CANTERBURY BOWING CLUB.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5610, 17 February 1879, Page 6

CANTERBURY BOWING CLUB.

i On Saturday afternoon ft forger number of came off, ft paiir-oar rac ® between junior*, for Mr Blakiston’s prizes, was rowed. ~ , The crews were !—Swan (south bank) . J. Grierson (stroke), B. M BoUlton to I'oox). Cygnet (north bank) ! A. O. rotting hto (stroke), 0. Mann, 0. Dizon (cox). The course being from Pratt’s to the Willows. Grierson was quickest starting, and got a lead of half a length, which to kept afl the mTUD the reach m spite of his opponents utmost efforts. After passing the bathing place Nottingham Began to draw up; but Frierson, on nearing Oowhshaw s corner, put on a* splendid spurt and fairly from the other crew, passing through Me bridge a clear length or more ahead. He kept his lead quietly, and won i a good ; race by a length and a half clear. Nottingham and his mate were rather light for their opponents, but they struggled gallantly all through and did their level best to win. Immediately after this race the crews for the four-oar passed down to the starting pojfc* -The course was the same, Pratt s to the Tyne (north bank): J. O. Jones (stroke), T. Taylor, A. B. Pantt, B. J. Paul. 0. Dixon (cox). SlNGtlEElectric (south bank), L. M. Olltrier (stroke), J. B. Brewster, J. E. Evans, J. J. Collins, Dunnage (cox). Mr Trevor Grierson acted as starter, and got the boats away very evenly. Either the Electric was ah easier boat to start than the Tyne or her crews caught the water better, but Gllivier was nearly clear before half-a-dozen strokes had been pnlled and a length clear after going a hundred yards. From that the race was never in doubt. The married men had nothing to do but struggle bn behind their opponents and come in a couple of lengths behind. It was evident during this race that sufficient practice had ■hot been indulged in by the Benedicts, and another fortnight’s hard training would have made them all the more fit for the struggle. After the four-oar race, a sculling match—the result of ft 1 challenge—took place. The rowers werp G. Lanauze and —'■ Allison, and the course from Wright’s to the Willows, a distance of nearly two miles. The boats used were the Exe and the Wye, and owing to the narrowness of the river they were started 50 yards apart, finishing at posts tlje same distance from each other;Lanauze having the advantage of the leading position. 'At the word “Off” the men started slowly, both evidently keeping their strength fdr the finish. Allison at first began to ga'n a little, but soon, through his, bad steering and habit of stopping each time he looked round, commenced to lose distance. Passing Pratt’s, Lanauze had gained twenty yards and was rowing well within himself; Allison, at the time, being bothered by the corners. Coming up the reach to the bathing place, Allison drew up; a little, but soon fell hack again, and Lanauze, quickening up well towards the finish, won by half a dozen lengths. It would be an improvement, we think, in Allison, if he used his back more in rowing and practised looking round without ceasing his stroke. He possesses plenty of pluck and determination, but wants judgment.

This week the members of the Club will be busy practising for the double scull race on Saturday, and as a number of coxswains are wanted at the sheds every evening, it is to be hoped that these young gentlemen will putin an appearance a little oftener than some of them have lately been in the habit of doing.