ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1937, Page 13

ROWING.

TRIAL RACING.

WHAN GAB. El REGATTA,

AUCKLAND REPS. AT AKAROA

Trial racing was resumed last Saturday afternoon by four of the harbour clubs. Auckland and St. George's engaged in fours, while Waitemata and West End had the strenuous test of the pair oars. Ihe water conditions were for the greater portion of the time very livelv and the crews that raced over the Tamaki Drive course were somewhat fortunate in keeping afloat. Waitemata did not take any risks and used the Hobson Ba v course, enjoying the smooth water sheltered from the fresh northerly by the railway embankment.

All clubs were late in starting and in some cases boats had to receive attention at the eleventh hour. These conditions should not prevail at this period of the season. Such delays cause a lack of interest and, as happened on Saturday, spectators would not wuit and visited other branches of 6port. . lhe Auckland Club had six crews out lor the Mappin Caps. The rowing was a g° o(i standard and the racing close. When the selectors made known their crews Marceau's combination were easily favourites, but a few enthusiasts fancied Dickson s four, a light combination of well-trained men. The preliminary heats left Marceau and Dickson to decide the final. It was a wonderful race. The crews were on almost even terms for half the distance, both swinging along with a nice lively stroke. Then JVlarceau forged ahead and it seemed as though his heavy four would go right away from their rivals. Dickson, however, rowing with plenty of judgment, challenged .is the rip off the second bridge was entered. His light crew responded splendidly and in the rough water jumped the lead. When the straight was entered it was Marceau's turn to challenge. Dickson's four accepted it at once and on the long ruji to the line it proved one of the best races seen on any course this season. It was a great finish for the spectators, a strenuous one for the crews; but every'man stuck to his task and Dickson's crew crossed the line winners by one length. 'lhe St. George's Club placed five crews in the fours for the Walker and Hall trophies. The rowing showed a big improvement, a most encouraging sign With so many new men competing, and "the coaches should feel well satisfied with their efforts. The two heats left the crews of Hogg, and Hilliard to contest the final, and this event was won by Hilliard's "crew. The Jim Wait Shield for a set of handicap pair oar trials drew 6 even crews. A tedious set of races to get off. but by rawing alternately from each end of the bay the events were decided much quicker. The final was won bv C. Cairns and V. Haywood, off the 8s mark, this I pair defeating the Scratch men, O. Deni|son and Brown. The Cooper Caps were the trophies for West End's pair oars. The racing only ! reached the third heat, and this event had to be postponed owing to gear trouble in one of the boats. More care in having the plant in order would have saved the late start and the consequent postponement. Smith Wins Again. Aucklanders' interests were greatly centred last Saturday in the annual regatta at Wellington, principally because . R. B. Smith, of the Auckland Club, was I defending the Pearce Cup, and his clubmate, A. Morey, was also competing in the single sculls. The other competitors were: P. A. Abbott (Petone), H. J. Luke (Wellington), and A. K. Jackson (Union). This made a very tough field, and offered j a good forecast of the competitors' pro- j spects for the national title at Akarana next Saturday. Smith quickly took the lead, but at the half-mile was lying third but sculling easily. Luke was then leading, with Abbott second. In the last quarter-mile Smith went away to take command, and won easily by one length and a half, while Abbott Luke for second place by half a canvas. In the heavy maiden fours, in a field of nine, the Star No. 1 crew won by half a length, while the No. 2 four gained third place; It will be remembered that these crews competed at the Hamilton regatta, and Star No. 1 rowed second, defeated by one length, to Auckland, while the No. 2 crew was last in a field of eight. * Aramoho defeated Star by one length in 1 the light maiden fours, there being seven | starters. The same Star crew, in a field Jof nine at Hamilton, rowed into sixth place. On the showing of the southern crew at the two regattas it seems that the opinions expressed at Hamilton that Auckland crews in those classes were ahead of the southerners was well borne i out. Petone headed the winners with £33. Union (Wanganui) £22. Star £17. Wellington £14. Aramoho £9, Wanganui £4, Auckland £4. Pit-ton £2. Petone won the senior fours by one length and a half, while Union (Wanganui) were second. The Wanganuites have in recent training considered their prospects very bright for both the Wellington and championship regattas. This result is anything but encouraging. New Zealand Championships.

The New Zealand championship regatta will be held at Akaroa next Saturday, and for the first time an eight-oar national title will be rowed. Unfortunately Auckland will not be represented in this event, but a small representation will endeavour to uphold the province's prestige. The present holder of the single sculls, R. B. Smith, will defend his title, and, upon performances to date, should retain it, unless the South Island clubs have a surprise in store. A. Morey, representing his club, will also compete in this event. Smith and Morey will also compete in the. double sculls, and can be depended upon to make matters lively for the present holders. Petone. West End is another Auckland representative to figure in the pair-oar title, and, while success hag been theirs at the local regattas, it will be a surprise if they capture the title. The experience should be a valuable one. Hamilton will figure in the fours, but upon the crew's showing to date only a super optimist could hope for success. It will occasion no surprise if both the fours and eights titles go to .the South Island. The North Island's I prospects are very bright for the single and double sculls and pair oars. The championship regatta will start early, and, providing the regatta is unique, finish early on the day. The championship sculls is timed to start at 9 a.m. and the last race at 3.30. The eights are booked for 2.30. Barrett Cup. The Barrett Cup inter-club race under the control of the Auckland Club this season will be decided next Saturday if the conditions are suitable. Oarsmen fully recognise the "if" when this trophy is mentioned. It was set down for I earlier in the season, but. like many other years* since its inception, the postponement came as no surprise. Whangarei Regatta.

The Whangarei Regatta takes place on Saturday, : March 8, and the Auckland Harbour elubs are making endeavours to be well represented. The Auckland Club will send a full contingent. J. Barton, the well known West End oarsman, has Ueen transferred to Whar ngarei, and the northern club will be for- | tunate in " securing his services. During j the past five years he has had a wonderful run of success. Starting in the crack ! light-weight maiden crew of three seasons , ' ago. there in the junior fours, he has i r during his membership won 36 races. He I will be available for West End at the • | Whangarei regatta, then his services can [be claimed by the home club.

BARRETT CUP

The annual inter-club race for the

Barrett Cup under the auspices of the ! Auckland Rowinjj.C'lub will be rowed over s the Tamaki Drive course to-morrow aftcri noon. The usual conditions will apply, - each club rowing a set of trial fours and ■ the respective finalists then meeting for 'the Barrett Cup._ \