Personalities in Sport

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 293, 2 March 1928, Page 10

Personalities in Sport

A N.Z. Champion In The Making

A total of 55 firsts, 16 seconds and 4 thirds in three seasons is the astonishing run of successes credited to Auckland’s crack amateur cyclist, M. P. Byrnes , who has still two or three years to go before his name can be placed on the electoral roll. Byrnes was only 15 when he won his first race. That was at the Auckland Domain in October, 19-4. when a tall, rather fragile lad showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the field in the Norman Carter Cup at the annual sports of the Auckland Grammar School. Since that date, Byrnes has filled out a lot, and ranks to-day as one of the finest amateur wheelmen in the Dominion. A GREAT TRACK PERFORMER His track performances during the past three seasons him head and shoulders above any other amateur rider in Auckland, while on the road there are few who can last it out with him. * In the latter events he was beaten out of a place in the New Zealand 50-mile championship, and also had to admit defeat in the “Auckland Fifty,” but he made amends for these two defeats by winning almost every “fastest time” event in which he has started on the roads during the past three seasons. On the track his performances are remarkable, and he is good on any class of speedway on which he is asked to race. At country meetings where tracks are not of the best, “M.P.” romps home just the same. LOVERIDGE’S COME-BACK Last year it looked as if Dick Lov- i eridge, the Taranaki boxer, was sliding j downhill. Last Saturday night, however, he delighted his supporters by taking a points decision off Jim Broad- j foot, the Auckland middle-weight. : Loveridge stood up to a heavy fusilade of flying leather in the early rounds, which were in Broadfoot’s favour, but the Taranaki lad was going great guns over the final stages, and he got the decision. Although beaten, Broadfoot . put up a splendid fight. Incidentally, it was an unlucky night for Auckland, two of our best amateurs, Fraei and Manson, dropping points decisions to the New Zealand title-holders, Roebuck i and Donovan.

HOLDS ALL AUCKLAND TITt£ S At the present time, Byrnes is holder of all the open track c larrm^ 5 ships in the Auckland province the half to the five miles. These f has held practically for the last thr^! Competing in the New 2€ala Championships at Auckland ir- I9;g ? rode disappointingly, being out ’ * form. At this meeting, at which £ W. Lamb, the Australian champion was competing, Byrnes was placfe third in the one mile New Zealair Championship, this being his only s J( cess at the meet in" BEATEN. BUT NOT DISGRACED At the New Zealand Championship at Christchurch last year, he finish* in third place in the three miles, had bad luck to get jammed an th" race, otherwise he would have bc«r second. Byrnes, however, is youjj enough yet to turn the tables on hjj conquerors, and in the next year ct two he should be riding at the top his form. Only 19 years of age, he has gone sc far already that Australasian chain pionsliip honours should not b€- beyond his powers, at his present rate of pro. gress. Ho has all the attributes of £ champion- and besides being a close student of all that pertains to this highly exacting sport, he has been one of the keenest and most enthusiastic members of the Manukau Amatet; Cycling Club, one of the most pbogressive organisations of its kind in New Zealand.