"ROOSTER" TO HAMILTON

NZ Truth, Issue 1213, 28 February 1929, Page 16

"ROOSTER" TO HAMILTON

But There Was Only A Canvas In It At The Finish (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Picton Representative.) Fitness told its tale over the final 200 yards of the champion four contest at the Dominion Regatta at Picton, and Hamilton recovered the "rooster" from Wanganui Union by three feet m a gruelling finish.'

XTELrIEVING & good start makes for jD a good finish, Hamilton m their scarlet and white.quarters singlets, were first to show out, and clapping on the pace had a very handy lead from Picton, who were closely followed by Union,- Wairau, with Queen's Drive bringing up the rear. •■ This order was maintained to the first -mile peg, which "Truth" clocked m smin. 25sec. It was a'brilliant mile, which must stand as a i*ecord for the Picton course. . It further proved that Hamilton were out for victory and determined that every crew that wished to'be'in at the ! grand finale would not need to loiter • or hang back. .. . ' -' ', Starting on the second mile, all the crews hadabreather, and their strokes . per minute came down considerably. But the weight and swing of the crews, especially that of Hamilton, Union and Picton, remained the same steady action. • liealising that position is everything when it comes to fighting out a finish, Clarrie Healey, Union's great stroke oar, made a move. ' . Swinging his crew along m good ir . " '

style, slowly but surely he drew up or Picton, who were rowing surprisingly well for .the short time they had been together. Shaking off Picton, the "light blues" from Wanganui continued to improve their position; and raised the hopes oi their supporters, who had made a special journey down to witness the regatta. Steadily the gap between the two big river crews closed,- until it became so close that the following enthusiasts were electrified by the brilliancy of Union's effort. . Onward the two crews Avent, each man doing his utmost to bring honor and fame to his club. With twenty strokes to go, Union put-forth their splendid effort to try and snatch the race out of the fire. They were doomed to fill second position, for justas victory appeared to be theirs, Hamilton's six-foot stroke called on. his men, and the crew responding, lasted long enough to be rewarded, with a 3 feet victory. Queen's Drive were clearly outclassed, being far too light compared with the three placed crews. __j