Davenport takes A grade honours at new venue

Harriers

Andrew Davenport took the A grade spoils when the fourth race in the Masterton Harriers summer series was run from Mt Bruce along Kiriwhakapapa Rd.

This was a new venue and course for the series sponsored by Trust House with the longest event over 8km being a straight out-and-back run.

With 54 competitors in all (some prospective starters perhaps deterred by the weather), walkers competed over 7km, juniors 4km and the midget grade 2km on a course with enough bends and undulations to keep it interesting.

Runners did have to battle into a strong wind over the first half of their race but had a tail wind on the way home.

Davenport clocked 30min 28s in winning the A grade race from Michael Macklin while handicap honours went to Mark Eagle. However, the overall handicap points lead is still held by

Lloyd Millar.

In the B grade, it was Tim Matthews who called the tune by 10s from Stephen Yeats with Matthews recording a time of 36min 35s. Lesley Graham was first on handicap there.

Robyn Green has established a healthy lead on the C grade handicap points table while Jim Barr won the D grade event for the second time before dashing off to do his thing at the Mauriceville fair.

The junior grade continues to be dominated by Chris Blake while taking the honours in the midget grade was Kasey Cox.

The next series event, the last before the Christmas break, will be on Sunday, December 16, starting from the Greytown Scout Hall in Kuratawhiti Street.

Results:

A grade, Winner: Andrew Davenport 30min 38s. Handicap: Mark Eagle. Overall handicap: Lloyd Millar.

B grade, Winner: Tim Matthews 36.55s.Handicap: Lesley Graham. Overall handicap: Carrie White.

C grade, Winner: William Blake 40.18. Handicap: Helene Dore. Overall handicap: Robyn Green.

D grade, Winner: Jim Barr 45.09. Handicap: Stephanie Rix. Overall handicap: Claudia Baechie.

Walkers, Winner: Kay Davenport 52.23. Handicap: Robyn Weston. Overall handicap: Gordon Burden.

Juniors, Winner: Chris Blake 20.51. Handicap: Bianca Green. Overall handicap: Chris Blake.

Midget grade, Winner: Kasey Cox 10.24. Handicap: Kasey Cox: Overall handicap: Eva Wootton.