AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1086, 21 December 1877, Page 3

AQUATICS.

U.R.C. JUNIOR PAIRS.

The junior pair-oar races for prizes given by the committee of the Union Rowing Club, were pulled off on the Avon last evening, the distance being from Pratt’s to the willows below the boat sheds. Three crews only entered, and with the exception of the first part of the final heat the racing was not particularly exciting. The final heat was between A. H. Noble Campbell and W. J Jones, and G. Gapes and P. D. Kesteven. Some little difficulty was experienced in bringing the boats in position at the start, and when they did eventually get away they fouled almost immediately. A second and capital start was effected, but the coxswain of the Una in trying to take the first bend too sharp, ran into the Syren, and the boats were brought to a dead lock. Campbell, however, got clear and rowed away home, and would have been fully justified in claiming the race, but he generously volunteered to pull it over again, when his efforts were rewarded with a well-merited and undisputed victory. Subjoined are the details of the two heats : FIRST HEAT. Una, south bank—G. Gapes and P. D. Kesteven (V. Harris, cox.) ... ... 1 Syren, north bank—W. M. Joynt and F. Bowley (J. Fuller, c0x.)... ... ... 2 The Una got away with a lead, which was maintained and increased to fully two lengths before reaching the Stanmore road bridge. Here Joynt put on a capital spurt, but despite his very plucky efforts the Una kept and increased her lead, and won easily by about four lengths. FINAL HEAT. Una, south bank—A. H. Noble Campbell and W. J. Jones (Edwards, cox.) ... 1 Syren, north bank —G. Gapes, and P. D. Kesteven (V. Harris, cox.) ... ... 2 After the fouls above referred to, the interest in the result of this contest became very keen amongst the few spectators who were present. At the word “off” the boats got well away together, and a splendid neckand -neck race ensued all up the straight. Just before rounding the bend below Herdson’s Campbell put on a fine spurt, and, notwithstanding the disadvantage of having the south bank, he quickly got a lead of a clear length. At Cowlishaw’s the bow oar of the Syren got into the weeds, owing to the coxswain trying to cut it too fine. This gave the Una a still greater lead ; and though Gapes and Kesteven rowed gamely, and tried hard to overhaul their opponents, Campbell and Jones had the race well in hand, and were first at the winning post with five or six lengths to spare. PILGRIM CANOE CLUB REGATTA. This) event, which is fixed for to-morrow afternoon on the Avon, bids fair to be a very great success. Already there are a large number of entries for the different races, the most attractive of which will be a canoe steeplechase. For some time past Mr M. Bowron has been energetically at work making the preliminary arrangements, and, should the weather prove propitious, doubtless his efforts will be crowned with success. As, in all probability, there will be some double-scull or pair-oar scratch races in connection with the Canterbury Rowing Ciub, the aquatic fraternity may look forward to a good afternoon’s sport. HEATHCOTE ROWING CLUB. On Monday evening next, the pair-oar races, for prizes presented to the above club by Mr J. L. Coster, will be pulled off on the river Heathcote, the following crews having entered for the contest: —J. Davis (stroke), J. Smith (bow) ; R. Nankerville (stroke), W. Martin (bow) ; E. A. Pavitt (stroke), E. Buxton (bow).