ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 30, 6 February 1933, Page 13

ROWING.

INTER-CLUB TOURS. BRETT CUP TO WEST END. The Tamaki Drive was the scene of much enthusiasm on Saturday when the five local clubs had their best crews afloat for the three inter-club trophies, the Sir Henry Brett Memorial Cup, Smith Shield and Maurice Caro Cup. The water conditions were splendid, the light northerly wind just giving the water the necessary life so appreciated by oarsmen. The contests had been looked forward to most anxiously, and the big crowd of spectators was rewarded -with the best afternoon's racing seen for a long time. The first excitement came when West End raced home with the Smith Shield, a nonclass fours event. Then came the Maurice Cafo Cup for 10 stone and under maiden fours. It was a hot pace from start to finish, and old oarsmen had to think hard to recall such a close race in this class. The most thrilling contest was the last event, the senior fours for the Sir Henry Brett Memorial Cup. From start to finish the spectators were at a high tension, but it became even higher as the five crews raced down the straight to the line. The scene will long remain with those fortunate enough to be present, and provided the answer that the city clubs can still place redoubtable senior fours. The racing was in three sections, controlled respectively by the Waitemata Boating Club, the Smith Shield; the Auckland Rowing Club, Maurice Caro Cup; and St. George's Rowing Club, the Sir Henry Brett Memorial Cup. Details of racing:— Brett Memorial Cup. The crews and positions were:—No. 1, North Shore, W. J. Dean (stroke), L. B. McCallum, J. S. Gardiner, C. J. Oliver; No. 2, Auckland, S. Scott (stroke), C. Chamberlain, J. McComlsh, R. Porter; No. 3, Waitemata, R. B. Smith (stroke), A. Ross, T. Johnston, R. G. Barker; No. 4, St. George's, C. D'Authreau, F. Solomon. A. Andrews, P. Williams; No. 5, West End, O. W. Felton (stroke), C. J. Wright, F. G. Bowling, V. McFarlane. The crews were pretty lively on the line, but were sent away to a good start. North Shore jumped out quickly, but West End was left. Auckland quickly forged ahead, holding a slight advantage, with Waite- • nata next, and little between the other three. It appeared anybody's race until approaching the second gap, where \\ est End took the lead, and off Resolution were a length out, with St. George's second, then Waitemata and Auckiland. followed by Shore. Waitemata put in a strong challenge, moving to second place and reducing West End's lead. West End accepted the challenges thrown out by Waitemata. The pace was a cracker. Every few strokes Waitemata crept up till West End were only half a length out. The supporters of both crews did their best, and West End held out to win a gruelling race from Waitemata by half a length, with Sat. George's another length further back. Then came Auckland and Shore. Waitemata s great spurt was the sensation of the race. . Smith Shield. No. 1, North Shore, S. McDougall (stroke), V. Mallett, C. Willetts, C. Vowles. No. 2, St. George's, J. H. Biss (stroke), P. Williams, C. D'Authreau, H. Biss. No. 3. West End, M. Archer (stroke), C. Dunster, J. 11. Donovan, N. W. Jerrome. No. 4, Waitemata. R. B. Smith • (stroke), O. W. Denison, E. G. Ware, H. T. Lee. No. 5, Auckland, R. T. Morton (stroke), W. Haslett, E. Rougliton, W. Walker. The crews were quickly lined up and when dispatched by the starter St. George's jumped to the front, followed by West End Waitemata, then North Shore and Auckland. Off the first gap St. George s were half a length out from Wept End, with Waitemata and Shore about the same distance; then came Auckland. Nearly halfway across Hobson Bay West Knd started to overhaul St. George's. A few moments later St. George's bow met seat trouble, and West End took the lead and Waitemata ran into second place, with Shore third. St. George's were compelled to stop and dropped out. Near Resolution West End were a good two lengths in front, but Waitemata came with a challenge. This livened the leaders, who swung into their work. Waitemata kept the pressure on down the straight to the line, which TV est End crossed first, three lengths ahead ot Waitemata, with Shore third, three lengths further astern. Then followed Auckland. Maurice Caro Cup. The crews and positions were: —No, 1, West End, J. D. Craies (stwke), J. A. Parsons, L. Lambie, M. G. McLisky ; ISo. 2, North Shore, C. Macphersou (stroke), M. Campbell, C. Andrews, F. Gill; No. 3, Auckland, L. Hughes (stroke), F. Heald, F. Foote, V. Halpin ; No. 4, St. George s, L. W. D. Ball (stroke), G. M. Brown, W. L. Carr, D. Woollams; No. 5, Waitemata, N. C. (Mason (stroke), R. Stables, H. F. Tomlinson. S. W. Cook. The crews were sent away to a fine start, and St. George's immediately forged ahead, with West End and Waitemata level, then Auckland and Shore. Off the first bridge St. George's were about half a length in front of West End and Waitemata, with the other crews bunched. At the halfdistance West End were second and Waitemata third. The Ponsonby crew then closed on the leaders, but St. Georges responded to the challenge. Auckland also started to move up, and off the second gap were in second place, with Waitemata tliird. Entering the straight. West End issued a strong challenge. Then the excitement started. The leaders held their advantage until the last 200j'ds. It was a rare tight, but St. George's held on to get the verdict by half a length from Auckland, with West End two feet astern.