YOUNG STROKE'S WIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 16 December 1947, Page 10

YOUNG STROKE'S WIN

MUIR CUP CONTESTS G.R.C. PRESIDENT’S FOURS Rowing a fast stroke with plenty of nip at the catch, a young crew stioked by K. Norman won the final race in the Muir Cup and President s Fours series conducted by the Gisborne Rowing Club during the past few days, and completed on the week-end tide. Norman defeated P. Stowers, a veteran who stepped into the stroke seat to replace an absent member and took his crew through to the final. Racing in the series was keen, and added interest was given to the cornpetition by the prospect of the Miller Inter-Club Cup races for which the last four crews in the series qualified. The inter-club races will be neld on Saturday, commencing at 1 p.m. to catch the tide right and victory will rest with the club scoring most points over the four races on the programme. Eight crews contested the Gisborne club's event for the Muir Cup, commemorating the long association with the club of the late Mr. C. W. Muir, and trophies presented by the president, Mr. Gordon Jones. Early results were: —

First Round. —P. H. Sceats, str., M. Young, B. Lee and K. Simpson d. J. Hankey, str., T. Muirhead, P. Pollard and R. Wilkins, by a length; K. Norman, str., N. Mills, D. McGlashen and R. Learning d. R. Ogilvie, str., A. Scott, H. Crosby and D. Miller, by a length and a half; W. Ellis, str., D. Robinson, R. Mills and T. Sheppard d. B. Hankey, str., G. Sceats, T. Kane and W. Le Prou, by two lengths; P. Stowers, str., J. Kane, K. Cassin and Russell d. H. Patterson, str., J. Oxenham, B. Simpson and R. Sinton, by two lengths.

Semi-Final. —Norman, Mills, McGlashen, and Learning d. Sceats, Young, Lee and K. Simpson, by a length and a half; Stowers, J. Kane, Cassin and Russell d. W. Ellis, Robinson, Mills and Sheppard, by a length and a half.

In the final Stowers got away to a clean start on terms with Norman, but did not keep his sprint going long, and his opponent drew away slightly in the first 200 yards. From that stage on down past the Botanical Gardens and nearly to Derby street bridge Norman had a lead of slightly more than a length, but a spurt near the last bridge enabled Stowers to draw up almost to level terms again. Norman’s boat was rolling badly at this stage, but he pulled his crew together again and cracked on a good finish, drawing away to win with a length of clear water.