ROWING EVENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23017, 20 April 1938, Page 19

ROWING EVENTS

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS SMITH RETAINS HIS TITLES WAITEMATA'S SOUND SHOWING With the conclusion of the national rowing championships at Wanganui on Monday Auckland clubs are stowing away boats and gear for the winter. There are only two races of importance now to be decided —the secondary schools' head-of-the-harbour contests along the waterfront drive course on Ssiturday week. These events are late in the season, but there is no lack of enthusiasm and the contests should provide good racing for the rowing finale. The representatives of clubs in the Auckland province who made the trip to Wanganui on the whole acquitted themselves well. The Auckland Club members, R. B. Smith and A. Morey, did all that was expected of them in successfully defending the double sculls title, while Smith retained the single sculls championship for the third year in succession. Morey also sculled well to gain third place in the same race. Smith's form was reminiscent of last year when he took the lead from the start and maintained it throughout. On Saturday he again led over the whole distance. A. K. G. Jackson, who was reported to be in sound form after hiis visit to Australia, was not in the same class as Smith.

The championships were commenced on Saturday in a steady downpour of rain, which continued throughout the day. The single sculls championship was rowed, although there was the danger that the light skiffs would be damaged with driftwood in the stream. The other contests in connection with the regatta were decided on Saturday but the remaining championships were postponed until Sunday.

Conditions were worse on Sunday than they were on the previous day. However, it was eventually decided at 10 o'clock to start the champion fours and the boats proceeded up-river to the starting place. Here the umpire decided that conditions were unsuitable and the crews pulled to the side of the stream. Conditions grew steadily worse and the crews went ashore until the afternoon.

The field lined up again at 4 p.m. and went away to a good start. Union No. 2 led early, followed by Clifton, the favourite, with last year's winner, Petone, well back. Owing to a bend in the river it was necessary to cross the stream in a place where there was a good deal of driftwood. The first two boats negotiated the section, but the next two boats each struck a log and were damaged. The event was then called off.

TWICE SUCCESSFUL

WAITEMATA LIGHT FOUR CLIFTON JUSTIFIES ITS FORM For the light maiden fours on Saturday the river was running fast and the starter had trouble in getting the crews into line. Waitemata. stroked by .T. Sweeney, with P. Yokes. W. Clapham and A. Carbines, had the advantage at the gun but the crew was hard pressed by Union, Petone and Clifton. With half a-mile to go Union had dropped back with Petone and Clifton lying in second and 'third positions. Waitemata showed a surprising reserve of energy when the pace quickened in the final stages and won with a length to spare. Waitemata, with J. S. .Tones in the stroke seat, gave a sound display to come third in the open maiden fours. The race was notable for the closeness of the finish. The issue was in doubt in the final stages with Napier, Picton and Waitemata fighting it out. Napier gained the verdict by two feet, while Picton just headed Waitemata for second by a similar distance. The same Waitemata crew which won the light maiden event was successful in the welter-weight junior fours. The crew led soon after the start and was hotly challenged by Aramoho over the last" half-mile. There were ten crews in the race and they provided the spectators with thrilling rowing. The Tauranga Club's crew comprised of the Silvester brothers, gained a wellmerited success in the maiden pairs. The crew's excellent combination was the principal factor in its success. The pair was not extended to cross with four lengths to spare. Waitemata made a strong effort to wrest third place from Wellington, but finished half a length behind. Clifton settled the question whether it is superior to Petone in the champion fours. The opinion that (- 1 if ton would have been a better combination to go to Australia was well founded on its unbeaten performance throughout the season. Petone was three lengths away, second.