Fast Cycling at Mangere

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 177, 17 October 1927, Page 10

Fast Cycling at Mangere

THRILLING DEAD HEAT BYRNES AND WADE Weather conditions, though dull and inclined to be showery, were good for cycle-racing at Mangere on Saturday. There was a good muster of riders in both the professional and amateur events. The race for the Cotter Challenge Cup, held by the Manukau Amateur Cycling Club, was undoubtedly the club’s best race this year. A total of 38 riders faced the starter at 3 p.m., and a better contested race no one could wish to see. Entering the last lap (five and a-half miles), 29 riders were all in a bunch, and they stayed like that for the whole of the journey. When the business end of the race was reached it was a scramble for the finishing line. No riders in the back had a chance of getting into the money, as they had absolutely no chance of getting through. PLATT WINS CUP Over the last 200 yards the whole bunch of 29 riders raced, and in a very close finish P. Platt (2min 45sec) won by a length, the Cotter Challence Cup for 1927. The race for fastest time between M. B. Byrnes and J. H. Wade was easily the best, and the hardest-fought-out finish seen at Mangere this season. Locked together for the last 150 yards, these two rivals treated those who were privileged to see it to a magnificent finishing effort. The judges were agreed that it was impossible to separate them. The time, 42min dead, is 21 sec better than has ever been done before over the 17 miles. DEAN’S GOOD WIN The Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club’s 14-mile event was another benefit for J. Dean, who started off the Bmin (limit) mark. He had H. Rhodes on the same mark with him, and, pacing each other well, they had no difficulty in running first and second. The next rider to finish was nearly 3mins behind them. The three scratch riders, White, Henderson, and Sutherland, did not show up prominently at any part of the race, and the middle markers failed to catch sight of the limit pair. Following are the results: Manukau Amateur Cycling Club 17mile Cotter Challenge Cup Event.—P. Platt, 2min 45sec, 1; R. Foubister, 2min 45sec, 2; C. A. Cla.rke, 3min, 3. Time, 44min. Fastest time, M. P. Byrnes and J. H. Wade (scr.), deadheat. Thirty-eight riders started. Auckland Athletic and Cycling Club’s 14-mile Event.—J. Dean, Bmin, 1; H. Rhodes, Bmin, 2; H. Pelham, 3&mins, 3. Time, 41min 25sec. Fastest time, A. White (scr.), 36min 22sec. There were 10 starters.

SPORT IN SUBURBS

THE OTAHUHU DISTRICT SPORTS CLUB ACTIVITIES Otahuhu Bowling Club.—Arrangements are well in hand for the opening of the Otahuhu Bowling Club’s greens on Saturday next, and the playing areas are in first-class condition. A start has been made on that portion till lately used as a croquet lawn by the ladies. The edges have been completed, and a start is to be made immediately in getting it iri trim for bowling. It is to be turned over and relevelled, and when completed will add another four or five rinks to the club’s area. An all-day tournament is being arranged for Labour Day, and from present prospects is likely to be as popular a fixture as the previous ones. Otahuhu Tennis Club.—The club’s officials have been busily engaged lately in cleaning up the courts, in preparation for the opening fixture, which is to take place on Labour Day, when a progressive tournament js to be held. One improvement that would be much appreciated by visitors would be the painting white of the metal strips, marking the boundaries.

Mangere East Tennis Club.—The Mangere East Tennis Club’s courts are at present receiving attention in view of the opening for the season next Saturda ’. The contractors are at present levelling an area sufficient to accommodate two more courts, made necessary by the increased membership, and the entry of the club into the inter-club fixtures. These new courts are to be finished in chip, and will be available this season.

Mangere East Bowling Club.—The gree. s of the Mangere East Bowling Club are all that could be desired, and with the opening over, the members for the returning of the visits paid and the returning of the visits laid on their opening day.

Papatoetoe Bowling Club.—-The greens of the Papatoetoe Bowling Club, together with the surrounding grounds, are at present a picture, and reflect great credit on the green superintendent and groundsman. The recently purchased motor mower is proving a boon, and doing all that is asked of it. This club opened a week ago, and the greens have been in use every available day since.

Papatoetoe Tennis Club. Fine weather is all that is required o make next Saturday, the club’s opening day. the usual success experienced by this club. The courts have been repaired, and all the gear overhauled in readiness for the day. It is the intention of the committee to play a progressive tournament, and the usual influx of visitors is expected.

* * * Papatoetoe Cricket Club. The members have been busily engaged lateljr in levelling the outfield ot the playing area, and are at present putting in some solid practice for the ensuing season, which opens in November. Th** club is entering two teams in the Auckland Cricket Association’s competition.

East Tamaki Tennis Club.—This club was favoured with atrocious weacber conditions on their opening clay, but since every opportunity has been taken by the members tc get in as much practice as possible.

Manurewa Bowling Club. The grounds of the Manurewa Bowling Club are in first-class condition for the opening function on Saturday next, and given fine weather, a successful afternoon’s sport is assured. The membership of the club has had a good fillip this season, just on twenty new members having joined up, and with the majority of these first-year plasters, the club has very wisely been devoting the last couple of Saturdays to coaching the colts. The local croquet club is celebrating its opening on the same day. • • • Manurewa Tennis Club.—Preparation work for the opening of the season early in November has been commenced by this club, and it is hoped to have the two additional courts which are at present in course of construction ready by then.