ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 86, 12 April 1927, Page 16

ROWING.

TRIAL RACE ENDED. Till: SOMERVILIE SHIELD. IN'IKK-YAKSITY 1"(H":: OAIi.That the interest of t!io members of the Waitemata Boating Club at this late period of the season has no: slackened was clearly evidenced by the big muster that competed last week-end for the Fearon Handicap Pair Oar Trials. Fourteen crews faced the -tarter and thirteen races were rowed before tin , winners were discovered. The handicap pels' duties were no task and their efforts deserve much praise. The winners were well concealed and speculation was keen when the handicap'li«t., appeared. Tin- close, hard g.->e: were never expected and at times excitement ran high ;1 s the crews approflu-liod the line upon almost level term-. The judges had to stirk closely to their duties. The final was fought between the scratch and limit crews ami. unlike so many contests, the l.icr mark men improved with each race with the rc-mlt that McQueen and Kdward« shook oiT tin , dreaded back markers und gained a very popular win. This set of trial- close* the Waitema; a Club's trial racing programme, and the only fall to h« made on them i< the Somerville Shield. The Waitemata Club is ready to defend the Somerville Shield at any time now. but the authority of the Now Zealand Amateur Howing Association must ho given to row in the best and best boats. This moult* a departure from the present rules which provide for clinker built boats. There should be no objection to the departure heinc made as the two host and best boats are now available. The only challenges received nre from the St. (ieorne's and North Shore Clubs. ( lialleiiErps were also forwarded by \Yo>t F.nd and Mercer, but they wore not in order, being too late. Challenge* niii-t be lodged with the New Zealand Rowing Association in Wellington by February 2s, The' M.nso'i ( -,ii> for non-cine* four? was decide.l on Sunday inomina over St. George's course from Orakoi to .Twine's Bay. Waitemata soon took the load, hut then suffered badly through steering an erratic course. St. George's.

on the other hand, steered a splendid course, regarded by many as the best seen for a long time and won a hard rare by a length. It was n ireat go for second honours, hut Auckland's light crew hung on long enough to defeat North Shore by a narrow margin. The other two crews were also overlapping. St. Goorjrc's made further advances with the Luke Sculls and this club's remaining event ia tbe Heorgo (."up which will bo well advanced during Kaster week. Inter-Varsity Race. While it was at first anticipated that t lie four University College? of Xew Zealand would have mot in the first inter-Varsity boat race to h. , rowed in connection with the Students' F.ister 'tournament, the event ha* now been left to bo introduced by the Welling ton ami Auckland (olleees. The two crews in the innugurnl race which will be in four-oar boats comprise well versed oarsmen and the race will not permit of any '■resting" , over the long course from Orakoi to the King's wharf. The Waitrinata and St. Koorges Club* have kindly placed their racing boat:- at the students disposal for the race. The starter will .-end the itohj away at •T p.m. next Saturday. At the limo ol writinj the variolic officials bad n«>t Ivcn a j'jointril.