SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9120, 4 June 1890, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

(Sydney Horning Herald). Oa May 15, for the eleventh time, the ( championship of the world was rowed for on the Parramatta River. The contestants ! were Peter Kemp, the holder of the title, and John M'Lean, of the Richmond River. | This was the second championship racesince Kemp assumed the title after the i death of Searle, and the fifth race rowed i by him in defence of the honour. Bothj men were strongly supported, and as | M'Lean was known to have a good turn of: speed, and to bo a determined “ sticker,’*’! the result of the contest was supposed to ; be very open. Considering that it wan rowed against the full force of the tide th© ; time was very good, the race for the mile being one of the hardest ever rowed. Tha result of the contest brings the championship question to a definite issue, as Ketbp • has now declared his willingness to row "W. J, 'O’Connor for the championship as soon as he likes to make a match.

Kemp was the first to reach the steamer,; when he was informed that he had lost tha ■: toss. M'Lean arrived just afterwards, and; on being informed that he bad won theJ choice of positions, took up bis station oa"; the southern side. The principal advan- : tage of this was that it gave him the slack] water as far as Uhr'a Point, but after that, it made little or no difference. As they ■ drew up level for the start both men looked, in the pink of condition. The champion ; rowed at list 21h, and M'Lean at list 101b.'! The betting was now brisk, 2 to 1 being freely offered against M'Lean. For minute or so the contestants were almost : motionless at the starting point, and then' suddenly, amid excited shouts of “ they’re ; toff,” dashed away at forty-one to the.' minute. The excitement ran high, and as ; the men appeared to be keeping level it grew' in intensity. The steamer was some distance; astern, and for nearly a minute neither man; appeared to be gaining any advantage.! Some thought that M'Lean was holding the dashing Peter, and the cry was raised , “M'Lean wins.” This, however, was of; short duration, as Kemp begsm to go ahead before reaching Uhr’a Point, and passed there in Imin 45sec, leading by a quarter of a length. On the stretch across to Blaslands the difference gradu-; ally increased,’Kemp rowing At thirty to the minute in beautiful style, while M'Lean’s rowing became jerky. It was evident that he was pushed, and was rowing all he knew how. On nearing the mile point be spurted, but was unable to materially decrease the distance between the boats. The mile was covered in 6min 16sec, Kemp leading by two lengths and a quarter. At this point Kemp was going: twenty-nino to the minute, and M’Lean! thirty. Considering that the men had the' full force of the tide against them, the race for the mile was one cf the best ever seen. | After this the betting was any odds on the champion, who was rowing a long, sweeping stroke, with plenty left in him, whereas M'Lean was rowing; short strokes, and was evidently beginning to be in difficulties. He stuck gamely to his work, however, hub showed want of jildg-' ment in rowing down mid-stream where the current was strongest, (while Kemp kept well in shore. When close to Putney M'Lean again put on a epurt, but it waa, ineffectual, and when Kemp shot' past Putney in 9min 43sec, he led him by over three lengths. He still continued to go away, and M'Lean, who was labouring at his work, was fully four lengths astern at the Gasworks. A great gathering of people at Oladeaville cheered loudly as Kemp passed there with the race wellinhand,! At One Man Wharf there was another largecrowd, and Kemp was enthusiastically cheered as he approached with a lead of seven or eight lengths. The time at that point was 19min 14sec for Kemp, with M'Lean 21sec later, and Kemp shot past the post in 21min 46£sec, leading by about! six lengths. After the race the men shook] hands, and as they did so were londly cheered.