HARRIERS

Southland Times, Issue 22345, 9 June 1934, Page 15

HARRIERS

INVERCARGILL CLUB. Nineteen harriers gathered at St. George School last Saturday afternoon for the weekly run. R. Smith and W. Torrance laid a trail over eight miles of the Tisbury district and succeeded in giving the pack some good cross-coun-try work. The captain, W. Pickard, led the pack during the early stages of the run, a division being made for the run home, when the deputy-captain, .J. Bremer, took charge of the junior team. The run home saw C. Mayne, G. Ker, and J. Metcalfe filling the first three places. These three runners, along with B. Crowther, are making competition for places very keen indeed. The last-named runner defaulted in favour of football on Saturday, when he was to be seen playing rfor Old Boys juniors.

H. Meredith and W. McKinnon showed up well in the run home last Saturday. Both are getting fit and enjoying the exercise. Several representatives from the club attended the complimentary run to the Dunedin visitors last Monday morning. A short harrier run, followed by a 2Jmile race over the steeplechase course, was the order of events.

Invercargill was unable to enter a team in the race, but several individual runners took part in the steeplechase Of these, J. Metcalfe showed up best, running into fourth place. With more experience at his back, he would almost certainly have won the race. He allowed the leaders to secure too great a lead and was unable to make up the distance. His last halfmile must have been done at a cracking pace and his finishing sprint would have left the leaders standing had he been within striking distance. However, the experience will stand him in good stead for future races. To-day’s run at Ryal Bush is being eagerly looked forward to by the club pack. Memories of the enjoyable run lact year as the guests of Mr and Mrs Bruce are still fresh in the minds of members and an enjoyable outing is anticipated. St. PAUL’S CLUB. Owing to a number of members being out of town for the week-end the attendance at last Saturday’s run from the Showgrounds was rather smaller than usual. The pack of 17 followed an excellent trail laid by A. Bridgman and B. Macalister, and finished with a fast run home on the road when J. Walker, E. Dorman, A. Hind, N. Dorman and L. Fraser were prominent. At 6 p.m. last Saturday members assembled at the station to meet a party of 18 visiting harriers of the Northern and Cargill Road clubs, Dunedin, who were the guests of St Paul’s Club for the week-end. From each window of the front carriage (whence came much noise) there appeared a Mickey or Minnie Mouse so it was evident that the visitors each had his toothpaste. At 8 p.m. the visitors were the guests of the club at a highly successful dance in the Federal when nearly 200 were present. On Sunday afternoon all assembled at the Water Tower and after a view of the city a short walk was arranged. Following the example of Dunedin clubs, which combine annually, a church parade was held at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening when the Rev. C. J. Tocker, club patron, conducted the service. _ On Monday morning the visitors with members of Invercargill and St. Pauls clubs, held a short combined run from the racecourse over a trail laid by D. Dorman and G. Henderson. Following the run an informal inter-club teams race was held over two laps (21 miles) of the steeplechase course, when Northern proved the best team. A close finish saw von Tunzleman win by a yard from M. Kinley (Northern), who had led throughout. Haigh (Northern) Metcalfe (Invercargill), and Clark (Cargill Road) were next, in that order, so each of the four clubs were represented in the first five to finish. After the race several of the visitors enjoyed a “dip” at the baths. A large crowd of club officials, members and supporters were present at the station to farewell the visitors. The club is indebted to all who cooperated in making the visit a success, a special word of thanks being due, to those who acted as hosts. A pleasing feature was the interest shown and the support given by club officials and supporters. The visitors proved good “sports” and judging by the members present at the station to farewell them they were very popular. To-day’s run will be from Beatrice street when members will run as the guests of Mr and Mrs A. Petrie.