Defeat of Jackson

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 10

Defeat of Jackson

W anganui Man Outclassed The very exalted idea that Wanganui critics got about the powers of Jackson, the present holder of the New Zealand sculling title, has been given a crushing blow by his defeats at the hands of Bobby Pearce, the New South Wales champion, and star Olympic Games performer. Inspired by the altogether misleading flattery of his supporters, Jackson went to Australia with the genuine hope of beating the big Cornstalk, who is probably on© of the finest scullers the world has ever seen. It is a pity he could not be induced to show his paces in New Zealand before departing, as he seems determined to do, for more lucrative fields abroad. Jackson was clearly never in the hunt with Pearce. He finished fourth in the first race, last Saturday, but he could hardly have been a poorer fourth. From the published accounts it looks as though the Wanganui man wound up something like a couple of furlongs behind the winner. Jackson was troubled by the bad water, and finished up with a waterlogged skiff. However, that cannot be seriously advanced as an excuse for his overwhelming defeat. Part of the qualification of a crack sculler is his -ability as a waterman. It was th|s ability that gave Darcy Hadfield much of his power. The second race was held on Wednesday, and saw Pearce conceding Jackson 12 seconds start. All who know what a great stretch of water can be traversed by a racing skiff in this period will be aware that Jackson was now meeting the Australian on very handsome terms indeed. He again failed, partly as a result of fouling, which may reveal further deficiencies in his equipment. The truth is, Jackson—though full of promise—is not yet as good a man as W. A. Stevenson, the Waitemata sculler, was at his best. He won the championship last season from the still inexperienced Bright and the ageing St. Clair, and on the strength of that performance he wap rather foolishly credited with being a much better sculler than he really is. When Pearce met Stevenson at Melbourne in October last year, he beat him, by about six lengths, Stevenson was also beaten, but by a bare margin, by Goulding. The difference probably illustrated the margin between him and Pearce at that time, and quite probably there would be more on Pearce’s side now, after he has had experience and the benefit of polish gained abroad. There is no doubt that Pearce is exceptional as scullers go. What the results show, however, is that Stevenson’s performances across the Tasman are more creditable than those of Jacks On. If he could get back to form—a process in which he may be hampered by the injury suffered in a shooting accident some months ago —Stevenson should be quite capable of getting back the New Zealand title. Incidentally, it seems fairly definite now that Pearce intends to go to America, or some other place where he can make money out of his sculling. He is a carpenter by trade, and says he cannot live on air, though obviously he managed to do so before. However, it is difficult for a man in his position to resist the appeal of professionalism, or even of semi-profes-sionalism. Over in America he will be lionised, and may find a wealthy patron, or become rowing coach at a ladies’ college, where—being something of an Adonis in looks—he would be a popular acquisition. The trifling fact that he signed a bond not to turn professional within two years of competing in the Olympic Games is unlikely to stand in his way. J.G.M.