THE SCULLING MATCH, BUSH v. LAYCOCK.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4287, 26 April 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE SCULLING MATCH, BUSH v. LAYCOCK.

The sculling matoh between Elias Laycock, of Bjdney, and Michael Buah, of the Olnranco Biver, took place over the championship course on the Paramatta Biver on April 12th. The stake at issue was £100 aside, and a wager of £100 also depended upon the result. Both men are well knewn to fame in the aquatic world, Rush once having gained lA»e championship by defeating William Hickey. Subsequently, he met Trickott, Laycock, and others on tho Clarence Rivar, and once more victory crowned his efforts. When Trickett returned from England after defeating Sadler Bush maintained that he was still champion, though Laycock had beaten him in a second trial on tha Clarence Biver. Trickett readily accepted a challenge, and the pair met on the Parramatte River, whsn Trickett achieved a very easy victory. At the last Sydney anniversary regatta, Trickett, being out of form, was easily defeated by Laycock, and Rush, being present, challenged the victor to aaother trial of skill, and the match under notice was the result. When Rash made his appearance on the Parramatta the best judges found fault with his rowing, for though he had pretty well mastered the sliding seat, he waa still inferior to Triekett and Liycook, and, as a consequence, hk opponent was a alight favourite, though Laycock's backers did not seem to regard their man with confidence, some of them alleging that he had not put in an appearance to row a trial which had been arranged. In justice to Laycock, however, we may mention that he states that his non-appearance was owing to a misunderstanding. The time for the. contest, was set down for a quarter past 4, and long before that hour the Parramatta was crowded with boats of almost every description. Having a seat in tbe umpire's (Mr R. Driver's) boat, I arrived early at the starting-point, and although it was only half-past three, Laycock waa shortly afterwards seen preparing for the fray, and carrying hia boat to tho river, ha being on the southern shore, while Rush was over at Ryde taking it leisurely on the banks. A short time before the appointed hour Laycock entered his crait—a Swaddle and Winship— and after rowing about for awhile, he informed the umpire that as it was beyond the starting hour he would claim to row ovar if Rush did not come to scratch. Mr Driver requested him to wait a few minutes, but quite ten minutes elapsed before Rush was seen embarking in his boat, also built by Swaddle . and Winahip, and a splendid specimen. Both men were applauded, and aa they rowed up towards the umpire's boat their condition wns ; eagerly scanned. No fault could be found wita ; either, Rush weighing about 13st., or Laycock a few pounds lighter. When Rush, who won the toss, and chose the Bouthern side, rowed to hia place, he took off his cap and throw it ißto the water, but the gauntlet was quickly taken up, as Laycock rescued it and placed it in his boat. The weather was very fine, the tide being on the ebb, but a steady breeze from,the southward rose a slight ripple, and the> wind being dead, ahead a rather slow race was anticipated. After a little finessing they started by mutual consent, Rush catching the : water first, and gaining an advantage of nearly half ,a length, which he maintained for 100 yards, when Laycock, who was rowing "in ] beautiful form, decreased the lead, and they were rowing almost level, Bush rowing, at the rate of thirty-five, and Laycock as about thirty-seven strokes to the minute. Before reaching Uhis's Point, Rush who w_s_using the slide .-much more artistically than it'was irriagined he would, began to draw away,'arid ■ though not rdwing quite so clean as his opponent, there was wonderful power in vteiy stroke. After passing Uhis's Point, Rush increased his lead, and crossing over he took Laycock's water, and gave him the full,benefit of his wash. Quickening up, tiojaqolf. placed the-bow of his boat over the stem of Rush's, and for a moment a foul appeared irriminent,but by a few powerful strokes -, Rush drew clear again,' and as they dashed past the mile beacon in 6rriin. 2osec3. Bush held an advantage of a length and a half, whioh he shortly afterwards increased to a couple of lengths, and as he passed Putney Point he was rowing at the rate of 36 to the minute, in very good form too, though not quite so neat as Laycock, who was soulling beautifully 36 strokes to the minute. As they began to draw near to Gladesville Point, Laycock revived tha hopes of hia friends by decreasing the gap, bnt Bush responded, and as i they passed the Gladesville wharf he was again two lengths, to the good. Yet he was not rowing in, such good stylo as he was ' during the early portion of the race, his right j h_nd getting very low, while the scull want | far' too deep into the water. Nevertheless, Laycock had not decreased the lead at Five Dock; where thousands of people had assembled, After passing this point, however, and when 100 to 5 was offered on Buah, Laycock began to draw closer, and about 250 yards from the goal he quickened .up to 33, and rowing in grand form, he" quickly overlapped Rush, amidst excitement of the most intense description. He drew up to Rush's outrigger, arid the Clarence River hero, not having a spurt left in him, collapsed a few lengths from the finish, and was beaten a little more than a length. The officialvtime was 24mm. Laycock immediately picked up Rush's, cap and waved it ia the air, as a response to the enthusiastic cheers of his friends. This ended the best soulling race ever witnessed on the Parramatte. The I course was kept well, j»nd neither man re» ceived the slightest inconvenience from the i steamers.