Brilliant Rowing In Eights

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29989, 26 November 1962, Page 9

Brilliant Rowing In Eights

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) PERTH, Nov. 25. A brilliant exhibition of power rowing by the New Zealand eight highlighted the first day of the Empire Games rowing on the Canning river course, Perth, on Saturday. In beating the strongly fancied Canadian crew, which last month finished sixth in the world championships in Lucerne, they boosted their gold medal chances considerably. New Zealand moves straight through to the final with England. In the first heat the English crew had an easy win over the Australian eight Canada and Australia will meet in a repechage heat on Monday to decide which crew will become the other finalist The course allows only three eights to race at the one time. Other New Zealand winners on the first day were the double sculls representatives P. F. Watkinson and M. P Watkinson, who had the easiest win of the day against a Welsh combination. The Welsh pair had withdrawn from the event but as this would have left New Zealand with a row-over, the Welshmen agreed to compete The Watkinson brothers also move to Tuesday's final. The other two crews from New Zealand, the pair oar from the Otago Club, the brothers M. T. Lawrence and G. W. Lawrence, and the coxleas four were beaten in their respective heats, but still have a chance of making the final if they can win their repechage heats on Monday. The New Zealand four with

Cox and the single sculler, J. Hill, are in events which will be rowed as finals.

The New Zealand eight's winning time in the second heat was 7min 7 ssec. which was two seconds faster than the Canadian crew, which, in training, had broken the world record time for a 2000metre course.

There was a false start tn which the Canadians were called back for steering off course, but in the next start. New Zealand jumped out to establish an early lead of half a length after 350 metres. This margin slipped back to a canvas at the 500-metre mark. The New Zealanders in their distinctive black, and all wearing floppy sun hats, stretched their lead to two lengths. In the last quarter of the race they eased their effort with the race won and eventually crossed the line half a length ahead.

The Canadian coach said after the race that he had been surprised by the strength and ability of the New Zealanders, although he knew they were a good crew. Hie Canadians now could have their work cut out to make the final, he said.