SCULLING

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160740, 28 August 1920, Page 7

SCULLING

BRILLIANT EXHIBITION BY BARRY. SYDNEY, Aug. 26. Felton and Barry went through a fast trial over the full course. The latter performed brilliantly over the first mile, and then rowed lijre a champion, giving the best exhibition since the scullers commenced training. Felton’s performance was not so brilliant. BOTH MEN FIT. SYDNEY, Aug. 27. Both scullers report that they are in the best of condition for to-mor-row’s race. There is every indication of fine weather. By “Victor.” It is satisfactory to learn that both men are in the best of condition, and no doubt great interest will be taken in the match. Felton is the younger of the two scullers. He is 30 years of age, weighs 13.9, and his height is 6.2. He is about eight years younger than. Barry, and this is considered by many to be a great factor in bis favour. There is a crisis in every such race, and it is at that crisis that age is expected to tell. The young man in good form can get past it, and sometimes the older man hut not often. Still, Barry is a man who has taken great care of himself and from all accounts he is rowing in splendid style. When Felton heat Barry on the Thames, the conditions were all against a proper test, and that result need not he taken into account in considering the chances of the two men to-day. It would be very pleasing to bear of Felton retaining the title, hut he will have to put up a better performance than he has ever yet accomplished to beat the Englishman in to-day’s race, that is if Barry is as fit as the cables would lead us to believe he is. My opinion is that if Barry is able to reproduce his best form he will win. It may be that he has gone back a bit, but this remains to be seen. Felton is said to have improved in pace and staying power, though he was always a very hard man to beat when he had a lead after going a mile. Although some declare that he is the faster man over a mile, this is doubtful, and Barry has shown that he is a wonderful stayer, as well as being very fast. Felton will find him a very tough proposition. Personally, I would be very glad to see Felton win, as he is an excellent man in all respects. His pace is undoubted, but ne could not stay too well earlier in his career. It may be that be lias hardened up in that respect, and if so might retain the title. Good buck to blm, anybow. News of the result should come to band shortly alter 6 o’clock tbis evening, and will be posted in the “Herald” window.

As has been previously announced 3. P. Hannan is to row "W. Hogwell, of Sydney, over a three-mile course on the Wairau River (Blenheim) for a purse of £3OO in November. Hannah writes that he has communicated with W. Webb, of Wanganui, asking him if he will permit the race to involve the .sculling championship of New Zealand, as he has been given to understand that Webb does not propose to race again. So far Webb has not replied. Providing the news is true that Webb does not intend to race again, it is anticipated that he will consent to the winner of the coming race being styled the champion of New Zealand, as the only means of keeping the championship alive is to hand it over to another, who is prepared to defend it. Hannan was the last man to row Webb, on which occasion the latter won with ease, Hannan’s knee giving way during the early part of the race.