INTER-SCHOOL RACE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29077, 14 December 1959, Page 17

INTER-SCHOOL RACE

Wanganui Beats

Christ’s

The annual eight-oared race between Wanganui Collegiate School and Christ’s College was rowed at Kerr’s Reach on Saturday afternoon over a one mile course and in perfect wind and water conditions. This •ace is regarded as the classic event of secondary school rowing in New Zealand, . and the large crowd of ipectatofs was again treated to a uosely 1 contested race between two /ery competent crews. Wanganui won by three-quarters of a length. The result was not altogether unexpected, as the Wanganui crew won the maiden eights race in the Jury Cup regatta at Wanganui last Saturday, whereas the local crew could not do better than- third placing in the inter-secondary schools’ race at Kerr’s Reach last month. Since then the Christ’s College crew has shown some improvement, but lack of weight, length and steadiness on the slide had their effect aver the last quarter of a mile. Nevertheless it rowed with pluck and determination and succeeded in maintaining a stroke at least two strokes a minute faster than Wanganui. •

The Wanganui crew was much steadier throughout the race and was able to apply its weight more effectively. Over the last quarter mile Wanganui raised its stroking slightly and had sufficient in reserve to pull away from the tiring College crew. Christ’s College started well and gained an early advantage of half a length. This lead was held around the second curve and into the final straight, but Wanganui increased its stroking at this point and drew level with College half-way up the straight. Wanganui then pulled rapidly away. Result:—

Wanganui Collegiate School (G. Thomas. J. Glendinning, R. Barron, M. Shaw, A. Buchanan, D. Gibbons. R. Edmund, D. Mclntosh (str), P. Brindle (cox) ) 1; Christ's College (D. E. Clark (bow), J. M. McCurdy. P. J. Tipping, I. G. Ferguson. J. P. Nelson. R. S. Ferguson, J. J. D. Holderness, A. W. Marshall (str), D. G. Clark (cox) ) 2. Distance, three-quarters of a length.