THE ARNST-PEARCE MATCH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 12 August 1908, Page 2

THE ARNST-PEARCE MATCH.

FULL PARTICULARS OF THE

STRUGGLE

(Sydney "Sun.") Thousands and thousands of people yesterday cheered Richard Arnst to victory in his big raco against Harry Pearco on the Parramatta River. They saw the coming champion of the world defeat one of Australia's greatest scullers in a A^ery fast race over the championship course, and in the excitement of the moment of his victory they quito forgot that Arnst is a New Zealander.

r A sight such aa that seen on the river yesterday under such extraordinary conditions has seldom, if ever, been witnessed. It had been a fearfully wet week, and between 1 o'clock and 2 yesterday the elements vented tho full force of their fury on both scullers and spectators, as rain fell in torrents, and it began to blow.

Yet hundreds of people flecked to Fort Macquario and boarded various steamers bound up the river, especially the two official steamers Bronzewing and Koreo, and sat for over two hours in tho pouring rain, "nursing" their positions—some under umbrellas and sonv* clad only in coats. Thousands wended their way to the various points of vantago along the courso, Abbotsford, Henley, Gladesville, and Cabarita boasting their throngs, whilst all types of rowing craft, motor and stoom launches in scores, journeyed up tho river, each carrying a full complement of sightseers-'^

15,00 ft PEOPLE PRESENT.

There must have bo&n fully 15,000 pooplo present, under almost just as many umbrellas. They were all anxious to see this phenomenal cyclist-sculler demonstrate that with sufficient pluck and grim determination an athlete may jump from one branch of sport to another, and becoone a champion. Arnst has- yet to beat Webb to become the world's champion, but thero was hardly a man who taw the race.that does not predict that Webb will meet his "Waterloo" at Wangiiiui on December Jsth. PEARCE ROWS BRILLIANT RACE.

Amst --won, and with a bit in hand too, but Pearca put up.a brilliant raco, and nover rowed a faulty stroke. Whoever backed him got a great run for their money. Ho Avas trained to .tho hour, locked" well, and showed not tho slightest nerA'ousness en the mark.

Ho rowed a terrific mile, doing ie in smiu. 45SCC., which ivas fastor than thb Towns-Stanbury, To T.vn» Tr^Gidder, or Wobb-Towns'.iacos, but Arast had gono 1 ono better than tho famous miler, and "was.ahead of .him there. Thon the timo for tho tho full course 'might harp been , improved, but even as it was ihoy coy- ! ored it in.-20mia. 50sec, which, coneidi ering they had a freshoniflg brccao against -tlmn all the .way from Putney, wa-i excellent, although it fell a little short of the TWm-Stanbury and WebbTowns' races; but then tho conditions wero. bettor' than yesterday, thoro' being a strong tide with tho sculiors onoaclt of tho other o6c?jsions, vary emoothv wateri" and no wind. ''■■'---'■" ■"'■-■'■.■■..■'....■■.■■); vC ARNST'S WONDEEFUL PACE: Pearco mado his rival row the two miles yesterday in 12irun.—very fast time—yet Arnst was gcod enough to lead him comfortably there, which, stamps him as a,. scullor of reniarkablo spejed for a short or a long distance. Very few people were in tho know as to what Arnst could do over a milo, but it is known that ho wanted to wager that ho would bo ahead- at tho milo beacon—and so ho was. To do that ho had to lead the sculler who we know could beat any other sculler in Australia at least for that distance. THE COURSE. . ~JW- course was kept: splendidly clear by the-Harbour; Trust launches, but the people; them^elyes,. ;gave the scullers ample room and caused.no tronblo. Just as the scullers got afloat a slight breeze set in-from tho eastward, which waa dead against them. The water was nice and wimcoth, but thd cdld breeze fresh-' pne-d after they got into the open wator after passing -Putney, 'andjmade tho ..-.■'.' '.-':•''•'-.^-■vi-.1 fptjri? ■ri'Ao'O" ■""■""^"'^<i''-'-' -r^U.' jif?'* 15-;E°SFGII:i;. Artim.h iirs^^n^^ Mjtphell, who Was' tmihing \vith3Searcd, ' tossed -for .choice of prfsitioiw"■■sn'''the;--umpiro s'.boat 'going up river. ? Arnst* Ron, and chose;the southern side, but there was no advantage, ai:d they steiitod .in midstreaTii. Pearce, cladin a.light, blue singLt, with whito kangaroo^ got afloat from Stanbury's shod at Rydo, and a momerv later Arnst jumped into his "shell" from a launch near the bridge. It was late then, the steamers having b&3n<d-> layed at Fort Macquarie by tho late arrival of a stream of rain-soaked sj>ectators. but no two 'SGUllers ever responded quicker to the umpire's signal. -Axiust Svovo a black singiet with silver hrn. and also-ah old brown hat tucked, nndor in the front. It was the identical "oJd brown hat' 4 which ho woro when ha won the "Sydney Thousand." It is a mascotte, too/which has brought him .success in other events. BEACH'S WARNING. The men rowed up to tho umpire's boat, and William Beach, tho umpire, amidst cries of "Good.boy, Dick," and "Hurrah, Harry," called out: "Como over hero Amst—comp alongside Pearc ■. Ai-nst, you won the tosvi, and ,havo choico of positions. Nov.-, you thoroughly understand the rules you are going to row under. And you too, Pearce. j [f you don't keop to the lulcs ycu'll suffer tho penalty. K^ep away i'rr.m ono another, and allow plenty of 100 m." Both scullers nodded in response, and as Beach ;ungrout.to some female enthusiasts m a boat," "Now, then, you la-die's,' gr**''; off '"tho" course," the scullers got o« tho mark. THE START. Pearce, with a bright .colour in his face, looked tho pictliro of health, and an athleto on the mark, but Arnst"s facu appeared a little drawn, but the muscles stood-cut on his arms, legs, and body. Thero was not much time to scrutiniso tho .r.ion, for Pearco had already made t'.vo false starts. Than an tho crowds on the steamers clambered ever one another to see tho mon break away thero was a roar of "They're off!"' and tho scullers dipped I together. Tho crowd yelled with c"bDsht as ■ the sculiors dashed f way on their long journey of 3 miles 330 yards, over tba championship ■courso. Poarco struck 22 in tho first haltminuto, whilst Arnst pulled a flower stroke, dipping 20 in tho half-minute. Arnst atmeared to got slightly the | bfttor of the start, but they were up to j Uhr'a Point (quarter milo) in 1-Jmin., 1 and here it was seen, that they were ' racing lovel at a terriiic pace. Pearco 1 was trying to got a lead on his oppon- j ent. and Arnst was fighting every inch of the way.

They cut tho half-mile out in 2mm. 25sec, and here Pearce, with a mighty, effort, had drawn away a length in front. Then ho suddenly seemed to easo a little, and Arnst caino fast and dvow itvei. Tliey were rowing 23 strokes to tho minuto at three-quarters nf % mile., but Arnst tried Pearco hero,., and putting all his greafc strength bohind his sculls Ixvcan to draw nvr^v. Poarco spurted a-s they approached tho mile, but Amsfc had him. A MILE IN SMIN. 45SEC. Thoy flashed paat the mile bracr-u P.^ Blaxland's (Kis&ing Point) with Arnst ksadino- by half a length. The time w:k* omin. 45soca., which was very fast under tho conditions. Putney (ono milo and a half) was passed in 9min. los&c., with Arnst two lengths ahead. Pearce, who was rowing beautifully,

spuited, and gained on Arnst, but at tho Gasworks, which were reached in lOmin. 3osec, Arnst again had tAvo lengths clear. The leader's sculling was not pretty nor clean, but ho Ava-s shoving his Avholo weight into it, and getting great pace. Tennyson (2 miles) was abeam in fast time (12min.) —Arnst here having rowed away again to two lengths and a half. Pearce tired visibly, but recovered in- the next quarter-mile. Ho was rowing such a game race, and so well, that Stanbury remarked on it, and tho people in tho boats, who wero almost tumbling over each other, roared as he drew almost up to Arnst at tho GladcsvilJo Wharf.

They passed Gladesville (2£ milos) in 15min. Bsec., with Arnst ono and a half lengths ahead. The spurt had tired the plucky Pcarc?>, who was demonstrating that ho could last a long journey out, well trained, and ho was giving his supporters a groat run. Arnst eas^d away again to two lenpths and at Abbotsford 3 miles) led by 2^ lengths. Passing the point the crowd ran towards tho water's edge and yelled frantically. The timo to One Man Wharf (Abbotsfordj. was 19min. 55sec. THE FINISH. Immediately after passing Abbotsford, and as the crowds near the finish began to cheer, Arnst put more' daylight betAveen ih© boats, and at one time was four lengths ahead. Henley was passed, the Now Zealander leading by throe lengths. Pearco then made his last desperate effort, but Arnst crossed the finishing line at Searle's Monument two lengths and a half ahead. °

Thn judge yelled "Amst,- by two and a half lengths," and tho 'spectators cheered each of the men to the"echo. Pearco was done. Ho had rowed a tremendously hard race against a better man. Victor and vanquished . shook hand?. Arnst's first great raco was all over. Ho had acquitted himself'well Tho time for tho full courso Avas 20mm SOsec.

It was patent that Arnst had rowed tar above practice form. Thero wa.s an entire absence of that severe lurching -movement which threatened to capsize him and his form generally was much better.

Messrs E. T. Walsh and H. Flovd were timeiceepprs, and Mr A. H Fitahardmge officiated as judge.

TEIE TAKINGS. Tho takings were £137 12s