ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2468, 5 April 1909, Page 3

ROWING.

THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE

VICTORY FOR OXFORD

United Pkbss Association —Copyright (Received April 4, 4.30 n.m.)

LONDON, April 3. Oxford won the University boat race by three lengths. .. . (Received April 5. T 2.20 a.m.) . LONDON, April 4. Cambridge,' winning the toss, .chose the Surrey side of the river, and at Harrod’s soapworlra had established a lead of half a length. Oxford came a aain, the boats shooting the Hammersmith bridge on level terms. "A neok-and-neck struggle, for five minutes followed, ending in Oxford establishing •a lead of half a length. R. C. Bourne, Oxford, stroked ,n grand spurt at Barnes (bridge, " and! demonstrated rth at his crew were; the better stayers-,. GaiAr bridge being rowed out. D. C. Stuart, Cambridge-, * stroked a plucky spuit,

proving; however, useless to avert defeat. Time, 19min ssec. [Last • year Cambridge, beat Oxford by two and a-quarter lengths in 19min 19sec. Oxford has now won 35 races and Cambridge 30.] LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ SHIELD GISBORNE CLUB ANNEX THE TROPHY-. Considerable interest was taken by rowing enthusiasts and the public generally in the inter-club contest held on Saturday afternoon in connection with the Licensed Victuallers’ Shield. Three races in-all were rowed, the seniors on the Taruhoru river and the juniors arid ten-stone crews on.the AVaimata course. By winning the latter two out of. the three events, the Gisborne Club succeeded in wresting tho coveted trophy from the Poverty Bay Club, the holders of the shield. The weather was beautifully fine, and the tide, just on the. ebb, was very favorable. Large crowds gathered at. the boatsheds to witness the finish of tho senior race, and at the Kaiti bridge and the wharf for the finish of the other two events. Senior Race, about 2 miles. —M. McLeod (stroke),’ B. Lowe. (3), C. AVinter (2), and J. Nicolas (bow), (Poverty Bay); beat G. Puflett (stroke), O. Hansen (3), F. Camming (2), and G. Rowe (bow) (Gisborne). Mr. R. D. B. Robinson got the crews away to a splendid start, but the Gisborne chew lost a good deal of water through No. 3 losing his slide. The Poverty Bay crew, rowing a long easy stroke, quickly established a commanding lead, and at the Roebuck road bridge bad about six clear lengths from' their opponents. This order was maintained all down the river, Poverty Bay easily retaining their lead, with the wearers of the black and gold toiling along gamely in the rear. Towards the winning post the Gisborne crew spurted well, but their efforts were of no avail, and although the black and gold crept a Jif fle closer 4o tie chocolate a lid white, the Poverty Bay crew was never really extended, and won very easily by several lengths. Time, 13min 19sec.

Junior Race, about £ mile.—P. Hamilton (stroke).- S. Richards (3), B. J. Bright (2), Grenfell (bow) (Gisborne); beat J. Stuart (stroke), 3* Bragge (3), H. Holsehier (2), and S. Doig (bow) (Poverty Bay). This race was looked upon as likely to provide a win for the Gisborne Club, and as the result proved, this forecast was correct. The crews were despatched from Harris’ Bend in excellent style by Mr. J. Webb, and in a few yards the Gisborne crew commenced to forge ahead. Rounding the bend above Dr. Williams’ the Poverty Bay crew, with the inside course, drew up almost level, but getting into shallow water, lost the tide, and their opponents again drew away. Both crews were rowing about 30 at this stage, as they had been from the start, but the Gisborne men were rowing a much cleaner stroke, with a better catch. Coming to the Ivaiti bridge they had a lead of a length and a-half, and it was seen that, barring accidents, they had the race practically won. From* the bridge the positions of the crews were unchanged, until nearing the finish, when the Poverty Bay men put on the pace a; little, but they could make no impression on their rivals, who won comfortably by a length. Time, 4mm 28sec. T Ten-stone race, about £ mile. —C. J. Hamilton (stroke), D. Cowan (3), J. Curtis (2), N. de.Lautour (bow) {Gisborne) : beat C. Somervell (stroke), L. Clark (3), G. Douglas (2), T. McConnell (bow) (Poverty Bay). With one race to the credit of each club, excitement was intense amongst the supporters of each. It was generally supposed that the Poverty Bay crew would win, hut there were not a few who looked to the Gisborne men to carry off the trophy for their club. Once again Mr. J - Webb sent the crews away to an even start, Gisborne, on the Haiti side, gained a slight advantage after going a few yards, and they increased this rounding Williams’ Bend. Both crews were rowing a stroke of 34. The coxswain of the Poverty Bay boat again made the mistake of hugging the shore too closely and losing the advantage of the tide. * Approaching the Haiti bridge the Gisborne men had a clear lead oi about three parts of a length, but their opponents were rowing very nicely and keeping perfect time Once safe.y through the bridge the Poverty Bay crew commenced to draw up on tlie leaders, but the Gisborne men were not to be. denied, and despite ,a plucky effort’ on the part of the Poverty Bay crew, they maintained their advantage, and won after a really splendid race by hali-a-lengtli. Time, 4mm I'sem The Harbor Board’s,launch, bearing • W - Hackett (umpire), representatives of the press, ftnd a number of ladies, followed the races. Messrs L. F Williams and H. McLernon were the timekeepers, and Mr. D. J. Barry officiated «s judge.