ROWING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 12

ROWING.

BRETT MEMORIAL CUP RACE.

VICTORY FOR ST. GEORGE'S. TWO WINS TO WAITEMATA. . The Waitemata has rarely been fo ideal for rowing this season as it was on Saturday afternoon, when its smooth surface proved conducive to excellent contests in a series of inter-club races. Three trophies were in competition, and although two. the Mason Cup and the Nixon Cup, did not receive representative support, the >rnain race, that for the Brett Memorial Cup. attracted five creivs, including one , from Whangarei. The Brett Cup, which was presented by Mr. Arthur Brett, has been contested for four seasons, St. George's being the first holders. In the two succeeding feasons the cup was in the North Shore shed, but it was won again (on Saturday) by St. George's after Auckland, which finished first, had been disqualified for fouling. The two other races were both won by Waitemata. The winning pair and St. George's were the only entries in the Mason Cup. Further down tho harbour three crews arrived at St llelier3 Bay to take part in l the Tnmaki Yacht Club's regatta in rowing of! the Nixon Cup, Waitemata winning again after an even exhibition. The officials for tho Brett Cup and the Mason Cup were:—Starter, Mr. E. H. Buckler; judge, Mr. L. Gardiner; umpire, Mr. V. Dunne. BRETT MEMORIAL CUP. AUCKLAND DISQUALIFIED. All the crews in the race for the Brett Memorial Cup ' stood up well to the one and a-half miles journey from Orukei to off Campbell's Point, and provided a thrilling finish. The crews and positions were;— No. 1, Auckland: S. Scott. C. Cham.berlain, J. McComish, R. Porter. No. 2, Korth Shore: R. Sherley, J. Woodhouso. C. Willetts. H. Judkins. No. 3, Waitemata: R. Smith, A. Ross, J. H. Beesley, G. Barker. No. 4, St. George's: C. W. D'Authreau, P. Williams, A. Andrews, 1. C. Ilorton. No. 5, Whangarei: F. Cotton, J. Webber, J. Fogarty, C. Storey. St. George's started vigorously and was soon leading, followed by Whangarei. Off the eastern gap the leaders were ahead of Waitemata, Whangarei having fallen back, iwith Auckland thud. Waitemata could not keep up the pace and was passed -by Auckland and Whangarei. As tho western gap was neared the Auckland stroke sprinted his crew and moved up rapidly on St. George's, while further back Waitemata and Whangarei had n slight foul. Although Auckland had the insido position the boat, steered for 'he Akarana shed, which is the seaward limit of the course. This encroachment forced the other competitors to bore out, of their courses and also caused Auckland to run across St. George's bow. fouling that boat. Both crews picked up again and the race to the line, although the course taken by Auckland forced the boats to narrowly miss yachts mooted off the fairway, was most spectacular. St. George's gradually gained on the leader and barely three-parts of a length separated the two crews at tho llag. Whangarei was third, two lengths away, followed by Waitemata and North Shore. After the race St. George's appealed to tho umpire, Mr. V. Dunne, who awarded the race on the foul and in consideration of the fact that. Auckland had not kept to its own water. MASON PAIR-OAR CONTEST. WAITEMATA'S EASY VICTORY.' The Mason Cup, a trophy presented for annual inter-club pair-oar competition by the president of tho Auckland Rowing Association and tho New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, Mr. W. Mason, drew the . small entry of two pairs. The crews were:— Waitemata: J. H. Beesley (stroke). R. Smith (bow). St. George's: J. R. H. Biss (stroke), G. H. Biss (bow). Waitemata was the Quicker to get under way and maintained a good lead from St. George's over the distarce. The last-named crew overtook the Waitemata pair over the last quarter of a mile, but at the flag was four lengths astern. RACE TOR NIXON CUP. WAITEMATA'S SECOND WIN. After a postponement from January 30 the Nixon Cup was decided under tho control of the Tamaki Yacht Club on Saturday. Three crews entered, and in a very close finish Waitemata won from tho holders of the. trophy, St. George's. This was Waitemata's second win in the afternoon. The course was from Kohimarnma Wharf to a pontoon moored off St. Ileliers, a distance of one mile. Tho crews Were the heavy maiden fours from each club. The entrants were: -St. George's: W. Carr. D. Lawford, 11. Tonu, V. Da vies. Waitemata: T. Conway. D. Smith. O. -T. C. Mason. H. T. Lee. Auckland: Robertson, D. Bridle, G. Field, V. Corbett. After an even start Waitemata took the lead, which it, held throughout. Over-the last stretch the other crews challenged and in a close and exciting finish Waitemata took the decision by a. length, with St. George's coming up for second place. Auckland was third, a, length further astern. WEST END CLUB. SUCCESS OF V. MACFARLANE. Four crews of the West End Rowing Club met on Saturday afternoon to decide trophies donated by the vice-president. Mr. E. G. Kohn. Water conditions were good. In the first, heat G. Conway, A. Dalton, L. Kirk and L. Lambie met M. Conway. A. Ganley, J. Craies and W. Conway. M. Conway set a fast stroke, which proved effective. His four kept ahead from the start and managed to increase the lead to a leneth at tho finish. C Wright. L. Lanaham, J. H. Donovan and' T. Burley. anrf V. MacFarlane. B. Stewart. J. Parsons and L. R. McDonald were the fours selected in the second heat,. Wright's crew was too heavy for the smooth water and MacFarlane ■ was always the leader. Off the shed Wright's four spurted and the gap was decreased after a great* raco to a canvas at tho post. In the final MacFarlane and M. Conwav had an even start, and both strokes set, their men very fast time. MacFarla.no Gradually left, lis opponent, and although Conway challenged at the shed the four along in fino styl© to win by two lengths.