HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20169, 11 June 1928, Page 5

HARRIERS

INTER-CLUB RUN WANGANUI AND MASTERTON On Saturday the first of the two annual races between Masterton and Wanganui Harriers for the Benson Trophy was held. A large field of over thirty started and the majority completed the sevenmile course despite the heavy going. From several vantage points, interested spectators viewed the course of the race and saw the finish. Several of the finishes were very close, notably those between Keats and Clarke an/t Hack and Newton. Interest in the teams race was maintained till the last man was home, as ■ Wanganui held the advantage during I the early stages of the race but | terton, with a more solid all-round • team, finally got home by a small mar- ! gin. The next meeting between these i two teams, in Masterton on August 18, should be well worth seeing as the Wanganui team will then be materially stronger. C. E. and Deulord were owing to illness unable to assist the local team but in August ihe pair and J. Pawsoa shuuU be available for the return encounter, lixe individual racing proved very interesting. Moore (Wanganui) and Hack (.Master ton), the latter oniv Eighteen years of age, led for the first iwiu- mixes over the ncuvy gomg. Meanwhile Campbell (Masterton) aud Newton (Uauganni) were xiaviug a determined suuggiu tugeuur, almougix gradunily gruuxxu on the leautia. Campbell, not at uunie on the hili work, was iinaixy thrown oil and coming in on the easier going, iSewcun grauually maae up a leeway of tiity yarns. Witn two miles to go Moore, Macs and Newton were all in a bunch and it was anybody’s race. Hack now increased his pace, opening out a great stride, and although several attempts were mauc to wrest the lead from him, he kept to the front till the finishing straight wlierc Newton scored a narrow win. Moore, who held the leaders till the last half-mile, finished 30 yards back with Campbell fourth. The fifth place provided a ding-dong go between Keats and Clarke, both leading in turn till Clarke with a desperate finish got home by two feet. The visitors expressed themselves as well satisfied with the course, save for the fact of one or two fence crossings being too narrow to allow more than one man to pass at a time. The enthusiasm of one runner at least is shown by the fact that he complete.! a hard course barefooted! The race as a whole showed a need in both teams for more racing over hill country and better fence work. A man who can clear fences neatly can make at least ten yards a fence. As this course has thirty-five fences, the inference is obvious. The details of the results are as follows : Teams Race Masterton, 37 points 1 Wanganui, 45 points 2 Individual Placings Newton (Wanganui) 1 Huck (Masterton) 2 Moore (Wanganui) 3 Campbell (Masterton) 4 Clarke (Wanganui) 5 Keats (Masterton) G Masterton Sealed Hslndicap Keats 1 Huck 2 MASTEETON VISITORS ENTERTAINED After the run the visiting runners were billeted out by the various supporters of the ciub. In the evening tne majority attended the Gonville Tennis Club dance and judging by the late hour of their return home, apparently enjoyed themselves. Yesterday morning Messrs Fear, Pawson and Pleasants, kinidjy loaning their cars, a run was taken up the river to Aramoho and up to the top of Roberts Avenue, where a splendid view of the city was obtained. The visitors then descended to Mr R. J. Jackson’s residence where a very pleasant hour was spent. Mr Jackson presented the trophies won on Saturday and gave a short address, welcoming the visiting athletes. Mr Keats and Mr Kitchener responded. Proceedings concluded by Mr Bramwell expressing the thanks of the Harriers present for the morning tea kindiy provided by Mrs Jackson and the Misses Jackson.

The party paid the time-honoured visit to Mr W. L. Young’s home, where refreshments were again the order of the day. A conviv al .half-hour was enlivened by interesting talks by Messrs Young, Fear, Bramwell, and Kitchener.

At 2.30 p.m. a strong party of local supporters were at the Post Office to wish the visitors God-speed. An enthusiastic send off ended a very pleasant week-end of inter-club festivity.