Newspaper Article – The Eteveneaux Cup

THE ETEVENEAUX CUP

ANNEXED BY HASTINGS.

WELLINGTON LADIES BEATEN IN RECORD TIME.

“Hastings first, Wellington 2. Time 51secs. – a New Zealand record.” Such was the announcement made at the close of a wonderful relay race at the sports meeting held by the Hastings Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, at Nelson Park, Hastings, last evening.

The event, which was the star attraction of the evening, was the Eteveneaux Cup challenge race between the ladies’ relay teams of Wellington and Hastings, the former being the holders. After the visitors had been introduced by the club president (Mr G. A. Maddison) to the crowd, cheers were given both teams. Hastings drew the inside bay and Miss G. Symes (Hastings) appeared to have maintained a lead of eight yards from Miss E. Sharp (Wellington) at the end of the initial 110 yards. The baton changing favoured the visitors and Miss E. Baker started off the second distance only four yards ahead of Miss J. Wilson (Wellington). Again the baton changing of the visitors was more efficient and in the third distance Miss E. Blatherwick (Wellington) actually overtook Miss R. Tong (Hastings) though both handed over the batons together for the last sprint. Miss M. Lean (Hastings) and Miss C. Miller (Wellington) fought out the finish, Miss Lean, though on the outside running, flashed past to win by five yards. It was a thrilling race and undoubtedly a personal triumph for Miss Lean, though the whole of the home team ran exceptionally well.

The time, 51secs., constituted a New Zealand record, the existing figure, established by a Hawke’s Bay Sub-Centre team at Masterton three season’s ago, being bettered by a second.

Though the other events on the programme were not so important as the relay, the spectators were given a splendid night’s entertainment. This was the first evening sports meeting of the New Year and from every aspect was a distinct success. The handicapping in the flat events was excellent and many stirring finishes were recorded so far as the cycling events were concerned and honours were contested by the limit rider, the back-markers, many of whom had been competing at Ongaonga in the afternoon, finding the handicaps a little beyond them.

One of the best finishes of the night was the final of the ladies’ 100 yards invitation, Misses Lean and Sharp fighting out the finish for the honours to go to Miss Lean, though an earlier announcement favoured Miss Sharp. Wellington filled second and third places in this event whilst, Miss Parvis was third in the 75 yards events.