Watkinson Retains, Then Regains Rowing Titles

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31002, 7 March 1966, Page 3

Watkinson Retains, Then Regains Rowing Titles

• (New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON. The dominance of Auckland clubs was a feature of the senior events in the finals of the New Zealand rowing championships on Lake Karapiro on Saturday.

M. P. Watkinson, of West End (Auckland), proved himself in a class of his own when he won the single sculls title for the third time in succession.

Later, with his brother, P. Watkinson, he regained the double sculls title which they last won at Christchurch four years ago. On Saturday, they won convincingly from the Whakatane combination, T. J. Reid and D. T. Molesworth, who had held the title for the intervening three seasons. NOTABLE DOUBLE The Auckland club had a notable double when it carried off the fours and eights ! This was Auckland’s fourth fours success in four years and was achieved with the same oarsmen—A. Dryden, D. Boswell, P. Masfen and D Storey—who had won in 1964 and 1965. These four oarsmen also combined with N. Sharpe, A. Clark, A. Popplewell and D. Moselen to wrest the eights title from West End in a tremendously exciting finale to the meeting. Only nine feet separated the two crews as they flashed over the finishing line at the end of a gruelling race. Auckland crews were conspicuous by their absence.

how’ever, in the final of the coxless pairs, in which Riverton and Wakatipu maintained the intensely keen rivalry which has developed between

them at South Island regattas this season. There was only half a length in it as Riverton collected its first title ever. Recognised as a championship event for the first time, the coxed pairs was won impressively by Whakatane after a spirited battle with Waikato. I The Centennial Oar, awarded to the club gaining the most points in the finals, was won by Auckland (23) from West End (22). Results of the senior finals were:— Single Sculls.—West End No. 1, Auckland (M. Watkinson), 1: Whakatane No. 2 (N. E. Mills). 2: Hawke's Bay No. 1 (A. D. Bone). 3. Timo, 7:57.4. Double Sculls.—West End (P. Watkinson, M. Watkinson). 1: Whakatane (T. .1. Reid. D. T Molesworth). 2: Auckland (K. J. Williamson. J. D. Culpan), 3. Time. 7:4.2. Coxed Pairs —Whakatane ( G. W. Veldman, W. J. Cole). 1: Waikato, 2: Alexandra, 3. Time, 7:53.7. Coxless Pairs.—Riverton (J. C. Wilson. A. K. Ward), I: Wakatipu, 2: Wellington No. 2. 3. Time. 7:23.5. Fours.—Auckland No. 1 (A. Dryden, D. Boswell. P. Masfen, D. Storey), 1: Wellington. 2: West End No. 1, 3. Time, 6:53.5. Eights. Auckland (Dryden, Boswell, Masfen, Storey, N. Sharpe. A. Clark, A. Popplewell, D. Moslen), 1: West End, 2; Hutt Valley, 3. Time, 6.19.7. Winners of other events were: Junior.—Single sculls: Auckland (J. D. Culpan), 8:9.5. Double sculls: Star No. 1, Wei-

| lington (W. Bishop, J. Gibbons), 7:13.5. Coxless pairs: Mercer No. I (J. Cameron, R. Price), 7.42. Fours: Ngaruawahia No. 1 <N. Rennie. M. Barlow. I Macrury. N. Mcßurney). 7:3.5. Eights: Hutt Valley (P. Wear, R. Collinge, R. Joyce. M. Erwin. W. Noakes, R. Buckett, R. Andrew. T. Kelson), 6:30.5. Maiden.—Double sculls: Star No. 1, Wellington (W. Bishop. R. Clark), 8:16.5. Single sculls: Whakatane No. 2 (J. Retter), 8:16.5. Coxed pairs: Invercargill (C. Fairweather, M. S. Eades), 8:2.5. Fours: Wellington No. 1 (D. Delaney, D. Scovell. R. Black. B. Taylor). 7:19. Eights: Auckland (J. Newton. W. Hicatt. L. Hitchens, G. Brunton, J). Leary, A. Edley, M. Hartley, K. Marine), 6:34.5. Youths.—Fours: Oamaru (B. R. Johnston, M. S. Sole, R. H. Slemint, N. Pullan), 7:14. Eights: Waikato No. 1 (G. Craig. M. Cowan, M. Cole, P. Clough, R. St. George. B. Schertenleib. B. Mai&ey, G. Simpson), 6:35. Light-weight Fours.—Waikato (R. Kenah, B. Robinson, B Fraser. R. Holden). 7:22 6. Novice Fours.—Blenheim (G. Robinson, T. Kendrick, M. Thomas, B. Campbell). 7:24 6