SCULLING CHAMPIONS IN ACTION AT PICTON

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7145, 17 February 1930, Page 8

SCULLING CHAMPIONS IN ACTION AT PICTON

Turner Beats Jackson

HAMILTON CREW WINS PAIRS TITLE FROM STAR

Per Press Association. PICTON, Last Night. Though persistent rain, heavy at times continued throughout the championships regatta at Picton on Saturday, conditions otherwise were very satisfactory. The champion fours and champion pairs were rowed into an unpleasant head wind, but tbo water was not unduly rough and for the remainder of the races, the going was very smooth The pricipal events were all keenly contested and the times recorded wero satisfactory. Wanganui Union retained the doubles title and Turner, of Tauranga, repeated his victory of last year against Jackson in the singles. The Hamilton ex-champions, Sandos and Bayly, wrested tho pairs title from Star, last year’s winners, after a stirring race, which was only won on the last stroke. The Picton crew rowed a sterling race in the champion fours to down last year’s winning crew after a gallant struggle. Members of tho Picton crew are the only new “redcoats” of the season, all tho others having won championship races previously. Results: —

New Zealand Champion Fours; two miles. —Picton (L. Jackson, Olson, Wilson, Schimansky) 1; Hamilton (G. St. Clair, Sandos, Bayly, Waters) 2. The Wairau four were the only other starters. Won by two lengths, with Wairau well back. Time, 13.7 4-5. A thrilling encounter between two good crews compensated for the poor field in this event, and considering that the Taco was rowed into a brisk head wind, the time was good. Tho Hamilton crow was more polished, its swing and blado work being impressive. Conditions apparently upset its calculations, as after the first half mile, it cut down its rate of striking considerably. When this crew won last year on smooth water, it went over tho whole course at approximately 46 to tho minute, but over tho greater part of the journey this year, St. Clair was content with 34 to 36. The Picton crew seemed happier under the conditions and finished with a wonderful sprint. At no stage of the race, up to the’ last 100 yards, was there a clear length between the two leading boats. Hamilton held the advantage over the first half mile, but Picton’s steady stroke proved more effective and the crews then went on practically even terms to within half a mile of home. Hamilton then attempted to take charge, but Picton quickened. Hamilton also increased the rate of their stroke, but the local crew had more in reserve and won brilliantly. Wairau was never in the picture. Maiden Fours;' one mile. —Arapawa 1, Star 2, Wairau 3. Won by a length and a quarter, a canvas between Star and Wairau. Also started: Blenheim, Nelson, Petone and Picton. Time, 7.29. Junior Pairs; one mile.—Avon 1, Blenheim 2, Wairau 3. Also started: Picton. Won by four lengths, half a length between second and third. Time, 7.51. New Zealand Champion Single Sculls; II miles.—Tauranga No. 1 (Turner) 1; Wanganui Union (Jackson) 2; Picton (Tarrant) 3; Tauranga No. 2 (Haua) 4. The only starters. Time, 1.48. The wind had dropped considerably when this race started and the water was good. Turner lost ground in the early stages but after the first half mile, he came up with the leaders, rowing a very bright stroke. Jackson did not quicken till within half a mile off home, by which time Turner was a length in the lead. Haua began well and so did Tarrant, but over the latter half of tho journey ,these two had to be content with fighting it out for third place. With only a quarter of a mile to go, Jackson and Turner were both going well and an interesting finish was in prospect when their sculls fouled slightly. Jackson raised his arm in protest and both men then went on. Turner, however, got awaq better than Jackson and won comfortably by five lengths, with Jackson four lengths in front of Tarrant. Haua was fairly well up in fourth place. Jackson’s protest was not upheld. Lightweight Maiden Fours; one mile. —Petone 1, Blenheim 2, Arapawa 3. Also started: Avon, Picton, Nelson, Star. Won by one and three-quarter lengths, half a length between second and third. Time, 6.55 2-5. New Zealand Champion Pairs; 1| miles.— Hamilton No. 1 (Sandos and Bayly) 1; Star (Cooke and Mullins) 2; Wairau (Gibbons and Saunders) 3. Also started: Hamilton No. 2. Won by six inches. Time, 11.0. This was another magnificent race and taken in conjunction with tho fours, provided adequate evidence that rowing this year is of a very high standard. Wairau took charge at the start, but could not. hold tho load long. Star drew level after completing a quarter of a mile, and was a length in front at tho half mile. Wairau dropped back half a mile from home and left Hamilton No. 1 to issue a stirring challenge. An epic struggle over the last half mile forced both crews to extend themselves to the utmost and Hamilton, steering a somewhat better course, gained tho verdict by the smallest possible margin. Wairau was three or four lengths further back. Hamilton No. 2 was out of the contest after the first threequarters of a mile. The wind freshened in the course of the race and the time, in the circumstances, was good . Junior tours; 1| miles.—Avon 1, Blenheim 2, Union 3. Also started: Aramoho. Won by quafter ’of a length, the third crew well back. Time, 9.54 4-5.

Youths’ Fours; one mile.—Avon 1, Star 2, Blenheim 3. Also started: Picton, Petone, Nelson, Arapawa. Won by two lengths, a close contest for second place. Time, 6.32 1-5. New Zealand Champion Doubles Sculls; 14' miles.—Wanganui Union (A. K. G, Jackson and Traill) 1, SCagragga - iXanft aid Hajja),

Petone 3. Also started: Star. Won by two and a-quarter lengths, with Petone well back. Time, 8.58 3-5.

Wanganui Union set a very hot pace from the outset and gained a lead. Petone and Tauranga kept, within striking distance over half of tho journey, after which the former dropped back. Tauranga, rowing a snappy / stroke, kept Union hard pressed, "but in tho last sprint,, the heavier crew predominated and won nicely. The race provided an interesting exhibition of sculling. The water at times was ideal and all the crews moved along very cleanly. Maiden Pairs; one mile. —Star 1, Wairau 2, Blenheim 3. The only starters. Won by eight lengths each way. Time, 7.0. Marlborough Plate; 1| miles.—Hamilton (G. St. Clair, Sandos, Bayly, Waters) 1, Aramoho (Holmes, Mackay, Edwards, Robb) 2. Also started: Star, Wanganui Union, Wairau, Avon, Blenheim. Won by five lengths, two lengths between second and third. Time, 8.50 4-5. Hamilton won all the way. Aramoho issued a challenge but did not trouble the leaders seriously. Star was third.