WITH THE AMATEURS

Evening Star, Issue 22458, 1 October 1936, Page 5

WITH THE AMATEURS

HOMER WINS AGAIN The feature of last week’s 40-mile event for the M‘Galium Cup was the win of G. Homer, who also gained fastest time. The trophies ho has won during the road season now include the Calder Mackay Challenge Cup, the M‘Lachlan Challenge Cup, the Fogarty Cup for the 25-mile championship, the Southland Time Trial Championship Cup, and the M'Cailum Cup. it is perhaps many years since one rider collected so many trophies in one season. Another feature of the race was that all the riders were together five miles from the finish, and practically rode together over the rest of the distance. This changed the character of the race from a handicap to something more like a Continental massed start event, in which a knowledge of tactics and fast sprinting were at a premium. The eight riders to finish crossed the line within 30sec of one another. Maurice Paterson, who finished second, half a wheel behind Homer, showed that this type of race is very suitable for him, while Keith Bullock, who is now riding off the scratch mark, was not a length behind in third place.

The fact that the handicap men were able to stay all the way shows that, after all, there is not a great deal of difference between all the riders. The finishing sprint is their only lack. The short event to Brighton resulted in a win for the promising junior. E. Boyd, who rode off a back mark to beat his co-marker I*. Garden in by half a wheel. Both those boys have improved greatly this season, and if they take up the longer races next season will be valuable assets to the club. J. M'Connell also rode well off a front mark to be just behind the leaders on the line.

D. Ralston was unfortunate in having no co-marker, but he also was there at the finish. Bob Sivertsen gained fastest time again, but did not repeat his performance in the short race a few weeks ago, his time being 4min slower than previously.

Only one more of the short race series is to be run. to Allanton and return. The position in regard to points is very interesting, there being quite a possibility of a tie. The club has made allowance for this, and in the event of a tie each of those riders tieing will be given a trophy. The following are the points after the five events already staged:—E. Boyd 11, J. M'Connell 9, A. Shand 8, R. Garden 7, D. Ralston 5, H. Shand 3, W. Sivertsen and A. Woodford 1. At a committee meeting of the Dunedin Club recently it was decided that the annual meeting be held on Monday, October 19. On the same evening a special general meeting will be held to consider the proposed amendments to the club’s rule suggested by the committee.

There will be no long event on Saturday, as several of the riders are making the trip to Invercargill for the Southland road championship, and the

course previously decided upon is being used by the professional club. The 70-mile Mollcr Cup event on Saturday week will wind up the road season for the club, and a social and dance for the purpose of presenting the various trophies won during the season is being held that evening. It is expected that the track season will start in November. Many of the riders are already preparing for training, it being anticipated that the coming season will he much more successful than the previous track season. OTAGO PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. The Kaitaugata Club held the Otago professional championship over a course of 44 miles on Saturday, the weather being fine and conditions ideal for fast times. A field of 28 faced the starter, V. Haig, T. Dillon, and A. Mackie going off at 2 o’clock, to be followed Imin later by J. Matchett and V. Hale, with J. Wix, W. Crook, and E. H. Mackie 2min later. Then on the ISmin mark were L. Hale and E. A. Mackie, with T. Guy and F. Twist away a minute later. Then came L. M’Aughan and J. Woodford, off the 15imin mark, to be followed 2min later by J. Marshall, L. P. Kench, and R. Wilson-Pyne, with C. E. Robinson, H. Braxton, and H. J. Roberts on the llmin mark. The next to go were A. J. Hay and G. Heasley, 3min later, and then, 2.fmin later were J. Parfitt and J. H. Newlove. Then came A. Clemence and A. Mugford, 3min in front of W. J. Lamberton, who was on the scratch mark bv himself.

The course was Kaitaugata to Stirling via Inch Clutha, this being covered three times.

The riders went through Kaitangata three times, this creating much interest to the spectators, who were able to witness a good portion of the race. On completion of the first round the front markers had improved on their handicaps, and at that stage it looked as if the back markers had been set a hopeless task. The last man to complete the first round was the scratch man, Lamberton, who had lost one minute on the front bunch, but he was riding a good lone race. On the second round being covered there was a different aspect. W. N. Crook and W. Hale, the front men, had dropped back, but they were riding very well. Then came a bunch of six riders, comprising J. Woodford, J. Marshall, L. P. Konch, R, Wilson-Pyne, F. Twist and T. Guy, and by the way this bunch was riding it looked as Jf the winner would come from among them. The rest of the field followed at close intervals, with the exception of Lamberton, the scratch man, and Newlove, who had dropped back. They were riding at a great pace, fighting hard for fastest time. The first to turn the corner for home were W. Crook and Hale, both local bo3’s. They had a great go for first place, the former gaining the decision by two lengths. Then came J. Marshall, another local boy, with 1,, p. Kench, of Christchurch, filling fourth place, and J. Woodford, of Dunedin, very close up in fifth place, with E. Mackie sixth. The scratch man, W. J. Lamberton, gained fastest time by 23sec from A. Clemencft, both being Christchurch riders. Lamberton thoroughly deserved the Qtago championship after riding nearly all the way on his own. His time for the 44 miles was Hi 53min. The Kaitangata Club is to he highly commended on the very fine way it controlled the race. Everything went off without hitch. NEW ZEALAND 50-MILE RACE. Next Saturday the Otago Club is holding the New Zealand 50-mile professional championship, which promises to be a great race, with a list of competitor's comprising 39 riders. Five men from Christchurch are on the scratch mark, giving away 32min over a very stiff course, starting at Burnside, on to Henley, Berwick, Woodside. Outram, and around East Taieri, and back to finish at Green Island. The race is to start at 2 p.m. at Burnside, and should finish about 4 p.m.