ROWING

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 862, 9 April 1903, Page 2

ROWING

INTER-CLUB CONTEST. POVERTY BAY EASILY DEFEATS GISBORNE. There was a good attendance last evening in the vicinity of the rowing sheds to witness the annual raco between the senior representatives of the Gisborne and Poverty Bay Rowing Clubs. Tho race was over the two-mile course. Mr W. Fraser acted as starter, whilst Mr A. F. Kennedy officiated as judge. The crews wore : Gisborne Poverty Bay (Yellow & Black) (Blue & White) L. Williams, str R. Donkins, str O. Hansen, 3 H. Taylor, 3 Dr Fisher, 2 M. McLeod, 2 H. Symes, bow K. McLeod, bow Fararn, cox O. O’Neill, cox Williams won tho toss and elected to row on the Gisborne side of the river. From a good start the Yellows were first to grip the water, and managed to get a short lead. In the first four or five strokes the Yellows wero leading by a few feet, but Donkins’ crew, pulling in good Btyle, shortly afterwards obtained the lead. As the course was traversed the Poverty Bay men increased their advantage, and after the first half-mile was covered they were leading by several lengths. Donkins was taking no chances, and his men, having settled down to a long, steady stroke, were leaving the Gisborne crew further behind. Coming up to the footbridge it appeared as if Williams had given up a " wild-goose chase.” As the cry went up, “ Here they come,” when Poverty Bay colors were rounding Reed’s bend, great was the dismay of tho spectators, when nothing was seen of the Gisborne crew. At last, after a short lapse of time, the supporters of the yellow were relieved to see their crew safely in sight. As Donkins came opposite Barton’s jetty, he spurted in order to show the spectators what his crew could do, and won by a couple of hundred yards. Donkins, the veteran, was in good form, whilst H. Taylor successfully held him up, and the McLeod Bros, proved equal to their reputation, The Gisborne crew’s condition was far from being as good as their competitors. This evening the junior representatives will meet, the Poverty Bay Club being represented by J. Smith (str), A. Poole (3), A. Pritchard (2), A. W. Kirk (bow); and tho Gisborne Club by H. Bright (str), J. Wauchop (3j, B. DeLautour (2), G. Nolan (bow). The race will be over a mile and a distance, and is expected to be an exciting one. The boats leave the shed at five o’clock.

The Secretary of the Gisborne Club, Mr H. Robinson, received advice yesterday morning that the Napier Rowing Club are sending two crews (senior and junior) to compete against our local oarsmen during tho Easter holidays. The Union Club wrote Mr A. W. Kirk, secretary of the Poverty Bay Club, stating that they can only send a junior crew, the members being as follows: J. Dickson (str), B. Nicholson (3), J. Toscan (2), Holder (bow). The crew do not average 10st.