LEAGUE CYCLING SERIES

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 3

LEAGUE CYCLING SERIES

REEVE AND D. KNIGHT WINNERS, ’ FINxAL RACES ON SATURDAY. The final races of the New Plymouth Cycle and Athletic League’s road series were run on Saturday, Snowden and Neighbour winning. The weather was fine and 30 started. The aggregate series winners are:— A Grade: A. Reeve (12); runner-up, H. Snowden and F. Fussell (11) equal. H. Snowden being the back-marker is the winner of the runner-up trophy. B Grade: D. Knight (10); runner-up, T. Knight (9). The course for the A grade race on Saturday was twice up Egmont Road, the first time round Inglewood and the second back and finishing on Avenue Road. Egmont Road proved a strenuous route, and an ideal one for the purpose of finding the fittest cyclists. What promised to be a sterling struggle between Burke and Snowden was marred about a mile and a-half from home when Burke skidded on the slippery road and fell heavily. He quickly remounted, however, but Snowden was a quarter of a mile away when Burke got going again, and had the race well in hand. Bennett, a limit boy, who was close up when Burke fell, went on and gained second place about 50 yards ahead of Burke. The B grade race to Waitara and back proved an interesting event and was won by a limit boy, C. Neighbour, who finished alone a few seconds ahead of a big bunch headed by W. Ireland, one of the scratch boys of promise, who defeated V. Snowden by a length for second) place. Close up 1 were Newall, Moffitt, Pulford, Bond, Greenlees and Knight brothers. Detailed results are:— A Grade—4lJ Miles. H. Snowden (scr), Ih. 51m. 33 2-ss. 1 N. Bennett, Inglewood (10m.), 2h. 2m. 5 4-5 s 2 C. Burke (scr), Ih. 52m. 13s. 3 F. Fussell, Lepperton (4m.), Ih. 59m. 4s. Fastest times: H. Snowden. Ih. 51m. 33 2-55., 1; C. Burke, Ih. 52m. 135., 2; W. Ashman, • Ih. 55m. 245. 3. L. Gilbert and Stevens, off the fourminute mark, were caught near Inglewood by the scratch men. At Egmont Road the second time Gilbert, G. Stevens, and E. Standing retired. Half a mile up the road L. Stevens’ chances were eliminated when he fell after skidding in loose sand at Hillsborough. Bennett held a commanding lead from G. Tuffery, A. Reeve and M. Wylie, who were about a quarter of a mile ahead of the scratch men,. together with Eva and Fussell. Reeve and Tuffery were caught by the back-markers at Erp’s Hill. Over the top Snowden led Burke. With only Bennett ahead Snowden and Burke set a merry pace and at Egmont Village were almost up with the leader. Bennett was caught by Snowden and Burke soon after the Village was passed and this trio led to the Mangorei Road intersection, where Bennett dropped back. Down.Upjohns Hill approaching Te Henui bridge, Burke skidded and fell. Fussell and Ashman were the next to appear 3J minutes behind the leader. Bennett, not being a club member, the series points were allotted to Burke, Fussell, and Ashman.

The final aggregate ' points are: A. Reeve 12, H. Snowden 11, F. Fussell 11, W. Ashman 8, C. Burke 6, G. Stevens 6, L; Stevens 4, G. Plucke, C. Gilbert 3., B Grade—l6l Miles. C. Neighbour (3m.), 46m. 37s 1 W. Ireland (scr), 43m. 41Js. 2 V. Snowden (Im.), 44m. 42Js 3 D. Newall (scr), 43m. 465. .. 4 Fastest times: W. Ireland, 43m. 41Js., 1; D. Newall, 43m. 465., 2. In this race the. competitors were sent away in three groups. The limit was three minutes and on this handicap were four riders. The one-minute group consisted of four and five were on the scratch mark. At Waitara the limit riders had lost time on the groups behind. The scratch boys were almost up with the one-minute group, whom they ultimately caught climbing Big Jim’s Hill. N. Knight weakened over/the last mile, but Neighbour gamely held the bunch at bay until the finishing line was reached. There was a stirring struggle for second place which was won by W. Ireland, who beat Snowden by one length. The B grade series points are: ’ D. Knight 10, T. Knight 9, D. Newall 61, V. Snowden 6, N. Knight 6, C. Neighbour 6, D.- Bond 5, W. Ireland 5. The next races will be run from Windy Point on September 22. The A grade race yvill be to Puniho and back, and the B grade to Oakura and back. OAMARU TO CHRISTCHURCH. SNOWDEN AND BURKE COMPETE. The selection ' committee of the New Plymouth Cycle and Athletic League (Messrs A. Gable, H. W. Bocock and L. E. Smith) met at the conclusion of the road races on Saturday aftemopn and decided to select H. Snowden and ; C. Burke as the members of the league to be financially assisted to compete in the 185-mile road race to be run in the South Island on September 22. One of the objects of the race is to select a rider or riders to represent New Zealand in the centenary cycling road race of 1000 miles, which will commence at Melbourne on October 20 and will be run in six stages of various distances . H. Snowden, the first choice, has performed brilliantly in club cycle road events this season. In the six club conducted this season he has recorded three fastest times, one second fastest time and two first places, while from strong opposition in the unpaced race for the Roberts Cup his time was lljs. better than that of the next best recorded time. In 1932 from a handicap of 21m. Snowden won the Taranaki circular road race in the good time of 4h. 39m. 445. Handicapped on the sm. mark last year he again rode a meritorious race to finish with the scratch riders in a race run in record time. C. Burke has a record in track and road races to be proud of. Although his performance in club races this son is bettered by that of Snowden, he has nevertheless ridden brilliant races recently. In the Tariki race he established a new record for the course and his ride on Saturday last in which he and Snowden completely outclassed the field in the ‘4IJ-mile event marks him as one capable and worthy of upholding the prestige of the league. It is probable the two cyclists will commence their journey to Oamaru this week. MOUNTAIN RACE DANCE. The Burwood was again packed on Saturday night for the fourth of a series of dances in aid of the mountain road race. Boulton’s orchestra supplied the music and the supper was managed by the ladies’ committee comprising Mesdames H. Bocock, G. Beer, D. George, J. Donaldson, A. Gable, Misses M. Hall, N. Sturmey, G. Duffin and M. Beer. Mr. G Beer was doorkeeper and Messrs. J. Donaldson, G. Sole and H. W., Bocock were masters of ceremonies. A Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Mr. Gilbert and Miss Crockett.