CYCLING

Southland Times, Issue 21897, 24 December 1932, Page 15

CYCLING

(By

“Plugger.”)

Fixtures: December 26,—Edendale Annual Sports (two events). December 26.— Drummond Annual Spotts (three events). December 28.—Mataura Annual Sports (two events.) December 31.—Wairio Annual Sports (two events). January 14.— Otara Annual Sports (two events). Excellent weather prevailed last Saturday for the sports meeting run at the park in aid of the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer - Fund. It proved a great success and the crowd witnessed an interesting afternoon’s sport. Although the entries were small in the cycling events, some good races were witnessed and close finishes were the order of the day. Six starters competed in the Elsa Shield race over a distance of one mile and the shield changed hands from L. Johnson to J. Flynn, who holds it over the holidays until the next race. In the one mile novice race five riders started, but as I predicted last week there was only one man in it, namely, W. Pickford, who rode a well judged race and was not extended to win by 10 lengths, while C. Robinson and G. Patterson had a good tussle for second place. Robinson gained the verdict by half a wheel. Pickford repeated his fine performance in the two mile event which he won in fine style. Seven riders started. Bailey, On 200 yds, was caught by Dick and Pickford (180yds) in the fifth lap. The scratch man overhauled the field in the sixth lap, and Pickford took the lead in the final round to win by a length from L. Johnson, who came up fast in the straight and beat Dick for second place by half a length. An enjoyable club run arranged on Saturday evening was held to Oreti Beach on Sunday. Eight riders took cart and all went in for a “dip” in the briny. The Wyndham Club held an evening sports meeting last Tuesday, but as there was the Wright’s Bush fixture on Wednesday and two races at the park on Thursday, there was no competition from town. H. Insall and W. Bailey cycled out to Wrights Bush on Wednesday evening to compete in the two cycle races on the programme at the sports. Only five riders faced the starter in each event, and Insall collected first prize in the two races which were one mile and one and a-half miles. He has been riding very consistently of late and although not registering many wins before Wednesday, he has been in the placings at every meeting and is now at top form and riding Well ahead of any form he showed on the track last season. He is well in the lead for the trophy for most points during the season at Wright’s Bush with 16 points, while L. Bloy is well back in second place with seven points.

A. Hagerty, of Winton, rode into second place in both races, giving Insall 25yds in the mile and starting off the same mark as Insall in the one and

a-half miles. He was beaten in the sprint on both occasions. The straight on the course is a very long one, about 150yds in length, and most riders mdke a mistake in sprinting too early and cannot last the distance. R. Dick also rode out from town and was third in both events. Glorious summer weather prevailed on Thursday evening for the combined meeting at Rugby Park which made the sports very enjoyable for both spectators and competitors alike. Two cycle events were on the programme, a half-mile and a one mile. The entries Were small. Riders competed in the half-mile and in the one mile. Both rates wefe keenly contested and close finishes were witnessed on both occasions.

H. Insall again rode exceptionally well and won both events, with Johnson second in both races and C. Robinson third in the half-mile and G. Elliott third in the mile. The two-mile attracted seven riders. This race was run in heats. Elliott rode well in the first heat and looked like contesting the final, but was beaten in the sprint, Insall coming away well to beat Johnson b" half a length. Three riders started in the second heat. Bailey, after leading in the first round, was passed by Flynn. Bloy did not get up and finished well back. In the final Insall and Johnson soon caught the field and in an exciting finish Insall gained the verdict by half a wheel with Robinson three lengths back third. Nine riders started in the mile event Targeuse, a new rider, took the lead at first but was caught by Elliott and Dipk in the second round, with the backmarkers coming up fast. Coming up the straight for the final lap the field was well spread out, five riders being abreast as they passed the bell. Bloy put in a good burst of speed and had the lead as they came round into the straight. Johnson and Insall then came round the field and riding abreast, Insall gradually forged ahead to win by a wheel from Johnson with Elliott three lengths back in third place. J. Flynn is riding well at present and must be at top form now. He registered three good wins last week, two at the Showgrounds and the Elsa Shield race over a one mile distance at the Park on Saturday. He recently bought a new machine which seems to suit him better than his old one. Having developed a good sprint he is gradually moving back in the handicaps and will soon be a backmarker.

E. Summers is not riding as well as he was at the beginning of the season when he rode into second place at Otautau oh Labour Day. He is a good finisher but does not seem to be able to last the distance. He has a very low position on his machine, and may not be able to get enough wind. If he shifted his handles up and back a little he might be able to catch his wind better, as he seems to ride in spasms as if out of breath at times. L. Bloy is going back a great deal from the form he was showing at the beginning of the season when he had four firsts to his credit in six starts. He has not been in the placings this last few meetings.

Other’s who Have not struck form and will have to take the sport more seriously if they expect to compete with success during the Christmas circuit are W. Bailey, G. Elliott and some of the novice riders who would be well advised to get into the thick of it while races are plentiful, as they will quieten down considerably after a month or so. Riders are being well catered for during Christmas week and those having money and time to spare will be able to attend three different meetings during the week. On Monday they have the choice of going to Edendale, Drummond or Otautau. Edendale events are one mile, Ist £1 10/—, 2nd 10/-; two miles, Ist £2, 2nd £l, 3rd 10/-. Insall, Johson and Flynn intend competing there, while Bloy, Shaw and Elliott intend going out to Drummond where three events are on the programme:— Half mile, Ist 15/-, 2nd 7/6, 3rd 5/-; one mile, Ist £l, 2nd 10/-, 3rd 5/-; two miles, Ist £1 10/-, 2nd 15/-, 3rd 7/6. On Wednesday, the 28th, the Mataura Evening Sports Club will hold their second annual sports meeting. Amateur cycle events on the programme are:—One mile, Ist £1 10/-, 2nd 15/-, 3rd 7/6. Two miles, Ist £2, 2nd £l, 3rd 10/-. Bloy, Johnson and Insall have entered for these events.

. Wairio Annual Sports will be held on Saturday, December 31, and two amateur events are on the programme:— One mile, Ist medal, 2nd trophy, value 10/-. Two miles, Ist medal, 2nd trophy, value 10/-. It is doubtful if any town riders will be competing as the distance from town is a little too far. Only six entries were received for the C.ents at Edendale. The handicaps for appeared in Tuesday’s issue of the Times. Post entries are being taken for the Drummond sports and big fields will most likely face the starter, although there is also a sports meeting at Otautau the same day.