BEACH V. HANLAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 325, 15 December 1888, Page 4

BEACH Y. HANLAN.

The old livals, William Beach and Kdward lianlan, met on the J'airamatta champion course on the 27th of Xo\ ember, for a stake of i'l,ooo. Beach ie(ircd ftom i tho aquatic arena 12 months ago, but Jrlanla.ii had heqivently sought anocher match with the lllawaira man, and at la^t tho latter consented to row the Canadian. Both men weic in iroud condition ior the btiuggle, although Jieuch was not up to his usual form. The weather was fine, and the men l owed on a strong ebb tide against u blight head wind. Beach neighed I2sfc 61b ; Hanlan tcaled list- 21b.. The betting was 2 to i on the former. Hanlan won the choice of stations. The Dapto oai>man was the first to get way on 1m crait, and, it anything, he had the best of tho start. Striking 40 to the minute for the first 30 seconds, and puLing a long sweeping stroke, he led the Canadian by half a length in the iir-t 200 yaidc>. Hanlan, who was rowing two strokes faster than. Beach, plied his sculls with w 'ndnrful vigour— although his style was forced and jerky — and drew on his opponent, bofch men being level a little fuitherdown ohe nvui. Xcuiing Uhv's Point the Dapto man quickened hiu pace slightly, and passed the muik halt a length in front of Hanlan, who was looking across at Beach and watching him intently. Time to Uhr's Point 1 minute 54 seconds. Hanlan now spurted up to 33 and again drew le\ el with Beach. Steei ing over towards Blaxland's the Canadian made a determined eftoit to gam agood kad, and he appeared to pass Beach, but the latter was then rowing somewhat easily. At the half-mile Beach was putting in 32 solid strokes to the minute and going in good style. A scene of excitement ensued as the men approached the mile beacon, as many thought chat the Canadian would pass his opponent at the point, but Beach held on steadily and passed the poet in 5 minutes 54 seconds, Hanlan passing inside the beacon. Tho Illawarra oarsman led Hanlan by se\eial feet at the mile point. Crossing the bay to Putney it was e\ident that Beach was pulling his own race, a» he was able to go away whenever the Canadian drew on him. The lace from this point was virtually a procession, and Beach finally lowed pa^t the winning beacon about thiee lengths in front, oi Hanlan. The time for the distance was 21 miti u tea 16 seconds.