Murray Hewitt wins Otago-Southland cycling trial in 1983.....

Murray Hewitt won the Otago-Southland trial in 1983.  However, Barry Harcourt's ride ended abruptly when he rode into a pot hole in the road.  Southlanders were determined to equal the score with Otago when they were well beaten in the Gore-Invercargill classic earlier in the year.
They managed this with 4 out of 5 placings.

At the half way mark Del Woodford (Otago) made the first break but was quickly gathered in by Paul Hoskins (Canterbury), Michael Leahy, Stephen Harcourt and Murray Hewitt (Southland).
Hewitt made his move on the Roxburgh Dam and quickened the pace to increase his lead into the town.
The main bunch had Hewitt in their sites, but he was not about to give up his lead.
With Ettrick in site, the lead was shrinking with metres in it.
Hewitt had enough in the tank to win by 3 sec clear of Wayne McLellan and third to Stephen Harcourt at the head of the bunch.

Reference:  Honours to Hewitt In Cycling Trial. The Southland Times.  July 1983.
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