ROWING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 441, 5 December 1930, Page 4

ROWING

THE WANGANUI SHED WRAY EIGHTS FIRST HEAT. CLUB DEFEATS COLLEGIATE A. Great interest was shown by the supporters of the Wanganui Rowing Club and the Collegiate t>chuol last evening when the lirsi neat ot the Vvray Eights was rowed between a crew strukeu bj B. Durie and the Collegiate A crew. Huth crews were somewhat of au unknown quantity us they paddled upstream iu the starling point. Durie s crew appeared to be heavy and of a well-bunt standard and included in their number three men from the winning boat of the Club Fours, held earner in lhe seasun. The Collegiate crew was composed of the School Four which recently defeated Christ’s College so decisively at Arauioho, and four youths who had been showing good form.

Conditions were ideal as the crews approached the starter opposite the .Duchess Theatre, there beiug no wind, while the water was good. The current was again running upstream. Both crews luuked well as they “sat up” for the start, the red and bla'ck singlets of the club and the red blades contrasting well with the white singlets and blue blades of the Collegiate. Wanganui made a bad start, apparently through trying to “beat the gun,” and Collegiate gained au early advantage of half a length. This they maintained ana Increased to threequarters of a length within a quartdr of a mile, but Durie, creeping up slowly, reduced the leeway to the half- • eugth again when the first half-mile had been covered. Collegiate now began to drop back slowly, and gradually their lead diminished until at the Dublin Street Bridge they were only a bare foot iu front. For a hundred yards the crews raced level until the red and black colours began to draw away from the white. Durie quickened, and it became apparent to the onlookers that Collegiate were tiring. From the Guyton Street intersection the issue was never iu doubt and the club boat passed the winning point a length and a canvas ahead of the Collegiate boat to complete an exhibition of good racing.

Durie will thus compete the final to-morrow afternoon witn the winners of the second heat, which will be rowed between K- Linsscn and Collegiate B this evening. The following were the crews in last evening's heat: Wanganui Club.—Durie (str.), V. Clapham (7), Moffett (6), Gimblett (5), L. Clapham (4), Peck (3), Steel (2), Siddles (bow). Collegiate A Crew —Lee (str.), T. H. N. White (7), Bell (6), Coleman (5), Giblin (4), Drew (3), Grace (2), Nelson (bow). Mr H. W. Cooper acted as starter.