. No. 1), Dawson (V.M.C.A.), Murray (D.H. No. I), Melville (D.H. No. 1), Turvey (C.S.), Love (Port No. 1), Ward (Port No. I), Webb (D.H. No. 1), Romeril (D.H. No. 2), Struthsrs (St. A.). The balance of th© runners arrived one after the other, completing the number. On the points being counted up by tho iudges, the Dunedin Harrier No. 1 team was found to be the winners, having secured the smallest number of points — viz., 39, their men being placed 3rd, 6th, Bth, 9th. and 13th. Civil Service secured second position with 52 points, Keing 2nd, 4th, 10th. 17th, 19th. V.M.C.A. were third with 87 points— lst. 7th, 18th, 25th, and 36th; Port Chalmers No. 1 fourth with 94 points, Dunedin Harriers No. 2 fifth with 112 points. St. Andrew's sixth, 138 points; Caversham seventh, 152 points; St. Jc&eph's eighth. 192 points ; University ninth, T?ort No. 2 tenth.

The following were the officials present during the race: — Judg-es — Messrs H. _B. Courtis, J. Dreaver, A. Marryatt. H. Bvickel ; timekeepers, Messrs Musker and Burk; markmen — Messrs M'Curdy. Anderson, Titohener, Frew, Shand, and Campbell.