LINWOOD CYCLING CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6127, 14 March 1898, Page 4

LINWOOD CYCLING CLUB.

The ii\augiual sports meeting of the Linwocd Cycling Club, held at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon, was, despite adverse conditions, very successfully carried out. Just about two o'clock, the hour at which the races were to commence, the sky became overcast with black clouds and rain fell in heavy showers. The outlook was exceedingly dismal, and the committee held a nieeting to consider the advisableness of postponing the.sports. After the track and surroundings had been thoroughly soaked with the downpour, the rain ceased and it was decided to go on with the various events to avoid inconveniencing the visiting competitors and disappointing the few spectators who had already arrived. The courage of the officials in this matter was rewarded by the rain holding off for the remainder of the afternoon, and by the time the heats of the half-mile had been run, the asphalt track had become quite dry. The attendance, considering the threatening state of the weather, was good, fully a thousand people being present. The racing was exceedingly interesting, as the fields were large and the competitors comprised the fastest racing men in the colony. An unfortunate accident, however, occurred which seriously marred an otherwise enjoyable gathering. In the second heat of the Mile Handicap, owing to the narrowness of the track in the western straight, the riders became bunched in dangerous proximity, and K. Eodgers, colliding with another competitor's machine, £.11, bringing down both E. Reynolds, the Auckland crack, and S. M'Donald. The three riders were badly hurt, and were unable to race during the remainder of the day. This came especially hard on Reynolds, who thus lost his chances in the Provincial Championship. Dr Orchard, who was on the ground, attended to the injuries of the sufferers. The principal handicap race of the day was the Linwood Wheel Eace, which was won by G. Sutherland from the 25yds mark. This rider, who on Dec. 18, with 130yds start, annexed the New Zealand Wheel Eace on the same track, has greatly improved, and in the last two hundred yards sprinted away from the other competitors and won by a length. Sutherland was, with his machine, carried shoulder-high to the pavilion for his well-deserved victory. The One-mile Provincial Championship of Canterbury resulted in a great struggle in the last lap between Barker, Clarkson, Wilson, Wall, |tl.. Reynolds, Sutherland and Maxwell, all of whom were well together at the finish, Clarkson securing the verdict by half a wheel from Sutherland. The winner was decorated with the championship blue ribbon by the Mayor of Linwood, and was heartily cheered for his success. As an initial effort the meeting was a distinct success, and, notwithstanding the unavoidable delay at the outset, the events were got off very little behind time. All the races were well contested, and the times recorded were exceptionally fast, a fact largely due to the absence of wind. The following officials were responsible for the management:—Eeferee, Mr P. F. G. Mumford ; judges, Messrs T. N. Horsley (Mayor of Linwood), J. S. Kemp and Dr Orchard; telegraph-board, Messrs W. Mole, H. Brake andH. Hoffman; scratching steward, Mr D. P. Barry; starter, Mr A. J. Marshall; clerk of course, Mr G. H. Lethaby; timekeepers, Messrs G. Jones, W. Eestieaux and A. Marshall; lap scorers, Messrs J. Fenwings, J. Fisher and M. O'Brien; bugler, Mr J. Fisher ; number steward, Mr Townend ; press steward, Mr H. S. V. Eeade ; handicappers, Messrs G. H. Lethaby and F. T. Pannell; honorary treasurer, Mf G. Marshall; honorary secretary, Mr T. Eeed. The following are details of the racing: — HALF-MILE HANDICAP; first prize £3, seen i JE2; third £I—Fir»t heat: K. Kmlgers, 60yds, 1; W. Greece, 60ydn, 2 ; A. Balston, 30yds, 3. J. Stanton 45yds, W. Clarksqn 50yds, W. H. Treugrove 70yds, O. C. Peahe 70yds, W. B. Sander, 75yds • and G. H. Bobinson 85yds also started. Time— lmin 3sec. Second heat: K. A. Wall, 10yds, 1; A. G. Maxwell, 20yds, 2: A. Holmes 45yds, 3. W. Tierney 20yds, J. Hauley 50yds, H. Bitcliie 60yds, B. Campbell 70yds, H. Smith 70yds, S. Woodward 70yds», K. J. Smith 80yds, T. Beed 90yds and A. M'Beth 100yds also started. Time—lmin Sggeci- Third heat: U. Sutherland, 10yds, 1; L. Porter, 80yds, 2; E. A. Archer, 50yds, 3. S. M'Donald 20yds, W. Robertson 40jds, W. P. Hern 65yds, E. W. Stevens 90yds and P. D. M'Guire IGOyds also started. Time—lmin 4sec. Filial heat: A. G.Maxwell, 20yds, 1;E. A. Wall, 10yds, 2 j G. Sutherland, luyds, 3. All the qualified riders started, and were bunched together two hundred yards frbmlioine, and also as the straight was entered. With fifty yards to go, Maxwell, by a final effort-, secured a lead, and, despite a determined challenge by Wall, won a "great race by half a wheel, a similar diatance dividing second and third. Time—lmin o!sec. ONE-MILK MAIDEN HANDICAP; first prize £2, second £I—(i. H. Eobinson, 45yds, 1; B. Walker, 10yds, 2; C. G. Jones, 120yds, 3. H. S. V. Beade 40yds, A. J. Marshall 50ydB, J. Doie 50yds, C. W. Haydon 75yds, E. J. Smith 75yds, E. W. Stevens 00yds, A. M'Beth 90yds and E. H. Bnrley 120yds also started. The back-mnrk riders caught the field early in the race. In the last lap Walker went to the front and looked an easy winner, but Bobinsonrame with,- a' well-judged sprint one hundred yards 'from home and won by a length, Walker just securing second place from Jones', who made a tine effort rather late.- Time—2min 21sec. LINWOOD WHEEL BACE; two miles. First prize £15, second £5, third £2—First heat: W Clarkson, 200yds. 1; W. Preece. ]90ydl, 2 ; G. H. Bobinson, 250yds, 3; G. Henwood, 260yds, 4. A. E. Barker ssr, E. Beyuolds scr, C. B. Wilson 60yds, S. M'Donald 60yds, A. Balaton 80yds, E. k. Archer 160yds, E. Porter 210yds, .W. H. Trengrove 230yds and 11.. A. Soaues 240yds also started; Beynolda and Barker caught Wilson andEalston in a lap and a half,-but they were unable to get near the front contingent. In the straight Clarkson came with a well-timed effort and secured first place by a length. . Time— 4min 30sec. Second heat: (x. Sutherland, 25yds, 1; T. Clarkson, scr, 2; E. A. Wall, 25yda, 3; H. Beynolds, scr, 4. A. G. Maxwell 45yds, J. Blade, 60yds, W. Tierney 80yds, G. Porter 120yds, J. Stanton 140yds, H. Bitchie 200yds, W. B. Sanders 230yds, W. P. Hern 230yds, C. C. Poake 250yds, W. B. Porteous 250yds, and E. W. Stevens 280yds also started. Tierney and Sanders tell in the second lap, and the tyre of Peake's machine burst. Clarkson aud Beynolds ciught Wall, Sutherland aud Blade in the second lap,, and these riders had the front division well in hand when a mile aud a half had been covered. Half a lap from home Clarkson sprinted, but Sutherland, wlio was in the lead, responded, and, drawing away, won by a length and a half, Wall being just defeated for second place, Time^-4min 31Jsec. Final heat: G. Sutherland, 25yds, 1; K. A. Wall, 25yds, 2; H. Beynolds, scr. >3. T. Clarkson, scr, 4. All the qualfted ■ riders started. Both the. limit quartet «vnd the' back division made the pace fast from the outset, and, with two laps to go, it appeared that tue front men would not be overtaken. In the last Jap, however, Clarkson, with the back trio behind Mm, succeeding in reaching the leaders. Two hundred and fifty yards frjm home Sutherland jumped away with the lead, and wan able to retain it to the finish, winning by a length from-Wall, who beat H. Beynolds by half a wheel; T. Clarkson, close up, fourth; and Maxwell fifth. Time—4inta 32Jsec. ONE-MILE HANDICAP; first prize £3,second £2,third £1— First heat: E. A. Archer, 65yds, 1; J. Stanton, 60yds, 2; H, Bitchie, 65yds, 3 ; W. P. Hern 85yds, 4. H. Soanesßsyds.W. Clarkson 90yds, E. H. Burley 130yds and C. G.^Junes 130yds also started. Some misunderstanding among the competitors took place iu this race owing to the bell not being ruug for the la t lap. Time—2min 20sec. Second heat: C. C. Peake, 100yds, I; J. Blade, 25yds, 2; W. Bobertson, 60yds, 3; G. Porier, 50yds, 4. E. Beynolds scr, S. Macdonald 35yds, K. Eodgersßsyds, H. Smith 83yds, G. Biltcliif 115yds and W. B. Porteous 120yds also started. Half a lap from home Bodgers fell, bringing down M'Donald and Beynolds. Time—fmin 15sec. Final heat: J. Blade, 35yds, 1; H. Eitchie, 75yds, 2; J. Stanton, 60yds, 3. All the qualified men started. Blade caught his field early in the race, and keeping a good position came away haf a lap from home, and won easily by three lengths. Time—2inin 21£see. LINWOOD CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: one mile. First prize gold medal; second gold medal— C. C. Peake, 1; E. A. Archer, i; G. Porter, 3. E. Walker, W. B. Porteous, G. Biltelitf, E. J. Smith, W. B. Sanders, W. Kobertson, C. G. Jones, W. Preece and W. H. Trengrove also started. At the start Sanders took the lead, and was allowed to retain this position uutil after the bell had rung for the last lap. At the old stand, Peake shot out, olosoly followed by Trengrove. Two hundred yards from home the latter fell back beaten and Archer made his effort, but the ex-Dunedin;riier finished strongly, nnd drawing right away, won by four lengths, Archer just beating Porter for second place, Preece fourth. Time—2miu 21sec. ONE-MILE PBOVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF CANTEKBUKT; first prize gold medal, second gold medal—T. Clarkson, 1; G; Sutherland, 2j E. A. Wall, 3. A. K. Barker, H. Beynolds, O. E. Wilson and A. G. Maxwell a'so started. ■ The referee put on a time limit of 2miu >30sec for this race. Barker led for two ' laps at a steady pnee, -after which Sutherland dashed to the. front, with Barker at his buck whoel, Clurkson lying next, and Wilson in a good position on the outside. With one hundred aud fifty yards to go, Barker sprinted to pass Suthftrlatid, and was in turu chullouged by Clarksou, the rest of tbe field.iu a bunch close up. Koundiug the bend for home, Barker had a slight advantage, but once in the straight, Clarlcaon outpaced him, and keeping Ronig to the tape, won by half a wheel from Snther«?ii' ° oame . with a Sieafc dash at the finish, Wall a similar distauce away tuird, and Barker close up fourth. Time— 2mln 27Jsec. PIVE.MILE HANDICAP i first prize JES, second £2, third £l-C.(J Peake,.looyds, 1; h. Porter, 400yds, 2; W. H. Trengrove, 450yds, 3. H. EeyV,? if Hn r 'i •£• *f nr *el> scr, T. Clarkson scr, E. A. Wall 50yds, G Sutherland 50yds. A. G. Maxwell 70yds. C. B. Wilson lOOyrts, G. Porterlßoyds, A. B«5? 8t i OI1 ii o 2?r? S l' ' J -a nSJLan**^ 250yds, E. a. Archer 2Soyds,H. Kitchie 320yd r s;>V. Clnrkson 350yds, H. A. Soanos 380yds, W. 'P. Hem 400vd<i G Biltcliff 480yds, C. G. Jones 520$"alsoStarted!

The back mark men paced each other unselfishly, S^™°r g i t «? ? aj ,° r . porfclon - but" were unable tS«£*S? the kOf reacu *ng the limit men, hfn f n ere clos ? up at the flnis l»- Vorte* led as the bell rang, but Peake, who had mxin- «?, 1 ff e f rt a fi gO f° p , osit !° n , throughout the race, then shot to the front, and showing the way right round the track, won easily by six lengths, two lengths between second and third. Time— llinin 45sec THKEE-MILK MULTICYCLE HANDICAP; firstpnze £1 10s each rider, second 15s each rider— L. and G. Porter (tandem), 180yds, 1 ; B. Walker, I •**. rrengrove and T. Beed (triplet), 200yds. 2; A. R. Barker and G. Sutherland (tandem), scr, 3. I'. Clarkson and E. A. Wall (tandem) scr, G. Heowood, W. Preece, H.' Ritchie and K. Campbell (quad) 100yds, and H. S. V. Beado and W. Eestieaux (tandeui) 210yds also started. The triplet led for the whole of the last round until the straight was entered, when the tandem pair came with a nicelytimed effort, and won by a length, Barker and Sutherland some distance away. No tiuie was taken.