CLUB ROWING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 7

CLUB ROWING

WEEK-END RACING

FOURS AT NORTH SHORE Trial fours for Mr. S. Craig's trophies were rowed for by the North Shore Rowing Club on Saturday afternoon. Three crews took part, and although \veather conditions were unpleasant, the races were well contested. The course from the cable steamer Iris to the boathouse was used. The club captain, Mr. S. Butland, was judge, and starting was by mutual consent. In the first heat the crews were: F. Norris, H. Olliver, G. Letts, D. Stokes: A. Cotes, C. Olliver, S. Challinor. D. alsh. The crews struck together, but Norris, setting a fast stroke, quickly took the lead and held the advantage until the Devonport Wharf was reached. Along the face of the wharf Cotes came at a great pace and assumed the lead off the bathing sheds. Opposite Yentnor Norris put in a claim and reduced the gap. Again off the Devonport Yacht Club's boathouse Norris challenged but Cotes’ crew warded off the effort and won by half a length.

The final drew A. Cotes’s crew against S. Gardiner, who had with him V. Eaton, L. Stead and J. Burfoot. Jumping away together the crews raced on even terms for the first 100 yards. Cotes then took the lead, but at the wharf Gardiner displaced him. Tha positions remained unchanged until off Yentnor, when Cotes spurted and forged ahead. From this point both crews put in their best efforts, and in an exciting finish 'Cotes’s crew got the verdict by half a length. MASON CUP The annual race for the Mason Cup was held by the Auckland Rowing Association on Saturday afternoon. The harbour course from Orakei to the eastern tide deflector was used. Five crews competed: West End, St. Georges No. 1. St. Georges No. 2, Auckland and North Shore. There was little between Auckland and West End for the leading position, when suddenly St. George’s No. 2 collided with West End. At this stage St. George's No. 1 and North Shore, coming up quickly, passed Auckland, and a few minutes later the Auckland stroke broke his oar. St. George’s No. 1 had settled down to a good swinging stroke and was over a length ahead of North Shore when passing the last gap. At Point Resolution North Shore started to close up, and off the Parnell Baths was on even terms. Settled to their work the crews raced on even terms until about two hundred yards from the line, when North Shore took the lead. Coming with a fine spurt North Shore drew out: to win a good race by two lengths from St. George’s No. 1, with West 12nd third. Auckland and St. George's No. 2 did not finish. The winning crew was: W. Dean (stroke), F. Eaton (3), A. Cotes (2), C. Olliver (bow). WEST END CLUB The West End Club’s race for the Bigelow-Farrell Cup was contested on Saturday afternoon. The course was from the Harbour Board's dredge to a red buoy off the Shelly Beach Baths. Although the entries were poor, on account of the bad water conditions, some very close races were seen. First Heat.—F. Conway (scr) beat P. Soufflot, lOsec; second heat, A. C. Norden (Isec) beat J. Haylock, 4sec; third heat, V. McFarlane. 6sec. beat Ft. Woodside, 4sec; semi-final, A. C. Norden. Isec. beat F. Conway, scr. JUNIOR DOUBLE SCULLS The Auckland provincial junior double sculls championships was also decided during the week-end, but proved a disappointment. The Auckland Club’s crew, G. Clear (stroke), W. Eaddv (bow), and F. Foley (cox), were the only starters and rowed over the course.