ROWING MATCHES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 414, 8 February 1890, Page 2

ROWING MATCHES.

POVERTY BAY BEATS NAPIER VERY EASILY. [FBOM OVB OWN COBBEBFONDENTS.) Napieb, Thursday night. There was much interest taken in the match between the Poverty Bay Club's crew and the crew representing the Napier Club, as it was expected that there would have been a really good race. The hope, however, was disappointed, for Poverty Bay won the race easily, by six lengths. I believe that if the crew went on to Wellington they would be able to deprive that city of its right to claim the championship of New Zealand. A FULLER DESCRIPTION. Napier, last night. There was again a large attendance yesterday afternoon, to witness the second contest which it was arranged the Poverty Bay Club’s crew should take part in, that was against the Napier Club. The weather was delightful, and the water almost as clear as glass. Mr F. Logan acted as starter, and Mr R. J. Hogg as judge. The Napier crew was the same as that which rowed the Gisborne crew on Wednesday, The race started at 5 40 p m , both crews taking the water together, and settling down to hard rowing from the start. Each crew took care not to make light of its opponent: Napier was anxious to retrieve the laurels lost in previous years to the Poverty Bay Club, while the latter was equally desirous to maintain its record. A stubborn race ensued for about half a mile, and then Poverty Bay seemed to hare got the best of their opponents, and drew away with a length's lead, which was increased at the mile post to nearly three lengths. The Napier crew rowed well together, and made a determined effort to get on equal terms, but were unable to do so, and Poverty Bay, at the finish, rowed in an easy winner by five or six lengths. Time ;14 mins. 41 secs. The opinion of an onlooker was that the Poverty Bay crew did not show such good rowing form a: their opponents, but more than made up for their lack of style by tha paca they forced out of their boat. They were evidently a very strong crew ; their boat always appeared to be going, while the Napier crew’s boat appeared to go dead after each stroke. After the race the customary cheers were acknowledged, To night the visiting crows will be entertained at a ball in the Theatre Royal.

THE TABLES TURNED IN AUCKLAND At’CKLANU. yesterday,

The race yesterday between the PovertyBay and West End (Auckland) crews resulted in a victory for the West End by about two lengths. Some of the Poverty Bay crew had been iu the country visiting friends, and naturally were not in the best form for rowing, appearing rather fatigued. The Auckland men certainly showed much better style, and as the Poverty Bay crewdepend greatly on strength it is more necessary for them to be thoroughly fit.

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Weddington, last night. The stakes for the sculling championship of New Zealand were handed over to Stephen-, son last evening, at the Post Office Hotel, byMr Henry Blundell, in the presence of a large number of sporting gentlemen. Mr Blundell congratulated Stephenson on his victory, and assured both him and Matterson of a hearty welcome should they visit this portion of the colony on a future occasion. He oomplimented Hearn on the plucky race he had rowed and also on the faithful manner iu which he had fulfilled all previous engagements to the public in contests of the Kind.

Stephenson, in returning thanks for tli* toast of his health, said he would endeavor to hold the championship as long as possible, and thanked the rowing clubs for the manner in which they had treated him since his arrival.

Hearn admitted he had been defeated by a better man, and said he hoped Stephenson would hold the championship as long as ho (Hearn) had himself. It has been arranged to raise a fund on Hearn's behalf, aud Mr Blundell was appointed Treasurer. Stephenson and Matterson left for Dunedin, last night to take part in the all-comers* sculling race there.

A great amount of interest has been taken in Gisborne in the way in which the rowing representatives are acquitting themselves. The Poverty Bay Club has had a wonderful record. It started very modestly, and through having a bad boat to row in, was completely put in the shade for the first year, both the Napier and Gisborne Clubs showing them the road to victory, but a change gradually took place, though the Club had to struggle on under many difficulties. It has since had a most successful career, and there ia not another Club in New Zealand able, with such a limited memberehip, to put so many really good crews on the water. There are now two crews away, one at Auckland and the other at Napier, and both have worthily sustained the district's reputation. Directly the Standard appeared on Thursday morning, with a telegram that Marshall intended to return to Gisborne by Thursday's steamer, so as not to overstep nts leave of absence, a move wee made to endeavor to get him to remain until the other races should have been pulled off. Further leave was obtained for him, and it necessary his expenses guaranteed. On Thursday night the result of the Napier match was awaited with great interest. The Standard was as usual first to publish the news, thsrs being a large number of persons in a state of expectancy. The general opinion was that Poverty Bay must win, but it was not thought there would be such an easv victory. The Gisborne Club sent Away a better crew than usual this year, but they were unfortunate in not being able to train, not because of unwillingness on their part, but because the stroke was unable to " come up to time,” While it was expected every week he would become thoroughly fit the sweet by-and-by had still to be waited tor, and tha consequence was that the crew, it being impossible to practise without the atroke, wee altogether unable to do justice to itself. It was quite expected that they would be beaten under ’ such oircumetanoes, but there ia no doubt they rowed a game race. Though beaten they have not been disgraced, and it would be more manly if writers who are ashamed tn sign their names to what they write should desist from trying to further humiliate the crew by suggesting that because they were beaten the Gisborne Club should in future show the cocktail to Napier. If such a thing really is found advisable there will be a proper time to urge it ; but to do so now ia only an attempt to hurt the feelings of represantativas who did their best under very disadvantageous circumstances, and ware fairly beaten. A defeat of the kind ought only to rouse up the Club, When the two Poverty Bay erewe return next week it is to ba hoped a match between them will be arranged. It will do a great deal towards sustaining the interest in rowing, and it a convenient time were arranged—a time that would require no holiday-making—-there would probably be a great attendance, and no doubt many eountrv people would bo glad to ride into town to witness the eonteat,