SCULLING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12053, 22 December 1906, Page 2

SCULLING.

THE STANBURY-WEBB MATCH

BY "VICTOR. 1 ' Those who rUs'uo to Set'ir^ a«on m«!j- ] tion in one of the two b I.IN alii'li will follow the Stanbury-Wcll tl m should make early application i.>r tiJ:S«, 600 only of which will be sold ..' •! • '.uh. A large number Lave alrea^} ''tin <]> posed of and applications aro jj«-uiiij_' in from all parts. Those tickets (is i.v! 1 v. ill be procurable thi-> evening from ihmh 1 is of the committee, who will alb.. i.<- -* lliiipf tickets for tLt i sip up to Kai ■ '» u\.<- and back at the same price. A few tukets for the official boat will also be sold at 10s each. Paddocking will be provided free for those patrons who prefer to drive. At the cluclusion of the race it is suggested that the Wanganui public will be paying an attention which we are sure will be appreciated if they allow, as far as possible visitors to travel by the early boats back. The latter would then have timo to look round tho town and catch the homeward trains. The secretary will be please to have applications from reliable boys willing to sell badges, souvenir books, etc. Judging from tlie inquiries I have received on the subject, many* people Seem to think that it is safe to rely on the time iest in * ulling races, but in this they are mistaken. Prior to his race with George Towns for the championship of the world, Dick Tresiddrr rowed a trial mile in smin 45see, and Ik nnd his friends were very confident of wuiiilnw in consequence, and staked a lot <>f muiiey of the strength of that "go," which was a remarkably good one. However, on the day Tresidder was really never in it with Towns, who led easily at the mile, which took well over 6min, much to the surprise of Tresidder and his friends. A ghnce at the records will show that many of those who are credited therewith are men who were much inferior scullers to Searle, Stanbury, Hanlan, Kemp, and others who could be mentioned. Of course, there have been many men who could do phenomenal times in trials, but were no good when they had to meet a first-class opponent. Take, for instance, Courtenay, an American oarsman, who did some wonderful trials, and was thought to bo a world beater, but failed badly in public. Then the fact that conditions vary so much, what with different currents, winds, etc., that the time test is not too reliable. Stanbury once rowed in mile in 4.28, but he had a very swifl-runnni" f icl^ with liim. Tom Sullivan and Ohn- Xoil^on have alr-o been credited with \<\ fast times, but the former could rut fxtend Stanbury when the pair met. The true test is the race. Of one thing we can be sure, and that is that Webb will row up to any trials he may have done — and they have been good ones. Stanbury's reputation alone would beat most men, but the Australian will find the Wangfanui man of ouite a different class in that connection. Anything that the visitor may have done in the past will not avail him on Boxing Day. when he will have to •prove himself the better mnn if he wishes to win. lie apparently omto recognises this, as he has trained very haid and has ?ot himself into very good form. Webb in in perfect nick and his friends .ire very confident, notwithstanding Stanbury's great reputation. It v. ill be a most exciting race, and those who fancy that the Australian is going to win all the way will perhaps get a shock.