HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 151, 29 June 1932, Page 4

HARRIERS

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By winning the first of the two annual races for the Benson Trophy and gaining 54 points the Wanganui Harrier Club has obtained a good footing to the title for another year. But the harder of the two races now lies before the Wanganui men.

Although Wanganui won on Saturc/ieir victory was not as great as year and it is to be noted that •ftasterton gave an improved showing ■wi Saturday. Last year at Wanganui the local club won by a margin of 84 points, scoring 109 points as against Masterton’s 193. Last Saturday the points obtained by Wanganui totalled 126 and by Masterton 180.

Comparison shows that Wanganui dropped back by 17 points while Masterton improved by 13. On the return journey to Masterton last year the home team scored 134 points and Wanganui 182 points, giving Masterton a lead of 48 points. Working on an average if Wanganui run a race at Masterton whrch does not come up to last year’s performance by 17 points they will score 199 points while, drawing the same conclusion, Masterton should score 121 points. In that event Wanganui will be defeated at Masterton by 18 pointe. By subtracting 54 points it will be seen that, working to a logical conclusion, the trophy would be won by Masterton with a margin of 24 points.

Such a conclusion is, of course, mere guesswork, but it does at least illustrate that Wanganui has the harder of the two battles ahead of it, and that in order to retain the trophy everyone will have to work hard. The Masterton Club is just as determined to regain the trophy as Wanganui is to retain it, and the conclusion to be drawn is that the race at Masterton will be extremely interesting and exciting.

It is a significant fact that each year the size of the fields grows. More men turn out at Wanganui to compete and more make the journey from Masterton. Such a growth is an indication of the increasing popularity of the sport and of the healthy condition of both clubs. It is also a tribute to Mr. George Benson, the donor of the trophy. Mr. Benson donated the “gate” at a time when both clubs were comparatively small. In fact in 1929 Wanganui placed not more than a dozen to 15 men against their rivals The following year the Wanganui team had increased to some 30 and a field of about 45 competed for the trophy Last year Wanganui placed 40 men in the rate, which was contested by 60 harriers. This year the local club fielded about 50 and 80 runners were sent away by Mr. Benson. If any man had reason to be proud last Saturday surely that man was Mr. Benson!

By studying the positions taken last Saturday th e part which was played by team running is outstanding. Al though Wanganui obtained the majority of the earlier places it must bo pointed out that except for the first three positions the Wanganui team did not gain consecutive places until the 16th position was obtained. On the other hand, Masterton, although not obtaining so many of the earlier places placed a solid wedge into the 11 to 15 positions. This is interesting for there is every reason to believe that these men will be faster on their own course and therefore give more competition for the better positions. * ♦ ♦ ♦ *

Consistency in their performances was given by several men and it is interesting to pick out the 12 leading Wanganui men and to «eompare them with Wanganui’s team of last year. This year the team composed:—G Johnston, C. Weller, K. Johnston, H Newton, A. Bourgeois, T. Collings, J. Northover, N. Wisnewski, Richards, Kiddle, Carde and Arnold, who ran home in that order. Last year the team was:—K. Johnston, Weller, G. Johnston, F. Hoskins. Newton, Bourgeois, A. Hoskins, Carde, Clark, Minnell and A. McKay. Six new men have made their appearance this year.

in spite of all warnings and previous experiences one of the club*s leading members lost his shoe before the course had been half completed. Evidently it appears that there is some tradition to keep up in this connection in the last three competitions—and they have always been old members! Probably there were extenuating circumstances in A. McKay’s ’ease on Saturday for he had brought himself a new pair of shoes for the race. At all events he lost his club about 10 points by his misfortune. It is to be hoped that this will be the last instance of faulty shoes.

A point which could be taken from Masterton runners by Wanganui was the manner in which they took the field. Correctly uniformed they ran out of the dressing shed in Indian file. This orderly procedure was commented upon favourably by several onlookers. On the other hand some of the Wanganui runners filed out and some did not. Some were uniformed and some were not. If imitation is a compliment to the person imitated then Wanganui could well afford to component Masterton. ♦ ♦ * * Good work was done by Mr. A. MvKay during the race and the novel procedure of refreshing the Wanganui runners was evidence of the interest he took in their welfare. The brunt of the work of organising the fixture fell on the shoulders of the new secretary, H. Arnold. He stood up to the task well and his capable handling of the arrangements had much tn do with the succes of the contest. In this respect he had an able helper in R. Edwards, whose experience was of great assistance. E. Carde and the committee generally did good work. The consistency of performance shown bv the Wanganui runners was pleasing and they are to be congratulated. Compliments have already been extended to Weller and K. Johnston on their sportsmanship and to G. Johnston on his win. Each member of the Wanganui team obtained an honour of which they may well be proud, for it stamps them indelibly as the club’s leading men. The run next Saturdav will be held from the residence of Mrs. Edwards, senior, at Heads Road, Gonville. Alter’ the recent, hard races, light work will be the order of the day and the pack will be controlled by the captain’s whistle. After Saturday two runs will intervene before the return bout for the trophy, which is 1o be held at Ma Merton on -Li ! y