Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 13

Speed-Cycling on Road and Track

By

“CYCLOS."

THE AMATEURS Tiiat the keenness and litness of members of the Manukau Amateur Cycle Club did not suffer as a result of their forced spell was shown on the Auckland Domain last evening. Witji good fields the order of the day, some fine contests were witnessed. The hero of the senior event was Jack Wade. He early caught Frank Casey, with whom he put in some good laps. He certainly owes his success to this rider. Working well together they plodded steadily along to overhaul the field about half a mile from home. From then on Wade showed his superiority over the other contestants. Tie won by about two lengths. The determined finish put in by Angus Mackie was a treat to watch. He was unlucky, in that the winner got up to his bunch, otherwise he might have been in first berth. This is the nearest to victory he has been in the grass races since coming to Auckland. Tie will improve still further. # Frank Casey was third. As stated above, ho worked hard throughout. A win for him would be popular, as he has been very consistent of late. The only spill of the night occurred when a big bunch had just left the straight and were manoeuvring for positions. Whitehouse was unfortunate in the shuffle, someone hitting his front wheel and bringing him dQ\vn. The force of the spill was seen when his cycle rolled over about seven times. Luckily the rider was not hurt. If the necessary 'permission Is granted to the club, a meeting will be held at the Western Springs Stadium on December 30. This should be a good draw-card, as at the present time a big number of entries is being received by officials. Next Saturday the Lynndale Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club will offleinllv open its sports ground for the 1929-30 season. A number of local riders have signified their intention of competing.

THE CASH RIDERS In conjunction with the amateur club and the Technical Old Boys, the Auckland Cycle Club held its midweek race at the Domain last evening.

Quite a small meeting was run off, the cycling races being interspersed with running events. The professional event had to be decided in two heats, there being too big an entry to dispatch in one race. W. Francis (Papakura) was a good winner, annexing botli his heat and final. In both events he showed good judgment, coming from behind the field on both occasions to win nicely.

H. Fletcher, who was third in his heat, improved when he contested the final, to gain second place. His performance was meritorious when it is taken into consideration that he made most .of the pace. A good, solid peddlar he deserves a win.

T. Taylor won his heat, but had to give way in the final to two placegetters of the other division. lie worked well. His placing was a good effort, as the final resolved itself into a scratch r«jce, the whole field bunching early.

G. Rose, an ex-amateur, made bis debut in the professional ranks after an absence of 12 months. ’ The action in some of the riders in cutting this young rider out on the corners, is not to be commended. Rose did his share of the work. He is an acquisition to the Auckland Club. More is sure to be heard of him. Pinfold and Healey, both second in their respective heats, put in some stinging laps, but could not foot it in the final.

A severe loss to the game will be felt in the near future” as Slater Hayes does not intend to compete for some time. This is on account of his employment, which will keep him from training. He is the second scratch rider to vacate the track this season, the other being J. Lindop, who is having a spell.

Next week’s event will be over ci mile. This will be held next Wednesday. With good weather a record field is expected to face the starter.

AUCKLAND CLUB The Auckland Cycle Club held a one-mile and a-lialf handicap last evening. The race was decided in two heats and a final. Results: —First heat: W. Francis, 70yds. 1; N. Healey, 100yds, 2: D. Fletcher, 70yds, 3. Time, 3m 54 l-ss. Second heat: F. Taylor. 70vds, 1: L. G. Pinfold, 100yds, 2; A. Rose, 170yds, 3. Time, 3m 545. • The final resulted: W. Francis, 70yds. 1; H. Fletcher, 70yds, 2;. F. Taylor, 70yds, 3. Time, 4m 5 3-ss.

MANUKAU CLUB The Manukau Amateur Cycling Club continued its mid-weekly meetings last evening, when a half-mile junior race and a three-miles senior race were decided. Seven juniors competed in their race, which was won easily by J. Colman. Result: J. Colman, 60yds, 1: K. Hellier, 40yds, 2; L. Oxton, 30yds, 3. Time, lm 225. Nineteen seniors started. J. H. Wade ocupying the scratch mark. Result: .T. H. Wade, scr., 1 : A. Mackie, 90yds, 2: F. J. Casey, 40yds, 3. Time, 7m 4S 2-ss. The Manukau Club will decide a halfjmile senior and a one-mile junior handicap next Wednesday.