Vic eight's decisive win

The Victoria eight took a spectacular win at Wanganui to win the feature rowing event.

The Easter regatta was held in Wanganui on Saturday. The feature event, the tutor Varsity Eights race was the first to start.

Auckland jumped out from the gun, with Canterbury second and Victoria third at the half-mile mark. The other university crews were not a challenge.

As the race settled. Auckland began to crack as Canterbury and Victoria applied the pressure. The skilful steering of Noel Lynch had by this stage put Victoria in the better water.

With a hardened dozen Victoria look a length off the Auckland boat. Canterbury were slower to realise Auckland's weakness, and Victoria was a length clear by the mile and a quarter mark.

From then to the finish Victoria was forced to work to maintain its lead, by a determined Canterbury crew, but emerged the victor for the third year in succession. Massey came a well-waited third.

In the College fours, the Victoria crew relied upon their minimal training to come last. The novice four, which was to distinguish itself later in the weekend, did little better.

The single sculls was again won by John Gibbons. Taking an early lead he was content to watch the remainder of the field for most of the race. Although Norm Sherpe of Otago made a determined challenge over the final Mages Gibbons proved superior.

Otago had its revenge in the double sculls, beating Victoria by 2½( lengths. The NZU crew again contained a strong Victoria contingent: Gibbons. Trott, Gamble and Gilbert.

The regalia result was: Victoria 1st, Canterbury 2nd. Otago 3rd.