BARRY WINS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1920, Page 5

BARRY WINS

SCULUNG CHAMPIONSHIP. I AN EASY VICTORY, FOUL NOT UPHELD. By Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright. • Received August 29, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, August 29. The race for the world's sculling championship yesterday proved a much tamer affair than anticipated, Barry securing an easy victory over Felton. The race was marred by the boats touching after passing the 1J mile point. Both men held up their hands, claiming a foul, but as they were in neutral water neither subsequently made a formal claim for a foul. The umpire, Mr, William Beach, decided not to interfere, declaring that the incident in no way affected the race. j The weather was fine and the river calm,_ while a slight breeze was in'sufficient to interfere with rowing. Thire were great crowds afloat, and lining the banks throughout the course. It is estimated over 100,000 witnessed the race. The start was delayed till nearly, four o'clock. Barry's rowing weight was 11.10, and Alton's '12.8. Felton won the toss, and from a good start, both striking twenty-eight to the minute, Felton soon went to the front, and established a lead of 1J lengths. The pace to the mile beacon was very slow, the distance taking 8.35. Here l< elton's lead was three lengthy Barry rowing comfortably in the rear. BARRY GOES AHEAD. Approaching Tennyson, the Englishman began gradually to overhaul his opponent. Barry was now spurting finely, and was forging ahead with long, machine-like strokes. Felton failed to tespond, and before they reached Mortlake Barry had overhauled the leader. .They rowed locked together for a time. Then suddenly Felton's hand shot up, and Barry's immediately followed, indicating that the boats had touched. Both stopped rowing, awaiting a signal from Mr. Beach, who' wap watching the race from an accompanying steamer. As previously stated, Mr. Beach decided that there was no use interfering. A little time was lost before a fresh start was made. Barry was quickest away, and going at top speed, got a two lengths lead. Felton 'started to chase Mm, but was never able to get near his rival. The gap gradually increased. At Cabarita, Barry had sis? lengths advantage, and he finished twelve lengths to the good, the whole course taking 202. Though the touching incident is regretted, tlio very general opinion was that the Australian had littlej if any, chance after the Englishman drew level with him, and after the bump made little mil attempt to overtake him. VIEWS ON THE FOUL. Barry declared himself as sorry about the foul, but he said it was nobody's fault, being purely accidental. 'Felton declined to say anything. Arnst, his trainer, said the result was unsatisfactory from Felton's standpoint. He would like to see them meet again. Beach declared the better man won. Describing the foul, Barry said: "Overhauling him off Mortlake, I jumped on to him quicker than expected, and it all happened in the excitement of the race. He was a tired man, and I an eager one." Speaking at a dinner later, Barry declared that he had no intention of contesting the title again. He intended to return to England in October, and settle down in his little "pub" at Twickenham. Arnst told an interviewer that he thought Felton should have-got tho der cision, a3 Barry chased him across the river. Arnst added that Felton had nothing to say. He took the beating like a man, but he told Arnst that he thought he had won on the foul. Arnst said that if Felton's backers wanted him to row Barry again, and if the latter was willing to row him in Australia, he (Arnst) would waive his, challenge as the first for the next match. The Sunday News, commenting on the foul, says: "It looks as if the collision could have been avoided by Felton unless he was too tired to pull out of Barry's way."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aran.

KEEN INTEREST IN ENGLAND NOVEL FEATURE OF THE MATCH. Received August 29, 8.5 p.m. London, August 28. The Barry-Felton race, as a result of reports of Barry's good, training work, is now arousing increased interest, It is pointed out that this is the first time an Englishman has contested the titlo in Australia. Special arrangements have been made for the announcement of the result, and the newspapers are bringing out special editions. In reference to Beach's appointment as umpire, the newspapers recalled the ex-champion's great struggles on the Thames with Gaudaur in 1886.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. The title of world's sculling champion was wreßted from E. Barry in 1910 by Felton in a match on the Thames. There were no contests during the war, but on three occasions prior to the 1919 match, namely in 1912 and again in 1013 and 1914, Barry successfully defended the title. This he had gained through his defeat of the New Zealander, R, Arnst, on the Zambesi River, in the earlier part of 1912, after Arnst had. been champion for five years.] ,