HARRIER NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, 6 July 1932, Page 7

HARRIER NOTES.

MASTERTON CLUB ACTIVITIES.

(By

"Stride.")

In the second open handicap race of the season, held by the Masterton Harrier Club on Saturday, the members generally put up a far better display than they did in the first one, run some weeks ago. Too many pulled out, however, after completing the first lap. With the exception of a few who could be excused on the score of sore legs, etc., the rest showed a decided lack of stamina. They should do their best to finish the course, even if they have to walk part of the second lap.

The winner proved to be E. Buckton, who gave by far his best performance to date. At the end of the first lap he had a lead of some 80 yards, which he managed to hold, winning by 40 yards from R. Shaw and C. Goldsmith. Making his own pace, seemed to suit the winner who will no doubt improve a lot yet.

The second man, R. Shaw, surprised by his fine display, putting up ninth fastest time.

One of this year’s novices in C. Goldsmith, in filling third place, showed much improved form over his previous displays. From now on he should continue to improve and will find his determined style of finishing a good asset.

Gj. Pye filled fourth position, running a really good race and showed that with training a place in one of the championship teams should be within his reach.

After his mediocre display at Wanganui last week, A. Burns gave what was probably his best run to date this season by running into fifth place. Starting off the same mark as his brother, he soon left him behind and finished by putting up fastest time. His time of 38.23 was some 53 seconds faster than the next best.

A. Spiers, a second year runner, was another who turned in a much faster time than he has been in the habit of doing. It will be interesting to see whether he can maintain this form.

J. Mackay continues to show improved form and no doubt is out for a place in one of the championship teams. On his present improving form he should stand a chance of selection.

Expected to go close to winning, W. Hack, although putting up fairly good time, was nevertheless disappointing. He is capable of much better form than he displayed on (Saturday.

Club captain J. Wink, after an enforced absence of some weeks, gave quite a fair display and can be looked upon as sure to improve on his time m future races.

Consistency has been B. Forsyth’s keynote lately, as it is many weeks since he has given a bad display. This runner always tries hard and rarely gives in. A lesson could be taken from him by some of those who withdrew in Saturday’s race.

M. Sellar’s run was most disappointing. After giving really brilliant performances for a novice earlier in the season, his displays on the last Saturday or so have been hard to understand. Evidently he is not doing enough,, if any, training. It is a pity that this is so, as he gave promise of being a runner out of the ordinary.

Suffering from a cold prevented L. Hack from giving anything near his best and his sixth fastest time was, in the circumstances, rather surprising.

Several of the usually prominent runners did not run to quite their usual good form, due no doubt to the severe race they had at Wanganui. This was particularly noticeable in the cases of those who gave good displays there.

The new championship course laid for the first time by the clubs two official trail-layers, J. Hunter and J. Kitchener, assisted by H. Riddiford and F. Law (a former member and handicapper of the club), proved to be a strenuous one, having plenty of fences and being a good 3 1-8 miles in length. This is the course that Wanganui will race over on July 23 and on which the Wellington Provincial Cross Country Ch ampionships will be held on August 18.

As the two local teams for the championships are due to be picked after the Wanganui race, prospective runners are advised to get right down to training and give of their best in future runs. On form so far, the sole selector has an unenviable job and it looks as if the teams will probably be picked from the following: L. Hack, J. Burns, A. Burns, Rutherfurd, W. Hack, Wink, Mulvey, E : . 'Shaw, R. Shaw, A. Spicer, S. Spicer, Creswell, G. Pye, Sellar, Barnes, Engstrom, J. Mackay, Boyes, Haise, J. L. Burns, J. Carter and quite possibly one or two more.

The three leaders in the Shaw Rose Bowl competition to date are R. Shaw, with 31 points, G. Pye with 25, and L. Hack, 24 points, with several others very close up.

For the club championship run over a course of 5 miles, Mr. Wyeth Senr. has again his coveted gold hi edal for the winner. This radd will probably be run about two weeks before Provincial Championships.

It is understood that Arrangements p.re well in hand for a monster dance to be held in the Municipal Hall on the occasion b£ the visit of the Wanganui Harriets, of whom a large number are expected to make the trip, to contest the final of the Benson Trophy race.