ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 5

ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WANGANUI CREWS SUCCESSFUL NEW SOUTH WALES SECOND IN EIGHTS FPeh United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 5. The presence of the New South Wales crews was the main feature at the Auckland Centennial and championship regatta at Mercer on Saturday. Heavy rain and rough water in the morning cleared with a change of wind at midday, and the afternoon was mostly fine. The attendance was 1,000. The lacing was of a high standard, with close finishes. The three races in which the New South Wales orews competed atracted the chief interest. The single sculls and eights were gruelling races, with New South Wales narrowly beaten in each The Australians were disappointing in the four-oared contest. The principal results were:—• Senior Fours.—Union (Wanganui) 1. Clifton 2, Auckland 3. New South Wales was outclassed, finishing fifth. Union soon overtook Clifton, and was almost a length ahead at the wharf, followed by Clifton, the present New;

Zealand champions, with Waitemata and Auckland next. All the crews sprinted, hut Union increased its advantage and won by two lengths. Auckland, which was left at the start, made a great run, passed Waitemata, and closed up on Clifton to finish third. Single Sculls.—ll. B. Smith (Auckland!) 1, G. Clubbo (New South Wales) 2, T. Hegglnn (Wellington) 3. Clubbe made a strong effort, but was beaten in a stern finish by Smith. Clubbe seemed to tire, and Smith, in a strong sprint, passed him 100yds from the finishing line. Senior Eights.—Union (Wanganui) 1, New South Wales 2, Waitemata 3. The race developed into a contest between Union and New South Wales, with Auckland and Waitemata well back. The New Zealand champion crew and New South Wales raced the full length of the course almost side by side, Union passing the visitors nearing the line to win by half a length.