HARRIER ACTIVITIES
(BY “XCOUNTRY.”) Tlie result of the final of this season’s races for the Benson Trophy which was held at Wanganui last Saturday was a win for the Wanganui Club by a margin of 91 points which was a sufficient number to enable them to overtake the lead of 23 points which Masterton established on their home course a fortnight ago and to win by 68 points on the aggregate of the two races. Although beaten Masterton were by no means disgraced and they registered a fine performance to keep the margin down as low as they did, when it is considered that they were opposed by a team which is recognised in Wanganui as being the strongest that that Club has yet been able to field. Unfortunately Masterton were unable to get their best twelve men away and there were three of their usual team absent. If these men had been able to make the trip a very exciting contest would have eventuated. This is the eighth occasion that these two clubs have crossed swords in races for this trophy and honours are now even, each club having won four times. Details of their wins are: — 1927, Wanganui; 1928, Masterton; 1929, Masterton;; 1930, Masterton; 1931, Wanganui; 1932, Masterton; 1933, Wanganui; 1934, Wanganui. The defeat of C. Talbot in the individual section was fully expected as the Wanganui men are undoubtedly among the fastest in New Zealand over their home course, Weller finishing second to Savidan in the national championships over that course last season, and K. Johnston filling third place. In addition the long trip from Masterton by bus on the morning of the race does not improve the chances of success that any runner has in the race, and the Wanganui men had a similar advantage over Talbot on Saturday to that which Talbot held in the race at Masterton, and they in their turn made the utmost use of it. It would be very interesting to see the result of a race between Weller, Johnston and Talbot on neutral territory where each runner had to travel an equal distance The men to form the Masterton team on Saturday were C. Talbot 3rd, M. Quale 6th, McKay Bth, D. Talbot 10th, O’Dowd 12th, Halse 17th, E. Shaw 21st, Eabian 22nd, I. Shaw 25tli, R. Shaw 26th, Reilly 27tli, Crookendon 29th.
Individual Performances. C. Talbot ran another splendid race and his only trouble now will be to remain fit without going stale until aft<?r the Provincial Championships on the Ist of September. Next, week’s race is a teams ’ one and this should give him a chance to let up a little. He should concentrate on teaming in this event and stay right back to help the other members of his team along as too much racing at this stage may now result in a loss of form.
M. Quale was again Masterton’s second man home on Saturday, filling the 6th place in the strong field which contested the race. Unfortunately he is unable to run every week but as lie is the type of athlete who seems to thrive on very little racing he should be in good form for tlie Provincial championships. * * * *
J. McKay, D. Talbot and T. O’Dowd all ran well up to form, Talbot in particular performing well considering that it was his first race over the severe Bramwell Memorial course. * * * *
E. Shaw was the next man home for the local club and it now looks as if he is regaining that form which has placed him in the club’s teams on past occasions. The alteration of the date of the championships back a fortnight will give him a better opportunity of showing his true form. * * * *
J. Fabian, by finishing eighth for Masterton, clinched his claim to be regarded as this year’s second best novice. With a little more training he would give the champion novice, D. Talbot, a fright. * * * *
T. Shaw, by finishing next for Masterton, caused a great surprislie. Perhaps the fact that he made the trip the night before had something to do with his forward showing but in any case he ran ‘ ‘ one out of the box ’ ’ and fully deserved his win in the sealed handicap. * * * *
It. Shaw and E. Reilly ran a little below form to take the next places in the team but perhaps the travelling did not agree with them. Reilly inparticular was decidedly off colour and he will race much better before the season is finished.
Masterton’s twelfth man home, A. Crookendon, ran a steady race to fill 29tli place which is one place better than Wanganui’s twelfth man filled at Masterton.
Although individually little fault can be found with the form which the team showed, its teaming was very poor, and was practically non-existent except in the early stages of the race. In only two places did more than one Masterton man finish consecutively and in one of these instances only two were together and in the other three. For a club which was once well known for its teaming qualities this is very poor and an improvement will have to be effected. Next week a teams’ race is being held and every runner should avail himself of this opportunity of getting some experience of teams running. Comparing last week’s results with some of the performances of the club in 1932 a great difference is noticeable. In the final Benson Trophy race in that year Masterton men filled six consecutive places, taking stli to lOtli positions inclusively. Also in that same race their twelve men finished within one minute thirty-nine seconds which was a remarkable performance which has seldom been equalled in a 12-men teams’ event. Masterton’s team on Saturday took 4 minutes 28 seconds to finish, while Wanganui’s took 3mins 38secs. Another example of the club’s strength in teaming in 1932 was given in the Sanders Cup race against the Hutt Club at Petonc when it took five consecutive places after allowing the Ilutt Club to gain the first three places. * * * *
Those members of the club who did not make the Wanganui trip took part in a very enjoyable friendly run with the Kiatere Club which was run at a good pace throughout and should prove excellent for training purposes.
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Bibliographic details
Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 July 1934, Page 3
Word Count
1,045HARRIER ACTIVITIES Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 July 1934, Page 3
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