AQUATICS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11249, 13 April 1908, Page 7

AQUATICS.

POVERTY BAY WINS THE SHIELD

Throughout Saturday afternoon keen interest was taken, m. the rowing events. In continuation of the Licensed Victuallers Associations' Shield competition the final heat took place bfetween. the ten stone crews, which were as. follows : Gi&!)or,ne—B. J. Bright (str), G. Butler (3); M. Doyle (2), H. Bennett (bow); Poverty Bay—C. Somervell (str), C Clark j3); E. iloche (2), T. McConnelL (bow). T.he • Gisborne quartette, were m tlie lead all the way, and at Dr. Williams' bend they had about a length and a lialf td the good. Somervell then called' on his men to rally; they responded well, and at the bridge had decreased the,gap to a length. Gisborne were not at all putout, but rowed a. steady race throughout. The P.B. • men gradually orept up to their opponents-, and were loudly proclaimed the winners. The Gisborne crew, however, who up to this time had had no occasion to spurt, put m a few strong strokes which brought them .home vistors by about two feet. This was the only event m -which the Gisborne men were successful. Poverty Bay therefore won the coveted shield by 5 points to 2. During the afternoon a couple of heats m the Gisborne Club's maiden sculls w^re determined. The first was between E. and W. Luttrell, and resulted m a, win for the formec. by a narrow margin. Those who waited "to see the last of the races were treated to a-little extraordinary amusement m the race between E. D. Chatfieldand R. Henley. After passing the bridge! the latter, despite the warnings from i the spectators/ ran ;>mongst the fishing craft moored alongside the wharf. Several times the oarsman almost giot oleai\ but, the tid© carried the. boat back again; and it was not until after 10 minutes' delay and some narrow escapes of capsizing-* that he got) free. To-night H. P. Hamilton meets K. Swinnerton, and L. Gideon meets Cha.tfie.ld, , • , The first" heats m the Poverty Bay Club's handicap sculls, for Mr H. • Sandtr lant's gold' medal, will be iwved this evening. The following are the draws : R. Wilkinson (14s.ee) v. D. Murray (28sec), J. Webb (22) v. W Prit-ehard (25).. C. Winter (12) v. J. Nicolas (5). P. D. Fox (22) y. F. E. Porter (20), B. Lowe (14) v. F. Seymour (22), J. Stuart (lfli) v. 0, Somervell (14), J. Scott (28) v. R. Huston (25). .','.. "From what I have seen to-day," said! ■Mr W. Webb, the world's champion sculler m reply to a. Herald reporter at the conclusion,, of Saturday's regatta, "I .say you have the material m Ciisborae^as good material as can be Joaiaid any where m New Zealand—n-nly the men want coaching. They are rather, inclined to jerk, .but. that could be remedied! by a little coaching." ■■■ Mr Webb.went on to say that he liked- the style of some of tlw? crews that he saw rowing 1 on Saturday, and it only required a good coach to bring the men on "and produce some first-class crews. "Everything is m your favm\" he continued; "you have a splendid c6ur.se on the Waimata river at full tide, and the material is Jinre. You have a good ma.n m Rees Jones,"" wniafkedtlie famoiiis sculler; "lie could' not improve much m •■ his sfyle^ but might be shown a few hints as to methods. He is also ontboated. which is; a; great drawback to a. good man. From what I have seen of him, I'm srare he is a man. who would not mind being told anything, and if he had'a suitable boat, there is no doubt he would make a fine oarsman. He has the strength and other excellent qualities." Referring to an oarsman being told of: his deficiencies, Mr Webb said there "were few men who could be told anything. They got out m a, boat nnd could not see themselves lowing, and thought."they were perfect, and would not listen when a fault wa.s pointed out to them. "For myself," he said, "I'm-al-ways willing to learn. If any man can suggest anything by -'way of improvement, I'm always ready to at least try it."

(Per Press Association. 1 NAPIER, last night. Some of the postponed sailing and motor launch events on the Napier carnival programme were got off at West Shore on Saturday. The weather was fine, but the attendance did not- come up to expectations. The results were.as follows: — Patiki Handicap: Ma.roo.ndah 1, Noaromo! 2, Sunray 3. Open Sailing Boat Race: Buttercup 1, Friv 2. - Motor Launch Race: Airini 1, Courier 2, Kiwi 5. '','•"