CHAMPIONS CLASH

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 265, 30 January 1928, Page 7

CHAMPIONS CLASH

BLANDFORD PARK CYCLING HAYES BEATS HARCOURT TWO STRAIGHT WINS The gun was missing at Blandford Park Stadium on Saturday to start the Auckland Athletic and Cycling Clubs’ races, so the whistle and the bell had to be used instead. This did not in any way detract from the keenness of the racing. The meeting of S. Hayes and J. Harcoilrt was looked forward to by a fair number of cycling fans, and their exhibition of riding can be safely said to have been an eye-opener. Hayes carried too shrewd a "headpiece” for the youthful Harcourt, in both races; and just managed to. land home the winner by a few feet in each. The time recorded were good, considering the bumpy nature of the track. Secretary Tonkin carried out the duties of marksman and generally saw that everything went with a swing. Announcer C. Marriott was responsible for keeping the public and riders in touch with what was going on, his first effort with the megaphone being a good one. The St. John Ambulance was in attendance, but there were no accidents requiring attention. Following is a detailed result of the events:— One and a-half mile Handicap.—First heat: S. Hayes (scr), 1; J. V. Gore, (30yds), 2; N. Healey (70yds), 3. Time, 4.12. Second heat: H. Pelham (30yds), 1; J. Harcourt (scr), 2; K. Lawler (70yds), 3. Time, 4.7 1-5. Final: S. Hayes, 1; J. Harcourt (scr), 2; J. V. Gore, 3. Time, 4.4 1-5. Once again the limit riders failed to take advantage of their handicaps. The two scratch riders, Hayes and Harcourt, lost no time in picking up the middle markers, the latter putting in a very fast lap. H. Pelham at this stage put in Tour fine laps on end, and caught the field. Hayes and Harcourt cleared out from the others at two to go, and racing all out over the last lap, Hayes stayed on long enough to win by a wheel. Gore was some distance back third. Three Mile Open Handicap.—S. Hayes (scr), 1; J. Harcourt (scr), 2; F. Lawler (120yds), 3. Time 8.11. The winner rode a great race. He looked done with when half the distance had been traversed, but came to light over the last three laps, hit the front at "two to go” and, depsite Harcourt’s efforts to pass him, finished full of riding to win by a wheel. Lawler was third, having ridden a good race.