ROWING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17606, 23 October 1931, Page 10

ROWING

G.R.C. FIRST TRIALS THREE MORE CONTESTS Further contests in the first round of tlie Gisborne Rowing Club's first trial fours series, for the Johnson Cups, were rowed off last evening on the Taruheru River course, one of the contests in particular being keenly interesting to the spectators, as the strokes were among tno outstanding oarsmen of the club, and were expected to provide a fine race, this expectation being realised. The first race of the evening saw K. A. Woodward (sir), Coates, Shaw,'and Sheet matched with G. J. Jeune (str), Egcin, Jennings, and Soderston. The first crew had more experience than the opposing four, and in the start drew away quickly, setting up a lead which Jeune’s four was unable to wipe-out. Woodward won by two lengths An even start was obtained by S. Brown (str), t'rawford-Smith, Byrne, and Kidd against R. Rait (str), Dodd, Gardiner, and Sealy, and the trews stayed together for some distance; Rait, however, gained in the lengthening of the stroke, and gradually extended his advantage. Brown made several efforts to reduce the gap, but was beaten with clear water between the boats A margin of a bare canvas gave G. Forbes (str), Walker, Malcolmson, and Colehourne a victory over R. Hanna (str), J. Tlindev, Cunningham, and Callaghan in the last race of the evening. Hanna’s boat shot ahead tit, the start,, and stayed there for two-thirds of the eoytrse, being about a length to the good approaching Derby street bridge. There Forbes issued a strong challenge, and obtaining some slight advantage from the deeper water in his course, quickly drew on Hanna. The boats were level within a dozen strokes of the finishingline, and Forbes put in another sprint to snatch the- decision by tho margin indicated. The series will he continued this evening on the Taruheru course. Tidal conditions are becoming better each night, and there should be ample water for three or four races this evening.