N.Z. OARSMEN WIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1925, Page 4

N.Z. OARSMEN WIN.

! TWO EASY VICTORIES

AUBIfiALIAN AND N.Z. OABLS ASBOCIATION. SYDNEY, March 15. Ihc visiting New Zealand oarsmen lolly justified the confidence which they had in their powers, and which they had succeeded in establishing in the minds of the local rowing experts, by handsomely annexing both the events for which they entered at the New South A\ ales Rowing Association’s regatta on the Paramatta River on Saturday.

St Clair (New Zealand) had a runaway victory in the Champion Sculls. The Dominion crew easily accounted for the eight oar championship of Xew South Wales. The presence of the New Zealanders added special interest, and their success was generously acclaimed by big crowds afloat and lining the banks of the championship course. Chief Secretary Oakes (representing the State Government) and a large party of Parliamentarians, were among those on the special steamers.

The weather was fine, the water month and there was little wind.

Tn the Champion Sculls. St. Clair, who rowed at 12.3 met six local scullers, the places in the draw being in the following order—St Clair. Hoskins, lleglehole, Pye, Griffin, Lorimer and Lewis.

After three breaks the men got away to a good start. St Clair jumped into the lead, hut Lorimer over-hauled him before he reached I'hrs Point, where he led the New Zealander by a length, Hoskins filling third place. At the mile, I/irimer had increased his lead to three lengths, and he continued to act as pilot till nearing the mile and a-half peg, when St Clair, who was pulling a powerful stroke and clearing .splendidly, began to gain on the leader. The New Zealander went to the front at the Gasworks, where Lorimer, who had made the pace a. cracker, showed signs of tiring.

From (his point onward, St Clair was never troubled.

Sculling in splendid .slvlo mid well within himself, tlie Now Zealander had a ten lengths break at the two lilies, and a little later lie had affairs so weil in hand that he actually stopped rowi life to wave to his friends ashore. Tie romped home the easiest of winners from horimer, h.v 25 lengths, with Lewis (II stone) twenty lengths liehind. hind. The others were beaten off. f The three miles took 23 minutes 25 In the Eight-oar Championship of New South Wales five contestants competed. the order of the draw being:— I.eichardt, l 'Diversity, New Zealand. Drummonyne and Mosninn. ’.From a snlendid start New Zealand soon established a slight advantage from Mosman, who, for the past three years have held the State Championship. and who were recognised as the visitors’ chief opponents. The Dominion crew were showing splendid driving power, and a fine rip home. At TTlnxland the New Zealanders had a length advantage from Mosman. with Druuimonyne two lengths behind. The leaders were rowing thirty, and .Mosman. with twenty-nine to the minute Tlotli crews were going splendidly. From this stage the visitors began to forge ahead, and at Caharita they had increased their lead to throe lengths, rowing 32 to Mosman’s 20- The New Zealand coxswain was steering a great course, taking every advantage of the water and blade work. Mosinau were not so clean in their work. As the New Zealanders, who continued to widen the gap. were passing Abbotsford, the visitors lowered their droke to 30. and Mosman, putting in i spurt, increased theirs to 32. Mosman had made up a little of the leeway ippnsite Kemps’ Shed. The race by this time was practically ■onfined to the two leading boats, the ithers being out of the running. The ITiiversity boat was swamped off dadesville wharf. The spurt at Kemps proved to be desman's final effort, and with the race veil in hand, the visitors easily held heir own to the finish, winning by 3 englhs and covering the three miles u lßinin. 21 l-ssec. Drummeyne finished third, many engtlis away. Until victories of the New Zealanders iere highly popular. The heavyweight maiden four was Iso contested, being won easily b* Irummeyne. The lightweight championship louis f New South Wales was won by Balm in.

TRIBUTES TO VICTORS. SYDNEY, March 15. The Now Zealanders are highly elated at their success on their initial appearance as competitors in eight-oar contests in Australia. Their work as a crew, and that of St. Clair as a sculler, I has created a splendid impression in rowing circles. Following op the successes of the ' day. the visitors last night attended I the Tivoli Theatre, which was gaily decorated for the occasion, and was crowded with the rowing fraternity. The visitors were at the theatre 1 resented with the trophies won, including the cup donated by the "Sun” Newspaer Company to the winners of the champion eigths. The proceedings were full of enthusiasm. In making the presentations on hehalf of tlie Mowing Association to St. Clair and Healey, the New Zealand crew’s stroke, Air David Alnnghan said: “For years, we have known in other sports what, experts the New Zealanders were. This is llie first venture in eight-oar rowing in Australia, and they have won a famous victory. Nobody grudges them their two victories." At the rail of the manager, Air Lau•chlan, the New Zealanders responded with cheers for Iho New South Wales

oarsmen. VICTORIAN SCUFFING CIIAAIP TONS HIPS. AIEUSOURXE. Alarch 15. In the sculling clianiionship of Victoria, A. Cambridge beat Barton (bolder) by two lengths. I he light oar championship resultedWendouree 1, Melbourne 2. Albert Part; :i. Won by two lengths.