Cross Country

This year's cross country was another triumph for Otago's Peter Welsh. Welsh cleared out from the strong field right at the start and finished just over a minute ahead of Canterbury provincial champion Barry Jones. Another Otago runner, Peter Graham, came in half a minute behind Jones, closely followed by Jim Farmer (Auckland) and Keith Crone (Massey).

These three runners kept together throughout the race and it was only over the last half-mile that the final placings became apparent. Sixth place went to B. Taylor (Otago), and with Kerry Ragg and T. Hassell coming in 12th and 13th for Otago, Otago won the Dixon Trophy very comfortably.

John Beckett and Alan Galbraith finished 7th and 8th for Auckland, with Trevor Sharpe 14th, but this was only good enough for second placing. Canterbury came third (Jones 2nd. R. Farmer 10th. G. Hewlett 20th. D. Rowell 22nd), but were very nearly beaten by Massey (Crone 5th, Ron Underwood 9th, Glen Puckett 15th, John Wells 28th) and if Massey had had a stronger fourth man they would have gained two Tournament Shield points.

The Victoria runners teamed well but because of illness and injuries failed to get in the higher places. Placings were Geoff Rashbrooke 18th, John Souter 19th, George Seconi 23rd, Dave Mackay 24th, Bob Wilson 26th. Souter is a nationally-ranked tennis player—an NZU Blue, in fact—and his was the best performance in the Victoria team.

The course was in good condition, and all runners agreed that it was true cross country, although most said they found it very tough going. Winding around the sand-dunes of Paekakariki's Queen Elizabeth Park, and including a loop around farm land, the course is a possibility for future Wellington provincial championships, and even a national championship could be held at this venue. The only disadvantage is the distance from Wellington—30 miles.