ROWING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16208, 4 December 1926, Page 7

ROWING

G.R.C. SECOND TRIALS. The second-round races in the Gisborne Rowing Club’s four-oar series, for the C. O. Hansen medals, provided thrilling contests last evening on tho Taruheru river. In both cases the lead changed hands more than once in the three-quarter mile course, and both races'were won on the last stroke. To date, the series has been more exciting than any for two seasons, and the four crews engaged last evening were a remarkably even lot. Getting the best of the start, R. Hanna’s crew set up a half-length lead from W. Dent’s, and maintained it as far as Derby street. Then Dent challenged, and gradually overcame his handicap. Hanna lost the lead, regained it, and lost, it again on the last stroke, Dent winning by a foor. The defeated crew had had little training together, but nevertheless rowed with determination and a degree of combination. The second race was of a similar character, for the leaders over the greater part of the distance were worn down in the last quarter-mile, and lost their advantage. The finish differed from the first inasmuch as a hard ncck-and-neck finish was won by the crew which had led furthest. R. Anderson strpkcd the losing crew, and G. C. Jones the winners, who were forced to row at a much faster rate of striking to withstand the repeated spurts of their opponents.

The semi-final of the series will be lowed this evening, when Jones is drawn to meet Willcox, who held the bye for the second round. The winner of to-night’s race will-meet Dent on Monday, The Gisborne Club has received a donation of a set of cups for competition in the next series of four-oa-races, for which nominations are now being taken. The donor is Mr. Jas. McKee, and the event will accordingly be designated tho McKoq Fours.