UNION BOWING CLUB.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7143, 21 January 1884, Page 5

UNION BOWING CLUB.

TRIAL FOURS. The first heat of this event was got off on Friday evening, when a splendid race took place over the whole course—one mile and o-half. Result: — FIRST HEAT. Thetis (south bank)—W. Pascoo, bow; A. J. Moulo, 2 ; A. E. Baker, 8 5 H. Lowry, stroke s C. Mason, cox ... 1 Thalia (north bank)—H. Styche, bow; T. Jackson, 2 ; J. Martin, 3;C. H.

Wagstaff, stroke; W. Styche, cox 2 Lowry was quickest in getting to work, and, rattling in the strokes with great rapidity, gained a quarter of a length lead in the first 20 strokes. Still pulling three strokes to Wagstaff’s two, he had drawn clear by the time tho tannery was reached. Both crows had now settled steadily to work, and Wagstaff began to steal back a little of the lost ground, but at the comer which leads to Pratt’s his cockswain took him too close into the bank, with the result that bow and No. 3 were considerably hampered by the overhanging willows, both men missing two or three strokes. This apparently bad steering was owing to the numerous weeds on the south bank, which kept the Thetis in mid-stream while the Thalia was almost under the willows. It was certainly unfortunate for Wagstaff, for it lost him over a quarter of a length, which would have helped him considerably with the inside position at Pratt’s in his favour. Lowry eased slightly before Pratt’s was reached, but still rounded the comer leading by a length and a half. In the next half mile the Thetis drew up every now and again, falling back, however, and losing slightly when the other crew spurted. Coming with great determination after passing Cowlishaw’s, Wagstaff wiped off a good piece of Lowry’s lead before Stanmore bridge was reached, about ha)f a length of water separating the boats after coming through the arches. In the straight for home the Thalia’s crew resolutely set to work to overhaul their opponents, who strove their hardest to reach the willows first. Amidst the greatest excitement the Thalia drew up. Inches grew into feet, feet into yards, until at about a hundred yards from home the length and a half lead of the Thetis had been reduced to three-quarters of a length. Lowry then came with a final effort, and one that brought success, for he reached the post a winner by not quite a boat’s length. The final heat, which was to have taken place on Saturday, had to be postponed on account of , the rain. It will be rowed off this evening at 6.30 p.m.