WITH THE HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 4

WITH THE HARRIERS

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At long last the race for the Benson Trophy is at hand. In three days’ time 1 the Wanganui and Masterton Harrier Clubs will meet in their race of the ; year. Assiduous training has been the lot of the l Wanganui Club during tin; past weeks, while the Alasterton pack have also been working hard. They 1 beat the Hutt Valley Harrier Club in the annual race for the Sanders Trophy by one point, last Saturday. Times returned by the local runners during their runs for the past few weeks have been faster than those of last year. Everything therefore prestiges that, the race on Saturday will be one of the hardest and fastest since the competition was inaugurated. Let u.s turn fur a moment, tu the history of the competition for the Benson Trophy. The trophy was presented by Air George Benson, of Wanganui, who was at one time actively ' engaged with the, club and who, though he does not take the same active part in its life, takes the greatest interest in all its members and follows all their races. It consists of a knotted block of wood surmounted by a model of a gate with shields bearing the name of the winning team for the live races for which it has been competed. Up to the present Alasterton appear to have had a mortgage over the trophy, for out, of the live races that have taken place in the competition they have been victors four times. Wanganui has, therefore, much leeway to make up, and when Saturday arrives it will be found that the local runners will be very determined. The trophy is competed for once a year, and the teams race, at both centres. Last year Wanganui lost to Alasterton at Alasterton by 34 points. On the return race at Wanganui the local pack won tho day by a margin of .17 points, which left them 17 points behind their opponents, who took away the trophy once again. What are the prospects for the race on Saturday? Will Wanganui be able to pile up a lead of points on the home course and hold its own at Alasterton? Or will Wanganui go down on tho home track? As in all sports the issue is uncertain. Perhaps the local men have a certain amount of reason to be hopeful that they will win the day on Saturday. They have retained all their crack runners from last season, while several sturdy youngsters have come on to claim a place in the fore. What of Masterton? From information to hand it would appear that they have lost several of the leading runners of last, year, one of whom was Hack, who was a dangerous man at any time. But while they have lost runners they have also gained some good men, amongst whom arc Dudley, of the Hutt Valley Club. Wanganui have an advantage in that the Alasterton men aro not used to running over such country as that covered by the Bramwell Course and tho hills are a severe test on them. But although the odds in this direction would appear in favour of tho local men they must remember that, their opponents have the art of pack running at their “finger tips,” and they demonstrated this fact on Saturday, for, although the Hutt Valley men filled the first three positions, yet the Masterton men ran home the winners by one point. Team work must of necessity be one of the planks of the Wanganui Club’s attack in the coming race, both here and in Alasterton. If the runners can bunch together in threes and fours and urge each other on it is fairly certain that the local men will stand the best chance they have had in the history of the club of winning tho trophy. Some of the leading men who will be running on Saturday and who are expected to do credit to themselves are as follow: (j. Moore (captain). For the past throe years “George,” as he is familiarly known to all members, has filled the post of captain with credit. Up to the present he has competed against Alasterton on every occasion upon which tho Benson Trophy has been up for competition—a record of which to be proud. In the past he has led the pack home on inorc than one occasion. Of late, however, he has been unable to pay the same attention to training, a fact that has boon regretted by his clubmates. But it is to bo hoped that he will bo able to turn out to lead his men into tho field on Saturday and run in his sixth race against Masterton. E. Cardo (vice-captain). —One. of the pillars of the club, both on the road and off it. He has represented tho club on four occasions against Alasterton and has filled a good place in each race. He is in good training for Saturday and will no doubt repeat his former performances, especially at Wanganui. for the home course and tho hills suit him far better than a flat course. K. Johnston. —One of the best two runners of the club. In his present condition, ho should return a very fast time. What ho loses on the hill, which, by the way, is more than the average man can gain, he makes up for on the flat, and the man who wishes to beat him on the Bramwell Course must have a good lead before the last two miles are, reached. He won the race against Masterton on two occasions, which included the first, time he had taken part in a Benson Trophy contest. In the Wanganui-Taranaki championships last year he look second place to Brown of New Plymouth, who beat him over the Bramwell Course. On the track he has on two occasioi run third to Rose and Savidan ami two Saturdays ago he established a record run over the Bram- ■■ well Course for the local club. C. Weller.—The man who gives John-j ston most “run for his money” in Wanganui. On the rough country there; is none in the club who can stand up to the steady pace which he maintains. When he has improved his stride he will be the foremost- runner of the harriers in this centre, and it is anticipated that it, will not be long before lie. will be looking further afield for Dominion honours. Last year, when racing in the Benson Trophy lor the first, time, he beat Hack over the Bramwell Course, much to the surprise '1 many critics. On several occasions this year ho has returned the fastest time Cor the weekly run. Only seventeen, he has his career before him. Ho is smal. but. nuggety, but e hat he la *ks in si ature he makes up for in stamina and grit,

G. Johnston. —This youngster will soon be abreast, of his brother, for although he is only sixteen years ot | age he runs with a splemlid stride. He is fairly small as \et, but very wiry and when he has added years to his | growth and overcome one or two faults. I such as glancing over his shoulder to watch the man behind him, ne will In a match for Weller. Hill worn suits him somewhat better than the level land, though he does not lose much ground on it. His performances to date this year have been unexpected and he has taken a higher position in the club than expected of him. On Saturday he will race in the Benson Trophy for the secund t.im<» H. E. B. Newton.-- One of the ui'lest members and one who a few years ago was one of the best, r.inueis. Owing to an injured ankle ne wns force 1 to take a couple of seasons* r st, hut he has returned with renewed virmir ana tan second last Saturday. Hill countiy he treats with respect, on account oi his injury, but once on the road rhe min ahead of him arc always worrioJ. Newton and Hack of .oar jrto.l have had many hard battles,, and have °ii ergcu with honours even. While be ?oay not be able to foot it as fast as others over the hills on Satirdiy yet, when tho return race eventuatas ul Alasterton it would cause no surmise to see him lead the field home. His long stride ami splendid action are the admiration of many. He has competed in tho Benson Trophy on three former occasions. F. Hoskins.—Labelled as a “find.’’ Un fortunately he met with an injury recently, but it is understood that he will compete on Saturday. Personally, the writer would prefer to see him rest for another week or two. There will be several races during the season in which he can make use of his long sweeping stride and the advice off ere I to him is to lie low for Saturday. A. Hoskins.—Brother uf the above. Ho created a sensation lust year when, on his fourth run as a harrier, he ran into fourth place in the West. Coast championships. He has been unable to maintain that form this year, however, but it is hoped that before the end of the season he will reproduce it. A good jumper he is inclined to bo somewhat reckless, and if ho were to tak«» matters more easily at the commencement of ‘be race he would probably do better for himself. At present ho likes to pace i out with tho leaders, and gives the impression that, he tires himself in the first few miles. B. Clark.—Another old member of the club and one who was in the team when tho club won the Benson Trophy, since when he has been trying to persuade his clubmates to win it again. He is a good man and a hard one to beat when ho is “in the pink,” though he is apt to be erratic. Last year he ran splendidly at Alasterton after receiving a nasty knock. Ho returned the fastest time a fortnight ago. A. Bourgeois.—The most promising of this year’s new members. Only 17, he received his ground work on the track during the past season and is now with the harriers for the first time. On Saturday ho gave Newton a very hard job to beat him, though he ran in ahead of the older man a fortnight ago. Ho has a long stride and plenty oi stamina and he is not going to bo very far behind the lending man on Saturday. The club would welcome several more members of his type. S. Minnell.—Another junior who has improved his running to rank among the first half-dozen of tho leading runners. A track man and a leading runner for the Scouts, ho won their championship last, year, beating Bourgeois by 300 yards. Last Saturday week ho ran exceptionally well and carried off the sealed handicap competition. J. Northover is a youngster with plenty of pace and is now in his second season of harrier running. His youth has not deterred him from taking a good position among tho leaders. He competes for tho first time in the race for the Benson Trophy on Saturday. J. Irwiu surprised everybody by running into a place for the trophy last year, but up to the present ho has not reproduced that good form and his time is some two minutes slower in his runs than last season. He has a bad habit of running himself “out” and then lying down until ho has regained his breath. The sooner he loses that habit tho better. A. McKay.—Consistent form has placed this runner in a fairly good position in tho list of those leading the club runs, and ho appears to bo improving as ho goes along. Rough going is quite to his liking, and ho is expected to be weli up on Saturday when ho will bo competing in the race with Alasterton for the first time. Little discrimination can be shown among several of the other runners, though some that stand out as forming a solid backbone to the club are R. Edwards, L. Bilderbcck, J. Piercy, K. Law, 11. Ede, D. McKay, E. Gowan, and E. Crysell. All of these men have put up good performances, while Ede may lead them home on Saturday, though he will have to dispute the matter with Gowan. Al embers are reminded that the Alasterton runners will be entertained on their arrival, and it is hoped that as many as possible will welcome them. Anyone desiring information concerning the arrangements that have been made will bo aide to receive this from the secretary, R. Edwards, ami any member who can assist with the billeting of the visitors will be appreciated. A word about, runners. No runner will bo allowed to start in the race unless he is wearing a number which is attached on the front of hi.s singlet, and all singlets must be black. These two points aro important and should receive the strict attention of all competing. A club which turns its runners out in a medley of colours shows a lack of method. Members will meet at, the entrance to the racecourse at 2 o’clock and will have ample time to change and loosen their limbs before the start of the race at 2.55. The Alasterton men will be entertained over the week-end, and it is to be hoped that many Warignnui members will turn out and do their best to make the occasion a success.