AQUATICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 22

AQUATICS.

The annual race between the Invercargill and Otago Rowing Clubs' crews took place on Friday evening over the usual two-mile course, with the following result : — Invercargill — Joyce (stroke), Collins (No. 3), Erskine (No. 2), Worthiugton (bow) ... 1 Otago— Matheson (stroke), Dawsou (No. 3), Martin (No. 2j, Butterworth (bow) ... ... 2 The race was to have been rowed in the morning, and the crews paddled down to the starting point; but the harbour was rather rough, and the Invercargill crew, who had shipped a good deal of water, declined to row. On returning to the shed, it was decided to have the race in the evening. Accordingly the crews again left the shed shortly after 7 o'clock, and at about 20 minutes to 8 the starter despatched them on their journey, the race being rowed in the moonlight. Opinions differed as to which would win. Soma thought Invercargill would win easily, but the knowing ones said it would be a close race. The visitors had a lighter boat than the local men, and this gave them somewhat of an advantage. At the start they went away with the lead, and soon they had gained an advantage of nearly six lengths. The local men, however, plucked up courage, and, gradually gaining the lost ground, they managed to get within about a boat's length of their opponents. The Invercargill crew then went away again and were never caught, but Matheson and his men rowed a splendid stern race, and never flagged in their efforts for one moment. Approaching the steamer's basin bow in the Invercargill boat lost his oar, and the crew were momentarily in difficulties. By the time they had recovered there was only about three lengths separating the two boats, and it was evident that there would be a desperate finish. Matheson called upon his men, and they came up with a grand final spurt, which gradually reduced the gap between the two boats. At one time it appeared that the spurt of the Ofcago men would land them the winners, but the Invercargill crew were rowing well together, and maintaining the lead passed the judge a little less than a boat's length ahead. It was certainly a splendid raceas good a one as has ever been seen in the harbour, and the finish was particularly exciting. The visitors seemed in better form than the local men, and they rowed well together with a quick recovery that stood them in good stead in the race. They were heartily cheered as they returned to the boatshed. The Otago men are to be congratulated on the plucky manner in which they rowed a losing race from start to finish. Many a crew would have given iv much earlier in the contest under similar circumstances. Mr H. Dick acted as starter, and Mr W. Mills as judge. The following are the results of the races between the two clubs up to date :— ISB4— At Dunedin. Otago won. 1885 -At "Invercargill. Otago won 188U— At Dunedin. Otago won. 1887— At Invercargill. lnvcrcargill won 18S8— At Dunedin. Invercargill won.