SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 20 (Supplement)

SPORTS AND SPORTSMEN

- - .By ** Spertntnr* 9 i. _ PROFESSIONAL SPORTS CIRCUIT

Springdale Club's Success : Cyclists and Runners in Form Waihi Rider's Splendid Performance : Big Fixture at Morrinsville : Comprehensive Programme Arranged : Popularity of Match Racing

'J'HE fine spirit of optimism with which the Springdale Sports Club prepared the programme for the annual sports at the Springdale Domain on Monday was well rewarded when, despite the threatening weather in the early part of the day, about 5000 people were present, The large attendance was a fair indication of the increasing popularity of professional sports in general, and of the Springdale programme in particular. The Springdale-Te Aroha-Morrinsville circuit has earned a very large following during the last two or three years by the enterprise and enthusiasm with which the programmes have been arranged, and each year the series is awaited as one of the district’s chief holiday attractions. The clubs have suffered greatly through adverse weather at different times, but the enthusiasm of their members has remained undaunted and all three of the organisations have continued to grow until they command the attention of the leading cyclists and athletes of the Dominion. An important factor in the success of the clubs has been the great desire to present something altogether different to the public. The circuit, which opened at Springdale on Monday, will be continued with the Te Aroha Caledonian Society’s sports at Ilerries’ Memorial Park on Monday, and will conclude with the Morrinsville Athletic and Cycling Club’s big fixture at the Morrinsville speedway on Tuesday.

One of the chief handicaps under which the Springdale Club has had to labour since since its inception has been its geographical position, and It was pleasing to sec that the meeting on Monday attracted large crowds of picnickers from all parts of the Waikato. The club fully deserves the success it has achieved, for it has always given consideration to the comfort and requirements of the public, and to the needs of the competitors. Perhaps the main feature in connection with this year's meeting was the fact that the old grass track had been converted into a fast clay speedway, providing cycling of a spectacular nature. ' Undoubtedly the most impressive cyclist at Springdale was A. Moffat, the NVaihi representative, who gave some very fine displays. Only 18 years of age, Moffat appears to have a promising career ahead of him in New Zealand’s cycling world as long as he dan maintain the splendid form he displayed at Springdale. When he rode as a junior last season he did not show a great deal of brilliance, but it was evident that the training he carried out during the winter was largely responsible for his success on Monday. Possessing remarkable stamina and great sprinting capabilities, Moffat rides a hard race from start to finish, giving his opponents no latitude at any stage. Riding with a very attractive style, he seemed to be absolutely at home on his machine and gave evidence of a full understanding of the finer points of competitive cycling. • * * * i His runaway successes in the early part of the day cost Moffat 20 yards in the handicaps for the President's Handicap of two miles, but even then he wore down his opponents and rode into first place. Throughout the final he worked hard and was in a handy position when the last lap was reached. Approaching the turn at the end oft he back straight, he unwound a terrific sprint which carried fiim to •the lead from about fifth place, and he was never afterwards headed. •’Pilling second place in the same race, D. C. Kingsford (Waihi) also gave a good display and fully earned the position of runner-up. The third-placed rider, J. 11. Wade (Auckland), also gave a good account of himself throughout the day, hut did not. have the stamina to account for Moffat and Kingsford. However, he should benefit from the racing he had at Springdale and may he seen to better advantage at Morrinsville on Tuesday.

One noteworthy feature of the Prelident's Handicap was the failure of some of the riders to “take the laps.” Some riders, in a lazy frame of mind, are content to remain in about third position and allow someone else to do all the pacemaking work, one of the hardest jobs in competitive cycling. The folly of such a practice was amply demonstrated on Monday when the toiddle-markers left the pacemaking to U. W. Sowerby (Auckland). Although he carried the bunch for a long distance, Sowerby was unable to maintain his speed, and, as his slackening iff slowed down the rest of the middlemarkers, the hack-markers were given t chance to close the gap. Although Individual ability is one of the main essentials in competitive cycling, a

certain amount of co-operation between the riders is also necessary if a h'gh standard of racing is to be maintained. * * * * Prior to Monday's meeting great things were expected of 'G. R. Giles (Christchurch;, the erstwhile Olympic Games and Empire Games representative, but on the day he failed to measure up to expectations. It could not he said that Giles was handicapped out of the events, for even in the scratch race he failed to fill a place. It seemed that he was not at all happy on the track, which was holding after the recent rain, and he should be seen to better advantage at Morrinsville. In most of his events he seemed to be labouring greatly and gave few flashes of the brilliance that had earned him the position of one of the Dominion's leading cyclists. “Billy” Pratney, of Auckland, was another who did not perform as well as was expected, and here again it was evident that the track was not at all to his liking. A hard, fast track shows Pratney off at his best, for he is capable of turning on a particularly fast sprint at practically any part of a race. C. Hawkins (New Plymouth) is another rider who will bear watching, for he has a good style and can ride a steady race. He was a trier at Springdale and deserved more success.

Never was the advantage of team work more fully demonstrated than in the inter-provincial teams race at Springdale. The Auckland team, comprising J. Wade, “Billy” Pratney and P. Bicknell, showed fine understanding throughout th£ two-mile journey and its members filled the first three places. The Taranaki representatives

(P. Wisnewski, B. Lambert and G. Hawkins) also performed well, but Southern Provinces, represented by G. R. Giles, R. E. Slack, and L. Roberts, did not show up as well as would have been expected.

The outstanding runner at Springdale was A. A. GiLmore (Glenbrook) who recently returned from a successful tour of Victoria (Australia). A real distance runner with a very long stride, he shows wonderful endurance and is capable of a surprising sprint at the finish. In winning the Lovelock Handicap of one mile, he gave a great demonstration of the length of his stride and covered the distance with the ease of a natural runner. Approaching the tape he was lying a fair distance back but opened up with a wonderful sprint which carried him into first place. In the 1000-yard event he gave another good display, considering the nature of the track. V. P. Boot's record for the distance Is 2min 14sec, and Gilmore took 2min 19sec on Monday. Making his reappearance after two years, F. Dye (Waihi) acquitted himself creditably but was not in condition to compete seriously with Gilmore.

Included in the eight cycling events at Morrinsville on TYiesday will be a lap race of £SO and a two-mile event in which only the best of the Dominion’s riders will be allowed to compete. Another interesting feature of j the cycling section of the programme will be the match racing, a form of j sport which has gained a great deal j of popularity in New Zealand in the

last few years. G. R. Giles and “Billy” Pratney will meet in one match and R. E. Slack will try conclusions with P. Bicknell In another. At Springdale on Monday Jack Bicknell issued a challenge to any junior rider in New Zealand, and the offer was accepted by A. Moffat, the brilliant Waihi cyclist, with the that the pair have been matched for Morrinsville. Both riders are clever exponents of match racing and their meeting on Tuesday will he watched with more than the usual interest.

When midget-car racing was tried out on the Morrinsville track last year it made such a great appeal with the crowd that it was decided by the Morrinsville Athletic and Cycling Club to extend this section of the programme for the 1939 sports. “If reasonable care is exercised by the drivers the Morrinsville speedway is eminently suitable for midget-cars,” said Gerry Mathieson, the well-known Auckland driver who competed with Dwight Carter (America) at Morrinsville last season. “The cars do not take up a great deal of room, and I think the track is very suitable for our purpose. However, if it were cut back by about eight feet it would be the best midgetcar track in New Zealand. Some people are under the impression that we need cinder tracks for the cars,

but most of the big tracks in America are made of clay and are similar to that at Morrinsville.” Three New Zealanders, including Mathieson, have been engaged to appear at Morrinsville and will compete with two Australian drivers.

An innovation at Morrinsville, the clay bird shooting, will be an interesting feature in which a high standard of markmanship may be expected. A match of 21 birds has been arranged, (he contestants being A. E. Webber (Morrinsville), Murray Pratt (Otorohanga), W. Wells (Cambridge), J. McMullan Morrinsville), and C. Seddon (Hamilton). All the shooters engaged are marksmen above the average, and all have held New Zealand titles. The shooting trap will be erected in the enclosure in full view of the public and a full description of the shooting will be given through the public address system. The official referee for the New Zealand Gun Clubs’ Association, Mr W. Woolven, will control the match. Another new departure for the club is the inclusion of motor-cycle racing, a sport to which the spacious Morrinsville track should be very suitable. In other centres the sport has made great headway in recent years, many overseas riders being attracted to the Dominion. The result has been that a high standard has been reached by the New Zealand riders and, with five leading cyclists taking part, this section of the programme should meet expectations. The wrestling at the Morrinsville sports has always been a popular feature, and this year the club has made provision for one professional bout and ten amateur fixtures. The prominent Auckland heavyweights, Rod Douglas and J. Irvine, have been engaged for the professional encounter, during which the public will be allowed inside the enclosure. With each man tipping the scales at 13.10. the eight five-minute rounds should he productive of thrilling wrestling. Mr .1. McLean, the well-known Auckland referee, has been engaged to take control of the bout. As in the past the club has spared no effort in catering for the needs of Hip public. Three separate luncheon booths and three separate hot water systems will be installed on the grounds and. in order to avoid congestion. four gate entrances will be in use. About 25 acres of parking space will also be available.