NEW PLYMOUTH ROWING

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1929, Page 30 (Supplement)

NEW PLYMOUTH ROWING

CONTEST FOR HOFFMAN CUP PROSPECTS OF CLUB FOR SEASON. GOOD DISPLAY BY NEW MEMBERS. (By “Clinker.”) From tlio races for the Hodman Cup held on Saturday last, one could gather a fair indication of the prospects New Plymouth Rowing Club for the season. A good muster of members showed a keenness which some of the older members would appreciate. It was pleasing to see the new members come through with credit, and in every instance do better than was possibly expected. Among the new men "Robertson, perhaps, showed to advantage, while Morton, G. Slyfield and Hill should develop well with coaching. Others should make good oarsmen, but it is hardly fair to criticise at this stage. The main thing for new men is to take things quietly and listen to the instructors in every way, as it is very easy to develop bad habits which will be hard to break at a later stage. It is often found that an awkward beginner will turn out to be an excellent finished product. It is. entirely a matter of practice and of giving every attention to instructions. . Among the older members it was pleasing to see Bellringer show some of his old, form. As a stroke Mace showed capabilities which in future the club should use to, some purpose. A. Burgess appears to be using a quicker stroke to advantage. Thoraces were not rowed on the best of water. All crews had to battle against a stiff breeze, which was to some extent a handicap to the lighter 1 crews. The necessity of obtaining new trophy boats was again apparent, as some likely-looking crews were defeated mainly through breakages. However, tho new facing boat at the shed should be sufficient incentive to members in the meantime and will no doubt. lead to something further later. Tho final race for the cup proved a fine. struggle, Maco (str.), Kaymer, C. Burgess and White losing, to A. Burgess (str.), Kingston, G. Slyfield and Hayton. From an even start Mace drew slightly ahead, using a quicker stroke, but slowed perceptibly, and Burgess came up again to gain a slight lead. At about half-way the crews were level and from then onwards raced canvas to canvas, both strokes getting every ounce out of their crews. Burgess finished on the “catch” of his stroke and gained the decision by two feet. Burgess’ crew thus hold tho Hoffman Cup for the year. Congratulations are duo to both winners and runners-up for the fine race provided. READINGS OF THE MEN. Some consideration should be given to the placing of men in their positions after trophy crews have been chosen. Mace’s crew would provide an example. Instead of placing a new man in the bow it might have been more effective to have changed him with the more experienced man in No. 3 scat. Tho bow seat has a much stronger pulling round effect than the No. 3 seat, and a change might have helped to balance tlio comparatively stronger stroke side. The most discussed question at the last annual meeting of the New Zealand Rowing Association was tho allocation of -the inter-provincial championship eights race. The course finally decided on was the Whau River, Auckland, and the race is to be rowed in March. Mr. H. Johnston, donor of the Challenge Cup for this race, intimated' that a more central place should be decided on for succeeding years. This should certainly be in, tho best interests as, owing to the distance South Island crews would have to travel, it is hardly likely that the race would bo wholly representative. The cup lias been contested only twice, being won by Canterbury the first year and by Otago, .who now hold the trophy,* last year. The annual rowing carnival at Henley-on-Yarra, Melbourne, attracted the usual sporting public, and six or seven thousand people paid at the turnstiles. For tho past four years New Zealand has sent a senior four over to race for the Stewards’ Challenge Cup, and on three occasions they have brought the coveted trophy back' with them. For the last carnival, however, the Dominion could not arrange for any leading crew to make the trip. The cup was won by tlio Tamar (Tasmanian) crew. The Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls was won by J. R. Scott, Haberfield (N.S.W.), from J. C. Hardy, Footscray, in the final. Scott gave an almost faultless exhibition of sculling.