HARRIER ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 July 1939, Page 5

HARRIER ACTIVITIES

MASTERTON CLUB WILLIS TROPHY CONTEST. SPLENDID WIN FOR SELLAR. With the handsome Willis Trophy at stake, members of the Masterton Harrier Club were all out to do their best on Saturday afternoon. The race was an open handicap event, over a two lap course of 5 miles. The trail left the Park oval, followed the Waipoua stop-bank to the Colombo road bridge, over the bridge and along the riverbank, to cross light tussocks, through Emerson’s paddocks, over Colombo road, across a field into the Te Ore Ore road, to follow the road down to the Waipoua bridge, and over the Allen Memorial bridge and around again, 'with the finish around the Park oval. A good muster of harriers lined up to be sent away by Messrs J. J. Hunter and J. Buckton (time-keeper). J. Baikie, limit man, set off at 30 secs, followed by R. Bell and R. Gully, 1.30; K. Forrest, 1.50; C. J. Carle and C. Orr, 2.0; A. Andrew, 3.10; G. Wickens and I Shaw, 3.30; W. M. Sellar, 4.0; H. Carle, 4.10; T. O'Dowd, 4.20; G. Frederickson, 5.10; R. Wyeth. 5.40; R. Shaw, 6.0; W. A. C. Pullar and G. Gregory, 8.0. Baikie made use of his start, as did Bell, Gully and Forrest, who held off C. Carle until Emerson’s paddock was reached. Orr fell behind at this stage. Sellar was running at a steady pace further behind with Andrew, Wickens and H. Carle followed by R. Shaw, O - Dowd. Frederickson, I. Shaw and the limit men, Pullar and Gregory. Baikie held his lead well, followed by C. Carle. Bob Bell and Ralph Gully, in that order down the Te Ore Ore road. At the completion of the first lap, at the Allen Memorial bridge, Baikie was being closely followed by C. Carle, with Bell, Gully and W. M. Sellar further behind, with G. Wickens 200 yards away. C. Carle caught Baikie on the stop-bank, to lead by 200 yards from Bell, Gully, Baikie, and with Sellar moving up fast. Carle maintained his lead for another half mile, to Emerson’s paddock when the pace began to tell, and Sellar passed him to take the lead. From then on Sellar lost the rest of the field. Wickens was moving up fast and caught Carle on the Te Ore Ore road to take second place. Pullar and Gregory, setting a scorching pace, moved up. into fourth and fifth positions for Pullar to catch up and pass Carle on the Oval. Gregory overtook Carle a yard from the finishing line and a great finish resulted in a dead heat for fourth position. Sellar took full advantage of his liberal handicap and ran a well timed race. G. Wickens who finished in second place ran consistently well, and when Wanganui visits Masterton, this runner is expected to do well. W. A. C. Pullar and Gregory ran sterling races to cover the five miles in 28.32 and 28.35 respectively to take fastest time honours.

Details are: (the leaving time being in parentheses): —W. M. Sellar, 34.34 (4.0), 1; G. Wickens, 36.4 (3.30), 2; W. Pullar, 36.32 (8.0), 3; C. Carle (2), and G. Gregory (8.0), 36.35, dead heat, 4; R. Shaw (6.0) and R. Gully (1.30), 37.12, dead heat. 5; A. Andrew (3.10), and C. Orr (2.0), dead heat, 6; H. Carle, 37.36 (4.10), 7; R. Wyeth, 38.26 (5.40), 8; J. Baikie (30sec), and R. Bell (1.30). 38.38 dead heat, 9. Fastest times: W. Pullar, 28.32, 1; G. Gregory, 28.35, 2; W. M. Sellar. 30.34, 3; R. N. Shaw, 31.12, 4; G. Wickens, 31.34, 5; R. Wyeth, 32,46, 6; H. Carle, 33.26, 7. G. Frederickson, winner of last year’s race, it may be recalled, won in the same easy fashion last year, as the cup was won season. R. Wyeth, who ran a great race at Wanganui paid the penalty with a severe handicap. Sellar, found the flats yesterday to his liking.

At the conclusion of the race the ladies committee was entertained as an appreciation of their splendid services during the season at afternoon tea at the Cosy tea rooms. Mr C. Willis, a life-member of the club presented his jubilee trophy to Mr W. M. Sellar, and congratulated him on his meritorious win. Mr Sellar suitably replied. Apologies were received from Mr I. D. Cameron (president), Mrs J. Shaw, and Mrs A. Kear. Mr R. Shaw then expressed the club's appreciation to the ladies committee, on whose behalf Mrs R. Gully replied. The actual running time may be obtained by deducting the leaving time from the time given.