ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 308, 29 December 1937, Page 12

ROWING.

TAURANGA REGATTA.

AUCKLAND SUCCESSES. HARD, KEEN RACING. The seventeenth annual Tauranga regatta on Boxing Day offered the crews of rowing clubs in the Auckland province their first test of the season under racing conditions. Eleven clubs were represented, and when it is considered that nine shared in the winning donations, some idea may be gained of the keen competition that prevailed. This was undoubtedly the outcome of the outstanding success last season of the Auckland and Waitemata Clubs, which, between them, captured the bulk of the donations.

The Auckland Rowing Club again headed the winning list, securing two firsts and two second places that netted £27. Tauranga was second with two firsts, one second, two thirds, returning £17, and then followed West End and Ngaruawahia level for third place with a win and £11 each. The balance of the money was shared by St. George's £9, Waitemata and Poverty Bay £5 each, Hamilton £3, and Mercer £2. Such a distribution of the money was in the best interests of the sport. The crews were the most evenlybalanced lot seen at the opening regatta for some years. Brothers' Bright Prospects. The Tauranga maiden double scullers, G. Silvester and L. Silvester, promise to uphold the record of the i'lummer brothers in this class. The Tauranga Club's youths' four prospects are also bright.

The North Shore inter-club revealed weaknesses in its crews. If these crews wish for success at Hamilton some hard training must be indulged iu. The win by St. George's in the light maiden four was very popular. It was long overdue, and is a fitting reward to the club captain, W. Carr, for the time he has given to coaching the crew. Waitemata, who won at North Shore, were half a length away, second, while Tauranga were close up, third. On the river both thesd crews will be hard to beat. Tauranga simply cleared out at the start of the maiden double sculls to romp home by four lengths. In the single sculls handicap W. McLeod (of the Poverty Bay Club), off the 18s mark, won by a length after having the race well in hand for over half the journey. The Plummer brothers, J. T. 25s and J. H. 225, showed a return to their old form, and finished in second and third places. It is reported that McLeod will make a bid for the single sculls title at the New Zealand championship regatta at Wanganui. Auckland were again successful in the maiden fours open. It is understood that Walker, who rowed in this crew last season, will return from Whangarei and rejoin his old club early in the New Year.

There was nothing in the junior fours at the North Shore regatta to arouse enthusiasm, and Ngaruawahia caused no surprise by winning at Tauranga. West End again captured the maiden eight, and can be considered very safe at the remaining regattas providing they remain in training. As anticipated, Auckland won the senior fours. This may prove to be the crew's only win for a time, as Smith (stroke) will be leaving shortly for the Empire Games in Sydney. Unless Auckland secure another stroke before Hamilton this event should provide a keen fight between Hamilton, Tauranga and Waitemata. The Tauranga youths captured their event, and must be hard at the remaining regattas. Somerville Shield. The Somerville Shield eight-oar challenge race between Tauranga (holders) and West End (challengers) did not provide the race expected. Tauranga swamped and lost their chances of winning. At the time, however, West End were in the lead. Both the Auckland and Waitemata crews will be weakened with R. B. Smith and O. Denison away at the Empire Games with the New Zealand crews.

The harbour clubs will resume trial racing on January 8. The Waitemata Club s programme has been revised, and the events arranged for the remainder of tho season are: —January 8, Mr. T. Impey's trophies; January 15, Mr. F. H. Bishop's trophies; January 22, subscription fours; January 29, Hamilton regatta; February 5, maiden trials; February 12. Mercer regatta; February 19, Mr. J. Wait's pair oar trophies; February 26, Whangarei regatta; March 5, Foreman Cup (double sculls) ; March 12. Myers Cup (single sculls); March 19, Ngaruawaliia regatta.

The Auckland Club has January 8 clear, and it will start with the Ptister trophies on January 15, and a week later the Mappin Caps. On February 5 the old members' trophy event will be decided. Club trials will be held on February 19. The Hogan memorial trophy will be rowed on March 12, and the season will close with the residents' trophies on April 2.