EIGHT-OARED ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 19781, 3 February 1928, Page 7

EIGHT-OARED ROWING

HARBOR INTERGLUB RAGES FORT CHALMERS GREW WINS Eight-oared rowing is one of th« most spectacular forms of the sport. Some twenty years ago there were eight-oared races in Otago Harbor, but it was not till last night that such events were revived, races taking place among the Upper and Lower Harbor Clubs in the boats which were presented to the Otago Rowing Association last year by the New Zealand Rowing Association. A very large crowd was attracted to the wharves last evening to see the finish of the races, and the crews were loudly cheered as they came in to the steamer basin between the Birch street and Rattray street wharves. The course was about a mile and aiialf one, starting about a quartermile past the Castle beacon on the eastern side of the Victoria Channel. The purpose of the races was to pick an Otago eight to represent the province at the New Zealand eights championship at Wellington on March 24, when the New Zealand selectors will pick a crew to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games. The first heat was rowed between Otago and North End Club crews, which were sent away at 7 o’clock in fairly good water. Rowing steadily at 32 to fine minute, North End went into the lead, and had an advantage of about two lengths at the Castle beacon. North End maintained this lead to the steamer basin, where the Otago crew quickened its stroke and made a great recovery, gradually drawing level with North End, and, rowing splendidly, drew ahead. It was an exciting finish, Otago winning by a length. The North End crew appeared to lag when entering the basin. The No. 4 man of the North End crew caught a crab when near the finishing line, the other rowers stopping until he cleared his oar. In the meantime Otago took the lead and finished strongly. North End rowed a plucky race. Port Chalmers and Queen’s Drive met in the second heat, the former going to the front soon after the start. When the crews entered the basin thev quickened their stroke, and Port Chalmers had a lead of half a length. Queen’s Drive made a strenuous effort and drew level, but Glengarry, stroke of tho Port Chalmers crew, quickened the pace, and amidst the cheers of the onlookers Port Chalmers won by a canvas.

Otago and Port Chalmers contested the final in serai-darkness. Port led all the way, and won by a length and a-half. It was a. popular win, as the Port crew mainly comprised junior oarsmen.

The crews that competed were: — Otago.—F. Brough (stroke), J. Werges (7), C. M‘Ara (6), P. S. Anderson (5), H. A. Lawless (4), A. R. Johnstone (3), A. Waddell (2), E. W. Pickford (bow), H. Davy (cox). North End.—F. Kggers (stroke), J. Mitchell (7), E. Manson (6), A. G. Johnston (5), P. Vallis (4), H. Eggers (3), D. Sutherland (2), G. Dnncan (bow). Port Chalmers. —A. Glengarry (stroke), J. Solomon (7), L. Madigan (C), Ji MTntvre (5), T. Crammond (4), D. Miller (3), C. Neilson (2),.L. Lewis (bow), R. Underwood (cos). Queen’s Drive,—F. Wilson (stroke)’* G. Clark (7), T. Porter (6), N. Monson (5), L. Fountain (4), T. Treloar (3), G. Thorne (2), D. Matheson (bow), C. M'Donald (cos). The officials were; Mr E. V. Fawbairn (starter), Mr M. Priest (umpire), Messrs J. W. Smeaton, C. G. Styche, C. R. Caffin, and P. J. Pnest (judges). Mr A. W. Hazelwood plaeed bis launch Stella at the disposal of the starter and umpire, and Mr J. Potter also gave the use of his launch toi the officials.