EIGHT-OAR ROWING.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17977, 24 March 1930, Page 8

EIGHT-OAR ROWING.

RACE AT AUCKLAND. HALLYBURTON JOHNSTONE CUP, OTAGO THE SUPERIOR CREW, AUCKLAND, Monday, Never in the annals of Auckland rowing has such a spectacular exhibition of rowing been witnessed as was provided on the " Whau River on Saturday afternoon in the annual interprovincial eight-oar race for the Hallyburton Johnstone Cup. The great struggle over a three-mile course of calm water ended in a brilliant win by four lengths for Otago. The winners rowed a splendid race throughout and displayed excellent judgment at the half-mile mark, when, spurting nicely, they took the lead by half a length. This placed them in the dominating position. All challenges were met and stalled off in a most convincing manner. The winning crew was Otago—F.' Brough (stroke), 12.8; J. D. Solomon (7), 11.6; F. W. Eggers (6)), 10.9; G. B. Johnson (5), 11.12; L. Fountain (4), 12.5; J. C. Mitchell (3), 11.10; F. J. Wilson (2), 9.12; L. H. Pritchard (1), 10.8; C. Crammond (cox and coach), 9.6. Average, 11.3. Race Described. All struck water together at the start, and Otago, rowing 44 to the minute, quickly took the lead, followed by Marlborough, Wellington and Auckland. At the end of the first 300 yards Otago were half a length in front of Auckland, with Wellington and Marlborough level a similar distance away. Auckland started to move up, but at the three-quarter-mile mark Otago, hitting at 36, drew out. Wellington wTre then about half a length behind Auckland. Passing the mile post Otago had reduced to 32 strokes to the minute and held a length's lead. Auckland were striking 36, while Marlborough, who had drawn level with Wellington, were pressing- hard. Passing the mile and a half mark Otago, striking at- 32 to the minute, had increased their lead to four lengths. Auckland were then labouring somewhat, but as Marlborough challenged the blue and whites responded and drew out to a lead of one length. Otago were still rowing at 32 to the minute passing the two-mile post, and held their lead of four lengths comfortably. Marlborough had closed to Auckland's stern, while Wellington had dropped back tw 7 o lengths. In their Keeping. Passing the two-mile mark Otago had the race in their keeping, but Marlborough started a stubborn fight with Auckland for second place. Wellington had dropped back several lengths. Auckland tried hard to shake off Marlborough, and at Hie last halfmile mark both crews cracked on a great pace. Otago steadily held the lead, and w r ere not troubled in the least over the last quarter of a mile of the journey to go on and win like champions by four lengths, the race having taken 21 minutes. Auckland and Marlborough had a great fight for second place, the latter just managing to defeat Auckland by half a length. Wellington, all out, rowed home at the tail of the field. VISIT TO CANADA. SIFTING THE MATERLAL. POSSIBLES AND PROBABLES ROW. Another event which created particular interest was the Possibles v. Probables eight-oar race over a mile and a half' course. This w r as rowed io enable the New Zealand selectors to see some of the local men in action, as well as the emergencies who travelled with the Marlborough, Wellington and Otago eights, with a view to selecting New Zealand’s rowing representatives who will he sent to this year’s Olympic Games in Canada. The crews were— Possibles—Brough (Otago), B. Sandos (Auckland), G. St. Clair (Auckland), J. McDonald (Marlborough), N. Pope (Auckland), G. Cooke (Wellington), E. A. Waters (Auckland). Probables —G.- Saunders (Marlborough), L. Brooker (Auckland), B. Wilson (Marlborough), G. B. Johnson (Otago), L. Fountain (Otago), J. G. Mitchell (Otago), W. Dean (Auckland), J. Adams (Marlborough). The race proved a good test for the crews. No decision was given re« garding t’he winners. 12 MEN CHOSEN. TWO LOCAL OARSMEN. The selectors, Messrs E. Innes, A. D. Bayfield, 11. Ayres and A. M. Hale, have chosen the following crew, from wJlich the final selection will be made after preliminary training : F. Brough, L. Fountain, G. B. Johnson (Otago), V. Olsson (Picton); G. St. Glair, B. Sandos (Hamilton), A. Ross (Auckland), F. H. Thompson. C. F. J. Gibby (Canterbury); C. Saunders, J. McDonald (Wairau) ; G. Cook (Wellington).