N.Z. Rowing Eight Has Tough Draw

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29983, 19 November 1962, Page 19

N.Z. Rowing Eight Has Tough Draw

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

PERTH, November 18 New Zealand has drawn the strong Canadian crew to row against to the first heat of the Empire Games eight-oar race on the Canning river course next Saturday. If New Zealand is beaten in the heat it does not mean that it will be out of the final as it would get a second chance by winning the repechage heat the following Monday. Three crewis will contest the final.

The draw for the rowing events was announced today The second heat comprises the boats from England and Australia.

In the heat of the pair-oar race the Lawrence brothers of Otago, will row against Australia and Wales, the Watkinson brothers, of Auckland. will meet Wales to the double sculls, and in the coxless four the New Zealand crew, if it rows, will compete against the Canadians. The second day's programme will be given to the holding of the repechage heats—for the losers of the first heats—and on the final day the programme is to start with the final of the eights. Hill In Final New Zealand's single sculls representative, J. R. Hill, and the Oamaru four will not have to worry about heats—their events will be held as finals.

Mr D. Rolands, manager of the New Zealand oarsmen, said it seemed unlikely that the coxwainless four would start. A decision would not be made until the morning of the race. He said the draw was a good one, although it meant that the New Zealanders would meet a strong Canadian crew in the eights.

“I think we will be in the final, along with probably Canada and Australia,” he said.