HARRY WATSON NOW DOMINION ROAD CHAMPION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18901, 28 October 1929, Page 3

HARRY WATSON NOW DOMINION ROAD CHAMPION.

BEATS M’CANN IN ROUND MOUNTAIN RACE. Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 27. The circular road race round Mount Egmont, about 100 miles, was won by E. Roberts (New Plymouth) off 24min, from G. D. Sole, 36min, and T. Haw, 3Dmin (both New Plymouth). H. Watson (Christchurch) beat S. M'Cann (New Plymouth and previously New Zealand champion) for fastest time and New Zealand road championship (4hr Slmin 3sec. Fastest time last year was 41ir 29min 53sec;). Of 68 entrants, 54 took part in the race, which was run in brilliant sunshine over tar-sealed roads with a slight southerly breeze. Riders from clubs throughout the Dominion contested the race. G. D. Sole, Haw and Bocock led at Eltliam, 35 miles from the finish, with

XX. Kx. VT ttI&UU. (Beat M’Cann by half a wheel.)

the winner, Roberts, seven minutes’ behind, and Watson and M’Cann 16 minutes further back. At Stratford Haw, Sole, Bocock and Claffey were in front. Haw, Sole and Roberts was the order at Inglewood, with twelve miles to go, Roberts being two minutes behind the other two. Roberts joined the lenders over the last few miles, and one of the best finishes for years ensued. Any one of the three might have won, it seemed, until the last twenty yards, when Haw drifted slightly, Roberts beating Sole, by a length, with two lengths to Haw, who was followed by Boeock, Watson and M’Cann. The latter two had a great struggle for fastest time, Watson winning by halt' a wheel. Roberts’s time was 4hr 46min 3 Disec. The first ten men were:— L. Roberts, New Plymouth (24min.). G. D. Sole, New Plymouth (36min.). T. Haw, New Plymouth (39min.). L. Bocock, Kaimaia (3Gmin.). H. Watson, Christchurch (scr.). S. M’Cann, New Plymouth (scr.). C. Aroa, New Plymouth (lOmin.). C. Leherke, New Plymouth (14min.). C. Bearman. Christchurch (2lmin.). G. Hail, Auckcland (16min.).