ATHLETICS AND CYCLING

Chronicle (Levin), 8 April 1946, Page 2

ATHLETICS AND CYCLING

SPORTS MARRED BY RAIN OTAKI'S BIG MEETING . i The first open sports meeting held by the Otaki A.A. and C, Club,: which was in recess for some years on account of the war, took place on the domain on Saturday. The morning ■ opening was fine; but before n-oon a change eame and shortly after light . showers fell, iater turning to heavy rain. The committee had arrangements very complete, had given special preparation to the grounds and had also catered well for the general public. The track was in fine order, but after rain had fallen -it was slippery and in consequence there were many spills, ehiefiy at the corners. Most of the unfortunate ones were iucky in receiving shakings only, but Roy Dutton, probably the finest rider at the meeting, received a nasty spill, and was badly shaken. He was given immediate attention by members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade from Levin. The offlcials, despite ■ the drawback of unfavourable weather, stuck to their duties, and are to be commended - on their good work.; Mr. Nilsson, as secretary, proyed' very capable and had the help of Mr. Housiaux, who proved of great assistance. Boih worked splendidly. During the afternoon Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., presented the trophies to the principal winners, and complimented them on tfieir success. He hoped that those who had not been successful would return again, and likewise the winners. Mr. Lowry, in dealing with the weather, stated that it was not the usual Otaki weather, and he hoped that on occasions in the future good weather would prevail. He congratulated the club on its arrahgement, and hq wished it all success. Mr. Lowry made feeling reference to those who had given _ trophies for memorial races, stating . that those who had passed away were, Mr. Gilbert White, Mr. D. Richaras, Mr. Macleod and Mr. Blakeway, all good sportsmen. They had -been staun'ch supporters of the club, and were greatly missed.. - During the day members of the otaki MuniCipal Croquet Cl;ub were in charge of the refreshment stall, and did good business. During the day the -Otaki Brass .Band, under Bandmaster Denniston, rendered several. very fine selections which were appreciated. , Competitors were present from Wellington; ' 'Palm-erstoh- * North,: Petone, Feilding, Otaki and Paraparaumm * -• The fesults of the'various events were as follows: — Half-mile bycle handicap.— First heat: Dutton: 1, Laurie 2, S. Hughes 3 Second heat: Bloomfield 1, Mathie '2, Jones 3. Third heat:' Simpson 1, Alleh 2, Terry 3. • Final: Dutton 1, Mathie 2, Laurie 3. A fine finish with Dutton finishmg strongly. Open 100 yards handicap.— First heat: N. Gordon 1, Casey 2, Gow 3. Second heat: Gray 1, Hodges 2, McKinley 3. Final: Gordon 1, Gray 2, Hodges 3. The three runners finished in a line. Ladies' 75 yards: M. Webster (7 yards) 1, N. Johnson (8 yards) 2, J. Merwood (2' yards) 3. There were nine competitors, but the race was won in fine style, the winner showing plenty of pace. On6 miie cycle. — First h.eati Th.er6 were eight starters. In the first lap Hughes and Mathie made the pace, followed by Hurley. In the third lap Hughes, Hurley and Mathie led, with Dutton, although well back, going strongly. Simpson closed up and headed the field to the finish■ing line, with Dutton second, Hurley third and Hughes fourth. Second heat: Jones and Bloomfield were making . the pace as the final lap was announced, but Terry and Allen gained issue on the back stretch, the former coming away to win nicely by about six inches from Bloomfield, with Allen third and Jones (140) fourth. Final: Bloomfield (120 yards) 1, Terry (150 yards) .2, Hurley (170 yards) 3. This race was won by a wheel. Open 120 yards handicap: Neilson (11 yards) 1, Casey (8 yards) 2. Hodges (5 yards) . 3. There were eight starters and the judges had a difficult task in avyarding places. Half-mile junior cycle: Bartosh (200 yards) 1, Street (120 yards) 2, Best (220 yards) 3. The wmner lea from the start and was never headed, winning comfortably. Six stctiriiGd Ladies' 100 yards: N. Webster (9 yards) 1, J. Merwood (3 yards) 2, N. Johnson (10 yards) 3. There were nine starters and a good race i esulted. . Two mile Blakeway Memorial cycle: There were fifteen'- starters, but many fell, considerably reducing the number. Dutton was the first to meet with mishap, and then Simpson fell. With four-laps to go the field was fairly well bunched. Then Bloomfield fell, while a little later Hurley 's handle-bars. cairn apart and he took no further part in the race. The back-markers then put on the pace and Parker (250 yards) came away to a good race in a close finish. Murray (200 yards) was second and Gray (230 yards) third. Ladies' 75 yards: Mrs. Cole 1, Mrs Hodges 2. Only starters. Open 220 yards.— -First heat; Casey (12 yards) 1, Neilson (22 yards) 2, Gordon (8 yards) 3. Second heat: Foster (22 yards) 1, McKinley (22 yards) 2, Goldfinch (6

yards) 3. Final: Neilson 1, Casey 2, Gordon 3. A good finish. Married men's 100 yards: Hodges 1, McKinley- 2,. Gow 3. The wmner won" nicely. Five started but Tulloch and' HookTeil. - ---- Gilbert White Memorial race: There were fourteen . starters. Hughes, Mathie. and Hurley were ,the early leaders-,- but the pace was "not fast, back-markers making use of this to-. close the ;gap considerably. With nine laps to go, Laurie went to the front. Jones fell. With seven laps to go -Hughes, Hurley and ^Bloomfield were in the lead when Hurley fell. Bloomfield took command with Hughes next and Parker and. Murray reducing their handicaps. Convery went to the lead with five laps to go and Bloomfield,! Parker and Gray were next in order. Four riders then fell, leaving Hughes - and Allen to make the pace. Mathie moved up and McLeod fell. The next to become prominent was Mudgway, followed! by Allen and Murray. On the bell Allen lead, while Laurie moved up to Hughes. It was a splendid race for the 'finishing line, Allen (150 yards) just gaining the verdict, with Laurie (120 yards) and Hughes (250 yards) on his wheel. Bays' race, 15 to 18 years: B. Casey 1, Hakaraia 2, Foster 3. A close finish. Cycle race for boys under 18 years: Bartosh 1, Best 2, Mudgway 3. Murray, Street and Walsh fell. Invitation ,220 yards: Harman and Edwards finished together and Sadler was third. MacLeod Memorial Cup: There were fourteen . starters. Mathie retired early owing to trouble with his maehine, and shortly after Laurie fell followed a little by Murray. With fifteen laps to go Parker, Hughes and Hurley led the field, followed by Mudgway and Bloomfield. On the thirteenth lap the order was Allen, Hughes, Hurley, Bloomfield, Mudgway and Parker. Allen was later joined by Bloomfield, with Hurley, Hughes, Parker and Mudgway in order. Hughes and Hurley fell, leaving Allen and Bloomfield in the lead. Parker and Mudgway were always handy. Allen, followed by Parker and Murray, led for some time and then the latter fell. and Bloomfield moved up. 'With a mile to go, Allen was still in the lead, with Bloomfield, Parker and Mudgway next in order. The four ra'ced well together, and the order wa-s the same on the last trip. In the race for home J. Allen (220 yards) shook off the attack to win a good race, Bloomfield (310 yards) second and Parker (90 yards) third being locked togethei;. Invitation 880 yards: Taylor 1, Hammon 2, Saddler 3. A good finish with four starters. Open 440 yards handicap: Goldfinch 1, Foster 2, Gray 3. Won in good style. Eight starters. Junior 220 yards: Hakaraia 1, Foster 2, Casey 3.- A good race. Four starters. One mile consolation: Four starters. Williams and Hughes fell.t Jones won nicely from Hurley. while Williams followed some distance behind for third place.