AQUATICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8523, 1 November 1888, Page 7

AQUATICS.

SEARLE v, KEMP.

DEFEAT OF THE CHAMPION,

Sydney, October 27,

The sculling race between H. Searle and Peter Kemp (champion of the world) for 500 sovs a side and the championship of The world, was rowed on the Parramatta River this afternoon, and created the greatest interest, even more so than on the occasion of the second match between Hanlan and Beach. Immediately articles binding the match were signed it was thought that one of the toughest straggles ever seen on the Parramatta Kiver would result, and in consequence speculation was brisk. Searle, by his brilliant defeats of Wulf, Stansbury, and Neilson, had earned such a reputation that he was at once made a favourite, and his backers were willing to lay almost two to one that he was able to lower the colours of the champion. On the other hand there were not a few who thought that Kemp, after emphasising his right to the championship by twice defeating Hanlan, would again assert his superiority, During the week Searle had besn made a strong favourite, and as much as 7 to 4 was laid on his winning, but this morning he receded to even money, and that was the best price obtainable. When they started a fresh breeze was blowing down the river, but not strong enough to affect the water. As the cry “They’re off” arose, both men struck the water together, Searle dashing away at 41 strokes a minute, while Kemp struck 40. After 200 yards had been rowed Searle, who was rowing splendidly, assumed a lead of a length, and from that time until the finish of the race never allowed Kemp to get near him. From this out the. race may he said to have been virtually over, as at the half-mile post Searle had increased his lead to two lengths, and was rowing without exertion, while Kemp was exerting himself to the utmost to get on terms with his junior competitor. At the mile beacon, Searle spurted and quickly put six lengths between him and the champion, and as he rowed oyer the Pudney stretch he showed brilliant sculling. Nearing the gasworks, Kemp spurted and slightly gained, but Searle was only paddling, and seeing Kemp coming up on him, increased his pace. Passing Cabarita, he had regained his lead of six lengths. At Glades ville there was a large crowd collected, and, in response to a mighty cheer, Searle spurted and rowed in the easiest of winners by quite twenty lengths. Time, 22min 44Jsec. Both men were very fit, but Searle’s superiority of physique was apparent early in the race. Searle was accorded a most hearty reception on slipping out of his boat. The crowd witnessing the contest was one of the largest ever seen on the Parramatta. [The ease with which Searle has beaten Peter Kemp will probably be a great surprise to many, good man as Searle was admitted to be. The latter’s career is probably without parellel in the sculling world. Only 22 years of age, ten months ago he was an unknown man, though he had' beaten some fifth and sixth raters in skiffs. In January la t he won the big handicap at the Clarence Kiver Centennial Regatta, getting three and a half lengths from Neilson and two and a half from Hearn (our own champion). Later on he met and easily defeated Julius Wulf and Stansbury, two very good men in about the third class; and he was then matched to row Neilson, about the third or fourth best man in Australia. Neilson was coached by both Beach and Kemp, both of whom were confident that he conld win, while Searle had been for some time in the bands of Neil Matterson. The result of the race proved how easily good judges may be mistaken, for Neilson never had anything like a chance with his younger opponent. After this Searle easily beat Hughes, of Newcastle, to whom he conceded lOsecs start. Offers were then made to match him with Hanlan, but the Canadian declined on the ground that he would not row secondrate men—a similar reason to that given by Teemer recently for not rowing O’Connor, the Toronto scalier who now offers Gaudaur a start and odds in a three mile race. Kemp, however, was not so particular, and he accepted with alacrity a challenge to row for £SOO a side and thq championship. The result of that race is given above, and it leaves Searle, who won his first outrigger race this year; champion of the world. That his victory was not a fluke is proved, by the .fact that in his.raco with Stansbury he made the fastest time on rb'cord ovar the Parramatta course—l9min 53|sec.; He is a native of Grafton, N.S.W,, stands oft lOin, and weighs in training, list 61b. A match: will how be mpde between him and Teemer, the American champion,- for whom Hanlan is acting. Kemp, who got the championship so easily though to be sure he beat Hanlan twice has been at the top of the tree for a very short time, and it is doubtful whether he will regain his brief fame. He also was a remarkable instance of the manner in which a man may become famous quickly ; but he appeared to have rowed very badly on Saturday, tor whereas Searle’s time was 22miu 44Asec, he covered the same distance in 21min 26|sec in bis first race with Hanlan, and in 20min 30sec the second time. The announcement that Beach is going to row Hanlan on Decemb r 1 looks as though the new man is likely to have a doughty opponent presently, and, with Beach and Teemer, he will have his hands full. Teemer is in the American sculling world what Sullivan was in pugilism—he is “ onr John who can whip creation." He has beaten Hanlan, Gaudaur, Ross, Hosmer, and all the other American celebrities, but he went down before Beach iu England about two years ago.] KEMP Y. MATTERSON. Sydney, October 29. For the sculling race to-day between Kemp, the ex-ohampion, and Matterson, the betting was 4tol on Kemp at the start. Before the first dozen lengths were rowed Kemp had forged ahead, and maintained the position till the mile beacon was reached, when a foul occurred. The foul was entirely Matterson’s fault, and it gave increased advantage to Kemp. Matter son after this made no further effort, and Kemp won as he liked. Time, 22min 26-J-aec. BEACH AND HANLAN MATCHED, Sydney, October 28. Beach has accepted a challenge from' Hanlan to row for £SOO a-side, and the race will take place on the Ist December.