SPORTING AND SPORTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13697, 13 September 1906, Page 10

SPORTING AND SPORTS.

(Continued from page 5.) ROWING. IBi Stroke. Mr W. Coffey, who has been appointed "Henley rcpiesiuitativc" in New Zealand of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association. has received by this week's mail a programme of its fourth Australian lienley to bo held on the Upper Tarra, on Saturday, October 27. The races are open to crews of amateur inving clubs of Australasia under the 'Victorian Association rules, and include the following:— Urand Challenge Cup, for eight boa is (bnst boat*), individual prize?, grand challenge gold me<lais; Stewards Challenge Cup, for four oars (besf. boats), individual prizes, itevvarcfe' challenge gold inc-tlajfe; Yarra Challenge Cup, for scullers -(best boats), prize Yarra Senlb, gold modal; ladies' Challenge Cup, fo,.- nehcol crews, eight oars (clinker boats), individual prizes; Ladies' Challenge Cup, gold medals; Eiswick Challenge Cup, for junior fours (clinker boats), individual prize;'. Melbourne Regatta Association silver cups; Junior eights (clinker bails), individual prizes, M. A. 11. silver cups; Maiden Eights (clinker boats), individual prizes, M. A. ]!. silver cups: Maiden Fours (clinker boats), individual prizes, M. A. 11. silver cups. Tho challenge cups are perpetual trophies, to lie held from year to year by tho suecesssful club.

The' Tasmanian sculler Harrison Bourke, who went Homo to compote in the Diamond Sculls, but was unsuccessful, competing at Mosloy regatta, was beaten in his heat by W. Fitzgerald; he ran into a pile, but report says be was behind at the time of the accident. The final heat was won by the Austrian, Miltiadcs Msnno, who sculls wally well. Molesly is tho next regatta of importance to Hcnley-on-Thsune#;. Tho first sculling champion of tho world was Edward Trickctt, who beat J- H. Sadlor, in 1876, on the Thames. William Beach did not begin to row until ho was 29 years of age, and he was 31 years old when he first beat- Hanlan on August 16, 1834. Wednesday. August 29, was the twenty-seventh anniversary of the race between Edward Trickctt ami Elias C. Laycock, for £200 aside and the championship of the world, whieh was rowed for 011 the Parramstta River in 1878, Triekett won easily, the time being 22tnin 39J-?cc. This was the second time the title had been rowed for in Australia. George Towns .has been presented with a. handsome gold medal, why. and by whom, the inscription, whieh is as follows, tells:— "Presented to Brother George Towns by his fellow members of Lodge Tarbnltnn, No. 12. N.G.L., New South Walrs, in recognition of his having won the sculling championship of the world for the third time."

A match is likely to be mado lief we en Peter Kemp ami ,t. MT.e.m, two. of the rowors v.'.ho took part in the recent Veterans' Race. The latter said he was prepared to row Kemp over the championship course or a three-mile course on the Hastings for either £100 or £?.00 a-side in four months' time. U-e wafi prepared to allow Kemp £20 for expenses. A day after the challenge was issued, Kemp sent a telegram to M'Lean at Port. Macquarie. stating thai he was prepared to race on the Pa'ramatfcn River early in Decomlx?r.

The following arc the entries and handicaps for the Allcomers' Handicap, to be rowed at Coraki (N.S W.) on Sootember 12:— O. Towns scratch, J. Stsnbury 2 seconds start. 0. Towns 8, J. Mitchell 17, W. Fogwell 17, A. Rusden 40, G. Day 48. P. Kemp 52, S. J. Donning 57. W. Paddon 63. E. O. Laycock 63, H. Pea'rce 64, F. Bugden-63, A. J. M'Phec 74. The distance is two mi'es. The above list includes two ex-champions, the present champion, and at least three scullers who have a reasonable chance of becoming champions.

The victory of Harvard over Yale on the Thames. New London, on Thursday, July 4, was especially gratifying to the Australian sculler Jim Wray. who developed and coached the Harvard Eight, and made eecuro for himself the best-paving aquatic and coaching job in the States, if not in the wor'd—ho is the highest-paid athlctio trainer in the country. It is not always a sculler can turn out a good crow, and vVray was heartily congratulated on fchesuec«s attending his efforts. Wray was defeated some years back on the English Thame? by George Towns for the Championship and the Sportsman Challenge Cup. Writing on the results of the Enslish Henley Regatta the rowing reporter of the London Sportsman says:—"The Grand Challenge Cup, for tho first time in its history, dating l\ack to 1 : 39, leaves England, and for a year will repose in Belgium. What doca it mean? Arc our methods of swinging out and finishing the stroke right behind the ricger incorrcct when compared to tho upright position of the Belgians' finish, or have the Nautiquc men proved successful because they have brought a very good crew to England in what, from a rowing point o f view, is a moderate-class Henley? They are the questions that have to be answered. Tho evidence that has accumulated as a result of t.ho four days' racing favours the latter, for. notwithstanding almost perfect conditions for rowing, the times of the races, although in some instances fast, have never been remarkable. The record for tho Grand is 6min 51see by Leandcr and New College in 1891 and 1897, but in the racing this week 7min has been the best time, that being made by tho Bclgions. Judging by tho results, there was no crew capable of beating the Leamlcr or Vesper eight of a year ago. Tho time test, at Henley is a fair guide, but as it is always possible that something is occurring to either flatter or depreciate a performance judged by the watch alone, it is perhaps unwise to place too much reliance upon it. Whether our etyle is right or wrong matters little now, for the Grand has gone, and to an unexpected quarter. A few years ago it was thought that America or Canada might tako the trophy, but that the Belgians, who set at defiance all our ideas of training or rowing, should do so— never. Their boat goes into four sections, and can travel as luggage, while their 7iii blades, the widest part being the ccntres, made like light scoqjs, are quite unorthodox. Englishmen as a ruio arc open to adopt improvements readily enough, but in rowing, mattere are conservative. Until the regatta that conservatism was justiM. for no visiting oiw seeking for the G.vmd had been successful; but now things are altered, and the authorities have ample reasoi. to look about them to try ami discover whether our methods to improvement by alteration. Whatever happens, the Belgian victory marks time in rowing, and will certainly have a great effect upon next year's regatta, for there is little doubt that a twelvemonth hence a great effort will be made to bring iho cup back to England. As to the race, it was quite one of the poorest of tlics tfhole regatta for, saving the first ten strokes, the Nautiqno men were in front, and, always increasing their lead, at the end of-half amilc it was practically over. . . . The Belgian victory was received with chew's, but there would have been more for our Canadian brothers had they pulled through." Several other newspapers express similar views. All were agreed that the Belgian crow was a long way from what is regarded as correct form, and then their, boat, oars, and fittings were all condemned.

HOCKEY

It- is reported that Canterbury is sending down a very strong combination to play agaiipt the local team next Saturday, and as the Otago members are in good form an interesting game should result. Though Canterbury is expected to win, they will find their hands pretty full if tho Otago men play as well as is expccted from them. In hockey, like everything eke, there is always a certain amount of luck, and should tho luck bo on Otago side, the locals may securo tho victory.

With tho exception of Mtidill and Adams, the Otago team is tho samo as played against Auckland. Madill and Adams are replacing Hobbs and Sisc, ami the change should improve the teaiii. Madill is playing a good fast game, and is very accurate in his ocntring. while Adams, who has represented Canterbury, is also showing good form, and hits hard and quick when in tho circle.

It is reported that Cuttle has injured his shoulder and may be unable to play, and if such is tho ease Begg, emergency forward, should prove a good substitute. On Saturday Otago's half-backs will probably get their full share of the play, for, besides supporing their own forwards, they will have to mark the fast opposing forwards, morocspecially in Otago's left, where Rankin, Canterbury right-wing forward, is always on the alert, "and a very difficult man to stop when lie gets tho ball. Otago's left halfback should make it a point, if possible, to keep in a line between Canterbury's centre half and Rankin, so as to bo able to intercept the passes. If Canterbury play like they have done in previous years, most of the "play will be 011 their right side, and Otago backs should transfer it to the opposite side when tliey get the clmnce. Canterbury's left lias never been as strong as the right, and Otago players will have to grasp every opportunity of attacking on the weak side. It is not known at present, whether the Otago association is expected to supply tho referee or not, but if

euelt is the ca.'o I think the association wonid lie fort.inale in securing the services of Tlilohio, as referee, if lio would act.