ROWING.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1926, Page 13

ROWING.

SPORT AT NEW PLYMOUTH. MeI.EOD SHIELD COMPETITION. he McLeod Shield, a trophy presented by Mr Jas. McLeod for annual competition between crews belonging to rowing clubs in the Wanganui-Taranaki district, was rowed for at Ngamotu yesterday. The honour of winning the shield on the first occasion on which it has been competed for fell to the Aramoho Rowing Club’s No. 1 crew, which defeated a fellow ; club crew hi tile final. Six crews competed, three being irom the Wanganui United Boat Club, two from Aramoho, and one from the New Plymouth Rowing Club. For Towing, the weather conditions could hardly have been worse. A stiff wind was blowing, raising a choppy sea, which necessitated a postponement of the start of the heats for some time. During the afternoon, however, the sea.

eased, ami a course of three-quarters of a mile was set from the palladium Io the Newton King wharf. In tin first two heats the wind was dead agajnst the rowers, but when the final was being rowed it was behind them. 7he arrangements for the competition, which were carried out under the supervision of Messrs T. Campbell (New Plymouth Club captain) and R. G. Howell were admirable.

I Details of the competition are:— \ First Heat.—Aramoho No. 2 crew (T. i Kennedy stroke. S. Hooper No. 3, E. . Brider No. 2, L. Campbell bow, C. Weller icox) 1: Wanganui No. 2- (G. Howatson, J. Cottcrill. F. Crotty, E. Gullery. J. Foster) 2; New Plymouth (J. Fanning, L. !• rewin. K. Capon. R.. Roper, Johnston) 3. Aramoho gained the lead at the start and gradually increased it to win toy two k’Hgths. Second Heat.—Aramoho No. 1 ( D. MiH. L. Hayward. IL Coxan. A. Fro mon t, G. Pepper) 1 : Wanganui No. 1 (C. Kruse, A. Moss, R. Prince. E. Crotty, Lowe) 2: Wanganui No. 3 (E. Bridge, M. Q a *hrait h, C. Aitken, C. Mosman, E. Tippins) 3. In this heat the Aramoho Hm! Wanganui No. 1 .crews hung together for about half the distance, but Aramoho. who rowed a perfect Ion" stroke, gradually drew away to win bv a clear length. I'inal. Aramoho No. ,1. I- Aramoho No. 2.2. The wind, which changed sud- : tlenlv to the backs of the rowers, helped to make this race a great tussle. Though No. 1 crew gained a good advantage at the start. No. 2. by rowing a faster stroke, soon reduced ’the lead to about a length and a half. When about two hundred yards from home both crews put on a great spurt. No. 1 gaining the advantage bv about half; a length. During the heats of the rowing an exhibition of fancy diving was riven by Miss Las], and Mr W. Zealand champion. Other rowing events whirh w re to have been part of the I attractions of the annua] Ngamotu j beach picnic were abandoned on account -of the rough weather.