AQUATIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6714, 29 November 1889, Page 2

AQUATIC.

Shed and River. [By Jabon.] The sport at Sumner last Saturday reminded one of the old days when our regatta used to be decided on the Estuary. The bustle of departing crews recalled similar tcenes that have taken place there in former years. There arc mauy who will alwaya look back to the days wheu Sumner was the Bcene of the regatta held by the Christchurch Cluba. Who can help it when memory recalls some of tho many exciting struggles that have taken place there ? I remember Albert Smith over a length behind in a four-oared race with lesßthana hundred yards togo, justpipping his opponents on the post by sheer pluck and determination ; then there was that sensational win of Shepley Kesteven and little Charlie Rogers — there are not many now who remember Charlie, a right good fellow— in the Double Sculls. That was in 1881. What a time ago that Beems, and yet it will stand out prominently as the only time the Union Club have won tho event up to the present time. Another sensational race was that for the Ladies' Plate when the U.K.C., after being a good dozen lengths in front, a mile from home, only came through with a few feet the best of it at the finish ; then there was the victory of the C.X.C. four over Ke3teven's hitherto invincible crew, which the previous season had piled up a list of wins that stands aa a record. These and many more incidents will always cause tho Sumner course to be held dear to oldtimers. On Saturday the C.R.C. Trial Pairs came out exactly as I had said, even to the final heat, which was in doubt to the very last stroke. I have heard it mentioned that tho course in the final waß over a mile in length, which, if correct, seems to point that Lightband would have won at a mile. He and Johnston rowed remarkably well, and too much credit cannot bo given them for the excellent show they made. Looking at the crew a fortnight--aye, even a week— before the race, their chance looked very dismal indeed. But they made great progress towards the finish, which is more than can be said of the other crews. Turrell and Watt, the winners, also showed good form, but undoubtedly owe their success to their greater strength and weight. Of the others, Boxby and Strange promise best for future events. The President's Cup race of this Club was a grand contest, fought out all the way. Daly, although on the outside position, gained the lead, and he was never afterwards headed. It is rather stranee that in both the four oared races the cutside crew had the best of it at the start, which caused the other competitors to indulge in a little growling, naturally, I take it, when one comes to consider. that the boat with the inside running at a big bend gains nothing from the position, while the boat on the extreme outside reaches the • straight in advance of the others. My

choice for the race was Laurie, aud though he got second place, I am inclined to think that had he started from Daly's position the race of 1889 would not have been such a dose thing as- it was. Speight's ciew bore out in full what I Baid ot them, aud for a light lot M'Betb/s rowed a fine race. The form of all the crews was really good,. an d p rO ves the senior members of th«j C.R.C. to be coneide:ably in advance of their rivals across the river in scientific rowing. Being a lover of statistics, I append a table of the winners of this event since iia institution. A glance at the list will show that a number of the nauie3 contained therein are unknown to the majority of the presentgeneration of rowers. The table is as follows : — I'ate. Crow. Dec 1, 1874 ... W. li. uunury, stroke; P. p. Jiuriter, y. h. hi. Templar. 2* J. W, Gray, bow. * Deo. 3, 1875 ... J. W. tin,?, stroke; L. »T. Ollivior, 3; T. J. <iiitrfiou, 2; U. D, iMoniß, bow. Nov. 22, 1576... A. Pooks, stroke ; J. C. Martin, 3 - J. H, liaimuza. 2; A, <J. loan. bow. Oot. 26, 1873 ... J. <j. Jones, stroke ; J. c. Brewster. 3; if. 31. ciuiiu, 2j K. ldawkes, bow. Nov. 15, 1879... G. M. Ollivior, stroke ; J. E. Evans,. 3 ; A. o. auituiurauo, 2j a. Snow, Dec. 18, 1830 ... J. ".'(jrlerson. stroke ; fc. M. Boulton, 3; C li. Labnou, 2- F. ii. Due siord, bow. ' Dec. jlO. 1831 ... J. F. Uiieiuon. stroko jJ. Hay, 3; A. L. Smith, 2; J, o. Jon^sl bow. Nov. 20. 1552... J. 0. Jonfs. stroke; T. J. (irierscm, •i; M.. UiJiutfti, 2; s. K. Wright, bow. Nov. 2i, 1533... J. )'", Griorson, B'roite; M. lean, 3- .«. K Wii x ht, 2; P. E. JjuusfOid. baw. Nov. 28, 1554... J. F. (iriersou, stroko ; E. M. Bonl« ton, j); I: A. .Laurie, 2; A. C. Nottingham b >w. Nov. 21, 1835... A. L. huiith, stroko : M. Lean, 3; A. H. B;jtb., 2; i\ K. JDuusfoid, bow. Nov. G, 1880 ... A. U niitb, strode; P. A. Liuirio, 3; i.. It. Wilson, 2; N. L. Macboib, bow. Nov. 26, 1587... A. U Muiib, stroke; P. A. LauWe, 3; H. Muter worth, 2; H. V. Styctae, bo iv. Nov. 3, ISBB ... J. M. Laurio, f-trokd- H. 8. Pen. wick, 3 j N. 1.. Mncbtfth, 2; J. S. Uawiioa, bow. ■ N0v. 23, 1889... J. v. Oily, stroke; P. W. Hobbs, S; H. li. ctrutton, 2; O. E.JolmH'ou, bow. Tbo U.K.G. Cup ruce was a regular eyeopener, the two fancy crews finishingsecond and last. Like Duly in the C.11.0. race, llason in this had tbe outside position, aud lost nothing by it, as at half a mile he was in the lead, and after that romped away, and won by something like eighty or ninety yards. I notice a contemporary states that. Bourke aud Hyinan fouled. This is an error, as it was Hyman and Mason who camo together ; but, after all, it is extremely doubtful if it had any effect on the race. He.d the slight touch not happened, it is quite probable that Musou's strong lead would, not have been secured until in the straight for home ; but; that it prevented any other crew from winning I will not; believe. The fact o£ the matter is that the winners had the pace of the • others. They wore a faster lot, and foul or no foul, such being the case, they would ultimately have won just as easily as they did. Bourke ami Hymau had a good race • for soeoud place, but L*e was right out o£ it. The poor fliow of the last-named was quite surprising, as they were greatly fancied. I chose them myself, aud must say that I wac, with many others, greatly disappointed at tlie lifeless way in which, the crew pulled. The following are the winners of the-, race since its institution : — Date. CrowT " Nov. 17, 1-383... K. hbnml. olmkn; O. Allara,"T0. J. Frunk, 2 j H. Norland! b"w. Nov. 28, 1831... S. C. KontevMii. stroko ; F. D. ICflH'ev.n, .'! ; J. g. liule, 2; W. A. Sr,y O bo. bow. "OT. li, 1855... U. J. itliinami, M..0).e; G. Sband, 3; \. K. I,'jikar, 2; U. V. Stjcho, Dec. 4, 1555 ... J. Fuller, strokn; W. A. Sfcyebe. 3: O. M. Bo.iiin.jton, 2; H. J. S-}>nn<l, bi>w, Nov. 20. 1557 . P. Fostrtf, htroko; P. Leiflham, 3; G. 3. aina.n, 2; (i. W. Forbo-, bow. Nov. 19, 1583... 0. C. Ward, st.roVe ; K. 8. W-^,l o; E. W. fiuoklinj, 2; D. Lei, bow. Nov. 23, 1859,. Gr. «. Mason, B trok« ; 0. S. " owell. 3 ; K. K. Paiteu, 2; Q. W.Porbes, bow. The U.E..C. Cup race on Saturday was rowed against wind and tide in 12uiin 4l3ec, and the 0.E.C,, with the tide, but against the wind, in Orain 455-3ec. The C.R.C. rowed over n shorter course, and next time the Clubs decide races at Sumner at any distance over a mile, I would suggest that, if possible, the course be straight away. It, would bo very eaey to procure a number of floats bearing flags to mark the course until the channel is leached, and also the one shoal that I am. told is to be found near the fishermen's huts. AUo I would suggest that the finishing flagß bo opposite the TJ.R.C. Bhed, instead of where it is, just at a bend. A large number of crows are at work in view of the approaching regattas. The C.B.C. senior pair, Laurie and M'Beth, have been challenged by Daly and NtcolU The Club have chos-en A. llevell and E. M. Turrell for the Maiden Double Sculls, and this pair, I understand, will be challenged by R. C. Rich and J. S. Hawkes, snd C. E. Johnston and W. Watt, who will rowoff. The TJ.R.C. senior pair I don't like afc all, but the scullera are going very well. Foster seems to have learnt a good bit during his visit to the other side, and he would do still bettor if he tvere to straighten his arm and swing longer. Other crews must be left until next week, when I hope to be better informed than I am at present. The C.R.C. have drawn the following crew's for their Trial Double Sculls : — E. W. Strange and W. Devenish ; E. Watt and F. J. Cuddon ; C. Turner and H. W. Strouts ;D. A. Watt and H. Hassal ; W. S. Godfrey and E. H. Koxby ; P. Wright and P. E. Wright. The Avon lads still keep to their slow practice. I would advise a longer swingand lower finish, which will take away some of the ugliness of the style, and give an even finish.