EXCITING TUSSLE IN FOREST
D. A. G. Pirie and J. Ralston had an exciting tussle for fastest fime honours in the first of four trials to qualify for the New Zealand orienteering team, which is to contest the international in Sydney in June.

Pirie won the event in 1h 14m 32s, only 2m 18s faster than Ralston and the performance of both these athletes was exceptional for the very rugged 4.5 mile course in the Maramarua State forest yesterday morning.

The New Zealand team captain in 1971 and 1972, R.M. Doherty, was. third with another good run in 1h 48m 42s and he was followed home by P. Cunningham, only 8m 8s later.

The New Zealand cross-country representative, Miss Ann Garrett splendidly won the women's trial over a shorter, but nevertheless also very testing course in 1h 20m 35s.

The Vercoe sisters, Margaret and Pauline, were second and third.

Results:
Senior trial: D. A. G. Pirie, 1h 14m 32s, 1; J. Ralston, 1h 16m 50s, 2; R. M. Doherty, 1h 48m 42s, 3; P. Cunningham, 1h 57m 40s, 4; D. Townsend, 2h 8m 40s, 5; A. Brown, 2h 9m 17s, 6; A. Nicholls, 2h 39m 40s, 7; R. Leaming, 2h 52m 10s, 8.
Women's trial: A. Garrett, 1h 20m 35s, 1; M. Vercoe, 2h 28m 25s, 2; P Vercoe, 2h 33m 45s, 3.
Intermediate: S. Smith, 59m, 1; S. V. Moen, 1h 14m 11s, 2; J. Sneddon, 2 h 8m 20s, 3.
Novice, men's: M. B. Bond, 30m 35s, 1; S. Morrison, 54m 2; I. Mallows, 1h 21m 15s, 3.
Women: Mrs Snedden and Mrs Leaming, 40m 35s, 1; M. Ralston, 42m 2; P. Doherty, 52m 22s, 3.