SPECTACULAR ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 22099, 20 April 1935, Page 17

SPECTACULAR ROWING

' WANGANUI'S RUNAWAY VICTORY SvniMcv smwH ik first stares The dominant memory of tho interprovincial championship will be the' brilliant, well-earned victory of the [Wanganui representatives. After the, (first mile they were the only ones in jthe race. One also gauges the margin I pf their supremacy on the reserve of ■ ■ power " which they .exhibited as they • moved further away from Otago, their only competitors, when the end of the race was in sight. They won by three lengths—over 180 ft—and they won with r minimum of exertion, Otago also rowed' up to the line, a perfectly-timed (combination, but they lacked the vim that was so outstanding in the Wanganui boat. However,, on© remembers how these crews finished in such virile fashion, compared with the tailenders, who were over ten lengths astern at -she final gun. Except for a short period during the first mile, when it rowed about 35 strokes to . tho minute, and again as 'it finished doing 3kJ, Wanganui covered the course at an even 30. They rowed a truly orthodox style—a hard catch, hard leg-dnye, and hard finish. Otago maintained its customary long stroke, and seldom'did more then 29 to the minute at any stage'. However, they rowed under different conditions for most of the distance, Wanganui being favoured with - calmer water through drawing the inshore position. Otago was right on the outside, and had to row against wind fend water all the way, conditions being decidedly rough for the race. _ However, rough water made no difference to Wanganui, which deserves further congratulations for the manner in which it rowed through the channel swells over the last three-quarters of a mile. The conditions were totally different from those under which they row on the Wanganui River, but they were . able to show Otago a few points oven during this tiring stage of the race. ■ Canterbury and Wellington were unfortunate to nave their boats swamped in the swells, as it is almost certain one or the • other would have taken third place. Wellington’s short stroke cost them dearly, as they lost much power through missing at the catch. Canterbury was a rugged crew, but not at all stylish, while the Auckland eight, which eventually gained third position; was a steady, well-balanced one, though" it did not get any run out of its boat. The East Coast (North Island) crew made an admirable entry into the competition, and rowed a good style right through, but probably the most' disappointing crew was Southland's, which faded right out of the picture after two miles. TROUBLE AT START. Considerable ‘ trouble was experienced by the starter (Mr E. V. Fair bairn) to get the seven boats l into line for the ■tart. They were brought forward, but had to move back again, and formed a good line. Without hesitation the starter fired his gun, and they all struck off together, whipping up tho choppy waterlis they brought their boats under control. Wanganui (inshore) started off witli a particularly snappy stroke, while Wellington and Otago, who were tho furthest out on tho course, soon settled down to a long sweep. Wellington was first to head the field, but only momentarily. It was ' three-quarters of a length ahead, of Otago, which was in front of Wanganui by about a-quarter of a length. However, Otago and Wanganui soon caught Wellington, and it Was after having rowed half a mile that Wanganui’s bow slid out in front. The defenders quickened their stroking rate from 30 to about 35 a minute, which put them well in the lead, so that when the first mile was covered they were a length and a-quarter ahead of Otago, which had improved its position against Wellington to half a length. From Wellington to Canterbury there was a gap of two lengths, with another length to

Wanganui Retains Eights Title Otago Second In Interprovincial Race Auckland Varsity Crew’s Superiority Greater spectacle and thrill than that provided by the. eight-oar rowing staged on the Upper Otago Harbour to-day may not be seen again for many a long year. Scarcely could they have be.en more impressively combined for the enjoyment of the huge crowd of 10,000 or more people, hailing from various parts of the dominion, who thronged the Dunedin wharves throughout the morning. Seven fit crews put up a magnificent tussle in the eighth ■ annual inter provincial eight-oar championship contest, in which a first-class Wanganui combination successfully defended the title and the Hallyburton Johnstone Challenge Bowl,"which was first won by that province in last Easter’s race. Wanganui won as it pleased, and the Otago representatives were the only other oarsmen who could maintain the stiff pace set by the well-trained winners. They were given, a long, chase, and went under gallantly, and their hometown ers cheered them lustily. Distinct superiority was displayed by the Auckland University College rowers in the eighth annual interuniversity eight-oar event. They deservedly retain the Hebbcrly Shield, and had it been possible for them to do so they would have made admirable representatives for the Auckland province in the other race'. Otago rowed third in the ’Varsity contest, securing its first placing since competing in the series. Crews were ■ chosen, but it was decided soon after midday, when much time had been lost on the programme, to abandon the interisland eights.

Southland and Auckland, and East Coast coming up in the rear a further length astern. WANGANUI IN CONTROL. Over the second mile .Otago went out after Wanganui, lengthening its steady stroke of., about 30 to the minute, it left Wellington with the rear bunch, but Wanganui automatically accounted for this spurt, and taking full advantage of the smooth water inshore held its advantage with ease. Gradually it began to open up more water between its', stern and the- Otagpboat, until at the halfway mark it had Otago two lengths behind. Wellington followed Otago, a length and a-half behind, and then came Canterbury (two lengths), Auckland (half a length), Southland (three-quarters of a length), and East Coast (three-quar-ters of a length). Still Wanganui kept increasing its lead on Otago to two and a-half lengths .by making the most of the better conditions that favoured it near the shore. Otago moved out to three lengths from Wellington, _ but none of tho other crews bettered itsell, with the exception of East Coast.which was slowly gaining on Southland at the tail of the field. TWO CREWS SWAMPED. From the two-mile mark all crews entered more choppy water, but it did not trouble the leaders, who kept up. a cracker pace three lengths beyond Otago, which was a similar distance •head of Wellington, with Auckland <• length and a-half), Canterbury <quarter of a length), Southland (threequarters of a length), and East Coast thalf a length) further afield. Again Wanganui lengthened out, giving Otago a long chase under gruelling conditions. Here the superiority of the leading crews made ijself more apparent, and the watermanship of both was magnificent in such rough water. Five lengths behind Otago Auckland was showing the way to the other contestirfits, with Wellington and Canterbury ! now rowing on even terms. About midway across the channel both boats were swamped simultaneously by a heavy sea, Wellington being picked up by the starter’s launch, and the Canterbury oarsmen managing to paddle ashore. .WANGANUI’S FINE FINISH. But the race went on, and Wanganui withstood every challenge that Otago attempted. With half a mile to go Wanganui remained two lengths up on Otago, and then" there was a stretch of about eight lengths to Auckland, wbich was followed at a distance of a length and a-quarter by Southland and East ' Coast. Otago crept up slightly about 300yds from home, but as soon as Wanganui reached smooth water again in the shipping basin it went away at 38 strokes to the minute, rowing magnificently to win and retain the title by three lengths. Otago also, brightened somewhat, and finished in a fit style amidst tremendous cheering from those gathered all round the wharves. Ten lengths behind Otago came Auckland, and then there was anothed length and a-quarter to East Coast, which also finished quite impressively. Southland did not complete the distance, stopping rowing fit the entrance to the wharves. No official time was taken, as the umpire and timekeeper (Mr W. G. Glengarry) was aboard the starter s launch, which had to rescue the oarsmen whose boats were swamped. Ihc approximate time was 19min 30sec. CREWS AND PLACINGS, Wanganui—G. Delves (stroke), C. A. Healey (7), A. K G. Jackson (6), A. V. Sheppard (5), R. Gould (4), H. Robertshaw * (S), D. •Holmes (2), R. Coxon (bow), and C. Weller (coxswain) 1 Otago.—G. P. Clark Jstroke). J., D. Solomon (i), J- P- Tallis (6), IT. G. Stiles (5). L. R- fountain M), L. ]■:. Pithie (3), C. Neilson ' 12), D. M. Matheson (bow), and R. Underwood (coxswain) ... ... 2 Auckland.—C. liana , (stroke) T. Harvey (7), D. Cameron (6), 1. Sander (5), G. Fogarty (4). H. Payment (31, C. Cameron (2), G. Denniston (bow), and*V. Conway (coxswain) ”

East Coast.—J. Barrett • (stroke), C. Wallace (7), H. Warren (6), M. Doyle (o), R. Webb (4), W. Glover (3), I. Stevens (2), R. Mitchell (bow), and R. H. Mathowson (coxswain) 4 Southland.—R. Sutton (stroke), E. Scammell (7), J. Hogan (6),. J. Keppcl (5), P. Hay (4), H. Bailey (3), W. H. Little (2), A. Imbs (bow), and F. M'Manus (coxswain) * Wellington—o. X. Clayton (stroke), A. Hope (7), K. Boswell (6), P. Abbott (5), D. J. Boswell (4), B. Gimblett (3), R. Sharon (2), D. Gane. (bow), and A. Jones (coxswain) ... t Canterbury—D. Reid (stroke), K. Rhodes (7), A. Churchill (6), W. W. Reid (5), E. Kingston (4), W. Wilcockson (3), E. H. Giddens (2), R. Keegan (bow), and 0. Giddens (coxswain) t *Did not finish. tSwamped.

THE UNIVERSITIES AUCKLAND FIRST ALL THE WAY Jumping into the lead at gunfire, Auckland was never headed at any stage of the race. Otago also made _ a smart start, but Canterbury and Victoria were very slow off the mark; in fact, the other crews gained an immediate advantage of one length. After settling down the crews were strung out at intervals of one length—Auckland, Otago, Canterbury, and Victoria. They raced in that order to the halfmile post, where they were all rowing about 30 strokes to tlhe minute. Auckland was two and a-half lengths in front of Otago, which was only a quarter of a length ahead of Canterbury, with Victoria three lengths further back. Over the next quarter-mile Canterbury deposed Otago in second place, and set out after Auckland, which was rowing within itself.

CANTERBURY DEPOSES OTAGO. As the crews passed the mile post, or the, halfway mark, Auckland was a good three lengths away from Canterbury, which was scarcely a canvas ahead of Otago. Victoria was making heavy weather of it two lengths further back. The water was still very choppy in the channel, where Canterbury indicated that it was going to give Auckland a “ go ” for it, but, although it reduced the lead to about two lengths, it was unable to stay the pace with the Aucklanders. Otago followed Canterbury at a distance of one and a-quarter lengths, .while Victoria remained a discreet two lengths behind. Once into the calm waters of the shipping basin Auckland increased its pace again, and passed the judges’ boat three lengths ahead of Canterbury. Otago asserted itself, and made up a lot of leeway, but it was still a length astern of Canterbury at the final gun. Victoria brought up the rear, five lengths behind Otago, Time, 13min 24see. THE FINISHING ORDER. Auckland University College—O. C. J. Mason (stroke), H. T. Lee (7), J. P. Hooper (6), G. C. Dalton (5), P. F. Shirley (4), E. H. Sealy (3), H. T. Jellie (2), J. A, Parsons (bow), and E, Henderson (coxswain) ... 1 Canterbury University College—.l. O. Renaut (stroke), M. Hunter (7), M. Kirkcaldie (6), J. E. Stewart (5), R. W. White (4), A. R. Currie (3), C. C. Madden (2), J. M. Steeds (bow), and G. R. Simpson (coxswain) ... 2 Otago University J. N. Barron (stroke), M. R. Grace (7), N. H. Wilson (6), H. Jacobs (5), J. L. Burr (4) C. C. Foote (3), H. R, Holloway (2). H. C. Gray (bow), and C. Horne (coxswain) ••• 3 Victoria University College (Wellington)—G. Milno (stroke), R. P. Hansen (7), G. Gibbons (6), K. Barnes (5) W. M. Willis (4), H. M. M‘lntosh (3), C. M. P. Brown (2), J. F. Eggers (bow), and R. K. Keating (coxswain) 4