THE BOWING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 14

THE BOWING SEASON.

A BUSY SATURDAY, WEST END CLUB'S CONTEST. MRS. L. PATTON'S TROPHIES. The members of the West End Rowing Club rowed a set of handicap double sculls trials on Saturday afternoon, for trophies presented by Mrs. L. Patton. Good water conditions prevailed on tho club's No 1 course from the reclamation to the boathouse. Mr. W. H. Conway was starter and Mr. Jj. tatton judge. In the first heat C. Wright and T. O'Brien (Is) met L. Culpan and F. Conway (3s). Ihe crews raced'evenly for three-quarters of the journey. Then Wright and O'Brien took the lead and won by a full length. In the second heat, A. C. Norden and C. Paron (2s) mot J. Johnson and F. Francls •?*)• , From a n even start the crewu raced level to the Quarter-distance, whero Johnson and Francis forged ahead and won by over a length. In the third heat, J. Skinner and H. Strange (6s) met W. N. Bright and J. togerty (4s). The first-named pair made the most of their handicap and, maintaining ttie lead, won by a length and a-half. In the fourth heat, A. W. Newdick and V. Hewitt (scr) met A. J. Culpan and B. J. Courtney, also on the mark. The last-named pair quickly jumped into the lead, hut nearlg g *J» three-quarter mark Newdick and Hewitt got ahead and won by three-quarters of a length. In the first semi-final C. Wright and T. JfV r l en . met ?" Johnson and F. Francis, -the last-named pair quickly gained a lead, and kept Wright and O'Brien on a stern chase for over three-quarters of the journey, ihe back-markers then went ahead and won by a full length. In the second semi-final Skinner and Strange met Newdick and Hewitt. Skinner made every use of his handicap, but the scratchpair set a lively pace that closed the gap. However, the effort proved too much tor them, and Skinner drew away again to win by nearly two lengths. For the final between C. Wright and F OBnen. opposed to J. Skinner and Ll Strange, the water conditions left nothing to be desired, and when given the signal Skinner and Strange made the most of their J handicap. However, Wright and O'Brien were a tough pair. Swinging well to their work, they overhauled their rivals about balf-way,-and crossed the line easy winners by a very big margin. WAITEMATA BOATING CLUB. THE HADFIELD TROPHIES. ' The Waitemata Boating Club members rowed a. set of trial fours for trophies presented by Mr. D. Hadfield, a vice-president. The usual course from the King's Wharf to a point off the new reolamation was rowed, and good water conditions prevailed except on the stretch in front of the boathouses. Four crews competed, and three good, hardfought races were witnessed. Th> crews in the first heat were: N. Doubleday, J. A. Stewart, H. Cullen. J. McPhail: A. M. Mackay. W. Lowe. J. R. Zmpey, P.-Eales. The crewa raced evenly along the reclamation and on the stretch to the new wall. Doubleday drew ahead and entered the calm stretch by the reclaiming wall with an advantage of half a length. Mackay then made a determined effort, out failed by a. canvas. ■ ■- In the second heat the crews were: L. Brooker, C. Hunt. R. Wade, A. Hart- A. Smith, C. Blundell, C. Walker, Watterson. There wae little between the crews until half-way along the reclamation, where Bmith took a slight lead. Through the rough water in front of the boatshedß, Smith's crew showed to greater advantage, and crossed the line with a good length's advantage. In the final both crews jumped away with a very fast stroke, and it was not until the reolamation was cleared that one oould claim an advantage. Here Doubleday forged ahead, and continuing steadily, won by a length and a-half from Smith. ST. GEORGE'S CLUB. ROWSELL CUP FOURS The annual set of trial fours for the Rowsell Cup was rowed by the St. George's Rowing Club • on Saturday afternoon.. Eight crews competed, and some good rowing was witnessed. The final was a great race, the three boats being practically level until the closing stages or the journey. The course was from fiobson Bay to a point off the olubhouse. and generally the water conditions were good. Messrs. V. Dunne and W. Lamb acted as judges. In the first heat the crews were: V. Harjrreaves, G. King, D. Grant, Owen: K. Welch. S. Wright. Blakey t Duncan: C. Manning, V. Hansen, C. Christie, C. Campbell. The crewa went away on a splendid start, and hung together foj half the journey Welch then forged ahead, but Hargreavoa challenged, and olosed on the leader. Entering the last quarter of the course, Welch again took the lead, and drew out to win by three lengths, with nargreaves second. The crews in the second heat were: W. Lamb, M. Steele. F. Wilson, Kellowny; D. Hurßreaves. Hansen, Stevens, Wynyard: N. Butohart, King, Gardiner, T. King. There was a good race for three parts of the course, where Hargreaves took tho lead, to win by three lengths from Lamb, who beat Butchart by three lengths. . In the third heat the crews were: V. Harnre.vves, Wilson, P. Barry, McGregor; A. Porter, G. Spensley. K Gilmour V Dunne. The crews raced evenly until clearing the half-way mark, where Porter forged ahead and won by two lengths. From a good start there was little between the crews in the final until approaching the reef. Porter then took a slight lead, but an immediate challenge from Welch and Hargreaves brought the boats almost level. Half-way across Judge's Bay Forter's crew, showing the best form, again took the lead, and crossed the line winners by half a length from Welch, who beat Hargreaves by a length. ■ The winners were: A. Porter (str). G. Spensley (3). K. ' Gilmour (2), V. Dunne (1),. G. Hatcher \(cox). AUCKLAND CLUB. 0> CLARK SHIELD FINAL. The Auckland Rowing Cltfb engaged in the final for the Clark Shield ou Saturday afternoon. The course was from, the King's Wharf to a point off the new reclamaiion. The competing crews were: W. B. Hill. R. Stacey, A. M. Doull. N. Nilseu, Murteell (cox): J. Stevenson, J. Johnson, C. H. McCormick. N. Anderson. A. Copeland (cox). Stevenson's crew quickly took the lend, and increased their advantage steadily to win by several lengths.