ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 56, 9 March 1929, Page 22

ROWING

• > "*TBOK«" THE EIGHTS

PETONE'S ' SUCCESS

ROWING ON SOUTH COURSE

The Pafcone Bowing Club demonstrated in a marked manner on Saturday that, as-far as eight-oared rowing in Wellington is concerned, they are vastly superior to the clubs on the southern. side of the harbour. Of the five races, Petone won four, their only defeat, bedng inflicted by Wellington, when the latter beat Petone No. 2 crew. This was not unexpected, as the Petone crew had already had a hard race against Star No. 2, and the Wellington men were quite fresh. On the club's performance during the afternoon there was no doubt left in the minds of those wih6 followed the racing that both- Wellington and Star have been neglecting eight-oared 'rowing this season. Petone are slightly more conveniently situated than either-of the southern clubs, in that the suburban men can Iceep tAeir eight assembled, which is a. strong inducement to training. The work of assembling tho eight and taking it to pieces' again before a crow can train naturally makes a crow thhik twice before it decides to go dut for a spin. Judging from Saturday's performances, it was quite apparent that Petone have been training, and the results of Saturday's racing speak for themselves. Now that they have established their superiority in local eigkt-oared rowing, the Petone men are looking for honours further afield, and have directed their eyes to the north, towards the Sommerville Shield. This is a trophy donated for club eighfr-oared rowing, and previously has been competed for by Wanganui and Auckland eights only, as those were tho only districts which boasted an eight-oarod boat prior to the New Zealand Council ordering the thirteen eights from Home.' The time for tho roccption of challenges for this shield has expired, but efforts aro being made to enable Petone to raco this season. The Auckland association has been written to, and if the holders of the trophy are willing to accept a challenge, Petone are prepared to visit Auckland about Easter to compete. ' Wanganui Regatta. To-day, the Wauganui Association is holding its annual regatta on the Wanganui Biver, and as has been the case in the past, crews from Wellington clubs are participating. The Petone Club is entering for the maiden fours, junior double sculls, and tho junior single sculls, and the Star Club for the youths' fours. In the maiden fours, Petono have drawn number, 4 position in S, field of eight crews; in tho single sculls tlie outsido position in a field of live crews; and in-the double sculls tho outsido position in a field of four crews. The course on the Wanganui Eiver has been altered, and the finishing post for all events is now Mitchell's Wharf, Aramoho (just above tho railway bridge) instead of .at the customary place, Calvei's Corner. The new course, it is stated, presents a beautiful stretch of straight water of over a mile, with an uninterrupted view' of tho races from start to finish. There is ample parking space at this point for. spectators' cars, and the position should meet with the approval of all. Eight-oar Championships. After the Wanganui regatta, the next and final fixture to interest Wellington oarsmen will be the interprpvincial eight-oar championship regatta, which is to be.held at Lytteiton, on 16th March. The tragic accident that happened at Wellington last season, when the Wellington eight struck a submerged pile before the, boat went up to the starting point, prevented Wellington Province from, participating in the race. This season preparations for the race aro going ahead at Wellington, and it is to be hoped that the crew will not be attended by ■ any thing like the illluck that came their way twelve months ago. G. Williams (Star) has been unable to retain his seat in. the eight, and his place has been filled by Jones, of Petone, with a consequent rearrangement of the men in the boat. The amended crew is now as follows: Cooke (str), Warden (7), Hickson (6), M'Lean (5), Gray (4), West (3), Jones (2), Mullins (bow). Canterbury, the present holders of the title, are leaving nothing undone to ensure their success, and eleven men from whom the eight is to be selected have gone into camp at Redcliffs. The selectors —Messrs H. Ayers (coach), W. Duggan, G. H. Hobbs, and H. H. Berry :—have been trying out the following eleven: F. H. Brown, G. Duggan, C. S. Morris, S. P. Godfrey, A. Bogers, C. Stiles, H.G. Stiles, W. Whittington, F. Agassiz, F. Duggan, and G. W. A. Day. It is likely, states a writer in the Christchureh "Star," that the first eight mentioned will comprise the actual crew, and their placings will probably, be in that order. : Last season's winning crew was: F. H. Brown (str.), G. Duggan (7), S. P. Godfrey (6), C. S. Morris (5), C. A. Stiles (4), H. G. Stiles (3^ W. Whittington (2), F. G. Oborn (bow).

Ono other province, Marlborough, has also directed its eyes towards the eights. After the championship regatta at- Picton the following oarsmen wero selected to represent Marlborough in this championship-eights: L. Jackson, V. Olsson, B. Wilson (Pieton), W. Gibbons, C. Saunders, C. Sutherland (Wairaii), J. Adams, F. Gleeson (Blenheim). Emergencies: M. M'Donald, C. Boese, B. Hatfield. It is probable, states an exchange, that tire crew will be assembled to do their first part of tho training on the Wairau Biver. Mr. J. Sutherland has put a newly-built house at the disposal of the association should it put the crew into camp. Thero is good material in. the crew, and when they have picked up combination should be capable of giving a good account of themselves.

The course for the championship eight-oar race this year will be of about two miles and a third, the distance having been shortened from two miles aud a half owing to the effect of the outgoing tide at Governor's Bay, where the waterjis shallow. The course will be surveyed by officers' of the Lytteiton Harbour Board. A splendid view of the spectacular race will be obtained from almost any point on the hillside overlooking the harbour. The finishing post will be opposite the baths enclosure at Corsair Bay, where a big crowd may bo accommodated.