More Harriers This Winter
'AFTER a slight decline in numbers in the last two seasons, there is every indication there will be an increase in those making harriers their winter sport this season.
Most clubs report improving memberships, but from a preliminary survey it seems likely Olympic will be again the dominant club in senior competitions. This club has made several notable gains in its junior section, and for the first time for a season or two it will be able to field a full junior team. Although the first race of the season on Saturday, the University club's Hagley steeplechase relay, is conducted over laps of two miles and a quarter, as against the standard crosscountry distance of six miles and a quarter, with composite teams of senior and juniors, it will give some indication of the relative merits of clubs. Midget Section An innovation this year is the introduction by some clubs of a midgets section for those under 12. With the exception of possibly Brian Curie, Olympic expects to field all its leading seniors from last season, including the former provincial champion, J. K. Macdonald. who returned to harrier competition in Christchurch last year after being in the North Island, and the provincial champion, Ron Stevens. There are unconfirmed reports Curie may be running for Baptist this season. One addition to senior ranks is D. Power, who has transferred from Wellington Olympic. Junior teams from this club will be greatly strengthened by the addition of two of New Zealand's leading junior track distance runners. G. Pyne, formerly of Wellington, and Barry Molloy (Ashburton), who is turning to cross-country running after having enjoyed a successful representative career as a half-back in various grades for Mid-Canter-bury. Attention is being given to building up the strength of the colts (under 16) section again, and a number of these runners are training under the care of Kevin Jago. Colts' Race The club has assumed the responsibility of arranging a race for colts in conjunction with the University relay on Saturday. The club is beginning the season with an active membership of 65. The Christchurch club will be strengthened by several new members and the return of some former members. Increased membership is reported with an attendance of about 50 at the early runs. Two members who aye entering the season rather cautiously are Bill Kennedy, a former junior provincial champion, and Roger Swain, both of whom suffered attacks of yellow jaundice earlier this year, but the club is hopeful they will be back to their best for some of the major races. Among other gams is J Lucas. from Wellington Scottish, who was fifth in the national junior title in 1956. A former provincial
fepresentative, B. Mogridge, is returning out again, and R. F. Perry is running much stronger than formerly. A number of promising young runners are training with Mr W. A. Kennedy.
One of the clubs to introduce a midgets’ section is Anglican, which has an improved membership, with the emphasis being on junior and colts strength. Last year the men's and women's Anglican clubs amalgamated and the midgets’ section of the combined club includes about 40 girls and boys. Where circumstances permit the men's and women’s packs run from the same venue.
Senior strength will be much the same as last year and the club will be relying on such men as Cliff Ogle, D. Leeming, and J. Stuart to form the nucleus of its teams. Last year's Canterbury junior champion, A. Bayard, is again expected to be the club’s strongest challenger for major individual honours in junior events, but there are several other promising youngsters in R. Lloyd, R. Inder. T, Bennett, and two promoted colts, M. Phillips and J. Robb. In Hie women's section, the club will be strengthened by the return of Miss Fay Perkins from Australia. There is also 13-year-old Elaine, Atkinson, who last year was emergency for the match against Auckland. Two other promising members are the younger sisters of Bayard, Sandra and Patricia. With an active membership of 100. the club has had an attendance of 65 at its runs. After a decline in the last two years, the membership of Technical is again on the improve with special attention being given the colts' division. Although it lost the former Canterbury and Otago representative, G. Smith, last year, the club expects to field a reasonably strong senior team, with Olympic represenative, Bill Richards, Ted Stroud, Albie Cook, Peter Watts, Don Greig, and the Canterbury half-mile Gerald Hack, likely to form the main strength. Winner of the Lovelock six by one mile relay at Dunedin
last season. Technical will be making the defence of the trophy one of its main aims this season. Among the junior runners there are some very promising members in Murray Jones, who had some outstanding performances in the under age track events during the summer, Russell Reekie, and Dave Tranter. After a season of successful track competition, John Gordon will probably be the leading runner for Marist seniors. A brother, M. Gordon, will be running for the club, too, and other leading seniors will be Brian Atkinson and Tony Buckley. With a membership of about 30, numbers are much the same as last year. After an encouraging response to its children's meetings during the summer the club has decided to introduce a schoolboys’ section. The organising of the Port Hills relay will be one of the club’s major aims this season.
A growing colts section promises well for the future of Baptist, which has gained some new juniors also. The club's outstanding senior will be Brian Turner, winner of the Canterbury three-mile title earlier in the year. One of the highlights of the year for the club will almost certainly be inter-Baptist championships later in the season. Two other clubs who will compete in similar championships are the Methodist and Presbyterian- clubs. With a membership of about 50, Methodist has been gaining an attendance of 30. The club's senior ranks will be strengthened by Chris W<»-d, Peter Betts, second in the junior Kennett Cup race last year, and Roger Alcorn, who will turn senior later in the season. At Queen's Birthday week-end. the club will contest the New Zealand Methodist championship at Auckland, where a leading contender will be the Olympic marathon bronze medallist, Barry Magee. Although its colts section has shown a drop in membership, Presbyterian has improved its senior strength and has several new members. In the junior ranks a
leading runner in inter-club events will likely be Ross Allen, 17, who was a member of the provincial team last year. Also a member of the junior team last season. Gavin Smith will turn senior later this season.
A severe loss to Presbyterian is Peter Hewlett, who has transferred to University, whose strength is much the same with Gordon Wyatt, the New Zealand Universities’ champion, most likely to be its leading competitor. Rover Scouts are concentrating on building up their strength through the colts ranks again. There is a slight increase in juniors with seniors about the same as last year.
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Press, Volume C, Issue 29500, 29 April 1961, Page 5
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1,185More Harriers This Winter Press, Volume C, Issue 29500, 29 April 1961, Page 5
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