AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2123, 13 December 1880, Page 3

AQUATICS.

UNION ROWING CLUB. Saturday afternoon turned out very pleasant. There was a slight north-west wind blowing, and tolerably cool, which was greatly to the advantage of the competitors. During the first mile the weeds were very bad, closing up half the course, thus making it troublesome for steering. The spectators were more numerous than usual, including about twelve horsomtn. This race has been looked forward to with great interest, as the crews have been in active practice for the last fortnight, and were very equally matched. The boats used were the club’s Thetis and the Electric, kindly lout by the C.R.O. for the occasion. The following was the event of the afternoon : Junior four-oared race (under twenty years), course up stream right to the willows, two miles. Prize, club, value £6. First Heat. Thetis, North bank—F. G. Moule, stroke ; O. S. Stringer, 3; J. It. Johnston, 2; R. Blanchard, bow ; H. V. Styohes, cox. Electric, South bank—W. M, Joynt, stroke; P. O. Bowley, 3 ; G. A. Atack, 2; B. H. Woledge, bow; W. H. Woledge, cox. Mr Keeteven sent the boats away to a good start. Joynt rowing a quicker stroke, soon began to lead away. The Thetis’ crew now 1 began to wake up, and getting settled down to work, began to close up the gap to half a length, which was kept to Pratt's corner, where Moule had the advantage, and led round two lengths a head, which he kept to the finish. Second Heat. Thetis, North bank—P. Puller, stroke; Jas. Gilmour, 3 ; 8. Ward, 2 ; John Thomson, bow ; H. V. Styche, cox. Electric, South bank—P. A. Button, stroke; * G. P. Wright, 3; W. A. Styche, 2; Claud \ Sawtell, bow; W. H. Woledge, cox. J The Thetis jumped away at the start, and , soon had the race in hand. Button running j foul of some weeds soon after starting gave him little show in the race. Although he rowed the best stroke of the day, and had to t row a stern chase all the way, during the, 1 last mile the Electric came up very consider- i ably, making things very lively at the finish, i Puller won by two lengths. i Pinal Heat. 1 Electric, South bask—P. Puller, stroke; t Jas. Gilmour, 3 ; S. Ward, 2 ; John Thom- , son, bow ; W. H. Woledge, cox. f Thetis, North bank—P. G. Moule, stroke ; 5 O. P. Stringer, 3; J. B. Johnston, 2; E. ] Blanchard, bow ; H. Y. Styche, cox. e It was bard to spot the winner in this race, although the betting was 6t04 on Monle’s t crow. At 5.15 the boats were waiting for the j word “ off,” which was given without delay. Both crews caught the water well together. The Electric now showed to the front, and the first corner being in her favor, landed her a one and a half lengths to her credit, which 1 was increased to about three. Moule then 1 began to liven up, but bad left it too late, as t Puller had the race in hand, winning easily. 1 Special credit is due to the bow of the losing i boat, who is only a beginner this season, but on Saturday if each man in the boat had I rowed like he did, things might have been t different. i The next event on the programme is the i ; unior pairs, on January Bth. The senior t : ours, which were to have come off on the g 23rd of this month, having had to be post- j. poned on account of crews practising for the t Lyttelton Regatta.