ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 16

ROWING.

WEST END CLUB.

PEACOCK! SHIELD CONTEST,

The rowing season was opened yester day afternoon by,the West End Club witl a set of trial fours for the Thomas Pea cock Memorial Shield. A light northerly breeze kept the watei lively for a start, but the final was rowec in a flat calm. The long course from the reclamation to the Ponsonby Swimming Baths was used, and good rowing was , witnessed for an opening day. Five crews ; competed, and the selectors produced an even lot.. Starting was' by mutual consent, and Mr. R. Noton was judge. The racing resulted.— ' 1 • First Heat.—V. McFarlane, G. Harper, A. Dalton, M. McCarthy, Iv. Conway (cox). 1; J. Haylock, A. C. Norden, A. Culpean, F. Bryan, F. Matthews (cox), 2 ; W. Bloxham, R. Woodside, C. Aitken, A. Gow, G. Collins (cox) 3. Won by one length and a half. At the first attempt a fine race was spoiled by a collison in which the three crews were involved. The crews immediately returned to the starting post, and on the given signal McFarlane was first away, Haylock being left. With half the course covered, McFarlane was in the lead with Haylock second, closely followed by Bloxham. Passing the boatljouses all crews spurted for the last stages, but McFarlane's four, swinging together nicely, drew out and won by one and a half lengths. Second Heat. —F. Conway, F. Barker, M. Conway, N. McDonald, K. Conway (cox), 1; C. Wright, G. Conway, D. Stotter,, W. Conway, G. Collins (cox) 2. Won easily. F. Conway's light crew jumped the lead at the start, but off the clubhouse Wright started to close up. When matters were getting exciting G. Conway broke his stretcher, and F. Conway's crew were left to complete the journey without any effort. Final.—V. McFarlane's crew beat F. Conway's crew. From q fine start McFarlane set a fast stroke, and soon took, the lead.' At', the. St. Mary's wharf, Conway closed up, and was almost level: when; a collison occurred, and McDonald, bow of Conway's crew, lost about six strokes. Getting under way again Conway issued a. challenge, but in a determined finish was defeated by half a canvas.