ROWING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 17

ROWING SEASON

INTER-SERVICE EVENT KEENLY-CONTESTED FINISH Tho first military service raco sponsored bv the St. George's Rowing Club held last Saturday afternoon was an unqualified success. Not only was tho race well organised, but it was keenly contested, and tho form displayed was quite good, especially in view of the fact that tho crews had littlo time in which to train. The race was decided between the 'lth Battery, No. 1 R.N.V. J!eservo and the Air Force. Each of these crews had prominent regatta oarsmen as members. Fourth Battery appeared the most likely crew on paper, as it was stroked by J. Biss, of the St. George's Club, with his brother. G. Biss, in tho three scat, and two good oarsmen, 11. St. C. Brown and D. Woollnms, as two and bow. It came as a surprise when the crew finished third. Royal Naval Reserve had J. Coote as stroke, who was undefeated as a youth last season, and Ryan and C. Milliard, both of tho St. George's Club. The winners, with C. Marceau stroking, did not appear to have such a strong combination. Marceau stroked a hoady race and was right up to his old foriiK his effort at tho corner when he passed R.N.V.R. and crossed over to tho insido was the. turning point in the race and eventually gained him victory. The bow of this crew has" not had much racing experience and did well to last out the distance in such a gruelling race. It was perhaps unfortunate that the race was held so early in the season, as with more opportunity to train, and possibly moro entries front army units, there would havo been a bigger following. The difficulty experienced by the starter in getting the crews in line was the only incident that marred the race. There was no current to upset crews, and no sido wind, and as most of the strokes wero experienced regatta men there was no excuse for the troublo at tho commencement. Tho Auckland Club's novel idea of putting all regatta crews into one race on handicaps proved a success. Willi tho exception of one crow. No. 2 heavies, all crews, after threequarters of a mile, entered the straight together, and five boats overlapped at this stage. F. T. Siebert, stroking the second heavy crew, did his job well and held his crow together with a nice steady swinging stroke. Tho club's light maiden crew js a likely combination, but will need to bo able to finish stronger. Another surprise was an untried senior crow together for the first time, holding tho unbeaten light maiden ciew of Jast season. Rowing in the south is in full swing. Wanna nui clubs have recently held a combined opening and have now settled down to club contests and training of regatta crews. Tho Aramoho <;inb intends training early this year a championship eight-oar crew, and should provide stern opposition for tho champion Wanganui Union crew. A suggestion from Wanganui, that now secondary school rowing is firmly established tliroughoiit the Dominion, a Dominion association should be formed. Attention is drawn to the strength of the schools' association in Australia and tho largo following (hat school rowing enjoys, as demonstrated by tho attendance at tho annual Head of the River race. The annual meeting of the Auckland Secondary Schools' Association will be held on Decembor 1. The Waitematn Club will compete for tho Mason Cup next, Saturday, Auckland for the Schmidt trophies, St. George's will row for tho Coats Gup and Caps, West End for Mrs. John Clark Shield and North Shore will hold races between the two novice crews and the light maidens.