ROWING VICTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21457, 3 April 1933, Page 11

ROWING VICTORY

EIGHT-OAR CONTEST OTAGO CREW'S SUCCESS AUCKLAND COMES SECOND [I!Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Saturday Otago scored its fifth successive win in the interprovincial eight-oar championship race for the HallyburtonJohnstone Cup rowed on the Hutt Road course on the Wellington Harbour to-day. There was a light northerly breeze and the sea was slightly ruffled. The course was two and threequarter miles. The positions, No. 1 being nearest the shore, and the crews were as follows: No. 1, Wanganui.—C. A. Healy (str.), 11.10; W. B. Kruse (7), 11.6; A. K. G. Jackson (6), 13.3; S. A. * Healy (5), 11.5; R. Gould (4), 12.4; M. I. Luxford (3), ,11.6; R. Mowatt (2), 11.11; E. 0. Traill (bow), 10.7; E. Gullery (cox). No. 2, Canterbury.—G. A. Stiles (str.), 13.2; F. H. Thompson (7), 13.4; J. O. McGrilfen (6), .12.2; M. Hunter (5), 13.0; J. Gdby (4), 12.9; A. Andrews (3), 12.3; G. Empson (2), 11.3; M. Hullet (bow), 11.2; L. Hampton (cox). No.' 3, Auckland. —W. J. Dean (str.), 11.6; L. E. Brooker (7), 11.5; T. Johnson (6), 12.7; F. Solomon (5), 13.2; P. Williams (4), 12.5; F. G. Bowling (3), 11.7; J. R. H. Biss (2), 10.10; J. H. Donovan (bow), 10.12; W. Logan (cox). No. 4, Marlborough.—A. Aldridge (str.), 13.0; S. Cox (7), 12.7; F. Oldham (6), 11.0; J. Trainor (5), 11.0; O. Sutherland (4), 12.7; L. Andrell (3), 12.0; W. Gibbons (2), 11.0; R, Sutherland (bow), 10.0; A.vSadd (cox). No. 5, Otago.—-G. Clark (str.), 10.8; H. G. Stiles (7), 12.11; F. Brough (6), 13.0; J. D. Solomon (5), 11.0; L. R. Fountain (4), 11.6; D. Matheson (3), 10.8; C. Neilson (2), 10.3; H. L. Pritchard (bow), 10.4; R. Mathieson (cox). No. 6, Wellington.—G. Rhodda (str.), 10.7; C. Gimblett (7), 11.6; W. Lind (6), 12.7; A. Ross (5), 12.6; G. C. Cooke (4), 11.0; W. Dqidge (3), 13.0; W. Kemp (2), 12.2; A. Hope (bow), 11.10; L. Kearns (cox)-. Otago took the lead from the start, closely followed by Canterbury, with Wanganui and Auckland on even terms and Wellington a length behind. Marlborough was a similar distance back. At the mile and a-half one of the Wellington crew "caught a crab," giving Marlborough fifth place. Otago was now two lengths ahead. Auckland made a great effort at the two miles and gained on Otago, with Canterbury half a length back, followed by Wanganui, Marlborough and Wellington. Otago, Auckland and Canterbury were now separated by a length each way, Wanganui being four lengths back fourth. With half a mile to go Auckland made another spirited attempt. Otago rowed faster and pulled away to win by two lengths. Three lengths separated Auckland and Canterbury. Wanganui was six lengths back, Marlborough seven and Wellington eight. Time, 14m 36 2-ss. A train of 25 carriages, and carrying over 1000 passengers, followed the race for the entire distance. Many spectators lined the roadside. The race was the sixth for the championship, which was introduced in the ! 1928 season. Owing to the difficulty the North Island selector had in communicating with the crew, the inter-island eightoar race was not held. DESCRIPTION OF RACE % CHALLENGE BY AUCKLANDERS [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Sunday Otago won yesterday's boat race by sheer grit and energy, coupled with perfect balance and precision. The stroke, which was slow and steady, started at 32 to the minute and was by no means fast until the last 100 yards. The morning was bright and sunny, but clouds appeared early in the afternoon. Later the wind died down completely and the water was good, there being only a very slight " jobble." Wanganui drew the inside position and the crews lined to the seaward in the following order: —Canterbury, Auckland, Marlborough, Otago, Wellington. At the end of about half a mile Otago was rowing beautifully and had about three-quarters of a length lead, being closely followed by Wanganui and Canterbury. Wanganui at this stage was keeping in smooth water inshore, but even with this advantage its rowing tended to bo sluggish. Before the first mile was reached the boats were lying Otago, Canterbury and Auckland (together), Wanganui, Marlborough, Wellington. Wellington lost all hope of securing a place when No. 6 " caught a crab." It was clear that the issue would be decided between Otago, Auckland and Canterbury. With about three-quarters of a mile to go Otago was leading by a length and ahalf, with the same steady, rhythmic stroke. Auckland at this stage was rowing exceedingly well, spurting slightly and increasing its stroke to 34. Auckland began to cruep up a little, but Otago was able to withstand the challenge. The final 200 yards were most exciting. The Auckland crew on approaching the post loosed all their reserve energy and began to creep up, but Otago had apparently been taking things easier 1 earlier and a slight spurt enabled it to increase its lead by half a length.