UNION’S TREBLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 295, 5 March 1928, Page 1

UNION’S TREBLE

CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA JACKSON’S SCULLING SUCCESS AUCKLAND CREWS OUT OF LUCK (Special to THE SUN.) WANGANUI, Saturday. It was Wanganui's big day today, when the New Zealand championship regatta was staged. From a spectator’s point of view conditions were perfect, but for a short while there was a jobble on part of the course, which necessitated the postponement of the champion fours, and a consequent delay in the carrying out of the programme. THE outstanding features of the regatta were the great showing eff Jackson, Wanganui Union’s new sculler, and the wonderful fight in the fours between Wairau and Wanganui Union. The champion fours race was set down for 2.50 p.m. At this time, however, the tide in the river was running strongly against a light wind, blowing straight up the first part of the twomile course. Under the bank was sheltered, but further out was rough enough to prove a distinct handicap to outside crews. The race was postponed, and ultimately got off about 5 p.m. In the meantime the remainder of the programme was gone on with, 'but three of the champonship events had to be delayed till after the fours. EXCITING RACE The crews facing the starter in the fours were Hamilton, Wairau, Union, St. George’s and Petone. The start was perfect. Almost immediately St. George’s jumped out to about a canvas lead. Hamilton, Union and Wairau at the half-mile Union gradually overhauled St. George’s and lei by half a length from Wairau, with Hamilton another half length behind. Union had settled down from a 36 to about 30 and Wairau and Hamilton were settled at about 32 strokes to the minue.

Ac this stage St. George’s and Petone were still close up. Petone, however, was dropping back and was never again in the picture, ultimately retiring. By the time the mile post wai reached Wairau had pulled out a length ahead of Union and the race looked a certainty for them. Hamilton was a good length behind Union. From this on Wairau and Union were the only crews in it. Hamilton was four lengths behind the leaders at the Aramoho bridge. At this stage Wairau put in several spurts, but could get no further away from Union. At the same time Union seemed unable to get nearer to Wairau. Then the unexpected happened. Wairau steered a course straight down the middle of the river. Union, however, hugged the far bank, gaining an advantage in avoiding the current, and spurting hard, caught Wairau and finally gained a slight lead amid wonderful excitement. Both crews stopped immediately the gun fired and Wairau drifted over, beaten by a length. Hamilton came up some six lengths behind, but stopped before reaching the finishing line, allowing St. George’s to cross the line and obtain, officially, third place. DISAPPOINTING STANDARD In site of the exciting struggle, the standard shown in the race was distinctly disappointing. If the official time was correct —it was given as over ’I mmutes—none of the crews would have been in the hunt at last year’s championship, even allowing for this mason’s race being rowed against the •tide and a slight wind. The Wairau crew was lighter than Union and showed, on the whole, considerably betler form The three man in the Union crew was very erratic and no doubt took a lot of nursing over the third jViarter of the journey. Healey showed wonderful gcmeralship and his Knowledge of the river in the way he b'tld his spurting till the finish, and the course ho took. There is little doubt s* iac * Uie positions of the crews had been reversed, Wairau would have won. ih« Waii ’au crew owes a lot to Hegg- I w ho was rowing in the three seat, a na obviously held the crew together r he Hamilton crew was badly boated, ut seemed in addition to lack life. The seemeci somewhat over trained, ; s ':® were much lighter than usual. ' f ; George’s were in the race mainly . experience, but made a very good ,

DAVIES DROPS OUT pin o sculls last year’s charnb®’ Stevenson, was also absent, cham • race brought to light a real mpioE in Jackson. There were eight carter* m the race, Davies, of North ‘■ -°re, not competing. The Tauranga u‘ ®’ . Turner, immediately took a next * with St. Clair (Hamilton) and remainder in a bunch. so\ m ° Ut tllis bunch emerged JackUkl ,I ery nearly fouling Turner, to ,W e ii- On the far bank Bright St pi • Ktcn * was keeping close up, but hick if could not get away from the bis as here that Jackson showed at i ®®nerful. powers, gaining a lead of the a five lengths from Bright at s evpT^i ra i mollc ' bridge, with St. Clair of rh- further back. Several j a .' ° Ul ®rs retired at this stage, more h? n 3 8 -tccess in the singles was with confi rmed by his showing scuh, rBl the champion double amoii* T bere were five starters, from c biamj wil ich Hamilton, last year’s from tw 8 ’ gained a half-length lead others, with Union a length half a ’ ,“ his order was maintained for of Unirm 6 ’ ® tar having crossed ahead °fthe* and Sone nearer the centre Union J[ er ’ l eav ing Union on the bank, two however, still last, an 1 this stas- 18 behind the leaders. At :or g(;d Otago and Union suddenly they huH ad * Ati tlle Aramoho Bridge bad rem? t 'y° lengths on Avon, who tM ed in second place, stage Union went ahead , w hHe Hamilton regained , om Avon, but were beaten v lengths. iyjgj l "as partnered in this race . * "’ho has made several ai"'HiiA. championship sculling, but mecess. l{ % ,N THE twilight dar k by the time tho Sere started, There were

several only three pairs, HEamilton, Wairau and Avon, facing: the starter. Wairau, who were last year’s ihampions, obtained a slight lead, which they held from Avon and Hamil;on for the best part of a mile. Here .heir steering: became erratic, and after passing the Aramoho Bridge Avon took the lead, and steering a good course, were never headed again. The Stiles brothers will receive two of the seven “red coats” that are to be distributed by the New Zealand Rowing Associa*tion as a result of this season’s championship regatta. Additional results: New Zealand Champion Single Sculls.— A. K. G. Jackson (Wanganui Union), 1; C. S. Bright (Wellington), 2; L W. St. Clair (Hamilton), 3. Nine competitors. Won easily by one and a-half lengths. Youths Fours. —Star (Wellington), 1; "Wanganui, 2; Union, 3. New Zealand Champion Fours.—Union (C A Healey, str., M. Galbraith, A. C. Moss, W. B. Kruse, Corby, cox), 1; Wairau (Blenheim). 2; St. George s (Auckland), 3. Won convincingly by one and. a-quarter lengths. Champion Pair Oars.—Avon <C A. Stiles, H. G. Stiles), l; Hamilton 1, 2; -Wairau, 3. Won by two lengths. Champion Double Sculls. [hiion, Wanganui (A*' K* G. Jackson, E. O. Traill), 1; Hamilton, 2; Avon, 3. Otago and Star also started. Won easily by J four lengths.

Senior Consolation Fours. Walraa (W. E Gibbons, R. T. Hegglun, C. Sutherland, C. Saunders, R. Gosling, cox) 1 Hamilton, 2; St. George s, 3. The only starters. Won by three lengths. WAIROA REGATTA WAIROA. To-day.