SOWING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20481, 5 February 1930, Page 15

SOWING SEASON.

HAMILTON REGATTA FORM

HIGH STANDARD OF RACING. COMING INTER-CLUB EVENTS. Tlie principal event for provincial oarsmen during the last week was the Hamilton llegatta, and in every way tho big Waikato gala was a decided success. The weather conditions were anything but convincing during the previous night but the eventful day broke fine and remained ideal to givo the big concourse of spectators who lined the river banks a most enjoyable day's outing. Although the entries were confined to five clubs, and the total number of competing crews was fewer than usual, the racing was of a decidedly higher standard. It was by way of a change to have a regatta at winch only well-trained crews faced the starter. The day's racing was a wonderful test of the oarsmen's stamina.

The competing clubs were Hamilton, Tauranga, West End, North Shore and St. George's, and eacli returned with a share of the prize-money. The final figures were:—Hamilton, £45; West End, £2O; Tauranga, £11; North Shore, £l2; St. George's, £3.

North Shore's Great Finish. Ono of the best performances was the fight between Hamilton and North Shore in the Youths' fours. The county crew made the pace and had such a commanding lead at one stage that North Shore's supporters were thinking hard. Once through the bridge, however, tho Auckland crow, little by little, reduced the gap, and about 200 yds. from the line took the lead.

Then the excitement began, but combination and fitness told and North Shore held the advantage to win by three feet. Many Waikato supporters contend that had their stroke not looked at his opponents so much at the critical stages the crew would havo won. That can best be answered by drawing attention to the fine combination, swing, catch and drive the North Shore crew had, compared with the display Hamilton gave. The single sculls calls for special mention. It was a pretty race throughout, and the majority of the competitors were within three lengths of each other at the finish. The handicapper performed well as Wink on 20 seconds just got home half a canvas ahead of Hana, five seconds, while the scratch man, Turner, was just over a length away. Both Turner and Hana should perform well at the New Zealand championships. While it was recognised that West End's crew in the junior fours was a strong one only its most ardent club mates predicted a win. After the first half-mile the town crew took the lead and steadily increased it to win by ono and a-half lengths. It was a popular win, the first in the class for nine years. Tauranga Men's Keenness.

The keen manner in which Tauranga oarstnen have taken to sculling was shown by G. Denniston's win over N. Pope in the maiden single sculls. The work of both men, especially in the last stages, was of a high order. This was the only occasion oil which the Hamilton Club has lost the event.

As anticipated, North Shore and Hamilton fought a hard race over the whole course in the open maiden fours. North Shore added its second win for the season by half a-length. The Hamilton light-weight maiden fours crew was altogether too good and won by three lengths. The three crews comprised the smallest entry in this event for many years. Tauranga added another good win in the maiden double sculls, as did West End in the junior pair oars.

No finer sight was seen than when the North Shore and Hamilton eight-oar crews raced along for the Somerville Challenge Shield. The Waikato crew was a fine combination, and gave a wonderful display, to win by a length. It would have been interesting to see the eight fully extended. Hamilton's senior four, holders of the. New Zealand title, were in a class by themselves, and won in a very comfortable manner. Nixon Cup Contest.

The fourth inter-club fours race for the Nixon Cup attracted seven crews from St,. George's, Auckland, and North Shore, a record entry, in spite of the absence of both Waitemata and West End. North Shore's combination told, and the club's crews filled first and second places, with St. George's third. The Waitemata Club held its annual trial fours for (ho James Reynolds Memorial Gold Cup and miniatures. Tho racing was close, especially the final, won with only half a length to spare by Fearon's crew.

The second annual inter-club race for the Sir Henry Brett Memorial Cup and miniatures will be rowed next Saturday afternoon over 'the course from Orakei to a point near the eastern tide deflector. Tho race is timed to start at 2.30 p.m., and crews are requested to assemble on the eastern side of the tide deflector at 2.15 p.m. Tho draw for positions will then be made and instructions given tho crews. Everything indicates that nine crews will compete. A splendid view of the race can be gained from the new waterfront roadway. Annual Eight-oar Race. In preparation for the annual inter-club eight-oar race for the Dr. Stuart Reid Cup during tho coming week-end, a working boo of Auckland oarsmen have been busy clearing the paddock that overlooks the course and straightening up the water approach for launching the boats. The entries have closed with crews from tho five city clubs, and a really good picnic day should result. Tho first raco starts at 11 a.m. and the final at 3.15 p.m. Each club is confined to one crew.

Two local clubs, West End and North Shore, will be represented at the annual Wanganui regatta next Saturday. West End will start in tho junior fours, while North Shoro will make a bid for the heavy maiden and youth fours. The Dominion championships at Picton on February 15 are arousing great interest. Tho Hamilton regatta offered a splendid clianco of scoing both the Hamilton and Tauranga representatives in action,' and, judging by the displays given, Aucklanders can have every confidence in them fully upholding the honour of tho province. The interprovincial eigiiUo'ar race promises to attract six crews to tho Wliau River course on March 22. The Auckland selectors, Messrs. V. Dunne, W. Oliver and C. Cairns, have their task in hand, but at tho present time no prospective crew has been named. BRITISH RUGBY CAPTAIN. CRITICISM OF WAKEFIELD. A cable announcement was made last week that \V. W. Wakefield had been appointed captain of tho British Rugby team to tour New Zealand during tho coming season. This would appear to conflict with tho following viows expressed in December by a writer in an English paper. 110 "stated: — " Two Rugby Union selections havo been made thai have astonished critical observers. 0n« is tho inclusion of W. W. Wakefield in tho second international trial match; tho other the choice of H. E. Can-is as the left wing thrccquartcr in the Cambridge University fifteen. " Wakefield all know has been a great player, but has been and is are as the poles apart. In the Northampton match not only was it apparent that ho could not stay tho pace, but that ho also had no inclination for hard scrummaging; further, ho waited for opportunities for spasmodic rushes which, unconsciously no doubt on his part, passed as brilliant, flashes to those who havo been praising him as a great come-back. England will need a much better scrummager against Wales."