ROWING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20316, 26 January 1928, Page 4

ROWING.

By OUTBXGGEE. January 30. —Hamilton Regatta; Otago Interclub Eight Races. January 31. —Otago Interclub Eight Finals. February 4. —St. Leonards Regatta. February 25. —Port Chalmers Regatta. March 3. —Championship Regatta (Wanagmii); Ravensbourne Regatta. March 24. —Interprovincial Eight-oar Race (Wellington). Otago Association Regatta—date not fixed. April 7. —Queenstown Regatta. Some fine rowing was witnessed among the North End crows last Saturday afternoon. Most of the new- members showed good form. The following crew has been selected to represent the North End Club in the Interclub Eight Race, to be rowed on the Upper Harbour next Monday evening against the Otago Club’s eight; I. Eggers (str), J. Mitchell, E. Manson. A. Johnston, P. Vallis, H. Eggers, D. Sutherland. G. Duncan (bow). Mr W. Bailey, who was secretary of the Port Chalmers Club about 20 years ago, visited the North End shed last Saturday. Members were pleased to know that Mr Bailey has recovered from a severe illness. Two eight-oar races are included tor the first time in the programme of the Hamilton regatta, which will be held on the Waikato River at Hamilton on Monday next. Ten other rowing events are also included. As it vs probable that an eight-oar crew will represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games, considerable interest will attach to the eight-oar events. The executive of the Invercargill Railway Club has been making inquiries concerning the apparently moribund Southland Rowing Association, the annual meeting of which, supposed to have been hem some time in September, has not come oft yet (says a Southland writer). Rowing enthusiasts complain very bitterly that the S.R.A. has not yet got together even its Selection Committee. They are hopeful, however, that something will be done before next September, when they will be able to combine with the Invercargill Regatta Club in giving a “ farewell performance —absolutely the last public appearance on any stage.” A writer in the Southland Times states that the Riverton and Bluff regattas have shown that although the crews may be willing enough, fitness is absolutely essential. Every Riverton crew was far and away fitter than any other competitors entered for either of these fixtures. The Invercargill Railway Club in particular would do well to take a l?af from the Riverton training book. This season the Railway crews rowed well as far as they went, but lack of training prevented them from going far enough. It is possible that they may in some measure make up the lost ground at the Invercargill regatta, but, according to present indications, they will have start in earnest soon and keep training until they can finish a race somewhere other than in the “ also competed ” section. The supporters of the Riverton Rowing Club were very gratified at the successes of its representatives at the recent regatta at Bluff, and the winners were complimented on their meritorious wins, ihe club lias had a most successful season, scoring heavily in borne waters also. Included in the crews are a number ot country members, some of whom have to travel fair distances to attend practice, and it shows the true sporting spirit when it is mentioned that these young fellows are never late when the crews are training. Great disappointment was felt when word was received that the new boats would not arrive in time for the regattas, but as events have proved the rowers have more than held their own against the other clubs of the province, although they were obliged to use boats which could hardly be classed as up to da Tlie Otago Club has_ selected the following crew in view of the forthcoming club races for the eight-oared trials:—F. Brough (s), A. Weddell (7), C. M‘Ara (6), P. S. Anderson (5), H. A. Lawless (4) A. R. Johnstone (3), R. Allan (2), and E. Piekford (bow). The popular three of the senior crew (Mr J. Werges) is not yet able to take an active part in the crews, and will not be available for sime time in the future. The following crews have been selected by the Otago Club: —Youths’ Fours (No. 1) : Davey (s), Agnew (3), Henderson (2), Hinchcliff; Youths Fours (No. 2); M‘Bride (s.), Henderson (3), Quested (2), Steele; Maiden Schulls (No. 1) : A R. Johnston (s), G. B. Johnson (b); Maiden Sculls (No. 2); A. Waddell (s), E. Piekford (b); Junior Four: H. A. Lawless (s), Cooper, Allan, A. R. Johnstone; Maiden Four: W T . Werges (s), G. .B. Johnson (3), Zaffer (2), S. Anderson. A suggestion to the St. Leonard’s Regatta Committee in connection with rowing races on its regatta programme would be either youths’ and senior fours or youths’ fours and double sculls, in place of the races for youths and maidens, which are usually rowed at regattas where there are only two races. At such regattas the maiden fours’ race is usually won by a crew which has little chance of winning at a big regatta. Also against holding youths’ fours and sculls is the expense and trouble of taking two boats to the regatta, for only two races with small prize money. This leaves the senior and junior fours as the best races as far as the clubs are concerned. Some of the local clubs would like to see the Otago Association take some action to see if the date set for the Interprovincial Eights, at Wellington, could not be altered to fit in with the other regattas to be held in the North Island about the time of the championship regatta. The Wellington provincial regatta is to be held on February 25 and the championship regatta at Wanganui on March 3, and if the Interprovincial Eights could be held in Wellington on March 10, instead of March 24. It would be well worth while some of the southern crew going north for the regattas, but as the dates now stand there are fevv crews in Otago who could afford to go to Wellington and Wanganui at the end of Februrary for a fortnight, and then make another trip to Wellington two weeks later.

A series of races for the Holler Cup (one mile) have been rowed off this season by the North End Club under sealed handicaps. In the first race the heavy-weight youths’ crew (Vorrath str, E. Wilson, W. Titchener, H. Deans) met and defeated the light-weight youth crew, consisting of W. Wilson, s, N. Anderson, R. Clarke, H. Rodgers, by two lengths. The race started off Ravensbourne boat shed and finished at a point off the mouth of the boat harbour. From a good start both crews rowed level until the last 100 yards, when the heavy-weight crew drew away to win by two lengths. The second race was between the successfn 1 youths’ crew and the No. 1 maiden crew (P. Vallis str, L. M'Queen, A. Johnston, and J. Hurroll). The youths’ crew got away with a start of half a length, but were caught by Vallis after going about a quarter of a mile. At Black Jack’s Point Vallis quickened up and drew away to win by about three lengths. Great interest was centred in the race between the maiden crew and the juniors (6. Duncan str. J. Mitchell, E. Manson, A. Deans). From a level start both crews were together for about threequarters of a mile. The junior crew then forged ahead, and after a hard finish won by about a length and a-half. The maiden crew, however, retain the cup. The Avon Club gained most points at OTAGO CHAMPION FOUR. Much disappointment has been caused through the decision of the Otago champion four not to defend the title at the New Zealand championship next month, but oarsmen in Dunedin will appreciate the difficulties which have been placed in the way of the members of the Otago Club's crew. Mr Brough and Mr M‘Ara will represent the harbour in the senior sculls at the championships. The Senior Four of the Otago Club has given rowing a great fillip in the Upper Harbour, and while it would be a notable feat, perhaps, to win the championship for the third time in succession, supporters and rowing men will also realise that recreation and sport must not interfere with the serious business of life. A rower’s livelihood docs not depend on winning championships.