Harriers

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 152, 15 July 1937, Page 13

Harriers

"Fence")

CHAMPIONSHIP RUN H. E. Taylor Again Has x Fine Win JUNI0RS SURPRiSE

(Bv

Th® 1937 championship of tfo® Hastings Harrier Club saw H. E. Taylor ratahi his title of olub-ohampipn in no uncartain manner. With the running as heavy as it jvas, the time put up by Taylor stamps him as one of the fastest men who have been in the ranks of this club. So often are the doings of H. E. Taylor praised that it is difficult to find somethdng new to add, but after this fine run he undoiibtedly fc the goods. Congratulations to A. Taylor on a good effort, not only to annex the junior championship but also to fill the role of runner-up to the senior honour. No less meritous was the performance of I. Dyer. Only a first-year rbnner, he did exceedingly well to run A. Taylor, who had the advantage of a

year's experience, SO close for the junior title. These two created a big surprise to displace Andersen and Hunt, as the latter two had been expected to dispute second place, It is liard to account for Th® failure of these two seasoned compaigners other than their luok was out on the day. However, they can be relied on to come to light again for the remainder of the inter-club events. Handicaped in getting a late start this season, club-captain A. Robertson, by finishing fifth shQWed he is approaching his old form, Turning on his best run of this season, vice-captain, Sid Coles finished only five seconds behind Robertson. Lack of Training Teila. i'roviding the most exciting tiuish of the day, I. Bnaddon just held on to take seventh place from P. Barrer. The remainder of the field to finish ran well under the bad conditions, but tlie 'lack of a, little training told. The form of I. Hickman this year, compared with his form of last year, proves beyond doubt liow much ]the suifcable or unsuitable nature of an athlete's employment, can affect his running. The interest in the final sealed handicap race for the Angus Cup should bekeen with A. Taylor and I. Dyer even for first with 23 points and I, Snadden handy with 20 points. It is unusual for the same three to gain the first three places in both raees so far, The final race will see others occdpymg these places. Possibly not quite as good as the top six last year, the olub wijl. still be able to field a strong teanP in th® A grade event'at the Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay championships, to be held in Has* tings this year. Not wishing at all to discourage the two promising juniors ili question, "Fence" wants agajn to stress the point of not letting thean have much more hard racing this season. Responsible club officials should see tbat outside the B grade event at tlie championships, and the final Angus Cup race, their other runs are of an easy nature. It will be wisest to look to the future, and rely on the older hands for this season, even if it might mean the loss of an inter-club event or two. Popular invltatlon Run. That ail invitation run is appreeiated was clearly shown by the large attendance at the home of Mr and Mrs E. Chapman, Awarua, Tukitu^i, Haumoana. The club is indeed fortunate to have the opportunity of an outing

in this ldeal district, where it is possible to have a varied and interesting cross-country eourse. Treated purely as a steady training run, no runner showed up prominently, which is as it should be on a pack run. It was good to see A. JLee and H. Marshall on the trail again, as both these runners have previously done well. C. Fannin was out after having been Iaid up with an injured foot. Tliis has somewhat spoilt the present season for him, but as he is new to the sport, be will benefit from experience gained thds season. Augmented by several of tlie local lads and a larger number from. town, tlie club had its largest junior pack to date. Who knows but among them may be a l'uture Hawke's Bay or even New Zealand champion. Trail Laycrs Hoaxed, lt often happens that the trail-layers are able to play a joke on the packs, but for once tliey were the vifitims. Thiilking themselves well Joaded with paper. they were well on tlieir way before discovering a brick in each bag. So, for the first time in tlie history of this club, arrangements had to be made for a refill of paper some miles from home. Thursday Division. Holding their s«n;ond sealed handicap race last Thursday over one lap of the championship eourse, most runners lmproved on their previous times. T. Manley again secured fastest time and first place in the sealed handicap. With two wins to his qredit his chances of winning the trophy are good. Next Saturday will see Hastings visiting Masterton, and witb a fairly strong team making the trip, the club should sband a chance of retainiiig the Keat's trophy.