ROWING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 159, 18 April 1949, Page 5

ROWING

INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

AUCKLAND’S GOOD WIN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 17. The Auckland crew won the New Zealand interprovincial eight-oar championship, of two miles, rowed on Saturday morning on the Korokoro course. Second place was filled by Wanganui’s No. 1 crew and Otago was third. Conditions vrere almost perfect, i Interest centred on the contest between Auckland, represented by "West End and Wanganui No. 1 represented by Aromoho. There was an excellent start. Wanganui No. 1 took the lead from Auckland and held it for from half to three-quarters of a mile. Otago were in third place, with Wanganui No. 2, Wellington, and Southland next. With a mile and a quarter to go, Auckland had a canvas lead oh Wanganui No. 1, with Otago a length and a quarter back. At the mile Auckland quickened and went a length ahead of Wanganui No. 1, and with half a mile to go they were in clear water ahead, with Otago about a length and a half behind Wanganui No. 1. In the last quarter-mile, Auckland started to draw away, and the gap between Wanganui No. 1 and Otago also widened. Auckland maintained the pace and won by a length and threequarters. Otago were four lengths away third, with Wellington, Southland, and Wanganui No. 2 finishing in that order.

Among a very large crowd which watched the,race was Mr C. G. Herdman, president of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, in whose presentation boqt the Auckland crew won. . ; The race was regarded as an import!ant trial for the Empire Games and the national selectors were preseut. The winning crew was T. C. Engel (stroke), K. Ashby, W. Tinnock, M. Ashby, D. Rowlands, G. Jarratt, B. Culpan, E. Smith, and D. Adam. Their average age is 204 years. They will hold the Hallyburton-Johnstone Cup.