BOWING

Evening Star, Issue 20421, 28 February 1930, Page 15

BOWING

[By Coxswain.] FIXTURES. March 22.—New Zealand interproviucial eight-oar championships, at Auckland, April 5.—0.11. A. regatta, at a place yet to be selected. Easter Saturday.—Queenstown regatta. UPPER HARBOUR v. LOWER HAR BOUR. After tho Upper Harbour clubs winning tho preliminary eight-oar events at Port Chalmers three weeks ago, it was expected that the selected Upper Harbour crew would win the race against the Lower Harbour crew on Tuesday evening, but such was not tho case. In the interclub “eights ” it was expected by most rowing men that the Port Chalmers clubs would not have much difficulty in carrying off the honours, but the tables were turned, and the result on Tuesday ovyoning was just another big surprise. The Lower Harbour crew certainly had a meritorious win, the combination being better than that of the other crew. There seemed to be more life in tlie Port hoys’ rowing at the end of the race than tho local oarsmen. Tho course, a distance of two miles, commenced at a point off Waverley, and finished about tho centre of the basin. Somo time before the race, which was started punctually, a fresh north-easterly breeze prevailed, but it had lost all its force by- the time the gun was fired, and the oarsmen contested the event in almost a flat calm Neither crew had any material advantage over the other. The Lower Harbour men rowed on tho shore side, although their opponents steered practially the same course. Lower Harbour (F. Wilson, stroke, J. Solomon, L. Fountain, C. Cramond, D. Mntheson, T. Porter, H. Hill, H. Pritchard, bow. C. Macdonald, cox-s-wain) got tho better start, and gained a small lead, which it maintained for tho whole distance. At tho mile the Upper Harbour men (F. Brough, stroke, G. B.' Johnston, W. G. Lowrie, W. Wilson, F. Eggers, J. Mitchell, H. Livingstone, A. Deans, bow, and H. R. Rendall, coxswain) were rowing thirtytwo strokes to the minute about_ a length behind the other crew, which was doing thirty-one. Tho pace was not speeded up until the boats were pulling level with the ends of the wharves, but the victors were showing bettor form than tho other crow, and were rowing with superior combination. The course was covered in LOmin 13see (good time against the outrunning tide), and the result proved popular. Two lengths separated tho boats at the finish-

-Comments by a Correspondent.— A correspondent writes: “The result of the eight-oared race on Tuesday evening last came aS a surprise to local followers of rowing, the majority of whom predicted a win for the Upper Harbour, the latter being outclassed in all departments by its opponents. Tho Lower Harbour crew owes its victory to its combination and watermanship, its_ short quick stroke suiting the conditions better than the longer stroke of the opposition. The display given by Brough’s crew was very disappointing, its work being lifeless, the proximate cause being tho bad timing of the members of the crew. This caused the boat to roll and at no stage of the race did it appear to be travelling on an even keel. . , < i Tho contrast between tlie boating of tho two crews was worthy of note—the Lower Harbour crew was boated to far more advantage than the other, the heavy men being placed in the middle of tho boat, and tho members of the two olubs being dispersed throughout the boat. In the Upper Harbour crew the North End representatives occupied the bow portion or the boat, and tho Otago men the stroke portion. Tho styles of rowing favoured by the two latter clubs aio almost diametrically opposite. The North End favours a quick stroke and tho Otago Club a long stroke, with slow recovery, the latter being in some cases over-exaggerated. Tho two styles were quite noticeable in the boat as the crows came into tho basin, and tins could have been avoided had tho Upper Harbour crew followed tho example of the opposing oarsmen. “Had the Upper Harbour crew been boated as followsßrough (stroke), Mitchell (7), W. Wilson (6), Johnston (5) Eggers (4), Livingstone (3), Lowrie (2), and Deans (bow), the crew would probably have shaped much better as regards timing, and each man would have rowed on that side of tho boat to which be is accustomed. Wilson, who rowed No. 5 on Tuesjg used to tho stroke side, find Livingstone is equally at home on either side of the boat. A stern chase may probably have told on some ot the members of the Upper Harbour ciew, but on entering the basin it seemed as if Nos. 7,0, and 5 were not giving their stroke the support to which ho was entitled at that stage of the race. The Upper Harbour crew sitftered from an obvious lack of coaching, and the race was a triumph for combination and watermanship on part of the Lower Harbour crew.

INTERPROVINCIAL “ EIGHTS.” The secretary oi the local association (Mr S. 13. Styche) wrote to the New Zealand Rowing Council last week asking what provinces were likely to he represented iu tho interprovincial “eights’ this. year. He lias now received tho reply that letters wore sent to Wanganui, Wellington, Canterbury, and Marlborough, and apart Irani Wanganui, which had not replied up till that time, the other centres had replied: Wellington, yes; Canterbury, no; Marlborough, hopeful. Three selectors had been elected in Marlborough, and they were convassing for funds, but the position as to whether or not a crew would be scut would not bo known for

another week. The entries I'or the race close definitely on March 14. After the championship event, a race, Probables v. Possibles, will be rowed to give the New Zealand selectors an opportunity of picking a crew for the Empire games in Canada. It is understood that tne selectors arc Messrs A. if. Hale (Marlborough), E. S. Innes (Auckland), and H. A. Ayres (Canterbury). There appears to be an impression amongt rowing men and supporters that the eight-oar race will not eventuate this year, but that is altogether incorrect. The race will for certain be rowed, either at Auckland or Wellington, this matter to bo finally decided within the next week or so. .The actual position as regards the Otago crew is that it will not proceed to Auckland to row against one or even two provincial crews. _ That would not be a fully representative race. To send a crew at a cost of some £l4O for such a race, would, as has been stated before, be purely a farce. If Marlborough is unable to travel to Auckland it will leave the race with only Auckland and Wellington to compete, but should the venue do changed there is every prospect of tho following crews participating in the eventWanganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury, and Otago. OTAGO “ EIGHT ” SELECTED. The local Selection Committee (Messrs E. V. Fairbairn, W. Glengarry, and W. J. Wilson) met last evening to select the crew; to represent Otago at the interprovincial “ eights.” After the excellent display given by the Upper and Lower Harbours, crews on Tuesday evening, the selectors were faced with no easy task to choose the best “eight.” A very thorough search into the merits of the various oarsmen on the harbour was made, and with systematic training it is confidently expected that the selected crew will mould into a combination that will uphold the prestige that Otago has already attained in past contests. Following is tho crew:—F. Brough (stroke), J. Solomon (7), L. Fountain (6), G. B. Johnston (5), F. Wilson (4), J. Mitchell (3), F. Eggers (2), H. Pritchard (bow), and C. Crammond (coach and emergency). THE NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. Oarsmen had little to cavil at with regard to tho prevailing conditions at Picton on Saturday, February 15 (says the ‘Dominion’). The prize-money was very evenly distributed among tho various clubs. Although Picton won only one event, they bagged the largest donation, £4O, by winning the principal race, while they were closely followed by Hamilton, who, w; two firsts and a second, secured £37. Avon sprang three surprise victories in the junior pairs, junior fours, and youths’ fours, gaining for them £27, and Union (Wanganui), with a first and a second, received £l4. Tauranga and Star won £l3 and £l2 respectively, and Arapawa and Petono each took £' Other clubs with minor successes were: Blenheim ST, Wairau £5, and Aramoho £3. A crew which made an excellent showing was Arapawa in the maiden fours. Tho Maori boys rowed cleanly, with a precision that impressed. It was unfortunate for Star that the stroke broke a roller in tho youths fours. They were rowing very strongly up to the time of, the mishap. Star had a runaway victory in the maiden pairs, Bell and Cromio rowing a very fine race. The other two contestants were put well to the rear all the way. The Picton crew sprang the surprise of the day when they decisively wrested the champion fours title from Hamilton. Although only three _ starters took part the race was full of incidents, and provided a most exciting and hardfought contest. In the previous year s race Hamilton maintained a stroke of forty-six to the minute all tho way, but this season they commenced at this rate, but soon slowed down to forty. P'ton, who did not bustle themselves at all, started at forty, and dropped to thirty-six after a short while. After leading in the first stages Hamilton fell back a little at halfway, Picton having gained a lead of about three-quarters of a length. Half a mile further on Hamilton had slackened their stroke to a steady thirty-two, while Picton were slightly faster. All were watching for the final tustle, and the great ‘sprint by Hamilton, but it did not come. I icton quickened their stroke, and with a wonderful reserve of energy, Jackson stroked his men to victory, with the former champions following one and three-quarter lengths behind. It was a pity- that there should have been a fouling in the champion single sculls. It would have been a most interesting race, in view of the tact that J -kson defeated Turner at Wellington on the previous Saturday, n both men bad kept clear of each other. Up to the time of tho alleged foul Turner hat* led very slightly from Jackson. From the umpires launch it looked as if Turner was the offending party, for he app< ared to turn slightly inwards, the oarsmen just touching each other’s sculls. Jackson raised his band in protest, but the appeal was not allowed, and lurner finished strongly with six and a-liall lengths to spare. At the M elhngton regatta Turner led in the same n ‘anuer from Jackson, until within 150yds from the finishing hue, Jackson spurting brilliantly, and won by two lengths. However, as Jackson did not uphold his appeal after the race, tho incident ended there. . , • ■ The race for the New Zealand pairoar ed, provided one of the closest finishes of the day. Hamilton No 1, Star, and Wairau were very evenly matched, and after one mile they were practically level. Star and Hamilton drew away as they approached the finishing line, and raced almost dead level with each other. First Star seemed to have a slight advantage and then Hamilton, but the powerlul northern pair just nad a Gin lead when the gun fired. It was truly a most spectacular finish to a great race. I* or the'second time, Hamilton now holds the title; their frmer victory be.ng at Dunedin five years, ago. . , , There was nothing what might be termed spectacular in the double sculls. The Wanganui men made a splendid start, and set a very snappy stroke. Thev were closely followed by Hamilton .‘'and Petone were sculling strongly. Jackson and Traill forged ahead well, with the Tauranga men closely behind, ,

but about halfway Pctone and Star had dropped well to the rear. Towards the end Tauranga made a strong challenge to Wanganui, but Jackson and Traill for the third successive year secured the title by crossing the line, with a margin of two and a-quarter lengths.

JOTTINGS. Before tlie local eight-oar race on the Upper Harbour on Tuesday evening last, the association had some trouble in securing a launch in which the Seleci tion Committee could follow the boats, i However, through the generosity of | Mr Hugh Speight, his speed boat Argo was placed at the disposal of the assedation's officials. He even went to a fair amount of trouble to get the , boat, which was down at Broad Bay, run up to Dunedin. Mr Peter Drummond was at the wheel, and the reserved speed of the boat made it most suitable to follow up the race. The selectors were given every chance to watch the movements of the sixteen oarsmen as they pulled up the Harbour. An incident which gave rise to conj siderable comment, and, in some cases, strong feeling on the part of a section of the spectators, ccurred in the chain--1 pion four nice at tho New Zealand championship regatta on Saturday, ' February 15. At about 200yds from the finishing line, it was obvious that tlie Wairau crew had not a chance. The umpire then had the following launch speeded up in order that an uninterrupted view of the final spurt might be witnessed. The heavy wash from the launch, however, soon had the Wairau men in difficulties, and their boat was all but swamped, compelling them to stop rowing. Owing to tho presence of the provincial tor the proposed New Zealand eight to compete at the Empire Gaines in Canada, it was doubtlessly felt that it was essential for them to have a good view of the final stage, but it is certa'nly _ open to question as to whether it is justifiable to do so at the cost of swamping a competing crew, even though that crew has no chance of being placed. It could have been avoided if the launch had kept | well to the side of the oarsmen for j some little time. , 1