Friendly Rivalry In The Open Fields

NZ Truth, Issue 1216, 21 March 1929, Page 16

Friendly Rivalry In The Open Fields

FROM DOWN UNDER

Rowing

Southern Oarsmen Slip The Leash CANTERBURYS EXIT (From "N.Z. Truth's" Rowing Correspondent) , The second race for the championship eights was rowed, under ideal conditions. Owing* to a light nor 'wester springing up, the race was postponed until 5.50 p.m.

THE postponement was. a disappointment to the thousands who had journeyed down to witness the race. A fine despatch saw every crew, jump away at the- crack of the gun. Canterbury, on the inside, were, first to show out. Their fine combination, and long swinging stroke made them favorites straight away and they early promise to te very hard to beat. Otago, not to be denied, slipped into their work and, rowing the same number of strokes to the minute as Canterbury, displayed dash and pace. Wellington and Marlborough did not make such a good impression, their boat work being very ragged and' uneven. '■'''> Going across Rapaki Bay the crews had all settled down to their true form. Canterbury wece still leading and doing thirty to the minute. Their work was losing its power, whereas Otago also doing 30 were putting crlspness into their rowing. Slowly but surely they closed on the Red and Black crew and speculation was rife whether they could .maintain the pressure. With half a mile to go Otago had secured a good lead. Brough, . the stroke, had his crew swinging along m beautiful, style and barring accidents they looked all over a winner. -. |illllllllllllllllllllll!llllllillll_llll[![||lllll!llllllllllllllfl!llfflIIIII!W

Wellington could not sustain their punch and fell back. Canterbury continued on their way, and though Brown unpacked a stirring finish he could not make any impression on the southerners. ■•.■..'','' ■■'•.' The crack of the judge's gun gave Otago a y/in by a clear length from Canterbury, who m turn beat Wellington by two lengths. Marlborough, after going a mile, stopped through bad seas filling their boat. In comrcarison with Canterbury's finished work Otago at first did not look as though they could win. As the race progressed, however, they developed a wonderful "catch" and a fast rip through the water. Their slide work was splendid, although their bodies did not come up together as they went forward to take the stroke..They were the lightest crew In the race, but they rowed with splendid dash. It was this effort that enabled thbm to get pace and ■" eventually win. . ' Canterbury were short of a couple of hard gallops when the final test came. Otago's' win will create fresh interest m the southern end of the South Island, and eights have been given a good fillip.. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJH