Rowing. (By Scull.)

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1907, Page 18

Rowing. (By Scull.)

If ever a crew deserved a well-eairned win, E. O. Bridge (stroke) and Kerdake undoubtedly did in tho Senior Double Sculls of tho Star Boating Club. Not because of their more polished rowing as semi-analists— for I think the points wero very evenly divided— but because of their perseverance, determination, and coolness. Banks al onco snatched a lead, which in two minutes was increased to half a length. To seoure so early in the race such an advantage over bothersome rivals I think meant tho sacrifice of a good slice of the ci'ow's reserve forces. At five_ minutes gone, Bridge's partnership gained with every stroke — a stroke nicely supported with slide and stretcher work. Banks did not control his slido so well as I' have soon him do, nor was his steering good. Tho boat had far too much "screw on, which took it unnecessarily off its course Of the bows, Robertson was ihe outstanding figure by reason of his good all-iound work. Iverslake displayed backbone, and sculled with but few mistakes. In tho final tho semi-finalists were, beforo the race was two minutes old, hustled by Blackmore (stroke) and R. Brew,er (bow), but the attack was not sustained enough to bo at all profitable. Strode is a capable waterman and a strong sculler, but his stylo was not followed up as it might havo been by his bow. Perhaps Brewer's connection with tho Youths' Regalta Fours and their training accounted for tins to sroir.e extent. I am sure if there had been a little method in arranging morning work the final heat of ono of the best club races of tho year would h&vo boon moro closely contested by Blackmoro's crew. Time at the "catch" and "finish," and the repeated failure of bow to make /the most of tih slide, aro points which had a tendency to destroy combination. < In the final of the Junior Double Sculls, G. J. Wilkinson (stroke) aaid H. D_. Brewer (bow) dashed in and took tfio lead at tho. end of throe minutes. Giendhill (stroke) and Doughty, prior to this, made many smart advances, which wero not quite effective. Turner (stroke) aud Newbold ! (bow) finished threo lengths behind. They ! made a much better effort in their previous race, and I fully expected to see j them closer up in the final. Perhaps they wero unfortunate in getting third pick of boats. • Tho next club races to bo rowed are the Senior acd Junior Singlo Sculls, and it i.s to be hoped thai all who took part in the Doubles will participate in those events Tho entries for the Wellington Rowing Club's Junior Double Sculls aro divided I into twelve crews, which, in point of quantity, speaks well for tho enthusiasm 1 of tho members — members w-ho are anii mated with an earnest desiro to succeed. Through the final being somewhat hard to pick, much interest centred in tho senior fcin-E, which was rowed on Tuesday evening. It was a gallant fight, and W. Churns-do (stroke) , I<Y Baker, B. Shilling, aud W. ficmmcll won from H. M'Kinley because they were the bei tor-balanced crew, and far more dcudly near goal. Right from tho start the pace was brisk, and the rowing bright, and it was only in tho final stage thai Cliirnwdo got in front. Both eiows missed a smart "catch" by not liftim* tho water with a square Wailo at tho commencement, Chirr.side being a frequent offender in this nefpect.