SCULLING

NZ Truth, Issue 1017, 23 May 1925, Page 14

SCULLING

HANNAN AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Since Jim Paddon decided to retire there have been some queer' happenings m the sculling world. First there was the trouble between Paddon and Goodsell, as the latter had challenged Paddon again, but he withdrew his challenge on the understanding that Hadfield had been handed the. title, and he (Goodsell) was to have first race with the New Zealander. McDevitt cliipped m, and received the title, as it turned out that Paddon had no power to hand it to anyone.

Goodsell forthwith challenged McDevitt, and an argument cropped up as to whether McDevitt could force Goodsell to come to New Zealand to row. McDevitt did not persist m this request, and the pair met on the Clarence, Goodsell scoring an easy win.

In the meantime Hannan had" challenged the winner for the. championship and then Paddon also challenged Goodsell, being incensed at some remarks said to have be^n made by the new champion. Paddon did not want to row for the title; he just desired to meet Goodsell to show the latter that he was wrong m thinking that Jim ever had any need to be afraid to meet him. .

Hannan has now been informed that he is to be passed over by Goodsell, who states that he requested a reply from the New Zealander by May 8 definitely agreeing to met him either on the Parramatta or the Wanganui. Paddy's reply failed to reach the champion by the time specified, and Goodsell proposes to give Tom Saul the first race- for the title now> and June 29 has been fixed for the contest.

Hannan had made all arrangements to leave for Sydney this week m order to row Goodsell, and the latter's message intimating that Hannan had delayed too long has come like a bolt from the blue into Hannan's camp.

What the upshot of the whole affair will be is hard to say, but apparently Goodsell has the final say and he will probably row Saul first, and Hannan will have to challenge again if he desires to .row the winner of that contest. •■ "" " ''

From Sydney comes word that as Paddon has failed to get any ; reply from Goodsall, he has agreed to amend his challenge and include the title. Goodsell will, therefore, have to accept that challenge if he still holds the title after his race with Saul, who is a very promising young sculler. If Goodsell retains the title and meets Paddon, well, the latter will require to be only half fit to regain the championship. ■

On the face of it Goodsell appears to have been rather hasty m his treatment of Hannan, who is entitled to the first race with the champion. It is hard luck' for Paddy to be put aside m this fashion when his long-cherished ambition of racing for the world's title looked certain to be realised.