AMATEUR CYCLING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6284, 18 September 1946, Page 5

AMATEUR CYCLING

WAIKATO CHAMPIONSHIPS Te Awamutu riders put up a good showing in the Waikato championships conducted by the Ngaruawahia Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club last Saturday. Seniors: Although Mearns has shown every promise of being Waikato 50 miles champion for 1946, he was unable to triumph on Saturday. Being virtually scratch rider, with two others he had a very hard race. There were two big bunches ahead of him so that by good teaming., C. Bell, of the Hamilton Club, managed to gain the fastest time honour. Even though Mearns did not gain the title, he rode a very good race and deserves credit for the brilliant finish he put up. G. Redgate, a boy who has been penalised all this season by hard handicaps, was unable to stay long with his bunch but dropped back, being passed by another gang, to give assistance to Mearns in the true sportsman manner which is typical of him. Although not in the. same class as the men he was riding with, he rode well and when a few miles from home they finally left him he refused to climb on the Dead Wagon but finished very strongly. Pollard, another of the Te Awamutu riders, finished Bth after a very good sprint in the leading bunch. He worked very hard on the journey, but while he did not gain a placq- he deserves great credit for the good vide and the splendid finish. McAlpine who has been riding for eight years with very disappointing finishes, gained sth place. He’has been unlucky in that he has done most of the hard work during a race and then being beaten in the finish. His placing was very popular indeed. Juniors: West, the clubls best junior, gained sth place in the 25 miles race for juniors on Saturday. This is his first ride in open competition and it is indeed a great credit to. him that he did so well.

Lawson, another very capable rider, was unfortunate that he was not able to gain a place as he rode extremely well for a young rider. Next season we should see more of Lawson amongst the place-getters. The small but very wiry Irwin was well back in the field at the finish, but his handicap was. too tough for him. He pushed along with his uSual determination and was not in the least daunted when he did not gain a place. I. Payne was the only other rider who represented Te Awamutu. He stayed and fought out the finish with Irwin. It shows the real sportingfeeling to see the way these' two boys ride and team together. J. A. Robertson, of whom it was said should, go well, was slightly embarrassed by the piece that appeared in last Friday’s Courier when he had not even entered for the race. He considered himself not fit" enough to ride, but nevertheless turned out to watch his club mates ride. Results:—Seniors: Lynch (Hinemoa), 1; A. Rogerson (Ngqj’uawahia) .2; 11. Harper (Papatoetoe) 3; H. McOnic (Huiciuoa), 4, McAlpine (Tc Awamutu) 6. Fastest time and 1946 Waikato Road Champion, C. Bell' (Hinemoa), 2hr. I3min. ssec; 2nd fastest time, N. Coker (Tauranga). ■Juniors-: Kerr (Hinemoa), 1; Giles(Hineiiioa), 2; Smith (Ngaruawahia) 3; Harper (Hinemoa) 1, West (Te Awamutu) 5. Fastest time and .1946 champion, 1946, Ede, (Ngaruawahia) 59min.; 2nd fastest time, Wakefield (Hinemoa), 59ssec.