ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 73, 30 March 1929, Page 18

ROWING

■ V 1«TI»OKir " OTAGO'S SUCCESS

MERITORIOUS VICTORY

IN EIGHT-OAR CHAMPIONSHIP

The merit of the win of the Otago crew in the eight-oar New- Zealand championship at Lyttelton may not bo appreciated fully by those who do not closely follow the sport of rowing, writes "Dark Blue" in a Dunedin exchange. An eight-oar skiff is over 60ft in length, and when it is realised that Otago won by nearly two lengths some idea of the significance of the win will be obtained.

Tho win of the Otago crew was the result of strenuous and consistent training, combined, of course, with considerable skill in tho use of the blado and witli tho generalship of a splendid stroke. V. Brough, who stroked Otago to Victory, now has a splendid record in rowing, and bids fair to eclipse tho record of any of tho splendid oarsmen Now Zealand and Otago has had for a long time. Commencing rowing with tho Otago Bowing Club about seven years ago, ho was not long in advancing to senior rank. He stroked tho Otago Club senior four, which for several seasons had an unbeaten record,\ which won the New Zealand championship fours both in 1926 and in 1927, and which capped its splendid previous performances by easily winning the Stewards' Cup at the Henley-on-Yarra regatta in Melbourne in 1926. That crew comprised F. Brough (stroke), J. Werges, C. J. M'Ara, and P. S. Anderson, and it was regarded by many oldtimers as one of the best crews that had taken, tho water in Otago Harbour. All the members of that champion crew are not now rowing, but Brough and M'Ara still swing their oars, and were both picked for places in the eight that won so well at Lyttelton.

Head o£ the River.

The annual head of the river cightoar contest was held on the Wanganui River on Saturday aftornoon, and was won by the Union crew by four lengths, Arainoho being second and Wanganui a length further back third. The light blues received an ovation from tho large crowd at the finishing post. The weather conditions were ideal.

The race was decided over a two-mile course, commencing at Sparrow Cliff and finishing at Mitchell's Wharf. All three crews wero dispatched to a perfect start. After a dozen strokes Wanganui, who wero rowing a short, quick stroke, assumed the- lead from Union, with Aramoho ' lying handy. Rowing with dasli and a good catch, Union, stroked by Healey, overhauled the red and blacks and soon had a twolengths lead, and were swinging along at 28 to the minute. In the rear Aramoho and Wanganui were fighting hard for second position. With a quarter of a railo to go, Union, with victory well assured, maintained their splendid swing and excellent catch. A great tussle set in between Wanganui and Aramoho for second place. For a while it looked as if Wanganui would got second, but Aramoho came with a final effort four lengths behind Union, but a length ahead of Wanganuj.

This was Union's third consecutivo win. ,

Tho competing crews were:—

Union. —C. Healoy (stroke), W. Kruso, E. Cutelli, A. Jackson, J. Cottorill, A. Tonks, B. Prince, E. Traill (bow), E. Gullery (cox). Aramoho. —D. Holmes (stroke), H. Mackay, B. Edwards, W. Heath, L. Haywood, L. Grenside, D. Adams, K. Coxon (bow), G. Sloan (cox). Waaiganui.—B. Durie (stroke), W. H. Carlson, M. Marks, J. Wilkie, D. Caiman, B. Linsson, N. Poster, J. Crichton (bow), K. Carr (cox).

SomexvUle Shield Challenge,

The contest for the Somervillo Shield, tho intorclub eight-oar trophy, between the Hamilton Bowing Club and the Petono Bowing Club will not be taking place on Easter Monday, as previously arranged. Owing to the boat housed in their shed having;been lent to the University crew for training, tho Petone men themselves were unable to got in any training. In addition, two of tho crow would have been unable to travel.

It is regrettable that this contest will not eventuate, comments tho "Wajkato Times," as Petone are.the champion eight-oar crew in- Wellington, and a stirring contest would have eventuated on Easter Monday.

A "Champion Sculler."

Last year rowers ,of New Zealand were mystified and not a litle intrigued by a cablegram from Vancouver stating that the Vancouver Bowing Club had entertained L. Knox, the "champion sculler of New Zealand." The alleged "champion" returned to Christchurch the other day, states the "Lyttelton Times," and modestly denies that he is the Dominion champion; or anything approaching it. He stated with some chagrin that he was one of the many who have been victims of sensational American journalism. Mr. Knox —who, before leaving Christchurch, was a member of the Avon Bowing Club—stated that when in Vancouver ho had presented to the secretary of the rowing club there a letter oil recommendation from his old club. He had fraternised with the Vancouver members, but had made no claim whatever to being Now Zealand's champion sculler. Throe months later, when in Toronto, he received the "shock of his life" when he received copies of New Zealand papers setting out ;his supposed champion status. The secretary of the Vancouver club had subsequently stated that he did not know how the report originated. ."Though by no means' a champion," said Mr. Ivnox, with a twinkle in his oye, "I like rowing, and I may take it up again, after a season's spell."

Lending of Boats,

Aai application from the Auckland University Bowing Club for the use of one of Canterbury's eight-oar boats at the University tournament to be held in Ohristchurch was discussed at a recent meeting of the Canterbury Bowing Association. The chairman, Mr. P. D. Kestevcn, said that the boats were never intended for the use of that class of oarsman. Tho association should bo very careful with its boats. They had promised to lend one boat to the Canterbury College crew, but he thought it would bo risky to lend tho only other boat.

Mr. B. J. Hobbs suggested that inquiries be made at the other centres as to th/cir views on the leuding of boats. Ho considered that it would bo risky to lend tho second boat, because what had befallen the rowers on the previous Saturday might happen to the' 'Varsity men, and most likely tlioy would not Lave the experience to handle the boat in such an emergency.

A motioa was carriod refusing the application,