ARNST V. WEBB.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 19 June 1909, Page 6

ARNST V. WEBB.

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

' (Br Stbktchkb.") Th® second race for tie sculling eitampionfirap of the world between Wm. Webb, of Wangamii, and Richard Anast, of Tai Tapu, ® to be rowed on the Wangamti River on afternoon next. Small interest his been m the fixture eo far in Welling■ton. and tho-reason is. not far'to seek. Wlien W-eob iwod A rust on December 15 last, a race was eagerly anticipated ,by * ray largo number of sportsmen. Thoy were disappointed—badly disappointed! Webb never -baa. a chanty;, nor. 'did- be give any ■ indication that he had one from the jump. Arnst •got & tremendous lift on from tho frrst 'Stroke. He appeared to be able to catch more water with Ms blades than Webb, and with bis superb'strength he pulled a long clean stroke, and-gained feet at every pulL He was folly-a couple of lengthe, ahead at the mfle flag, which lead-was;,increased to five lengths at tie two-mile mark. Webb up till that timo had boon rowing yery prettily, but without dash, and to all infconts and pnrposes the raco was over. What transpired at tbo big bend of a<- mile from the finish is - aquatic history. Arnet, still fresh and hearty, steered a beautiful course down . tho magnificent straight, not 'bo Webb. His stroke bccamo erratic, and, Ins left arm giving out, tho right polled

his shell over to the other Bide of the river At first strangers to Wangsuiur thought thero was method in this course, that there was a helping current on tho other side, or some other subtle reason for 1 Webb's' but when he was observed' to be in danger of' becoming entanglodintlio riverside willows, doubt became' acute disappointment! Webb, the idol of his town,' and one of the - best men . that ever sat a - boat; was dona,' Why «ay more? Arhst won r as he liked by from eight to twelve lengths—it wis difficult to judge the distance, owing to the big i £ a .P) ■ and the fact that Webb clung ■to the willows, and Arhst was "away out'in midstream. It was .afterwards stated that Webb had contracted rheumatism m his left arm, but this was strenuously , contradicted by close friends. But there was a weakness in that left arm—muscular knowledge of which 'must have implanted Borioas doubts .in the mind of the oarsman as to'his chance of beating a sooller of the oalibre of. Arnst.. It was owing to this hollow defeat; that a , doubt has arisen as. to Webb'* ' ability to . make a good showing agamat ,-Arnst.' . One. must conclude,, however, that the old weakness has passed away. The .reports that:have drifted to Wellington state that Webb .hag .never been m better form in his rowing life,' and the life and heart he has been patting-intn'

hia work have been descairtod njxm in glowing torms by local critics. Arnst, on the other hand; has been.considerably "oil oblour," and that, qnito recently, and tKe of bis work nave not . been .'so ■ exhilarating' 'as iii. the casq' of the Wangamii'man. 'Still, I pin my-faith'to Arnst as tho .wiring, His native; strength, if in forin at' all, ialso overwhelming,his heart is so big,;and his experience, limitSl as it is, has, been gained in so shrewd a school, that I, cannot see him being beaten by Webb. If the contrary .proves ;to bothe'case,what ; can one say ? That form is the e6Benoe of tho contract; and that Arnst was polled, down by bis temporary "dullness,"- or that Wobb is 'a much better man than estimated by Jiis performances against Tresidder and Anist? Whatovor ifc ig, if Webb prove the winner, another match must be arranged, and tho winner of that match will be .the one to meet the next-comer, whether, it be Durnan, (BaaaFtho the.iaeka-

lian. The revival in sculling appears likely to last for a bit, and whoever is the winner of Tuesday's event will not, judging by appearances, remain in undisputed possession of the title of champion of the woria for long.

AN AUSTRALIAN VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. (By Telecrapli.—Press Association.) Wanganul, June 18. Mr. R. Coombes, editor of tie Sydney "Referee," visited Arnst's camp this morning, and had a' chat 'with';the champion. From what the [Visitor saw, be is satisfied that Ainsfc js in just about the same form as when he von the championship. His weight is practically the same, and he is sculling quite as well as in December last. Moreover, Arnst himself*is.well pleased with' his prospects, and very confident that he can defeat; Webb,' though he fully anticipates a hard : race thjs time. Mr. Coombes says he was disappointed at Webb's showing in the last raoe, m which he displayed nothing like the pace he did on the ■Parramatfca. Webb is, in his opinion, now much improved, and has got baotc his old form. He is inclined to think Arnst will win, after a most exejting struggle between the two best scullers seen for many years. '

Arnst, who now scales 13st. 21b., oovered tro miles at a swinging pace fine morning. His strokes are very powerful, and he drives the boat through the water in a corivkicing manner. . , ' Webb was old on the river, but did not do

heavy work.' He is now'fit, and simply wants to keep as hei is'tiir.Tnesday. ;' ; ' Judges differ in opinion as to the chances of both men. ' Those who are intimately associated with Arnst tip;him as a sure, winner, While Webb's party, knowing the man's performances, are equally sanguine. ri nr )