ROWING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 70, 16 December 1937, Page 19

ROWING

Wellington Crews In Training PREPARING FOR PICTON P. A. Abbott Joins Petone Senior Four

(By

Stroke. )

With the Norton Cup regatta safely disposed of, AVellington oarsmen are now turning their attention to getting thoroughly fit for the Picton regatta on New Year’s Day. From present indications there should be a representative entry from the Petone, AVellington and Star Clubs and keen finishes should be the order of the day at this popular holiday fixture.

Petone Crews for Plcton. The Petone selectors, Messrs. A. L. Jones, C. Gimblett and T. AVateon, chib captain, have announced the following crews to represent the club at the Picton regatta:— Senior Four: I. Carter (str.), P. A. Abbott (3), D. J. Boswell (2), G. Leopard (bow). . Senior Singles: C. Gimblett. Junior Four: J. Howe (str.), H. Barraclough (3), AA r . McGowan (2), L. Benge (bow). Junior Pair: J .Howe (str.), 11. Bar* raclough (bow). ~ , Welterweight Junior Four: G. vert (str.), F. Barry (3), M. AVells (2), I. T. AVatson (bow). Maiden Fours: No. 1 crew: A. Linney (str.), H. Parsonage (3), AV. AA atsou (2), H. Te Puni (bow). No. 2 crew: F. Cassidy (str.), E. Barry (3), J. legg (2), C Barraclough (bow). Youths’ Four: J. Boswell (str.), J. Tegg (3), AV. Smith (2), E. Linney (bow).

Change for Abbott. P. A. Abbott is having a spelt from sculling to try his hand in the No. 3 seat of the senior four*. Abbott has stroked the winning crew’ in the three club races held this year and is a good man in any crew. In the hands of Mr. A. E. AVhite, the crew is rapidly working into a good combination, and will be hard to beat on New Year’s Day. The welterweights will find the competition tough at Petone and will need plenty of work before that date. They will need to quicken up their hands at the finish and the No. 2 will have to give up skying his oar as he is missing a lot of water. . „ The No. 2 maiden crew comprises F Cassidy, a new man from Hamilton. Cassidy sets a very long stroke, though he is inclined to row with his back bent. E. Barry, an ex-All Black, is rowing again after a spell of three years, and he is shaping very well. This crew is completed with J. Legg, a very strong oarsman, and C. Barraclough, who is quickly making himself at home in the bow seat. ’Under the eye of P. Abbott, this crew is rowing well, but the No. 1 crew should still be in front of it- at the end of the mile. The youths’ fours wants plenty ot rowing to make them fit for Picton. xhe stroke, J. Boswell, and the three, J. Legg, swing together, but the other two men do not get their hands away brightly enough at the finish. However, Air. ft. Crook, one of the club's ablest coaches, is in charge of the crew, and he will no doubt have them in good shape when the time comes.

Collett Cup. The open four club race for the Collett Cup is to be competed for on Saturday, and it is hoped to get some heats of the senior novice pair decided this week. Wellington Contenders The Wellington club is to be represented by the following eight crews at PicSenior sculls: H. J. Luke. > Junior fours: H. Spoor (str.), R. J. Tregurtha (3), 0. Wanes (2), AV. G. McLean (bow). Maiden fours: E. AAoolcott (str.), K. Fish (3). N. Matthewson (2), I, Newson (bow). , \ a Youths’ fours: A. Manning (str.), b. Hinchliffe (3), J. Hetherington (2). J. Jamieson (bow). . Welterweight junior fours: A. McNair (str.). AV. Morgan (3), R. Nicholson (2), H. Tester (bow). Lightweight maiden fours: K. Milburn (str.), G. Hayton (3); A. Osborne (2), J. Butler (bow). Junior pairs: 0. AVancs (str.), AV. J. McLean (bow). Maiden pairs: N. Matthewson (str.), ,1. Newson (bow). Senior Four Disbanded.

In order to strengthen and consolidate the lower grades, the senior four has been disbanded for the time being. This allows a fairly strong junior four to be placed on the water. The crew- was seen out on Sunday' in the new best-and-best boat. For a junior crew they moved very smartly and, possessing plenty of weight and power, they should be well to the fore in regattas. The AVellington club would be well advised to row them senior toward the end of the season. H. J. Luke is to contest the senior singles at Picton again, but this year he is to be opposed by a larger field._ With K. Fish back in the No. 3 seat, the maiden crew should do better. AA jth their weight and reach they should be able to punch the boat along. There seems to be a general inability to get the most but of their effort. Smarter catching and better slide control should be concentrated on. Promising Lightweights. The lightweight crew is going very well. What they lack in weight they make up for in vigour. No. 2 is inclined to bury his oar too much. The stroke should keep in mind that liveliness is essential in this class of racing. The same remark applies to the welterweight four. They are good watermen, but should smarten up their work considerably.