ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 20989, 31 December 1931, Page 4

ROWING

NEWS AND NOTES [By Coxswain.] OARSMEN’S OUTINGS. Boxing Day (Decombar 25). Maeandrew Bay Regatta. December 26.—Riverton Regatta. December 26.—Tauranga Regatta. New Year’s Day.—Akaroa Regatta; Bluff Regatta. January 16.—Port Chalmers Regatta. January 23.—Wanganui Regatta. January 29.—Championship Regatta at Hamilton. February 6.—Burkes-St. Leonards regatta. February 13.—Wellington Regatta. Easter Saturday (March 36). — Queenstown Regatta. Easter Saturday (tentative).—lnterprovincial eight-oar championship, at MACANDREW BAY REGATTA. The weather for the Macandrew Bay regatta was of the best, and competitors and spectators alike _ thoroughly enjoyed the outing. Conditions for the oarsmen were nearly perfect, there being just the requisite amount of life in the water, whilst the flood tide and following wind for the last few races gave the various strokes the opportunity of showing their initiative and rowing the stroke to suit the conditions. It was regrettable that the Queen’s Drive senior four was disqualified. This is the first time for many years that such a drastic action has been taken, and it will certainly show clubs that the officials are prepared to see the sport carried out in accordance with the rules. No one would suggest for a moment that Drive would willingly be a party to any attempt to gain an unfair advantage, and probably the crossing was caused by one side or the other of one or both of the boats involved pulling the other round in the first fight for positions. The rowing all through was of a good standard, the form displayed by most of the crews being of a higher order than one generally expects at the first regatta of the season, and had the physical fitness been as good as some of the form shown, different results might have prevailed. Probably the best exhibition of good, clean work was that given in the junior double sculls, in which the whole of the competitors showed excellent form. North End, through Verngreen and Marriner, deserved its win, though Crammond and M'Connell, a last-min-ute arrangement from the Port shed, did well to get second to their much heavier and more experienced victors. The other crews all showed good form, and the work of Vallis and Zaffer, of Otago, was pretty, but seemed to lack punch. In the youths’ fours the two North End crews rowed very indifferently. The eight sturdy boys look likely, but sadly need coaching. While on the subject of youths, the most youthful youths, the coxswains, deserve a word of praise for their excellent performances. The instances of bad steering were very few and far between. It was most unusual to see a maiden four race without a Queen’s Drive crew. Surely this will be remedied before the Port Chalmers fixture. Drive senior four showed the benefit of its “ stick togetherness ” by the performance in the big race. This crew has a combination that made its three lengths victory a rather easy matter, but the “ hard ” part came later. Otago showed good form, but required more work. Port has an acquisition in Adams, and it is to be hoped this crew can remain intact, as it will add interest to senior races in the future. The writer is informed that Adams has a creditable record in Marlborough. His stylo is rather new to us, as lie appears to sit up very straight in the boat, and does not get much work in front of his rigger. The form he showed is very reminiscent of Andrews, who stroked the Picton four that won the last champion four at Waihola.

North End seniors did not row as well as expected, the form not being its best by a. long way. Anderson and Mitchell,, of Port, put up a fine performance in the maiden sculls. The stroke rowed a bright, snappy stroke that went well with the flood tide and. following wind, and, though not short or scratchy, the boat was kept moving on top of the water. The merit of the performance can be gauged through the Drive crew stroked by N. Macdonald. This boy had an excellent record in youths’ events last year. Drive and Port staged a ding-dong finish in tbe junior fours, and a canvas difference at the end of the mile means that there was no loitering on the way. Drive displayed very nice form, while Crammond sent Port along to a lively stroke.

Congratulations to Neilson and Solomon ! It is many years since the senior sculls have gone to the Port shed, and the win was most deserved. Last year this pair dead-heated with Clark and Pritchard, of Drive, and. through consistent training, have now gone one better. Brough and his new how man. Finnic, did particularly well to get within a canvas of Drive, and a closer knowledge of each other’s methods will make them an asset to the Otago Club. Livingstone, of North End, who was responsible for some fine races last year, was at the regatta looking fit

and well. It is a pity that his employment has robbed North End of a valuable member. Members of the Otago Rowing Association were present in good force at Macandrews, and ably controlled the rowing programme._ It was very pleasing to renew acquaintance with the exNew Zealand president, Mr S. G. Styche, and the ex-Otago president, Mr W. J. Wilson During his association with the rowing sport, the genial “ W.J.” must have attended more regattas probably than any other man in the dominion. HOW THE CLUBS STAND. At the Macandrew Bay regatta Queen’s Drive won £6 5s in trophy money, Port Chalmers £5 15s, Otago Rowing Club £4 10s, and North End £3 10s. The points for the various trophies stand as follows: Premiership Shield.—Drive 40 points, North End 24, Otago 16, and Port 16. Senior Cup.—Port 5, Otago 4, Drive 2, and North End 1. Junior Gup.—Drive, Port, and North End 4 each. Maiden Cup.—Port 4, Otago 3, North End 3, and Drive 2. Youths’ Cup.—Drive 6, Port 3, Otago 2, and Macandrew Bay 1. CONCERNING SCULLERS. It is likely that Ted Phelps, the professional sculling champion of the world, will accept the challenge he has received from Major Goodsell, the Australian ex-holder, to a race for the title in the United States. < Ted is the son of the famous “Bossie” Phelps, the pilot of the Oxford crew, and won the sculling championship a year ago, when he defeated M. A. Barry. He is twenty-three years of age, stands 6ft lin, and weighs 13st. He has won several honours on the river, and has always had the guidance of bis father, who has coached nine winners of the Diamond Sculls and five holders of the Colquhoun Sculls. It is imagined that Phelps will haVe no great difficulty in retaining the title if the match against Major Goodsell takes place. He is nine years younger than his challenger, and years count for a good deal in the strenuous sport of sculling. It is estimated that if he takes up the challenge the trip will cost the Londoner about £I,OOO. In a letter to Harry Pearce, father of the champion amateur sculler,. Major Goodsell states that he has backing for £2,000 against Phelps, for the title race to take place at Long Reach just after the Olympic Games. A course of one and a-half miles has been fenced for the big amateur carnival, £20,000 having been expended on providing accomodation. This will he used by the two professionals (says the ‘ Sporting Globe’). Goodsell is eager to have Bobbie Pearce train with him. Failing the Double Bay lad, he will prepare with F. S. Hagney, one-time Australian sculler and cyclist. Harry Pearce is delighted with his son’s feat in covering seven-eighths of a mile in 4min 46see in fresh water absolutely dead. It works out at 5.27 for the mile—a record. Harry did the first mile in 5.35 against Dick Arnst, time which equals Searle’s,' but H.P. is astounded at Bobbie’s feat. Pearce, sen., says that Mr Cleland, a great admirer of the champion’s sculling, will defray the cost of the Australian’s transport from Vancouver to Los Angeles. With the Australian Olympic Federation not overburdened with cash the offer should be very welcome.

PERFORMERS AT RIVERTON. As far as the actual placings and prize money were concerned, the Riverton oarsmen put up the best showing, gaining seven firsts, two seconds, and two thirds (says the ‘ Southland Times’). Included in this creditable performance was their annexing of the senior fours’ race, the chief event on the programme. It is some fourteen years since the Green and Whites last won this race, and their win again this year proved a popular one among friends and rivals alike. The Invercargill crew, who emerged victorious in the juniors fours event, were also warmly congratulated on their meritorious victory. The trophy money was divided as follows;—Riverton Club, £4O; Awarua Club, £l4 10s; Railway Club, £lO 10s; and Invercargill Club, £S 10s. NOTES. The secretary of the Otago Rowing Association (Mr S. G. Styche) has received a letter from the Queen’s Drive Boating Club protesting against its disqualification at the Macandrew Bay regatta in the senior fours. The matter will be considered at the next meeting of the 0.R.A., to be held shortly after the holidays. On the day, with the tide coming in, the crews on the outside at the Macandrew Bay regatta had the advantage of the tide, nearly all the crews winning from that side. Inside crews had the slack water. Members of the executive of the Auckland Rowing Association made a visit to Hamilton on Sunday. In conjunction with the Regatta Committee, a complete survey of the New Zealand championship course was made, and arrangements finalised for the necessary buoying (says the ‘Herald’). This will now mean that the course for the whole of the two miles will be marked off, and there should be no occasion for any complaints on the score of advantage of positions. According to the ‘ Southland Times, 1 definite word has now been received that the eight-oared boat for the Southland Rowing Association will be shipped on the Waipaita, which is due at Bluff on January 1. A feature of the Macandrew Bay Regatta was the improvement shown by the coxswains of the various crews. The steering throughout the day was good, and it looks as if the clubs have made some definite attempt to secure capable boys for this important position.

Speaking at the Auckland Club’s “At Home,” Mr W. J. HamptonReynolds, vice-president of both the Auckland and West End Clubs, announced that he had donated a set of trophies for eight-oar trials for each chib (says the ‘Star’). He also suggested that the winners should compete in an interclub eight-oar race for a club trophy, which would be held by the winning club for the ensuing twelve months.