HARRIERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 22 (Supplement)

HARRIERS.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP. AUCKLAND EVENT DECIDED. As far as inter-club harrier racing Is concerned, the Auckland provincial cross country championship Is looked upon as the climax of the season’s activities. In preparation for this event, decided at Ellerslie on Saturday last, the Hamilton club conducted its senior championship event at Ruakura on Saturday, August 7. The leader from start to finish was R. Gardner. He made his own pace and showed that he possessed not only Judgment and stamina but a strong finishing sprint, which would account for the majority of steeplechasers over the final hundred yards. L. Irwin made a bold bid for championship honours but, after running neck and neck with the winner over the final two miles, was outsprinted at the finish. His turn will come. A. D. Crabb was third but did not seem able to give of his best on the day. Two others who performed well In the club event were R. Livingstone, second in the sealed-handicap event to L. Irwin, and \V. Choat. third in the same division. They both gave sound performances, and when fit, are a pair of solid harriers. The Tables Turned. A. D. Crabb, third in the club championship, turned the tables in the provincial contest on his team-mates, H. Gardner aryl Irwin, when he led the Hamilton representatives home last Saturday. Getting away to a slow start he came with a rush over the last circuit of the tiring Ellerslie course and finished sixteenth. He has proved himself in the first rank of Auckland harriers and, with more opportunity ot competing with those at the top of the ladder, would find himself progressing more rapidly. Ron Gardner put in a j remarkable finish at Ellerslie and had the most exciting tussle of the afternoon to gain twenty-fifth position. Ho seems better suited under Hamilton conditions but Impressed with Ills sprint last week. Irwiu suffered from cramp in Auckland but battled along to finish thirty-third. Jim Gardner revealed consistent form to complete the course two places ahead of R. Living- 1 stone, who appears to be improving I with every outing. He kept his end up I well on Saturday and should find himself nearer the leaders in his > next open contest. Despite the good all-round perform- ' ances of the Hamiltonians, the opposi- - tion from the city clubs proved a little | too strong but it would be very inter- ■ esting to note how- the local boys would . perform against the Auckland talent j over Hamilton country. In their own interests they should be given such an opportunity next season, If not before, j