FOUR ROWING TITLES TO WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 9, 13 March 1950, Page 5

FOUR ROWING TITLES TO WHAKATANE

Won Convincingly At Annual Provincial Championship

For the first time in the history of the Club four championship titles were won by the Whakatane Rowing Club at the Auckland Provincial Rowing Championships at Mercer on Saturday. In all, six races were held for crews of four and Whakatane scored wins in four of these, missing out in the senior fours, in which it did not enter, and in the Youths' under 18 when a fourth place was gained. On the day Whakatane was one of the most clubs at the championships as it gained four firsts and one fourth out of five starts. Throughout their races, which were over a mile, Whakatane crews were noticed because of their long, easy style which appeared to keep them moving faster than the other quicker striking crews. The influence of the veteran rower, Mr C. D. Molesworth, the club's coach, was more than evident and the success, the greatest the club has ever achieved in competition, was a tribute to his work.

The trophies won by Whakatane during .the day were presented by the secretary of Auckland Rowing Association, who paid a tribute to the coaching of Mr Molesworth and the Club's fine success during the day. The first race, the Youths' Fours under 21, for the Nash Cup, gave Whakatane its first victory. From the start the Whakatane four M'. Whittaker (str), M. Brown (3), K. Bowering (2), K. O'Rourke (bow) T. Flay (cox) went out to the front to lead all the way and finish an easy winner, 1J lengths ahead of Hamilton with West End third, three of whose members represented New Zealand at the British Empire Games at Lake Karapiro. The second win came in the Light Maiden Fours for the John Clark Shield. All eight starters got away together but Whakatane, P. Bowering (str), R. Seebeck (3), R. Burt (2), T. Stewart (bow) Flay (cox) striking faster, took the lead early and held a good two lengths over the greater part of the course. They were never headed and went across 1|- lengths clear of Ngaruawahia followed by West End. Ten starters left the mark in the Open Maiden Fours for the Dewar Shield but Whakatane, P. Armstrong (str), S. Shapley (3), W. Sandham (2), G. KfKoea (bow) P. Lynds (cox) went out with the leaders and soon had a length clear in front. This they held, rowing strongly throughout, to beat Hamilton, • winners of this event at the New Zealand Championships, by 1| lengths. Waitemata were third. The fourth win for Whakatane came in the Junior Fours. At the start Whakatane, G. Moore (str), E. Hunt (3), L. O. Stewart (2), G. Dines (bow) Lynds (cox) were left, the boat fin catching a rope anchoring a buoy. Strong rowing over the first two hundred yards and they swept through the other four starters to a two lengths lead and held this until the last 100 yards. Here Auckland No. 1 challenged strongly but could make no impression and Whakatane were first by H lengths. Later Auckland were disqualified for interfering with three other boats and Ngaruawahia were placed second with Waitemata third.

In the Youths' Fours under 18 Whakatane were up with the early leaders but the pace began to tell quarter of a mile from home and in a great tussle for' third place with Tauranga, Whakatane, D. Baker (str), S. Stubbs (3), M. Cropp (2); B. Fitzsimmons (bow), Flay (cox) came in fourth, beaten by half a length.

heat, T. Woods 1, F. Cameron 2, B. Woods 3; final, F. Cameron 1, P. Callaghan 2, R. Woods 3. Open Handicap: Ist heat, L. Simpson 1, J. Marsh 2, G. Hauesler 3; 2nd heat, B. Woods 1, P. Callt-g----han 2, F. Cameron 3; final, B. Woods 1, F. Cameron 2, G. Hauseler 3. Junior Handicap: B. Woods 1, J. Marsh 2, L. Simpson 3. Senior Scratch: F. Cameron 1. J. Marsh 2, T. Woods 3. Junior Scratch: L. Simpson 1, J. Marsh 2, B. Woods 3. " « Eastern Bay Handicap: P. Callaghan 1, F. Cameron 2, H. Low 3. Senior Handicap: P. Callaghan 1, B. Woods 2, T. Woods 3. Consolation Handicap: T. Woods 1, J. Marsh 2.