CYCLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16713, 20 April 1922, Page 5

CYCLING.

ON TRACK AND ROAD. (By “ SPOKE.”) FIXTURES. May 13—Marshland-Alairehau. Tb© Mkrshland-Mairehau Club has leeided to postpone* the forty mile South Island championship from April 2'J to May 13. This decision will not meet with the approval of the competitors, as it is already too late in the season for a race of this description, as most of the riders can do their training only during the weekends, while others play football during the winter months. As a result there is sure to be a falling off in the entry for the race.

The Waimate Easter sports, held on Saturday last, was a successful gathering. Christchurch riders won the wnole four events. In the half mile handicap O’Shea won his heat, but he lound the final a. little too much for him. De la Oour secured the final by a length from G. F. Goodall, with O’Shea three lengths further back third. The Two Mile Friendly Societies Handicap was an exciting race. Ten competitors faced the starter for the final. A. IV. Slade (285vds) led the field for the first five laps, at the end of which the competitors were all bunched. W. L. Henry retired at the end of the sixth lap. Cant led throughout the seventh lap where Joyce lost ground through running on the grass. Going along the. back straight for the last time O’Shea took the lead and from there on was never seriously troubled, finally winning by two lengths from T. Joyce, with H. W. C ant third, and L. A. Betten fourth. Betten rode a sterling race, and ho may develop into a useful rider with experienco. The One Mile Handicap, an interesting race, resulted in G. F. Goodall winning by three lengths from H. W. Cant, with G. AY. Prebble close up third, and L. A. Betten inches away fourth. Prebblo and Cant collided after passing the winning post and both fell heavily, but neither was seriously hurt. The One Mile Invitation Scratch Pace proved to be a good tiling for O'Shea, who won by half a length from T. Joyce with P. Hill close up third. On the morning of the Temuka sports rain fell heavily, but it cleared up shortly before one o’clock. Proceedings opened with the Quarter Mile Handicap, which created an unusual amount of interest. P. Hill and G. Radburn appeared to have the race all to themselves half way up the straight, but, although O'Shea was the last to enter the straight, he came with a phenomenal burst of speed and won b\ inches from Hill with Radburn closeup third. The time was 31 4-ssecs. The Half Mile Handicap was won easily by G. Radburn, from A. Bonis, who beat L. A. Betten by a similar margin. The time was lmin 2 l-ssec. The One Mile Scratch Race was little more than an exercise ride for O’Shea, who i» at present at the top of his form. Henry and Birch led the field at the end of tho first lap. Radburn then took up the running, being closely followed by O’Shea. Tho field remained in this order until tho boll went, when Bonis assumed the lead. At this stag© Henry and Radburn retired. O’Shea shot to tho front in the back straight, and, stalling of a challenge by T. Joyce, won easily by a. length, with P. Hill six lengths away third. The time was 2min IGsecs. Th© one and a half mile Tradesmen’s Handicap saw the veteran rider A. Bonis shoving a glimpse of his old form. At the end of the fourth lap tho field was bunched with the exception of Joyce, who was a long way back. However ho caught his field as the bell rang. The effort, however, loft him with nothing in reserve, and Bonis won by a length from A. R. Hawke, with L. E. Betten third. The One Mile Handicap resulted in a win for G. F. Goodall, who is at present riding well. Joyce, from the back mark, caught the field at the end of two laps. At the entrance to the straight Goodall went to the front and won by a length from H. AV. Cant, with L. E. Betten a wheel away third. L. E. Betten was the unlucky rider at the meeting as he filled third place on three occasions, while he was similarly placed in the one mile handicap at Waimate. “ Spills ’’ were the order of tho day nt Papanui on Easter Monday. T). Welsh, I). Chamberlain R. I>ixon, and G. AV ylie all came to grifef at the same point, which appears to bo a very dangerous corner. M. J. Riordan scored a very popular vin in the three mile handicap at Papanui. “Spoke” welcomes contributions to tl»is column. They should be addressed care of this office.