EXCITING EIGHTS

Evening Star, Issue 22247, 27 January 1936, Page 2

EXCITING EIGHTS

CLOSE INTERCLUB ROWING HARBOUR TITLE TO NORTH END Each of tho four local rowing clubs has now won the interclub eight-oar championship of the harbour, the honours being secured for the first tune by the Nortn End Club in the ninth annual series of events decided a,t Port Chalmers on Saturday afternoon. To say the least, it was a surprising victory, but one none the less deserved on the ’crew’s performances, both in its heat against the Otago Club, and in the final against tho Port Chalmers Club, which was defending the title won more often by it than any other club. Three rousing races were staged over about two miles, from Pulling Point to tho shipping basin between the George and Bowen piers, which were lined throughout tho afternoon by a crowd of enthusiastic barrackers numbering quite 200. Splendid leather and water conditions prevailed, hot sunshine beating down on the harbour, the surface of which was enlivened to an extent by a light nor’-easter. Despite such enticing conditions the Lower Harbour crews, wliich contested the first heat, were half an hour late in appearing, with the result that the final event was almost an hour behind schedule, to the annoyance of not a few of those in attendance. The times were much in advance of those of recent years, the first heat being completed in 9min 20sec, though the final took llmin, being an obvious reflection of the assistance of wind and strong flood tide during the heats. Judging by its finished oarsmanship, despite the fact that the crew rowed together as a combination for the first time that day, Port Chalmers seemed as though it would retain the championship, when it succeeded in effortless style to put daylight between its boat and Queen’s Drive’s in the first heat. Seldom has a crew of better form emerged from the Port Chalmers shed. Less experienced, but nicely balanced, Queen’s Drive rowed even more impressively than Otago did against North End in the following heat; in fact, it rowed more cleanly than either of these crews, whose water work was that of rowers lacking tho finesse of their art. Brute strength and less rhythm than one would expect carried the crews to the line half a length apart. The win of the comparn-tively-experimental North End crew was popular, more so than in the final, which was obviously a disappointment to the preponderance of Port Chalmers supporters to see their heroes go under by only a quarter of a length. Bad steering marred every race, and it is probable that there would have been a different tale to tell had the coxswains set their boats on straighter courses than the zig-zags they chose to follow.

As reported, North End has never previously won such a contest, while on four occasions—the first two in 1928 and 1929 and the last two in 1934 and 1935 —the title was held by Port Chalmers. Otago annexed the trophy (presented by Mr C. P. M. Butterworth and the late Mr John White) for the three seasons from 1930 to 1932, and Queen’s Drive’s only victory was established in 1933.

As previously, the racing was followed in turn by the provincial selectors (Messrs W. J. Wilson, T. F. Mackie, and E. V. Fairbairn), who were stationed aboard a launch to search for talent for the Upper and Lower Harbour eight-oar crews, which will be announced after the Port Chalmers regatta on February 8. They will row at Dunedin on the evening of Thursday, February 13. after which the crew to represent Otago in the ninth annual in-ter-provincial . eight-oar championship contest at Wanganui on Easter Saturday, April 11, will be selected. FIRST HEAT TO PORT. Port Chalmers Rowing Club—G. Mitchell (stroke), J. D. Solomon (7), C. Neilson (6), W. Smith (5), N. Rao (4), J. Abernethy (3). R. Cramond (2), G. R. Thorn (bow), and R. Underwood (coxswain) ... 1 Queen’s Drive Boating Club—G. P. Clark (stroke), L. E. Pithio (7), M. Jackson (6), J. Treloar (5), D. Sutherland (4), I). M. Matheson (3), J. Der.scm (2), A. Cook (bow), and W. Edmondson (coxswain) 2

Away together, the crews stroked side by side for some distance, but Port established an early lead, and was never pressed over the entire journey. After a quarter of a mile Port had a definite lead, which it increased over the next stage. Both were rowing in fine form, and at halfway were striking at 30 to the minute, llowing well within themselves, Port shrewdly kept its bow ahead and moved stroke for stroke with its opponents, so that whenever the latter quickened the leaders automatically lengthened out and maintained their advantage. On reaching the extremity of the wharves Port was no more than three-quarters of a length iii first water, but it made Drive’s task impossible over the last 100yds. Port skimmed calmly along, while its eager young rivals, consisting of many lessexperienced oarsmen, were all out. Though unsuccessful by a length they rowed a gallant fight to the finish, and were not particularly distressed at the final gun. Time, 9miu 20sec. CLOSE SECOND HEAT, North End Rowing Club—J. Hurrell (stroke), F. W. Eggers (7), A. Hogan (6), D. M'Callum (5), P. F. Verngreen (4), M. Hogg (3), M. Butterfield (2), C. Butterfield (bow), and W. J. Glengarry (coxswain) 1 Otago Rowing Club—J. P. Vallis (stroke), if. G. Stiles (7), F. Brough (6), C. E. C. Johnson (5), W. N. Binnio (4), C. W. J. Brown (3), W. L. Zafter (2), J. B. Henry (bow), and L. Barclay (coxswain) 2 Within the first five strokes Otago was cleaving first water, and gave North End the chase for three-quarters of a mile. Whipping up the water, and ripping through in determined style at 34 to the minute, Otago was setting a stiff pace, but North End was apparently hanging fire and managing to hold its own at 29. The critical stage of the race was over the next quarter-mile to halfway, and in that distance North End turned the positions. From then onward it escorted Otago to the line, though lengths were lost in both boats as a result of erratic steering. Coming up to the wharves, North End had a little in hand, and continued with steady stroke and straight shoulders to ply its way to the Judge’s flag, where it was given the decision by half a length. Over the final stage Otago was unable to recover anything resembling balance, and was obviously glad when it was all through. Time, 9min 30sec. EXCITING FINAL. North End Rowing Club ... 1 Port Chalmers Rowing Club ... 2

After half a hour’s spell North End was first on the water for the final, which was rowed on practically slack

water. At “go ” the crews moved off as one, but North End gathered the speed to gain the load, which gave it tho race in the end. The lead was only a matter of yards after quarter of a mile, but it was easily a length after half a mile, though its boat rolled, its watermanship was crude, and the steering was atrocious. As the boats approached halfway, and while they were both doing 30 to the minute, Port began to retrieve some of its deficiency. Still slicing the water evenly and cleanly, it was not far behind as they reached the harbourage of the wharves, and it set sail for the line with every ounce of energy it could muster. As though expecting this move, North End followed suit, and gave Port the race of its life to the judge’s mark to win bv a, quarter of a length. Time, llmin.