ROWING EVENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22900, 1 December 1937, Page 24

ROWING EVENTS

INTER-COLLEGE CONTEST SUCCESS OF GRAMMAR CREW / SUPERIOR STAMINA REVEALED / * Another milostone in the progress of * the sport in New Zealand was passed on Saturday afternoon with the rowing of the firet inter-college eight-oar contest. Schoolboy races have been held previously in Wanganui and Christchurch, but this is the first time that eights have been used in these events, ffhe race last Saturday, incidentally, was also the first in which the crews have comprised representatives of Auckland secondary schools, although Mount Albert' Grammar met Wanganui Technical College in fours on the Auckland Harbour last April. The event was not as closely contested as expected. Reports were to the effect that the Sacred Heart eight had been shaping well and would be hard to dispose of, but its opponent's previous racing experience was the deciding factor.. Striking very fast at the start, Grammar moved away quickly from College, which commenced at a slow pace., The course was short enough to allow for a fast rate of stroking all the way. While Sacred Heart seldom, if at all, struck above 30, Mount Albert at times was doing 40 to the minute. A disadvantage at the beginning of r race-' often proves disastrous, and such was the case with Sacred Heart. Even if the College crew had gained an early lead, however, there is little doubt that the Grammar eight's staying powers would have proved the deciding factor. It is anticipated that a fours event .will be held in conjunction with the eights at future school championship meetings, the next of which will take place in May of next year. Subsequent contests will also be decided in that month to facilitate training operations. Enthusiasm is not lacking in colleges not yet training boys in oarsmanship, and at' least two more, Otahuhu Technical High School and Seddon Memorial Technical College, intend to prepare for the next championships. > KIDD'S FIRST WIN I EXCITING TRIALS AT AUCKLAND / ' , With the North Shore regatta less than two weeks away, crews were training solidly at the week-end, while on Saturday' afternoon five clubs held trial programmes. The water conditions on all'/'courses could hardly have been better. The Auckland Club, which received seven entries in its two previous series of races, boated eight crews — a higher number than has competed for some years. The trophy at stake was the Clark Shield. A crew stroked by the front man of this year's light maiden four, C. Kidd, -with W. Boon, 0. Cossey and G Hewlett, displayed great staying . powers, to gain success. It wiis Kidd's first win and his performance was the more,meritorious as the two how.men, Cossey and Hewlett, are novices. Chamberlain's four led over the last half of the course in the final, but Dickson and; Kidd were less than a length away. Both Dickson and Kidd had something in reserve and it was an exciting finish. Chamberlain dropped back: and Kidd was awarded the decision by two feet from Dickson. . / - ' UNIVERSITY CLUB STRONG REGATTA CONTENDER The University Club gave its oarsteen the benefit of racing by holding subscription fours. Individual form was above the average and the alacrity with which the crews settled down, combining rhythm and cohesion, gave the impression that the club's representatives should provide stern opposition at regattas. The four crews in the trial event were fairly evenly matched with the result that close races were the order of the day. The final between crews stroked by F. Wright and B. Monckton was especially keen, little separating them over the whole distance. Rowing a strong, steady stroke, Monckton, took the lead about 400 yards from the line. Wright was always in a handy position, but his challenges were to no avail and the leader maintained the advantage to win narrowly by a canvas. Both eights were fully extended in the Mortimer Fairs Shield race, which ■was the chief trial event of the West End Club's Patron's Day At Homo. The crfew "stroked by Parnell moved to the front after half the distance. It was not a substantial lead, but nothing could have stopped it from winning when number seven's rowlock pin broke. With his opponent thus handicapped Raper began to make up leeway. However, Parnell's crew continued with seven men pulling and finished the course one foot ahead. If SUCCESS OF NEW MEMBERS ENCOURAGING FORM SHOWN There is little doubt that Waitemata •will be a force to be reckoned >vith this 6eason. ( Its form from the first event has'been outstandingly good and distinctly encouraging to the selectors. The Schmidt trophies contest on Saturday provided another exhibition of the club's strength. Many new members have come forward in the last few ■weeks, and it is interesting to note that the successful crew stroked by C. H Cairns contained two novices, R. Mikkelson and W. Scott, who have been steadily improving. The attendance at the official opening of the North Shore Club was disappointing, but the rowing was of a satisfactory standard. The club does not intend to enter the Tauranga regatta, but entries will probably be made for later meetings in the province.