THE WORLD’S SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8881, 5 August 1907, Page 2

THE WORLD’S SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Webb (NX) v. Towns (N-S.W.) A Victory for New Zealand. Fast Tims Recorded. Protest Dismissed. Press Association.—Copyright. Sydney, August 3. The sculling race for the championship of tho world between Charles Towns, of New South Wales, and W. Webb, of Wanganui, New Zealand, took place this afternoon on the Parramatta River. The two men broke away just after ‘t o’clock. Tho weather was dull and threatening, with a strong wind blowing, but it was right behind, the scullers Webb won the toss, but there was no particular advantage in tho positions. Kush, the veteran scullor, acted as umpire. Tho two competitors received an ovation as they leisurely sculled to the starting post.

THE RACE. An excellent start was effected, Towns getting away at a rate of 38 strokes to the minute, while his opponent was only rowing one loss, but the champion, Towns, did not got away from Webb with tho rush that tho former’s supporters had expected. At this point it was found that Towns had reduced his stroke to 30, and while Webb too had decreased his*. the latter was putting in 32.

Tho time for the first half-mile was clocked as 2miu 40sec, and tho Maorilander was hard xirossiug his rival, who had barely a length’s advantage. WEBB MOVES UP. Webb was rowing surprisingly well, although his body was rolling somewhat. As they approached tho mile post, Webb had reduced Towns’ lead to half a length, and the hopes of tho New Zealander’s supporters wero rising steadily. It was at this stage clearly evident that Towns could not shako Webb off. As tho boats swept past the mile (Blaxland’s) Webb was almost on torms with Towns. Tho time in traversing the first milo was smin 40sec. WEBB TAXES THE LEAD. Webb then opened out with a fine spurt and Towns gamely responded, and each were doing 3u strokes to tho minute. Approaching Putney, Webb bad forged ahead and soon assumed a length’s lead. A SLIGHT FOUL. Towns camo at him, and both scullers edged into Gascoigne Bay somewhat, which was Towns’ side of the river. Towns quickened his stroke and altered his course to clear Putney Point. Webb made a great effort to got clear, but Towns cams too quick and hit the stern of Webb’s boat with his left scull. . Tiro New South Welshman held up his hand as a protest and then went on after Wahh.

W EBB LEADS BY TWO LENGTHS. Putney Point was left behind in 9min 7sec. Webb at this stage had a couple of lengths’ advantage. Seeing his rival coming up again, Webb cracked on more pace and added another length to his lead. WEBB HAS RACE IN' HAND. The race was now practically over. Towns spurted but Webb responded readily to every effort that Towns put forth. ) Tennysons (about 2 miles) was passed in Umin 52secs and there great cheering arose from tho steamers at Webb’s success. Webb was now able to hold Towns with tho utmost case, and though the latter spurted and spurted again Webb maintained his eight lengths’ lead and passed Gladesville in 15min sSsecs.

TOWNS’ PINAL EFFORT. Towns now made a wonderful spurt which ho maintained almost to tho finish, and ho drew up to within 3 or 4 lengths of Webb, but, as tho judge’s box was neared, Webb put in some hard solid rowing and gained the verdict by five lengths in the fine time of 20min f-osocs.

A Protest Lodged. Sydney, August 3. Towns has lodged a protest on the grounds of a foul. The matter has not yet been decided. Protest Dismissed. Later. In dismissing Towns’ protest against Webb, Mr Rush, the umpire, in givmg his decision, stated “I wish to say that when Biaxland’s Point was turned, I considered that the two men rowed as straight a course as possible for Putney, both occupying the same positions that they took at starting, and 1 believe that Towns had sufficient water at all times, without having to depart from his straight course, and that the slight touching of sculls which took place in no way interfered with the result. I therefore dismiss the protest.”

Opinion of BeacSi. August 5. Nearly all experienced rowers hold the opinion tint Webb caused a foul through pushing 'Towns too far into the hay, hut Towns had met a bettor man, on the day at any rate. The Now Zealand, r evidently did not know' enough about the river, aud it would have been very hard ou him if lie had lost the race on a foul, which was certainly not wilful. “Webb simply rowed the other fellow out, ’ ’ Said Beach 11 and no one was more surprised than I was, ’ ’ he added. Asked as to what lie thought of Webb’s rowing, the old champion said: ‘‘l am not a bit shook on his style, which could he improved a lot, but the stuff is in him, and he is a real top-uotcher all the same.” Regarding the Putney incident, Beach said it was undoubtedly a foul, and it was a .pity it ever occurred. Foul or no foul Wobb rowed Towns out.

Press Comments

The S.M. Herald says those who had followed the race right h through and had watched closelythe splendid rowing of the challenger, felt that foul or no foul the better man was first past the post. As far as could be seen it was want of experience that caused Wobb to get too close to his rival, and as he had caught his man and was leaving him lie had all to lose and nothing to gain by getting into Towns’ water. It was not much detriment to Towns, but it was undoubtedly a foul under the rules.

The Telegraph says Webb, who gave such a fine exhibition of sculling on Saturday, may bo cordially congratulated on his victory. Now that the championship has been won by blew Zealand a powerful stimulant will doubtless be given to sculling in that country, which is well provided with suitable rivers, and which owing to its climate and physique of its people is well adapted to produce men capable of excelling in this splendid sport. It is estimated that 15,000 witnessed the boat race. There was very little wagering, and what there was was 2 to 1 on^Towns.

How the Victory was Received. Per Press'Association. * Wanganui, Saturday night. The news of Webb’s victory was received with great enthusiasm here by ft large crowd, which assembled in the vicinity of the Telegraph Office. Cheers innumerable were given, and the Garrison Band played “ See the Conquering Hero Comes." The Mayor made a speech. In the course of his remarks he expressed the universal pleasure at Webb’s glorious victory, and invited the people to witness the next world’s championship on the Wanganui River. The Garrison Band remained on the Rutland Hotel balcony, and during the evening played various selections, while the crowd gradually grew greater. Auckland, Saturday night.

The news of Webb’s victory over Towns in the world’s sculling championship was received here with great delight. The race created more genuine excitement than anything else has done for a long time past. Wellington, August 4. Large numbers of people assembled

outside the newspaper offices last night to learn the re suit of the sculling championship. The news of Webb’s win was received with great pleasure.

Record of the Race. From Hanlan’s arrival in Australia the following is the record; — 1883— Hanlan beat Wallace Ross. 1884 — Hanlan beat Layeock. 1884 — W. Beach beat E. Hanlan. 1883 —W. Beach beat E. Hanlan. 1885 — W. Beach heat Neil Matterson. 1886— W. Beach heat Gaudaur. 1886— W. Beach beat Wallace Ross. 1887— W. Beach beat E. Hanlan. 1888*—Peter Kemp beat T. Clifford. 1888— Peter Kemp beat E. Hanlan. 1888—Peter Kemp beat E. Hanlan. 1888—11. Searlo beat Peter Kemp. 1889*—H. Soatlo beat W, O’Connor. 1890 — Peter Kemp beat Noll Matterson. 1891— J. Stanbury beat J. McLean. 1892 J. Stanbury boat T. Sullivan. 1896—J. Stanbury boat C. R. Harding. 1896—J. Gaudaur boat J. Stanbury. 1901—G. Towns boat J. Gaudaur. 1904 — G. Towns boat B. Tressider.. 1905 — J. Stanbury beat G. Towns. 1906 G. Towns beat J. Stanbury. 1906 — G. Towns beat E. Durnan. 1907 — W. Webb beat C. Towns.

Notes. —-Beach retired in ISS7 without having once suffered defeat and handed ohampionship to his trainer, Peter Kemp. Searlo died in Australia in 1889, just after his return from England, where he defeated O’Connor, and tho championship thou reverted to Peter Kemp. George Towns handed over the championship to his brother Charles, who was first challenged by W. Webb, of New Zealand.

Previous Records. Among past records established for the race tho following may be mentioned: — George Towns (in tho championship race against Stanbury) in July of last year was credited, over tho same course, with 19min 53 l-oth see. The late Harry Searlo was credited with 19min 53|soc, and W. Beach 20min 17seo

By ‘‘Stroke,” A fondly diorisliod liopo that the pendulum of time would some clay swing round and point to New Zealand having secured the coveted titlo of a world’s championship has been realised. To Wanganui and its popular sporting boniface, Mr W. B. Tuck, credit is largely duo for the ambitious undertaking of attempting to add to Maoriland’s scroll of honor in the athletic world, in the shape of the World’s Sculling Championship. For some years past there have boon those in this colony who have kept tlioir faces steadily turned towards its aquatic horizon with tho expectation of seeing emerge therefrom, one who gave promise of proving a fitting representative to send lorcli to endeavor to wrest from Australia t lie sculling championship which Triciott first brought from England to Australia hi 1870, and which the mighty Leach subsequently obtained and hold for Australia in those historic contests again:-; Hanlau. j In 1806 the Canadian sculler, J. Gaudaur, wrested the championship from Jim B(.anbury who had held it since ISOI. Five years later George Towns went to Canada, and Gaudaur succumbed and the coveted titlo once mold returned to Australia. Of tho numerous amateur scullers who have during recent years earned distinction at N.Z. regattas, none attracted so much attention as W. A ebb of the ; Union Boat Club, Wanganui. Good judges heralded him as a likely man to fill the bill for doughtier deeds. As a preliminary towards reaching out for the highest prize in the world’s aquatics, the sculling championship, a match was arranged for New Zealand’s hope against the ex-champion, Jim Stanbury. On last Boxing Day, on tho historical Wanganui River,' with a fair field and no favor, Webb’s trying out took place. How be cams out of the ordeal with flying colors, and with a grim determination outstaged his opponent in a fast rowed and desperate race, is still fresh in the minds of all. This brought the ultimate goal within reach. Webb’s backer, Mr W. K. Tuck, when put to the severe test of guaranteeing the necessary backing to bind a match for the Championship, was not found wanting. The latter expressed tiro fullest confidence in his man and all tho ueoess.-vy preliminaries were arranged and promptly to time, a deposit and a final deposit were duly made. On June 14 last Webb with his trainer, Mr Denis Barnett, left Wellington for Sydney and they lost no time on arrival there in settling down in real earnest to training operations. Public interest in Webb’s doings have been keptalivo by the cabled information as to bis work. The New Zealander was accorded, as all visiting competitors to Australia are, a very kind and warm reception, and tho leading rowing critics on the Australian press were very favorably impressed with his stylo and propelling power. In all such athletic contests there is usually a lino to be taken by comparison as to how the issue is likely to go, but the circumstances under which Webb’s opponent, Charles Towns, became entitled to defend the Championship wero quite exceptional, inasmuch as bo bad not secured it in contest, but by transference from bis brothel’, the genuinely tested George Towns. It was, however, generally considered that Towns the older would not have placed the great responsibility in his brother’s bands without first having satisfied himself that he was worthy of tho trust. That George Towns was correct in his estimation of his brother’s prowess is proved by the fast time (20miu 43sec) in which Saturday’s race Nr the championship was run. The great race, which will be banded down to posterity as New Zealand’s triumph, judged by the cabled report, was one of the most exciting up to two miles in the history of tne event. Webb’s supporters have all along pinned their faith unswervingly to him by reason of bis fine staying powers and grim determination to fight it out to the bitter end, even though it be a long and stern chase most of the way. New Zealand lias just reason to bo proud of Webb’s grand achievement. A big responsibility was shouldered by tho N.Z. sculler and he has gallantly carried it to victory. Webb’s win should furnish a big fillip to rowing in N.Z., involving as it does the defending of tho title by the holder on the Wanganui river. I feel I am echoing tho sentiments of all Now Zealanders in extending heartiest congratulations to “Wiri” Webb, one of tho “whitest" and most unassuming fellows I have met, to Mr W. B. Tuck for his pluck in finding the necessary backing, and last but. not least to “Smilor” Denis Barnett for tho capital fettle in which he landed Webb at the post.