SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170307, 30 August 1920, Page 7

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

EASILY AVON BY BARRY. RACE MARRED BY BOATSTOUCHING. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn I Received 5.5 p.m., Aug. ,29th. SYDNEY, Aug. 29. The race for the world's sculling championship yesterday was a much tamer affair than was anticipated, Ernest Barry (England) securing <in easy victory over A. D. Felton (Australia) . The race was marred by the boats touching after passing, the mile and a half post. Both men held up their hands, claiming a foul, but as they were in neutral water and neither subsequently made a lurmal claim lor a foul, the umpire, Mr William Beach, decided not to interfere, declaring that the incident in 110 way affected the result of the race. The weather was fine and the river calm, a slight breeze being insufficient to interfere with rowing. There were great crowds afloat and lining the banks throughout the course, and it is estimated that over a hundred thousand people witnessed the race. The start was delayed till nearly four o'clock. Barry's rowing weight was list 101b, Felton's 12st\81b. Felton won the toss, and from a good start, both striking twenty-eight to the minute, Felton soon went to tho front and established a lead of a length and a half. The pace to the mile beacon was very slow, the distance taking Cmin 35scc. Here Felton's lead was three lengths, Barry rowing comfortably in rear. Approacihng Tennyson the Englishman began gradually to overhaul his opponent. Barry was now spurting finely, and forging along with long, machine-line strokes. Felton failed to respond, and before they leached Mortlake Barry had overhauled the leader. They rowed locked together for a time, then suddenly Felton's hands shot- up and Barry's immediately followed, indicating that the boats had touched. Both stopped rowing, awaiting a. signal from Beach, who was watching the race from an accompanying steamer. As previously stated, Beach decided that there was no use in interfering. Little time was lost before a. fresh start was made. Barry was quickest away, and going at top speed established a two lengths lead: Felton' started to chase him,* hut was never able to get nearer to his rival, the gap gradually inrceasing. At Cabarita Barry had six lengths advantage, and lie finished twelve"lengths to the good. The whole course took 24mhl 32sec.

The opinion was that the Australian had little if any chance after the Englishman drew level with him, and after the hump he made little real attempt to overtake him. Barry declared himself sorry about the foul, but said it was nobodv's fault, purely accidental. Felton declined say anything. Arnst, his trainer, said the result was unsatisfactory from Felton's standpoint. He would like to see them meet again. Ex.-eliampion Beach declared that the better man won.

Describing tho foul Barrv said: ''Overhauling him off Mortlake I jumped on to him quicker than I expected. It nil happened in the excitement- of the race. He was a tired man and I an eager one." Speaking at the 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 put at Twickenham.

Arnst told an interviewer he thought. Felton should have got the decision, as Barry chased him across the river. Arnst added that Felton had nothing to say, but took his beating like a man, but he told Arnst he thought I if' had won on a foul. Arnst said if Felton's backers wanted him to row Barry again and the latter was willing to row him in Australia he (Arnst) would waive his challenge as the first for tho next match.

The "Sunday News," commenting on the foul, says it looked as if the collision could have been avoided by Fel ton, unless lie was too tired to puil out of Barry's way.

INTEREST IN LONDON. LONDON, Aug. 28. The reports of Barry's good training work, are now arousing increased interest in the Barry-Felton race. It is pointed out that this is the fv, st time an Englishman has contested the title in Australia. Special arrangements have been made for Announcing the result, the newspapers bringing out special editions. In refercuce to Beach's appointment as umpire, the newspapers recall the ex-champion's great struggle on the Thames v-iili Jake Gaudaur (Canada) in ISS6.