The Sculling Match of the World.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4310, 15 March 1884, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Sculling Match of the World.

Commenting on the result of the sculling" match between Bubear and Elliott the "St» James's Gazette" says; — "We cannot properly call the contest a. championship race, since Hanlon holds tha the British championship, and has not been challenged by either man to defend, his honours. Nor, theoretically, was there anything to show that yesterday's competitors were the next best men in. the world to Hanlan, or even the two best that England can produce. Practically, we believe that Bubear is about the best English professional of'the day ; but nevertheless he is matched next month to receive ten seconds' start over the Metropolitan Course from Ross, the Canadian, and the latter is acknowiedged to be much inferior to Hanlan! Elliott is a Durham pitman by origin, and once won the Thames championship, beating Higgins and Boyd, in 1878. Higgins had then begun to grow stale: at his best form he was a better man than ever Elliott was, and had previously defeated him. Elliott was easily beaten by Hanlan in 1579, and lost a match to Boyd in the following year. He has been on the shelf for some time, and does not now seem so good as he once was ; and that is not saving much for him. Ho is short and thickest, sculls a short snatchy stroke, relies too. much on his arms, and slides too soon. He has next to no swing of body, and as soon as his arms and legs tire he is as helpless as a log. Bubear has a much better idea of using his slide and body, but has still much to learn ; however, he seems to he painstaking and improving. He is a trme heavier than Elliot (some 31bs) In siae he is about the same as Hanlan, bufrhas nothing like the power and compact frame of the Canadian. The improvement displayed by Bubear should warrant his being made favourite when he meets Boss and receives lOsec. start. If he wins, and (Joes so " cleverly," a new match on even terms between him and the American will probably ensue.