Rowing Canterbury Eight Head Of River

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 6

Rowing Canterbury Eight Head Of River

The Canterbury eight realised its potential to win the title of "Head of the River” by half a length ahead of Avon in fimin Bsec. in the most exciting race of the inter-club regatta, held at Kerr’s Reach on Saturday. Although rowing against the tide, the three crews had the advantage of a following wind over the 2000-yard course. For the first few yards the crews were all together, then Canterbury, stroking 34, moved slightly ah«ad.

Union, stroking 36. took over the lead just before the *hree-ouarter mile bend, with Canterbury and Avon neck and neck a short distance behind.

Approaching the last ouarter-mile. Canterbury dropped back to third, while Avon, stroking 38. caught up with Union. For a time it looked as if Avon would win. but Can*erbury, with a final snurt. increased its rate to 39. to ca*ch Avon. The two crews fought it out on equal terms, but a few yards from the finish Canterbury slid into the lead and crossed the line just half a length ahead of Avon which was only a foot in front of Union None of the Canterbury clubs is particularly strong in eight-oar crews and emphasis is being placed on the pairs, doubles and fours events for the national championships, which will be held at the end of the month Union, which is concentrating on the light-weight fours, showed good form to win this event a good three lengths ahead of Avon Union, in spite of a late replacement to the crew, rowed smoothly and had no trouble keeping its lead, which it increased ov»r the last 100 yards Because of a misunderstanding, the novice fours was rowed without Akaroa. which was waiting on a boat to return from a previous race The event was won bv Union, which crossed the line one length and a half in front of the Canterbury crew In both the senior pairs and doubles, the Avon club'* crew of P Keegan and J Wylie, were not seriouslv challenged and carried off first place in both events, "'inning by several lengths However. the Canterbury c-ew of J Casserly and R Truscott, showed an improved performance and can be expected to provide serious opposition in future regattas.

Results:— Junior Singles.—Heat 1: Avon No. 1 (W. Norton) 1. Cure (H Lampaugh) 2. Heat 2: Union (T. Smith) 1. Avon No. 2 (B. HUI) 2. Final: Union 1, Avon No. 1 2.

Senior Fours.—Canterbury No 1 iT. Corsby. B Aitoheson, K Bell. E. Martin) 1. Canterbury No. 2 (D. Rastrick. M Baxter E. Temple, J Sunderland) 2. One length and a half. Youths' Fours. Canterbury )A. Dearsley. J. Hunter. N. Smith. P Dearsley) 1. Avon (F Murray. P. Kingam. M Giera. L. Tooman) 2. Four lengths

Senior Keegan, Shaw, lengths. Maiden Fours.—Cure (M Woodgate, G. Evans. J. Pateman. G. Duncan) 1. Union (K. Good. G. Price. P. Sullivan. M. Taylor) 2. One length and a half. Senior Doubles—Avon (P. Keegan. J. Wylie) 1. Canterbury (J. Casserly. R Truscott) 2. Three lengths. Light-weight Fours.—Union (J. Mobbs. A. Davies. M Cooper. D. Williams) 1. Avon •W. Whiten. W. Inns, R. Shand. R. Eade> 2. Canterbury (B. Neill, J. Prout, W Johnson. J. Sunderland) 3. Three lengths; distance. Novice Fours.—Union (R King. G. Nolan, A. ONeill, G Heal) 1, Canterbury (R Woodham, C. Bremner. L. Barnes. D Britt) 2. One length and a half. Head Of The River Open Eights.—Canterbury (M. Corsoy. B. Aitcheson, K. Bell, E Martin. D. Rastrick. J. Casserley. R Truscott. J. Sunderland) 1, Union (B Knight. J. Shaw, J Smith, T. Thelming. J. Mobbs. A. Davies. K. Good. D WilHams) 2. Avon (N Malcolm. R Thompson. M. Brownley, A. Popperwell. N Dodd. W. Lambie. L. Hampton. J Proudlock) 3. Half a length; one foot

Pairs. Avon (P. J. Wylie) 1. Union (J. B. Knight) 2. Four