SPORTING.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 4, 28 March 1885, Page 3

SPORTING.

ROWING MATCHES.

Napier R. C. v. Gisborne R. C

That the Olympian spirit which led the ancient Greeks to devote so much of their attention to those sports which were made the occasion ofanational carnival, and which the pens of gifted historians so love to dwell upon, has many votaries here, is best demonstrated by the large numbers who, upon all available occasions, flock to witness any feat of prowess which tends to develop and display the daring and skill of our modern young spartans —let it be pedestrian, equestrian, or aquatic. It is this spirit and a love of the brave and the daring which led so many of our local “ fair and beautiful ” to grace by their presence the rowing contests which took place on Wednesday and Thursday last. The weather was all that could be desired for the spectators, but owing to the effects of a good breeze the water was somewhat lumpy for the contestants. The Napier crew were the first to man their boat (the Taraheru), and looked wirey and tough opponents. They sat as follows: — st. lb. 1 Tylee, n.o 2 Provis, 10.6 3 Kennedy, 11.2 4 Duncan, 10.0 42.8 Mountford, cox. The Gisborne “boys” looked fit and were very confident. They sat —

st. lb. 1 E. H.Pavitt, 9.12 2 Allom, 10.0 3 Sage, 10.9 4 Barnes, 11.1 41.8 T. Adair, cox. Captain Winter, who acted as starter, got them away to a good start, but the Gisbornites failed to get themselves well together, and the Napier crew at once drew ahead rowing a clean light swinging stroke. But our visitors failed to maintain this temporary advantage as the locals, soon settling down to serious work, gradually drew up on equal terms with their opponents. Coming round the head of the river just above the recreation ground the Napier coxswain t'ook his men in too close and they were in such shallow water as to be in danger of grounding. The locals now went ahead and positions were reversed. As the boats rounded the last bend which brought them in view of the winning post the Napier crew put on a game spurt, rowing fully four strokes to Barne’s three, but the Gisborne responded in such a manner as to bring them in a winner by 10 secs. The race was rowed in 14mm. 55secs. Mr. T. J. Dickson acted as judge. The competing crews were loudly cheered, and the game way in which our visitors contested the struggle elicited the admiration of all alike. Gisborne R. C. v. Gisborne Working Men's R. C. According to pre-arrangement the winners of the above race accepted the challenge of the Working Men’s Club to row the victors, and the event came off on Thursday. The weather was perfection, and everything tended to make the match a fair and equal trial of skill and strength. The respective crews were afloat shortly before one, and— after being photographed by the inimitable local amateur, Mr. W. F. Crawford, whose «Z?ments alone have hitherto Zvrrred his acceptance of the distinguishing affix of R.A. —paddled away up to the starting post. The stalwart appearance of the W. M. crew gained them many supporters, and good money was taken on their account ; but when they moved off we must confess to having experienced a grave doubt about their success, as they showed such lack of skill, screwing and rocking their ship so much, as to dampen much of the ardour which had been exhibited by their friends. The crew of the “boys” were the same as given above, and the W. M. craft was manned as follows : — st lb 1. Jones, 1 r. 4 2. Nesbit, 11.7 3. Silvanda, ii.io'T 4. Fox, 12.10 47-3 X Mountford, cox. Both boats got away well together, but scarcely had a few strokes been given when the fine sweep of the “ boys ” began to tell, and their craft gradually forged ahead until they had put daylight between the two boats, a position which was steadily improved upon. On rounding the home point the “boys ” showed fully three lengths ahead, rowing fresh, clean, and strong. The W. M. now made their final game effort, but the “boys” were also let out, and, lifting their boat along with the steadiness of a seagull, sent her flooking in the winner of a splendid race by 17 seconds (about four lengths). Captain Winter and Mr. T. J. Dickson acted respectively as starter and judge. The race from start to finish was rowed in,

14m. or JojXs. less ihan the previous day’s match, but the difference in the force of the wind would fully compensate for the difference in time. And now a few remarks as to the meri‘* and faults of the respective crews. OuF visitors are undoubtedly a good crew, and show but few fallible points, the most prominent one being a want of that lift and send in their stroke which tends sogreatly to increase the impetus of the boat’s drive through the water. That their rowing is as clean and pretty ascould be wished canno>t be denied, but it was also noticed to be somewhat short and devoid of that fine powerful swing; which is the main characteristic of a crew of which we may be justly proud. With respect to our W. M.’s, we can congratulate them upon the game struggle which they made, and have no hesitation in saying that, providing they had the requisite amount of practice, and could sit their craft steadily, they would reverse the order of the running. In conclusion we cannot do other than compliment the victors upon their success, and have little doubt but what they could give a good account of themselves in any contest. We hope to see them before long testing the merits of some of the crack clubs of our large centres.

THE DINNER

On Thursday evening pur Napier visitors were entertained at a dinner at the Masonic Hotel, when about fifty gentlemen sat down. Mr. S. Locke, M. H. R., and President of the club, presided, and was most ably supported byMr.Duncan (Napier R.C.), Dr. Pollen, and Mr. Cresswell (sec. G. R.C.); whilst the vice chairs were in the suitable hands of Mr. T. J. Dickson (of the Argyll),

and Mr. D. Crawford —-the former being supported by Mr. Allen McDonald, Mr. E. ff. Ward, and Mr. C. Smith. After the usual loyal toasts had been given, the Chairman gave the toast of the evening—“ Our guests”—and remarked that such contests as that which they had met to celebrate done more than any other thing to foster and encourage a friendly feeling between neighbouring towns. The toast was received with vociferous applause ; and Mr. Duncan (Napier), in reply, paid a high compliment to our local club, and characterised the contest as “one of the fairest and best races be had ever rowed in.” He also took occasion to mention that the visiting crew was not a properly representative one, as they had, at the last moment been compelled to change two of their men. He had great pleasure in proposing “The winning crew, coupled with the name of Mr. Barnes.” In response the latter gentleman said he was proud of having beaten such a good crew as the Napier one had proved itself. He only hoped they (Gisborne) would be able- to maintain their laurels when at Napier. In response to the toast “ The Working Men's Club, coupled with the name of Mr. Fox,” the latter gentleman made some pointed observations condemnatory of the remarks and reports which had appeared in the papers, and which, he said, were “not calculated to encourage rowing or any other sports.”' The remainder of the pleasant ing was spent in a most agreeable man-

ner and enlivened by songs by Messrs. Kennedy, Parnell, Morrow, J. R. Scott, Cannon, and Chamberlin ; whilst Messrs. Dickson, Ward, McDonald; Dr. Pollen, Scott, Smith and others gave the various toasts.

In proposing “Our Host and Hostess” Dr. Pollen paid a well merited tribute to the taste and liberality of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Scott for the manner in which }hey had carried out their catering duties —a tribute which was fully and heartily endorsed by all present. Both the repast and the attendance was all that could possibly be desired.