THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 1880, 2 December 1887, Page 13

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

VICTORY FOR WILLIAM BEACH. A HARD-FOUGHT RACE. (Reuter's Telegrams. Sydney, November UG. The sculling race for the championship of the world and £500 a side, between Beach and Hanlan, took place to-day on the Nepean river. Despite the extremely wet weather which set in this afternoon there was an enormous attendance of spectators. Beach led all the way but was closely pushed by Hanlan. The race was a most desperate one, and all along the course the competitors were loudly cheered by the thousands assembled. The race, which was rowed in 19miu 55sec, was won by two lengths and a-half and was the toughest yefc rowed. November .28. Peter Kemp has issued a challenge to row Beach for the championship of tho world, but as the latter does not intend to row again he will hand the championship over to Kemp. For the third time Beach has shown hia superiority over Hanlan ; but judged from tho race of Saturday, the latter has not fallen away from his previous form so much as was thought. Both the former matches were rowed on the Parramatta river. In the first race which Beach won, Hanlan claimed that he had been interfered with by one of the steamers, and accordingly a second match was arranged. This was also rowed on the Parramatta, and again Beach proved victorious. Last year Beach went to England aud took part in the Great International Sculling Sweepstake of £1200, beating John Teemer in the final heat and taking tne first prize. He then rowed against Jacob Gaudaur, and it was in this race, it will be remembered, that Beach was rowed t» a standstill, and twice had to stop. Encouraged by his friends he, however, started again and eventually won. Just as Beach was leaving England, Hanlan challenged him, bub Beach declined to remain to meet him. As soon as Beach arrived in Melbourne, however, Mr Thompson, the well-known bookmaker, at once on his behalf sent a challenge to Hanlan, and after some negotiation this was accepted, Hanlan, however, stipulating that the match, should take place on the Nepean river. This was conceded, and the match on Saturday was the result. Both men are now so well known that it is unnecessary to give any sketch of their careers. Beach oame ta Australia from England when quite young, and resided at Dapto, near Lake Illawarra, where he learnt his rowing. He first came into prominence in 1882, when he came in second to Rush in the Francis Punch Trophy, beating Edward Trickett and Elias Laycock. He was beaten next year by Trickett, but he met him twice afterwards, beating him on each occasion, and has since had an unbroken record o£ successesagainst Australian, English and American oarsmen. Hunlan is equally well known. He began to row at a very early age, winning his first race on Toronto waters while he was yet a young man. In a few short years he was successful in establishing a truly wonderful record on the water. All the oarsmen of the day went down before him. He crossed the Atlantic and tried conclusions with the best of English scullers, who oould do nothing with him. E. Trickett, the Australian champion, met him but he fared <no better, and so easy did Hanlan beat him that it was bruited about that his boat'must be propelled by secret machinery. Coming to Australia he was accorded a princely welcome. Hebeat Laycock on the Nepean very easily. But at length he found his match in William Beach, and the result of his third meeting with him ou Saturday shows that the first two races were nti " flukes."