OTAGO REGATTA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 31

OTAGO REGATTA.

EDMOND SHIELD RACE. The annual regatta of the Otago Rowing Association was held in the lower harbour on Saturday afternoon. It was the oarsmen’s annual fete, and was marked as usual by good rowing, keen competition, and an exhilirating enthusiasm that even a suspension of the programme for two hours, did not cool. A gusty south-wester made broken water on the strength of the -flood tide, and caused tho temporary suspension of the programme. The oarsmen, however, were not daunted. Boating clubs all the way from Oamaru to Invercargill were represented. It was a trying out clay that everyone welcomed and enjoyed. About 150 oarsmen participated. The main feature of the “meet” was the the annual contest for tho interprovincial four-oar championship between Otago and Southland. The Edmond Shield is the symbol of this year's superiority in oarsmanship. The Awarua Club’s senior fours was originally chosen to represent Southland. tho holders of the shield. But as that crow was unable to.come tho Riverton crew, which was second best to Awarua at the Bluff regatta, was picked as the shield defenders. The Riverton men rowed well. Had this been a normal year of representative rowing the Riverton crew would probably have retained tho honour for Southland. At any rate their chance would have been better. This season the Otago Rowing Club’s champion crew, with 17 wins to their credit, including the successes of their Australian tour, represented Otago, and they were easily equal to the occasion. Results: — YOUTHS’ DOUBLE SCULLS, One mile. Queen's Drive Boating Club—G. Thorn (stroke), T. Treloar (bow) 1 Port Chalmers Rowing Club—C. Cramond (stroke), L. I ewis (bow) 2 North-End Boating Club—A. Deans (stroke), C. Brown (bow) 3 The Awarua Boating Club also started a crew —R. Bagrie (stroke) and O'. Hunter (bow)—but they retired at half-way. Queens Drive soon drew ahead, and gradually increasing tha lead won on an easy stroke by eight lengths from the Port crew, which finished eight lengths ahead of North End. Time, Bmin 25sec. MAIDEN FOURS. One mile. Otago Rowing Club —H. A. Lawless (stroke), A. Rodger (3), R. Allan (2), E. W. Pickford (bow) .. .. 1 Port Chalmers Rowing Club, No. 1 crew —C. Cramond (stroke), W. Parsons (3), L. Lewis (2), W. Madigan (bow) .. .. 2 Queen’s Drive Boating Club —G. Thorn (stroke), T. Treloar (3), W. A. Fastier (2), E. C. Brown (bow) .. 3 Other competitors: North End Boating Club, Awarua Boating Club, Oamaru Boating Club, and Port Chalmers Boating j Club No. 2. jn approaching the basin Otago spurted, and rowing a neat stroke crossed Die finishing line a length and a-half ahead of Port No. 1, which beat Queen’s Drive by a length for second place. The other boats were close up. It was a willing race. Time, Cmin 25sec. JUNIOR DOUBLE SCULLS. One mile. North End Boating Club—F. Eggars ((stroke), M. 11. Eggars (bow) .. 1 Otago Rowing Club—A. A. Perry (stroke), 11. J. Whitehead (bow) 2 Port Chalmers and Queen’s Drive also entered crews. Soon after starting Otago and Queen’s Drive assumed leading positions. When about quarter of the distance was covered the Drive and Port Chalmers boats shipped too much water and pulled out, leaving the race between North End and Otago. Gaining a lead at half-way, North End increased it and won comfortably by nine lengths. Time, 7min 53sec. MAIDEN DOUBLE SCULLS. One mile. Queen’s Drive Boating Club—J. Braithwaite (stroke), D. Matheson (bow) 1 Port Chalmers Rowing Club—F. Ellis (stroke), J. Brennan (bow) 2 North End Boating Club—G. Duncan (stroke), E. Manson (bow) o This was tha last race pulled off before the programme was suspended, and the water was rough. Three boats started. Queen’s Drive quickly obtained the leading position and won by three lengths, seven lengths separating the second and third boats. The time was not taken. INTERPROVINCIAL FOURS (Otago v. Southland).

Two miles. For Edmond Challenge Shield. OtaM (Otago Rowing Club crew) —F. Brough (stroke), J. Werges (3). C. J. M’Ara (2), P. S. Anderson (bow) 1 Southland (Riverton Rowing Club crew) —J. Frew (stroke), C. Beer (3), S. Beer (2), S. Eade (bow) 2 Otago glided ahead at a pace that soon fuund a leading position. The stroke was a little faster than that of tho Southland men. At half-way Otago was pulling 32 strokes to the minute and Southland 28. When three-quarters of the distance was covered Otago was still pulling 32, but Southland had quickened to 30, the former appearing to be a good two lengths ahead. Both boats were steering a good course. On approaching the basin, Otago was pulling 36 to the minute and Southland 32—a clean stroke in both cases. The Southland men’s effort was, however, more apparent Courageous, determined, dauntless, they spurted to win, but their supreme effort proved unavailing. The pace was good. Ths Otago boat, retaining its gliding movement, did not seem to require a final effort to send it over the finishing line a winner by two lengths, of_ tho Edmond Challenc Cup for this year. Time, 13min 1 4-ssec. YOUTHS’ FOURS. One mile. Awarua Boating Club —A. Morrison (stroke), E. MTntyre (3), R. Bagrie (2) E. Bigwood (bow) 1 Port Chalmers Rowing Club No. I crew) —C. Cramond (stroke). W. Parsons (3), L. Lewis (2), W. Madigan (bow) 2 Port Chalmers .Towing Club (No. 2 crew) —R. O’Brien (stroke), H. Hill (3) W. Wallace (2), W.-M'Connell (bow) 3 The Awarua crew, which has not been beaten for twe years, led in this race from the start and won by three lengths from Port Chalmers Ao. 1, which finished

seven lengths ahead of Port No. 2 Time 7min 37sec. MAIDEN PAIRS. One mile. Otago Ro..ing Club—ll. A. Lawless (stroke), A. Rodget (bow) .. .. 1 Awarua Boating Club—G. Barton (stroke), U. Hunter (bow) .. .. 2 North End Boating Chib—A. Johnston (stroke), L. H. M’Qtieen (bow) .. 3 Port Chalmers Boating Club (H. Cramond and L. Erridge) also started. Otago won rather easily by two lengths and ahalf, eight lengths separating the second and third boats, and two lengths the third and fourth. Time, Bmin 47sec. SENIOR FOURS. One mile and a-half. Queen's Drive Boating Club—F. Wilson (stroke), N. Monson (3), W. Duncan (2), L Pritchard (bow) .. 1 North End Boating Club—F. Eggers (stroke), H. •I‘Kenzie (3). 1). Sutherland (2), H. M. Eggers (bow) 2 JUNIOR FOURS. One mile and a-half. • ; Queen’s Drive Boating Club—G. Clark (stroke), J. Braithwaite (3) L Fountain (2), D. Matheson (bow) .. 1 Awarua Boating Club—A. Morrison (stroke), E. MTntyre (3), R, Bagrie „ (2), E. Bigwood (bow) 2 North End Boating Club —G. Duncan (stroke), J. Mitchell (3), E. Manson (21, M. Spence (bow) .. .. .. 3 The Port Club also competed, the race finishing after dark. Time. 11 min 27sec. SENIOR PAIRS. One mile. Riverton Rowing Club No. I —S. Eade (stroke). A. Beer (bow) 1 Queen’s Drive Boating Club No I—F Wilson (stroke). H. Pritchard (bow)’ 2 The only starters. It was practically dark when the race commenced, and the Riverton No. 2 crew, which went to the post, could not locate the starter. Otago and Queen's Drive No. 2 did not start. No time was taken. LYTTELTON REGATTA. CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. At the Lyttelton regatta yesterday Betty won the race for 14-footers by nearly 11 minutes. Usher was second and Linnet third. The competitors included Wellesly and All Black, from Wellington. Wellesley was fifth in a field of six, and All Black did not finish. CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. /I he Christchurch regatta was held at Kairaki yesterday. The principal results were:— Senior Double Sculls.—Canterbuy 1 Union 2. , . ' Youths hours.—Star (Wellington) 1, Avon 2. Senior Fours.—Union 1, Canterbury 2. Junior lours.-—Avon 1. Canterbury 2. Senior Pairs.—Canterbury ], Avon 2.