ROWING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 17

ROWING SEASON.

INTER-CLUB COMPETITION.

HIGH STANDARD DISPLAYED. REGATTA AT NGARUAWAHIA. The five harbour clubs had a busy time during the week-end as five sets of trial fours, one inter-club four, and the eightoar inter-club races were rowed. The trial fours for the qualifying races for the Barrett Cup drew a total of 19 crows. If the races had been rowed earlier in the season the entries would have been greater.

Hie trials and Barrett Cup were rowed on a North Shore course, but the conditions were not of the best. The tide was very low and thei fresh southerly wind made the water conditions uncomfortable, but fortunately there were no accidents. The four-oar races produced a high standard of rowing and each set was won by the best crew. The crews in some cases were somewhat stronger than usual in trial fours, as several men dropped back a seat. The short courso was a sufficient trial for the crews which were to compete in the big races. \ The crews were taken to the southern end of Cheltenham Beach for the Barrett Cup and this gave a course of about a mile. The starter got the crews away in splendid stylo and there was little between North Shore, Auckland and West End as the harbcur was entered. North Shore was the steadiest, but Dean did not scern the least bit worried when Auckland, West End and Waitemata took the lead. It was, however, a treat to watch tho manner in which tho North Shore crew was handled over tho last 200 yds, Tho crew tlion took tho lead and no matter how tho West End crew challenged, Dean's crew always had tho necessary reserve to meet it. The best crew won and although at one stage it seemed to the spectators that North Shore and West End collided, such was not the case. St. George's Too Good. Tho inter-club eights for tho Dr. Stuart Reid Cup had been looked forward to for several weeks, and the racing during the week-end took place under ideal water conditions. The first race looked upon to provide Auckland with a win saw that crew completely routed by West End. North Shore was generally considered able to account for St. George's. Tho Pnrnell oarsmen made no mistakes from tho start and gave North Shore a tasto of a stern chase. Off the baths North Shore appeared to be overhauling the leaders, hut when Horton called on his crew there came a response which placed the issue beyond doubt. West End's showing in the first heat increased the crew's supporters for tho race with Waitemata. This was a stirring struggle over the whole journey. The finishing stages were most exciting, but Waitemata just held on long enough to win by a canvas. The fine display bv St. George's in the second heat made it, evident that Waitemata would not have an easy race in the final. When the gun went St. George's fought hard for the lead, which was held throughout. The crew won a good race and the recent coaching to some of the members stood them in good stead. St. George's had the life and dash and a splendid swing, which never once through the journey were shown by Waitemata. The winners excelled themselves and for the first time won tho trophy. *• Satisfactory Entries.

The entries fnr the Ngaruawahia regatta, the last of the season, are very satisfactory and visitors to the river township next Saturday can rely upon seeing some splendid racing. The draw for positions has set some crews thinking, as the course will offer the most severe test yet.

Now that North Shore's crack junior four have entered the senior division the junior race should provide the best and most open race of the day. North Shore has had matters its own way in the double sculls, but Tauranga, after the display on the Whau River, should prove troublesome.

A big field has entered for the single sculls, and the handicapper has an unenviable task. With Auckland and St. George's well separated in the maiden fours open both crews should get into their stroke better. Auckland has the best position, but against the current St. George's should prove the stronger. The remaining races for the season are either club trials or inter-club events and possibly the two trophies presented to the North Shore Club will be rowed for for the first time.

The Auckland crew will leave next Sunday for Dunedin to compete in the annual interprovincial eight-oar championship race to be rowed on the Dunedin Harbour on the following Saturday. The crew is now down to steadier work and has put in some good rowing, but has a big task ahead. Otago is sparing no effort to retain the trophy, while reports from both Canterbury and Marlborough indicate that strong crews will be placed by these provinces.