ROWING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16038, 31 January 1920, Page 5

ROWING.

THE HAMILTON REGATTA-

By “VICTOR.”

It appears that, in the single sculls handicap at Hamilton on Thursday, A. Sharpe (the Wanganui Union representative) was unlucky enough to run into a mud bank, which accident probably put him out of second place, though so well did D. Hadficld (the N.Z. champion) row that there is little doubt bo would have won in any case.

The Union men who saw tho race aro very enthusiastic about Hadficld’a soul-, ling, and express the opinion that lie is probably the best man in the world to-day, not even excepting Felton or Barry. In Thursday’s raeo Iladficld was on scratch and was giving away starts up to 40 seconds, though those on the limit wore in clinker's. A Sharpe had 5 seconds and Boose 10 seconds. The scratch man rowed in .splendid stylo from the word go, his great drive impressing the onlooker's very much, and he had his held practically caught some distance from home. About 800 yards from the post Boose, who was just ahead of Hadheld, crossed tire champion, and caused him to falter ior a stroke or two, and lose a length or two by altering his course, lie finished at a great bat, however, and won by 8 of t» feet. Hadlield intends competing at the N.Z. championship regatta in Wanganui on the 21st February, and in view of the great improvement he has made and his splendid performances at Home, his rowing here will be watched with the keenest interest, especially in view of the fact that he appears to b« the man most likely to bring the world's championship back to the Dominion. In the Senior Fours, the Union crew won easily at the finish, beating Hamilton by two lengths in 15 minutes 26 seconds for the two miles, or four seconds under Die previous best time. At the start, after the first stroke had been got in, there was a mix-up between the Unions and Waitemata, tire oars overlapping for from eight to ten strokes, when the boats got dear. Despite this mix-up, the two crewa named managed to keep with the others, and after getting clear they drew away, the Unions gradually gaining a slight lead. However, Waitemata hung on like a leach for a mile and a quarter, when the light blues went away from them, being "four lengths in front half a mile from home. Here Hamilton, knowing the course, were enabled to pick _up some of fheir leeway, but the Unions eventually won nicely by a couple of lengths. _ . The Union crews did not compete in the senior pairs, maiden pairs, junior pairs or junior fours.