HARRIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 150, 27 June 1934, Page 4

HARRIERS

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Forthcoming fixtures include the interclub match at Masterton next Saturday, and the return match at Wanganui on July 14. • • • • Both these races are conducted annually for tho “Benson Gate,” a trophy presented by Mr. Geo. Benson for competition between the Masteiton and Wanganui Clubs. The 1933 contest was won by the Wanganui Club by a majority of 119 points. The Masterton Ciun won over their local course by 55 points, but tho Wanganui team had too many points “up their sleeves” by detcating the Wairarapa team by 1/4 points. This year’s contest will prove very close and interesting, as members of both clubs are on the up grade from last season. This was proved by the southern club two weeks ago, when they defeated the Hutt Valley Club, Wellington, in their annual contest, also providing the first man home in C. Talbot.

* * » • Talbot, as was the case last season, is again their star man. In last year’s contest he finished in sixth position at Wanganui, and fourth at Masterton. Other members in this club running well are Hack, Shaw and Wink. * ♦ ♦ * Of last year’s team the majority of the local team will be competing, and will also include a few new season runners. The only defection which may lose Wanganui a few points is tho inability of K. and G. Johnston to make the trip, but as the balance of tho club’s first twelve has vastly improved and with two or three new performers in the list, the team will undoubtedly remedy this defection. • » • * The arrangement for this trophy is that each team’s points gained are totalled after each contest, and the team having the lowest margin of points annexes the trophy. The twelve members likely to comprise the Wanganui team on Saturday are, in order: —C. Weller, A. Bourgeois, L. Pickworth, F. Kiddle, H. Clarke, G. Pepper, H. Hopper, A. Bevege, M. Banks, A. Powell, G. Hafiam, E. Gowan and A. Penberthy. W. Sherlock, who finished close up on Saturday may provide a surprise. ” * ♦ *■ A brief note on each of these members may be of interest at this stage. C. Weller, runner-up in the 1933 National Championship to W. J. savidan, is also Wanganui Club champion and runner-up for the West Coast (N. 1. Centro Championship 1933. This season his form is as good as ever, and if anything has shown a little improvement.

A. Bourgeois, who has not been c-ut very much so far this season, has benefited by the rest and shows a little improvement on last season’s performances. * ♦ ♦ * L. Pickworth has been a consistent performer for the club, running tenth at Wanganui, and ninth at Masterton, in this contest last season. He has always been one of the members who could always be relied upon to uphold the team. This season he nas made a marked improvement in ability as a cross-country runner and is racing very consistently in fifth position. F. Kiddle is another wno has displaced quite a number of last year’s representatives, and has now won to sixth position in club racing. He finished in I Sth position against the Mas terton Club at Wanganui in 1933, but this year is expected to gam a higher position.

H. Clarke, a member of the Wanganui A team at last year’s West Coast championship, is improving with ex cry run, 1 and together with Pickwortli ana Kiddle, should form an excellent standby for the local team. J. Meikle, a newcomer this year, has boon running particularly well, and if he is able to make the trip to Masterton, should bo a valuable help to the local club. G. Pepper, also a newcomer to the sport this season, is the most consistent performer of the iirst-year men, making tho trip. He will not be far behind Clarke on Saturday. Tho remaining members likely to gain positions in the coveted twelve are a good teaming combination, and will all finish within close range of each other. , Although only twelve members actually count for the team's points, other members must note that ny racing to their best ability they may upset the rival club’s team by displacing some of their twelve men. Thirty members of the Wanganui Club are representing the eiuti on Saturday. „ , In connection with lust Saturday s race, positions not mentioned in Mon day’s issue, from the -Ist onwards, are:— nt.s. A.. Tingey I. Chcsswas i- Reid .I,’ R. March -4 E. O’Mahoney 40.. H -.a L. Edmonds .' 4C - 54 L. Pickworth 50.10 .10 W. Hickman j?--;. ' ” J. Alexander ~ r. •; R. Sutcliffe H. Walker ’ >n C. White . / J. Harrison• aJ - 48 AU members making the trip on Saturday are asked to meet at the Post Office, at 0.30 a-tn.