Pat Hackett wins 1976 Southland Road Championships........Cycling

Murihiku novice cyclists took part in the 1976 Southland road championships.  The card involved three grades riding on a 44km undulating circuit.

Pat Hackett dominated the A grade section and put the speed on right from the gun.  This was the second year that he had won this.  Just behind Hackett was Paul de Boer and he worked hard for his second placing.  The bronze medal went to Ron Hulsegge who had to dig deep to fend off Tony Hicks in fourth place.
Stephen Kiel won the B grade just ahead of Allan Duff, who showed great inner self when he was left behind by the front bunch.  He managed to get through the riders but just could not catch Kiel.  Anthony Healey was third and Brendon Wills fourth.  These two mistimed their ride and started sprinting too soon, realising that the finish post was a lot further than they anticipated.
In the C Grade, James Healey and Trevor Hackett left the other riders behind and it was a two man race, Hackett tried everything to get past the post first but could not ride down Healey.
Mark Young worked hard and managed third place, with David Van Toor fourth.

Reference:  "Fine Cycling by Hackett"  The Southland Times March 1976.