SCULLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19195, 11 June 1924, Page 7

SCULLING.

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP. M'DEVITT WINS COMFORTABLY. (Pkb United Press Association.! DARGAVILLE, June 10. Tho much-talked-of race for the Australasian championship was rowed on the Northern Wairoa River to-day in beautiful weather o.nd water conditions. The starters were: W. M’Devitt and G. Ceruti (Australia), Darcy Hadfiold (Auckland), and James Mason (Whangarei). It was recognised that, the race would be a contest between Hadfield and M'Devitt. the latter being favourite on the day, and the result of the race proved that public opinion was right, as after the first two miles had been covered M'Devitt took the lead and won fairly comfortably bv three lengths from Hadfield, who was plainly out of condition. The other two starters were outclassed and finished some distance in the rear. Tho race started at 3.47, the whole four getting away in line. Hadfield, rowing about 30 to the minute, soon took the lead, and when he liad gone half a mile was a good five lengths ahead of M'Devitt, who was next and rowing 30 to the minute. It was now seen that the only two men in the race were Hadfield and M'Devitt, who kept plugging away at 26 to the minute about a dozen lengths in front of the other two men. After two miles had been covered M'Devitt crossed over closer to the bank, and rowing vigorously drew level, and keeping his effort going had drawn ahead at two and a-half miles, where Hadfield seemed to tiro badly. At three miles M'Devitt was still well ahead, and although Hadfield put in a last effort over tile final stretch lie failed to sustain it and left the Australian winner by a little over three lengths. It was a groat race for third place. Mason, urged on by Ids admirers, finished very strongly and beat Ceruti, who had been in the rear the whole way, by half a-length. The winner’s time was 20 minutes 69 3-5 seconds. M'Devitt rowed a good race and his better condition- enabled him to keep Hadfiold going at top for tho first two miles. These tactics evidently had a good effect, as the latter, who had only been on the river seven 1 days, was undoubtedly not in condition to row at the strong pace that M’Devitt set him after passing him. However, Hadfield rowed a wonderful race, and fit and well, and with a better boat (the one he rowed in to-day was old and heavy) would have given M'Devitt something to think about. M'Devitt’s win was a very, popular one os he had trained consistently and had made many friends on the river. Mason, who was making his debut as a professional, pulled a good stroke, but has to learn a lot about the game, as he steered very erratically at times. Ceruti did not give the impression that he was a long-distance rower, and he seemed content just to row along in behind the others until the. finish when he spurted and just failed to reach tho third man, Mason. PADDON TO ROW FELTON. Pi AMtcciation—Bv Telegraph—Copvrigh' BRISBANE, June 10. (Received June 10, at 10.55 p.m.) Paddon has agreed to race Felton for the world’s title and £SOO a-side, on the Brisbane River, in August.