HARRIERS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 22

HARRIERS

■V "PAMtCHAtKH"

VOSSELER SHIELD RACE

STEVENS'S THIRD WIN

Tho Vosseler Shield race' at -Lyall Bay on. Saturday provided another gruelling contest for Wellington harriers. To run over ten miles of road and hill, tho runner requires not only speed, but stamina, and in this connection it was disappointing to notice, at the end of the first lap of the course, how the large field of 175 competitors had thinned out to less than one hundred ' strong. ' ■' ' The practice in previous seasons has been to hold the race at the latter part of the first syllabus, but the New Zealand championship unavoidably put the event back, and this and other important inter-club races undoubtedly accounted for the. staleness evident among; so many of tho; runners. Three teams out of five 'finished to qualify for the shield. Hutt Valley and "Wellington finished about eight runners respectively; it was the first time on record that both clubs have failed to participate in the team honours in this race. ... Bace Reviewed. The consistent trio—L. Sinclair,' F, Silver, and A. Stevens —from tho Scottish Club, led the field from the start of the race, with L. Watson (Wellington), J. Bibby, and D. Pedersen (Brooklyn) in close /ormation. These runners dominated the front positions, Stevens for the most part of the journey holding a slight advantage. He established a formidable lead two miles from home and came in for a clear-eui victory by over 250 yards. Tho time registered was 63mih 55 3-Ssec.' Next in order were J. Bibby, D. Todd, and E. Pederson (Brooklyn), V.-Foster and L. Sinclair (Scottish). '■"'■' . : ' . ;. . Silver and Gibbons' (Scottish) unfortunately turned off on a wrong road auc instead of filling third and fourth posi tions they had to turn back,. and at' rived home'thirteenth- and fifteenth re spectively. , , . . ■ Team-Honours. The team racing left much to b< desired. Brooklyn and Scottish Clubi finished on even termß> for the shield and it was agreed to allow each clul to hold it for a period Of six months The Wellington Club' displayed , fim sporting spirit in offering to duplieati the medals for the winning' members Brooklyn, the holders, were not .'ae tually beaten and have a right to hol< the shield, but on the other hand Scot tish were an unlucky side on the day', running, and should have won by a far margin of points. Sickness was ni doubt responsible for tho poor repre scntation by the Hutt Valley and AVel lington Clubs. The Olympic Club was not at ful strength, and the majority of thei: young runners appear to be sufferinj from staleuess. . . . . : Mr. Nattrass Retiring. Although not officially announced there is a rumour current with-the com pletion of this season's activities th< president of the Harrier Sub-commit tee; Mr. A. A. Nattrass, is retiring fron the sport. Mr. Nattrass has been long associated with the harrier sport, an< his advice in management affairs is in valuable. His retirement would lneai a big loss not only to "Wellington, bu to Masterton whom he has ably repre seated. \ .-".... Notes About Runners. • Stevens by his third consecutive wii has set a record which will take i power of beating. Judging from hi; form it is likely that the little Scottisi runner will hold the'individual titl for a few more years to come. . . J. Bibby ran one of his best race this season. The long distance suite* the veteran Brooklyn runner, and hi display was faultless. V. Foster put up his best perform ance this season, and for-a-B grad< runner to fill fifth place is evidenc that the Scottish lad has a future be fore him. •'. L. Carmichael (Hutt Valley) made.: promising start, but the distance upse him, and he retired, in the second laj a very sick man. ; . . . D. Todd (Brooklyn) was in his usua good form. Todd has figured in man; of these races, and has always made ai excellent showing. . ': Gibbons, the crack Wanganui dis tance runner, made his first appearanc for the Scottish Club. After his fin run it was unfortunato that he follow ed Silver on tho wrong trail, and even tually finished well back. Howevei ho should prove a valuable aequisitioi to tho club in the remaining inter-clul contests. .-•''"•■' F. Silver was the most disappoints runner of the day. Ho explained a'fte the race that he wis directed by som young boys to take the wrong turning His error lost Scottish, the chance o winning the shield. *• . The two Pedersen brother, from th' Brooklyn Club, showed their usual gooi form. B. O. Pedersen is improvinj with every run, and may prove a bet ter runner than his older brother. L. Watson (Wellington) has proves on many occasions that he is a bette runner over, a short distance, bui nevertheless, his showing was' credit able. L. Sinclair (Scottish) further en hanced his • reputation as a distanc runner. His consistent running through out the season has earned him prais from a host of followers. Carter was tho most promising 6 the Olympic Club runners. His teat generalship was worthy of better sue cess. The Masterton Club chainpionslii| held recently was won by L. Hack with J. Burns second, and S. Can1 thirc J. Burns won the teams 1 race.