ROWING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 127, 27 February 1928, Page 7

ROWING

WELLINGTON REGATTA STAR CREWS IN FORM BRIGHT WINS PEARCE CUP Although the weather conditions could by no means be termed ideal, the Wellington Regatta, which was held on Saturday ailtinoon, was a distinct success. The regatta was held on tho town course. The strong southerly wind made the water anything but pleasant, for the rowers, who, however, put up some excellent performances. The popularity of the regatta was shown by tho large crowds of spectators who lined the nearby wharves. The Star Club crews did very well, and were successful in carrying off four first awards and two seconds. G. S. Bright, of the Wellington Club, . was successful in winning the senior single sculls, thus bringing back to Wellington I lie Pearce Cup, which has not been held by Wellington for many years. In order that the boats might have a clear run, the motor-boat races which were to have been held were considerately abandoned. Several of the members of the various crews were nominees for the Olympic crew, the selectors for which were present. The officials for the regatta were: Stutter, Mr. M. A. Turner, umpire, Mr. A. D. Bayfield,; judges, Messrs. G. Lauehlan, 11. Paton, and C. F. Turner; timekeepers, Messrs. P. N. Denton, G. C. Sherwood, and West. The following are (be results of the eleven events;— SENIOR SINGLE SCULLS (Best and Best Boats. One mile and a half. Wellington (G. S. Biigbt) 1 Tauranga 2 Turner, the Tintranga contestant, led for a short distance, after which Bright (Wellington) had things all his own way, and won by four lengths. MAIDEN FOURS .'Clinker Boats). On? mile. Star. G. Thomas (str.). A. Taylor (3), I. .McHardy (2). P. Field (bow), W. Clouston (cox) 1 Avon 2 '"on B.C. (Wanganui) 3 Time, 6min. 3fisce. Eight crews —Star, Wellington, Avon, Unio,n, Wanganui, Nelson Sea Scouts, Petono and Canterbury—started in this race, Star having No. 1 position. After a good start all crews were fairly even for a short time, Star gradually drawing away. By the time the Clyde Quay Wharf was passed Star were well ahead, with Avon striving for second place. Wanganui. Nelson and Pelone became bunched up about this time, a fact which probably told on their oarsmanship. Star were rowing an easy stroke, and during the last quarter of a mile puller* away from tho others, finishing with one length and a half to spare. Three lengths separated Avon and Union, while Canterbury were only a few inches behind for fourth place. JUNIOR PAIRS (Clinker Boats). One Mile. Wairau (J. Rutledge str., H. Rut-’ ledge bow) 4 Star 2 Wanganui •’ 3 The start of Ulis race was good, Wairau getting the lend straight away. Star crept up and fo;’ a time the boats were almost neck and neck., Wanganui dropped back and remained buck. Near the Clyde Quay Wharf Wairau put themselves further in the lead, and Star, who were rowing with a slow stroke, dropped back. A little later they crept up again, but could not. beat Wairau, who finally won with two lengths to spare. Wanganui were a long way back third. YOUTHS’ FOURS. Star (IL A. Comerford str., H. McLean 3. F. M. Bell 2, S. G. Fees bow, W. Clouston cox) 1 Avon y Wanganui 2 Time, (imin. 44sec. An excellent start was witnessed in this event. Star soon got ahead, the first three, boats being Star. Wanganui ami Blenheim. At one stage Star appeared to slop. Tho water was extremely rough and all tho crews were hard pressed. However, Star got a , spurt on and were soon well ahead. Third place seemed doubtful. Blenheim and Avon striving hard for it. Wanganui began to lose ground, and Avon crept up. Avon and Wanganui then began a tussle for second place. , Star won with ono length and a half to spare. Avon was second and only six inches ahead of Wanganui. Blenheim was fourth and Wellington fifth. MAIDEN PAIRS. Star (G. F. Thomas str., P. 11. Field bow, J. Clouston cox) 1 Wairau 2 Union R.C. (Christchurch) 3 Time, 6miu. 31 l-ssec. Wanganui, Pelone, Canterbury, Avon, Star, Wairau, and Union (Christchurch), started in this race, which was very even for half the length, when Star spctl ahead of Wairau and Union. Star led till the end, winning by two lengths from Wairau, who in turn were two lengths ahead of Union. Union and Petcne put up a good fight for third place, Union being very little ahead. Petone, Avon. Canterbury, and Wanganui followed in the order given. SENIOR FOURS. (Best and Best Boats.) Two miles. Canterbury (F. H. Brown (st.r,), G. S. Morris (3), H. L. Stevenson (2), F. G. Oborn (bow), F. Malaquin (cox) ... 1 Wairau 2 Petone 3 Time, 7min. 55sec. This was, without a doubt, the most interesting race of the day, especially since the crews included eight nominees for the Olympic Eight. They were; G. S. Morris and F. G. Oborn (Canterbury),. A. E. Jones, R. Cameron, T. Slinn, and R. G. Duncan (Petono); and C. Saunders and E. T. Heggluu (Wairau). The race was very even for a time, Petone being the first to drop behind. Canterbury later put themselves slightly in the lead, Wairau following close behind. When the crews were about level with the Te Aro Baths, Wairau led Canterbury, helped greatly by the splendid steering of their coxswain (F. Malaouin), managed to creep up, and were successful in winning by half a length. Petono were well behind. MAIDEN FOURS, LIGHT-WEIGHT. (Clinker Boats.) One mile. Petone, (F. Brand (str.), L. Bowater (3), J. Morrison (2), T. Wainscott (bow), A. Jones (cox) 1 Blenheim 2 Avon 3 Time, 6min. 55sec. This also was an exciting race, nine crews —Wanganui, Star, Wellington, Union (Wanganui), Petone, Avon, Nelson Sea Scouts, Blenheim, a»d SumnerRodclilfs—starting, in the order given. Petone were in the lead almost from the start. Star were second for a short time, but soon dropped back. Blenheim were third for a time, after which Wanganui hold second place for a few min-

utes. Petone kept in the lead all the time. Blenheim then came up into second place, Avon and Wanganui fighting hard to beat the Blenheim men. The race finished with Petone one length ahead of Blenheim, who were only a canvas ahead of Avon. Wanganui were only a few feet behind for fourth place.

MAIDEN DOUBLE SCULLS. (Clinker Boats.) One mile. Union R.C. (Christchurch), Rogers, (str.), Duggan (bow) 1 Star 11 2

CauterljUfy 3 Time, 7min. 6 3-ssec. Waugauui, Star 1, Star 11, Canterbury, Wellington, and Wairau started in this race. Both the Star crews, Canterbury, ami Wellington got away well, followed by Union ami Wairau. Wellington and Wairau were soon pushing ahead, with Star 1 third. Star 11, who were rowing a nice stroke, were just behind. By the time the half-way mark had been reached, Union were a clear length ahead, the order' being Union, Star 11, and Canterbury. Later on Union increased their lead to two lengths from Star 11, who were being hard pressed by Canterbury. Star 11, however, were unable to gain on the leaders, and the race finished with Union winning by two lengths, followed by Star 11, who were two lengths ahead of Canterbury. Star I were fourln. JUNIOR FOURS (Clinker Boats). One mile and a half. Star, D. G. Gray (str.), C. F. Crease (3), F. IL Mullins (2), D. Brooker (bow), W. Clouston (eox) J Canterbury - Union (Wanganui) 3 Time, 7min. 10 4-sseu. After considerable delay in starting, all crews—Canterbury, Star, Wanganui 11, Union B.C. (Wanganui), Wanganui I, and Nelson Sea Scouts —got away fairly well. For the first part of tho race," Canterbury, Star and Union were in the lead. Union Being about two lengths ahead. Star caught up on Union, who were showing signs of tiredness, having rower! too hard at the beginning. Star pushed ahead, and were soon in the lead. Canterbury, rowing an easy stroke, came up and passed Union. When the calmer water was reached all crews brightened up, Canterbury and Union fighting hard for second place, Canterbury being the successful crew. Tlte Star men came first with a margin of only three feet. SENIOR PAIRS (Best and Best Boats). One mile and a half. Avon, C. G. Stiles (str.), G. Stiles (bow) 1 Wairau 2 Star 6 Time, Bmin. 48 2-ssee. Wairau started oft" well, but got off tlio course. Star, who ought to have known better, considering thev were rowing on their own water, also got badly off the course. Wairau, however, by dint of hard rowing, got back into the proper course again, and came second, Avon winning easily. Both members of the winning crew were nominees tor the Olympic Eight. JUNIOR SINGLE SCULLS (Clinker Boats. One mile. Union 8.C., Wanganui (A. K. G. Jackson) 1 Aramoho (D. Mill) 2 I’et.one (W Burk) 3 Time. 7min. 3 l-ssec. This race, the winner of which holds the Bridson Challenge Cup for one year, was keenly contested. Union led for most of the way, and came in a good way ahead of Aramoho and Petone. Star and Wanganui also competed. D. Mill (Aramoho) was the previous holder of the cup.