Hanlan versus Trickett.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 19, 22 January 1881, Page 187

Hanlan versus Trickett.

THE REFEREE'S ACCOUNT OP THE CONTEST.— PENDRAGON'S VICTORY.— TKICKETT'S CONDITION.

"Pendragon," the great English authority on sculling, gives a long account of the match ! between Hanlon and Trickett in the Referee, from which I abbreviate the following :— After more than four years of persistent, and I hope consistent, objection to the claims of Trickett upon a ludicrously high-sounding I title, I have at last the satisfaction of seeing my remarks bear complete fruition. I have never seen a man of any pretensions, higlily tried, and in the best procurable condition, beaten in t so easy a manner as Trickett was on Monday. ! And yet my practical experiences go back for over twenty years, and m the course of that time I have witnessed most Northerners and Southerners of any celebrity pretty well ex- ! tended. We used to think Green was badiv beaten by old Bob Chambers, but our first Australian visitor made a much more magnificent show with the morose and taciturn' Northumbrian than the second one made with the little Canadian. When I finished my notes last week Trickett was actually favourite, and to all outward appearance he had little more to do than to walkover. Though subsequently the weight of money for Hanlan turned the balance, and 2 to 1 Avas ottered in vain against the Cornstalk just before the start, it is not to London money or London Avisdom that the winner OAves his premier position in the preliminary quotations. No ; so far as the Avaterside "talent" Avas concerned, Trickett might have gone on as he promised to go at the final deposit. Then, if blatant bounce and brutal, foul-mouthed blackguardism on the part of his chief supporter, Thompson, Avould have made him Avin, Hanlan might just as Avell have packed up his traps and departed, leaving the Australians in possession of the field, the stake, and the championship trophy: But it was one thing to overaAvea "meeting of gentlemen and others," and make them tremble at the punishment aAvaiting anyone who dared discredit Trickett 1 s supreme sculling ability, and quite another to dictate to the Avorld at large— the world as distinguished from Putney, its pubs, and its tap-room oracles — the Avorld of Avliich Trickett fondly imagined he Avas, of all men, the one and only representative. First, the canny folk of Newcastle came to the rescue, and their money had the effect of bringing Hanlan to evens, and next making him once more the favourite. Then the Canadians entrusted Avith commissions thought it about time to get their investments over. The result Avas that between the two the loud-mouthed Australian commissioner, Avho had frightened everybody forty-eight hours previously, Avas almost eaten up, and his braggart boast that he was prepared to stake against all-comers scattered at once to the winds. This state of things still gave another division courage, the division that had previously fancied Hanlan but could not understand Trickett's favouritism except on the score that it meant intervention ; and on f Monday morning there Avas so much money about for Hanlan that if anybody could have been found anxious to back' the 'other one, he might have had 3 to 1 so as to save running about trying in vain to execute commissions at shorter prices. Contrary, to immediate expectation, the race was nor rowed in a shoAver. Just as the Jew last touches Avcre being given to the combatants the doAvnpour ceased, and though the sun did not shine forth, it is long since a boat-race was begun under circumstances j more favourable to time as made by the Avatchholdcrs. The wind, which had been growing fainter and fainter, hoav dropped completely? and though the tide Avas, oAving to the amount of land-Avater, not running like a mill-race, it Avas still continuing to rise, and Avas of much more assistance than the river's extraordinary smoothness made it appear. Trickett, aa-lio had been roAving about for some little Avhile, looking salloAV and anxious, Avon the toss and took the Middlesex stake-boat, which gave him a double advantage— an inside angle and the best run of the tideAvay. Since the race an endeavour has been made to slioav that he had trained off ; it is singular that this discovery Avas not made previously. His chief personal representative stated distinctly that he Avas as avcll as he could be got, and that his stale and aawii appearance Avas Avith him but proof positive of thorough fitness. Hanlan, avlio put off a minute or so after the Cornstalk, received by far the heartier reception. This is to be accounted for in various ways, chief of Avliich are his mild and unassuming demeanour (particularly noticeable in his connection), his prepossessing appearance, and the "Go it, little 'im" feeling always shown by an English multitude. He looked strong and ruddy, and that he Avas confident Avas shoAvn by the humourous Avay in AA r hich, using one blade at a time, he propelled himself to his ' stake-boat. This in itself Avas an exhibition of ! skill unprecedented upon an English river ; it produced both applause and laughter, Avliich had hardly died aAyay AA'hen the rivals Avere at their stations awaiting the signal aa-Mcli Avas to : send them upon the most important journey [ ever yet taken in a Avager-boat. Twelve o'clock Avas the time set for commencement, but it Avas J tAventy-tAvo minutes some odd seconds after noon before the Avord avcis given. This did not j much matter, as the tide had still considerably over an hour to run and no one expects professionals of any sort to adhere punctually to ! their engagements. When the start Avas at last made, those Avho kneAv Hanlan and his system I best were most surprised at his mode of procedure. Instead of dashing aAvay *at forty-tAvo for the first minute, as he did Avith Elliott, he calmly folloAved Trickett, Avho, getting Avay upon his boat by tAvo or three tremendous jerks, showed almost at once Avith a half-length's lead. This advantage he maintained for the first minute by means of forty-one strokes to his opponent's thirty-nVe ; or rather for part of it, as by the time the forty-first stroke Avas taken Hanlan Avas level Avith him, and by the fortysecond Avas perceptibly showing in front, although by this the real champion AA'as only rowing thirty strokes to the minute. But they Avere strokes and not spoonings, and were

puUed through with a length and a strength and a smoothness which* contrasted singularly with the laboured and snatchy exertions of lnckett. The big man's boat was only kept travelling by main strength, and it had none of the run during recovery so characteristic of the Canadians easy style of sculling. Trickett trading that, so far from maintaining his lead he was dropping back, continued to fight madly at the rate of forty for the second minute, the result of which was that instead of going in a straight line from his stake-boat, his work became uneven, and he drifted over towards the wall and into the slack water. Nothing loth, Hanlan followed him, and taking the position that should have been Trickett's, roved calmly and comfortably, and without an atom of undue exertion, by Trickett's side, looking at him and evidently wondering at the mouselike result obtained by this mountain in labour. Apparently satisfied with his observations, and keeping still in mid-stream, while Trickett went more and more into the slack, Hanlan, shortly after passing Bishop's Creek, gave half-a-dozen long and extra-powerful pulls, and without quickening up in the least left his man just as though the latter had already desisted from his exertions. Trickett, who certainly deserves the credit of thorough gameness, was far from stopping. Although the calm and skilful Hanlan had drawn him into a ragged and clipping state— had, as it were, dragged him out of his stride, to use an expression familiar enough on land, and without an equivalent at rowing — Trickett pegged away lustily at a signal from his pilot, and had another burst as the race approached near Craven. To no purpose, however, as Hanlan, going on in the most unconcerned manner possible, led by over a clear length at the steps— time, 2m. 40s. This is a rare rate of travelling, and has never before been approached, still less equalled, within my experience. The result was that Trickett had, by the time lie began to cross over, all but shot his bolt, and though after a pause or two he commenced again, and made a second desperate bid for victory between the Grass Wharf and what is from Star and Garter the seven-furlong post, he had no chance, as Hanlan allowed him to come up quite close once or twice, and then drew away again. A race-loving friend of mine stationed at the Ragged Staff states that approaching there Hanlan drew away from Trickett with amazing swiftness, and then paddling leisurely, striking only nine strokes in a full half minute. Then when Trickett, who by this time was rowing no more than threequarter length, came near, Hanlan dashed away again Avith four or five vigorous strokes, "as if the game had been one of hide-and-seek, or the race had been a mere water frolic, and not a match for the universal championship." This testimony is well worth having, as the boats were some distance astern here, and a cross-view is at boat-racing always a great deal better than a view obtained when following. Hanlan's time for the seven furlongs was 4m. 455. The little man's expedient had by this time borne even more than its expected result. lam informed that Hanlan did not clash off at top speed, as in his previous matches, because he had heard so very much, and had heard that very much so very often repeated, about the Australian's vast recuperative reserve. So lie thought he would start steadily, with the intention of going right through at the one pace, and save a little bit for the finish in case Trickett's pace and continuing power had not been exaggerated. The issue was as I have .shown. Hanlan had a far more damaging effect on Trickett's rate of travelling, taking the journey in its entirety, than if he had dashed away as in the race with Elliott, and left his foe to a steady stern-chase. By rowing side by side with him, and gradually increasing the pace, Hanlan, in the course of three or four minutes, dragged evsry atom of strength and speed out of Trickett, and left him at the end of three-quarters of a mile, rolling like a log, and unable to continue at any rate known among champions.

Though the lesson to be educed from this phenomenal performance is extremely valuable, and should be laid well to heart, the race which caused it hardly calls for anything more in the way of description. Many who, in the steamers which were struggling a long distance behind, could only see that Trickett was, as the boats approached Crab Tree, drawing once more on his leader, fondly hoped that now the mucli-talked-of staying ability was about to assert itself, and that Hanlan was to be rowed down by Trickett in much the same manner as Blackmail, Hosmer, and Kiley had been rowed down by Laycock. A glance at the way in which Trickett was rowing ought to have shown that this was impossible ,* but it did not. My duty here is to relate facts, singular as they may seem, and so I need only say that so strong was the confidence still reposed in Trickett's " second wind " that offers Avere made to take odds he led under the Suspension Bridge. A ready response was found to this application, which faded away as such applications always do when any attention is paid them. Hanlan showed tlie same old reluctance to go away, and this was construed by everyone who had reason to hope it was so into inability. Once when he got in front of Trickett and allowed him to come, as it seemed from behind, parlously near, a cry was raised that a foul would spoil Trickett's chance of getting first to Mortlake. What happened then must have convinced the most sceptical disbeliever in Hanlan's prospects. Just as Trickett appeared to be bearing down upon the young humourist, who this time really pretended he was rowed to a standstill, the Trickettites were stopped in their shouts by seeing him with the most consummate nonchalence wait patiently for the desired imminence, and then go clean aAva'y until half-a-dozen lengths separated him from his pursuer. By the time Soap Works bridge was passed nothing but an accident could have given the race to the big one. Between there and the bridge Hanlan paused perceptibly and looked round, then went on again, and showed that he was, if anything, fresher than at the commencement of what was to have been so desperate a struggle. The times following the seven-furlong post show a sad falling off, and will well account for Hanlan's many opportunities of waiting about and surveying the scenery. Of course, all his chief desire when he had got Trickett fairly beaten was to keep just in front,

and show as little of his true speed as possible. Crab Tree, .6m. 4s. ; Soap Works, 7m. 465. ; Hammersmith, "9m, 31s. As shey passed under the bridge, Hanlan had a clear two lengths' lead, which he didn't seem at all anxious- to increase. Indeed, he might well have allowed Trickett in his then state to go a Imndred yards ahead without there being. the slightest possibility of danger. To return to the procession between-Hammer-smith and Mortlake. It was such in reality, as notwithstanding the hullabaloo made by the Conservancy people about keeping the course, small craft swarmed above the Suspension Bridge. Had the race been in any way close, a disaster would have happened here ; and it is partly due to the fact that he had to pick his way carefully round the commencement of Corney Reach that Hanlan began to play his pranks, which have so sadly hurt the feelings of the Australian's friends and backers. Hanlan having to feel his way round the bend which had proved so fatal to Laycock's opponents, thought it might be as well to provide a little sport and thus make up for the slowness of the passage. So, finding by this time there was nothing new in constant stoppage, he commenced to pull one scull at a time, as when he went a dozen minutes before to his stake-boat. This sort of thing being rapturously received by the many-headed, he pretended to miss a stroke, and threw himself on the flat of his back so suddenly that a shriek of alarm was set up by those who had thousands depending upon him. A moment after, and their faces were Avreathed with smiles once more, as, Trickett having by this time come up, Hanlan darted off afresh, and came at last to Elliott, whereupon, he again stopped, as lie did after rowing slowly in company with that youth to the Bull's Head (his training quarters), where he went through a series of preconcerted signals, to the great delight of everybody connected with the establishment.

I have no desire to support Hanlan in what may be called unexampled "flashness," but I think a little of the fire and- joy is allowable to a man who has just succeeded in reducing to a state of helplessness the one opponent who was of all opponents to show that speed at the commencement is of little enough use in a race of four miles and a quarter. If he had not been hampered by small boats, he would very probably have retained his solemnity, or have refrained from that part of the exhibition which, rankles so deeply. As it is, I for one, while deprecating any such shows, think it far and away better that they shall be given as Hanlan gave them, and not as they were given more than once by the Australians when they thought that Trickett had dropped upon a nice little certainty. They were arrogant, and insolent too, and they repeatedly sent most aggravating messages to Hanlan and his party. Hanlan's display has certainly the advantage of theirs in point of basis ; and it is not at all unlikely that the majority of the men who have complained against him would be ten times extravagant if they possessed one tittle of his ability. To those who have remonstrated on the score of the danger that was run, it may be as well to say that their remarks are entirely wrong. Trickett was by this time so w-om-<mt and distressed that nothing short of Hanlan's complete wreck would have given him a million, to one chance. Hanlan perfectly well knew there was nothing whatever to fear from the big man, who had now little more strength than a baby. It appears rather if, in their hurry to correct his impertinence, some folk are in a still greater hurry to show how much they possess of theirown — with nothing of a different sort to give it the least leavening qualification. Itwoiild scarcely be fair to conclue this analysis of the greatest professional race yet rowed upon any river without turning from Hanlan to Trickett, and marking down the lesson as given by his desperate bxit unsuccessful efforts. On a good day, with no wind to combat, with water smooth to greasiness, and with a moderate tide beneath him, Trickett, rowing his heart out from start to finish, was unable to get over the course in less than 26m. 19s. His undue exertions in the earlier part of the race accoimt for this so surely that 1 cannot help feeling for the "authorities " who were certain that, whatever he might be for speed, Trickett was above all things a stayer. In his endeavours to gallop by the side of the Canadian, who was at the time only trotting, he broke himself up completely, and could not nnv fast enough to keep himself warm for the remainder of the distance. This is worthy of notification, as directly opposed to the pattern set by Laycock, who might be outpaced from start to finish, but who would never allow himself to be "bustled" in so contemptible a fashion as the larky young Torontian « ' bustled " Trickett. After passing Hammersmith, the whilom "champion of the world" was hardly a pleasant spectacle. His body, which was bare, was of an unwholesome pipeclay colour, his face Avas distorted and cadaverous, and his eyes were fixed and glassy as those of a seven days dead dog-fish. No man could have tried- harder but the vital principal seemed lamentably deficient in his economy ; and it Avas the old story once again, that has been told so repeatedly in the prize-ring and elseAvhere when very big and muscular men have failed to carry all before them at the first onslaught. Directly the time comes for them to make a sustained effort, their size and weight are all against them, and increased exertion, so far from pulling them round again, only sends them the more readily to pieces.

— A match for the Billiard Championship of England, was played at St. James's Hall on November the Bth, "between W. Cook and Joseph Bennett. The match was most exciting; The score at length standing at Bennett 795, Cook 822. Bennett showing great nerve, and after scoring 15 a 55 break brought his score to 936, Cooks being 938. The excitement was then intense. Bennett then scored two breaks of 19 and 38, and reached 993 to Cooks 946, when Bennett won the game by 51 points. The match was played on a champion table, and lasted four hours and 37 minutes. Cooks best breaks were 54, 51 and 107 ; Bennetts 77, 49 and 55. Bennet was. at one time 200 ahead.*