ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 90, 18 April 1938, Page 5

ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

FIRST DAY POSTPONEMENT DANGER OF DRIFTWOOD Conditions could not have been much less propitious on Saturday for the New Zealand rowing championships and the only title decided was the singles championship. Heavy rain in the up-river districts during the two previous days caused a fresh in the river and the flood waters brought down with them large quantities of driftwood and debris. A small amount of driftwood was floating down the stream on Saturday morning and it was not until a few minutes before the start of the champion fours that the position became serious. After a conference early in the afternoon it was decided to abandon the ehamiponship races and to run the clinker races according to'schedule. Several attempts were made both yesterday morning and afternoon to run off the championship events, but without success. On Saturday the. driftwood was floating down the outside of the course, but yesterday it crossed over the river in two places near the Aramoho Club’s pontoon. This made it necessary for the crews to have to pass through the driftwood, and as there were large-size logs, branches and tree trunks, the umpires considered ‘hat it was unwise to run the risk of damaging boats. The fours were started during the afternoon but abandoned after a mile of the ftvo-mile course had been covered.

The heavy rain up-river on Thursday and Friday caused a fresh in the river and this brought down a considerable amount of driftwood. The position was considered unpromising on Saturday morning and a meeting ot representatives of the various clubs was held to consider the matter. It was decided to go ahead with the regatta according to schedule, at least as far as the events in clinker boats were concerned. The single sculls championship was run off in quite good conditions but just before the start of the championship fours a large amount of heavy timber came down the river. The senior fours was scheduled to commence at mid-day and had it been run on time, the crews would have had a good course. However, all the crews v.£re late and it was not until 12.25 p.m. that the last crews arrived at the start. In the meantime several large tree trunks had gone down the stream with the flood waters and, after a consultation, the umpires announced that the race had been abandoned until later in the day. Had the last crew arrived five minutes earlier the race could have been rowed and a considerable amount c-f inconvenience avoided. The umpires held another conference at 1.30 p.m.; when it was decided to proceed with the clinker races according to schedule and run the championship events if the water improved. However, the driftwood question did not improve and about 2.30 p.m. it was announced that the championships would not be decided until the following day. Most of the driftwood was located along the edge of the course and no trouble was experienced by the clinker boats. Yesterday’s Waiting Yesterday morning the crews assembled at eight o’clock when, after an inspection of the river by the umpires, it was announced that th*« senior fours would be held at li o'clock. The crews were on the mark on time, but the driftwood was floating down the centre of the course an-i it was apparent that unless there was a lull in the flow for some time, the race could not be rowed. There was sufficient room for the seven crews to give them a good row over the first mile, but from there to the Aramoho pontoon, the debris was scattered over the greater part of the course. The crews waited in their boats for some time and then went ashore for twenty minutes after which it was decided to call the event, off until 2 o’clock. The crews were at the start at the appointed time, but conditions were no better. After waiting until after 4 p.m., the event was started but was abandoned after a little more than a mile had been covered. Champion Fours There were seven starters in the champion fours, the crews being Union No. 2, Wairau, Star, Union No. 1, Clifton, Petone and Aramoho. The crews got away to a good start and after a short distance had been covered the Union No. 2 crew, stroked by R. Gould, went to the front, followed by Clifton. These two crews gradually forged ahead, with Union having an advantage of a little more than a length. With a mile covered, Union No. 2 and Clifton were five lengths ahead of the remainder of the field with Wairau third. It was apparent then that the finish would be a tussle between Clifton, who have not been defeated this season, and Gould’s crew. The other crews were then too far back to affect the issue. At this stage the Union No. 1 crew fouled a log and the following boats, representing Star and Petone, weie brought to a sudden stop. The umpires then fired the gun to announce that the race had been abandoned. General regret was expressed at the abandonment of the race at this stage as the affected crews were then out of the running for the prize-money. Clifton and Union would have fought out first and second place, while Wairau had broken away from the other crews and would have filled third place. The Union and Clifton crews were rowing all out and there is no doubt that had the race continued they would have provided a spectacular finish. In lheir previous races, Clifton has usually gone to the front from the start. On this occasion Union took the initial lead and would have made a great fight before yielding their position. Conditions were excellent throughout yesterday with the exception ot the driftwood. Huge logs were floating down the river in endless procession and it perhaps would have been wiser if the events had been called off earlier in the day. As it was both the officials and the competitors had a worrying time. Considerable public interest was taken in the regatta and, despite the uncongenial conditions, hundreds ol cars lined the course on Saturday, Several hundred people braved the

elements to witness lhe finish of th. different event*. Yesterday mornin

there must have been an attendance of several thousand spectators who waited patiently for the start of the champion fours. After a two-hour wait they were informed that lhe race had been abandoned until the afternoon and they turned up again at 2 p.m. in just as great numbers. The river side of the road from Calver’s Corner to the start at Grace’s Creek was lined with cars and cycles, while many spectators assembled at Aramoho.

There was a strong current in the river on Saturday and considerable difficulty was experienced in several races in getting the crews lined up. The crews had difficulty in holding their boats while there were occasions when crews strove to secure an advantage at the start. The task of the starters was no sinecure and they carried their duties out well under the circumstances. The maiden open fours, in which there was 14 crews, provided the starters with no mean job. The crews were lined up about a-quarter of a mile above the start and allowed to drift clown with the current. The crews got away to an almost perfect start. The following were the officials controlling the regatta: Starter, Mr E. J. Crotty; assistant starter, Mr E. Armstrong; judge, Mr L. Sheppard; assistant judge, Mr D. Corby; clerk of scales, Mr W. Blair; umpires, Messrs P. Evans, W. Coombes and F. Wilson; secretary, Mr A. Webster: treasurer, Mr V. Benefield; New Zealand council representative, Mr J. Whetton. Results were as follow: Maiden Fours (10 stone and under) One Mile, First Prize, £10; Second Prize £2 WAITEMATA (J. Sweeney, str., P. Vokes, 3, W. Clapham, 2, A. Carbines, bow) 1 UNION, Wanganui (E. Crutchley, M. Brown-Sharpe, R. Blackmore, S. McDonald) 2 ARAMOHO (L. W. Henley, G. Harrison, R. Francis, R. Swallow) 3 Also started: Clifton (R. Limmcr, F. Julian, N. Nickson, L. Crowe); Petone (G. Calvert, E. Linney, G. Earney, D. Heney); Gisborne (P. Gavin, K. Monk, A. Terry, D. Gavin). The starter had trouble with several crews at the start of this race and when the gun went off, Waitemata had a good half length’s lead on the remainder of the field. However, they continued in front and were chased by Union, Clifton and Petone to the railway bridge. Union had dropped back just before this and Petone and Clifton were holding second and third places, respectively. Petone dropped back after passing through the bridge and Union caught up to and passed Clifton and then challenged Waitemata strongly. However, Waitemata was able to maintain its lead and finished a length ahead of Union with Aramoho, who had come up fast after passing ‘through the bridge, three lengths back and just ahead of Clifton. Champion Single Sculls (One and a-half miles. First prize. £l2; second prize, £2). R. B. SMITH (Auckland) 1 C. CAMPBELL (Aramoho) 2 A. MOREY (Auckland) 3 Also started: A. K. G. Jackson (Wanganui Union), W. McLeod (Poverty Bay), J. Luke (Wellington), T. Hegglun (Wairau). Smith, who defeated Jackson for the title two years ago, forged to the front early' after the start and held this position right through. Campbell provided a surprise in staying so close to Smith as he has done little sculling for a year or so. Jackson was expected to be in top form after his visit to Australia for the British Empire Games, but he was not at all convincing and finished last. At the Aramoho Railway Bridge, Smith had a lead of a little more than a length on Campbel], with Hegglun, McLeod, and Morey sculling almost together. Smith increased his lead over the final distance to win by three lengths. Campbell drew away from the remainder of the field and had a lead of two lengths on Morey, who was followed closely by McLeod and Hegglun. Maiden Fours (Open) (One mile. First prize, £10; Second prize, £2) NAPIER (E. Poynter, L. Dugleby, W. Tucker, G. Silverwood) . 1 PICTON (J. Clark, J. Horrcy, A. Gibb, W. Hodgson) 2 WAITEMATA (J. S. Jones, K. Vincent, F. Phillips, J. Harper) 3 Also started: Union, Wanganui (J. Sheppard, E. L. Evans, C. Granville, D. Lind); Petone (J. Tegg, J. Boswell, A. Tinney, W. Watson); Poverty Bay (H. Warren, E. Fitzmaurice, T. Stevens, M. Doyle); Wellington No. 2 (J. Alexander, J. Wilson, J. Kofoed,

A. Clouston); Ngaruawahia (W. Tarplett, H. Mason, R. McGreal, T. Stubbing); Wanganui (M. Pauli, M. Larkin, W. Emmett, M. Darby); Gisborne (S. W. Bruce, L. Reed, J. Nelson, T. Williams): Aramoho No. 2 (H. Thomson, D. Bridges, I. Peper, D. Coughlin); Aramoho No. 1 (A. Brougham, L. Dromgoole, J. Farrell, R. Dearsley); Wellington No. 1 (E. Woolcott, K. Fish, N. Mathewson, W. O’Donnell); Star (F. Tinterin, R. P. Hansen, T. Ryan, T. Mahood). With 11 crews competing, the starter was faced with a difficult task in this race on account of the strong run down the river. The crews were taken about a-quarter of a mile further up the river and lined up. They were then brought down in position and sent away for an excellent start. Napier, on the farther side of the river, went to the front early and at the Aramoho Bridge, had about two lengths on Waitemata and Picton, which had left the remainder of tha field fairly well bunched together. On the southern side of the bridge, Waitemata and Picton closed up with Napier and over the final 200 yards the three boats were running together. Each stroke did his utmost to secure the advantage and. with several determined strokes, Napier finished about two feet ahead of Picton, with Waitemata about the same distance farther back.

Maiden Single Sculls (One Mile. First prize, £5; Second prize £1) J. PURCELL (Wanganui Union) ... 1 H. O’DONNELL (Wellington) -2 K. E. MAY (Star) 3 Also started: J. Fiske (Aramoho). This race was a splendid victory for Purcell, who won the maiden singles at the recent Jury Cup regatta in convincing style. Purcell secured the lead early in the race and held his position to the end Io win by four lengths. May and O’Donnell rowed fairly close together, the latter gaining second place by a margin of two lengths. Purcell has done practically all his sculling on the Manawatu River at Foxton, under the direction of Mr Tom Crotty. When he competed in the Jury Cup regatta recently, he had never seen a rowing race. Junior Fours (One mile. First prize, £10; Second prize, £2). WAITEMATA (J. Sweeney. P. Vokes, W. Clapham, A. Carbines) 1 ARAMOHO (A. Brougham, L. Dromgoole, J. Farrell, R. Boyland) 2 NEW PLYMOUTH (M. Keenan, S. Billing, J. Durdle, A. Burgess) 3 Also started: Star (K. E. May, J. F. Eggers, P. Columb, K. J. Frazer); Petone (R. Lowe, J. Te Puni, D. McDonald, M. Wells); Gisborne (P. Gavin, K. Monk, A. Terry, D. Gavin); Wanganui (R. Goldstone, G. Clay, A. Ballingall, W. Hoy); Wellington (R. Nicholson, W. Morgan, R. McNair, S. Watson); Union, Wanganui (H. Bowling, W. Wakcling, E. J. Blair, M Anderson); Ngaruawahia (R. McFarlane, H. Donald, L. Sewell, T. Stubbing). Waitemata ’l'd the field for the greater part of the journey, but over the last half-mile were hotly challenged by Aramoho, who finished a length behind them. New Plymouth was coming up fast at the finish and was about half a length behind Aramoho. Wanganui was lying third close on the finish, but let up when the first gun was fired and lost their position to New Plymouth. The race was a hard one and with a field ol 10 starters provided the spectators with plenty of thrills.

Maiden Double Sculls (One mile. First prize, £6; Second prize, £2). UNION, Wanganui (I. Mclntyre and J. Purcell) 1 TAURANGA (G. Silvester and L. Silvester) 2 WELLINGTON (H. O’Donnell and F. Boel.) - 3 Also started: Petone (J. Killalea and M. Clarke); Aramoho (R. Francis and J. Fiske). Mclntyre and Purcell rowed a splendid race and, sccurng the lead about a-quartcr of a mile after the start, gradually forged ahead and with about 300 yards to go had a lead of six or seven lengths from the Silvester brothers, of Tauranga, who made a determined but unsuccessful challenge. The Wellington pair were about one and a-half lengths farther back. O’Donnell, by the way, was a member of the Union Boat Club until this season and in 1936 and 1937 stroked the youths’ crew which was successful at the New Zealand championships at Wellington and Akaroa, respectively. Junior Fours (Open) (One and a-half miles. First prize, £l2; Second prize, £3). NAPIER (E. Poynter, L. Dugleby, W. Tucker, G. Silverwood) .... 1 MERCER (J. Mcßobbie, C. McRobbie, M. Mcßobbie, R. Morey) 2 PICTON (J. Clark, J. Horrcy, A. Gibb, W. Hodgson) 3 Also started: Aramoho No. 1 (W. Firmin, J. Halligan, H. Clark, F. Laird); Union, Wanganui (J. Sheppard, E. L. Evans, C. Granville, D. Lind); Wanganui (E. Cooper, J. Fletcher, B. Goldsbury, K. Station); Aramoho No. 2 (T. Sweet, E. Hutchins, A. G. Clark, R. Gifford); Poverty Bay (H. Warren, E. Fitzmaurice, T. Stevens, M. Doyle); Ngaruawahia (N. E. Mcßurncy, W. Mcßurncy, P. Connolly, K. Snowden); Wellington (F. Tregurtha, W. McLean, O. Wares, E. Marchant); Petone (K. C. Williams, H. S. Barraclough, F. Cassidy, T. S. Crook); Gisborne (A. Allen, R. Moore, E. E. Walton, L. Winstanley). The twelve crews got away to a good start and at the Aramoho Railway Bridge it appeared to be anybody’s race. Napier, Mercer and Picton were in good positions and Wanganui Union was also close up. Napier, which had previously won the maiden fours in convincing style, rowed well and scored a well deserved victory. A little less than a length behind was Mercer with Picton third half a length farther back. The Mercer crew’s performance in gaining second place was a commendable effort. Their enthusiasm is evidenced by the fact that they have to travel nine miles for a row. Three members of the club arc brothers and the bow man, R. Morey, is a brother of A. Morey, who is to row bow with R. B. Smith in lhe doubles sc” ,,c championship-

Youths’ Fours (One mile. First prize, £10; Second prize, £2). WANGANUI (A. Cooper, R. Ross, M. Breed, R. Grant) 1 UNION No. 2 (E. Crutchley, M. Brown-Sharpe, R. Blackmore, S. McDonald) 2 UNION No. 1 (J. Hodge, W. Chapple, W. Phillips, M. Moosman) 3 Also started: Christ’s College (D. Mouldey, N. Tutalti, J. BickertonFisher, A. J. Hannah); Aramoho (J. Fothergill, C. McNicol, J. Brown, A. W. Clark). The Wanganui youths' crew continued its run of successes and secured a convincing win from Union No. 2. Wanganui secured an early lead and settling down to a steady pace kept their lead although they were challenged for a short distance by the Union No. 1 crew. However, this crew and Aramoho collided just south of the Aramoho Bridge and the Union No. 2 crew came through to fill second place. Wanganui won by a margin of lour lengths, with the Union No. 2 and No. 1 crews filling second and third places with about a length between them. When they collided with Union No. 1. Aramoho had an oar broken and retired from the race. The Christ’s College youths, although they finished last, put up a commendable performance and should go well in the inter-college events today. Maiden Pairs (One mile. First prize, £6; Second prize, £2) TAURANGA (L. Silvester and G. Silvester) 1 WELLINGTON (N. Mathewson and K. Fish) 2 WAITEMATA (F. Phillips and J. Harper) ’ Also started: Petone (J. Boswell and J. Tegg); Aramoho (J. Brown and A. W. Clark); Petone (A. Tinney and H. Parsonage); Union, Wanganui (C. Coull and M. Wills). • The Silvester brothers rowed well in this event and their excellent combination was the deciding feature of the race. They were considerably better than the remaining crews and were not extended to win by a margin of four lengths. Waitemata made a strong effort to wrest third place from Wellington hut finished half a length to the bad. The Wanganui crews were not. nt all promising. ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY EARLY MORNING START AL a meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Association executive committee and representatives of the competing crews last evening, it was decided to adopt the following programme for to-day for the rowing championships: 7 a.ni.—Champion Fours. 7.15 a.m.—Champion Doubles. 8.30 a.m.—Champion Pairs. 9.30 a.m.—Champion Eights. 11 a.m.—lnterprovincial Eights. Noon.—Wanganui Plate. The secondary school race will bs held according to schedule between the championship eight events, at 10