SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 379, 19 November 1889, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE BETWEEN SEARLE AND O'CON NUB. Losaos, September 10. The following is the description of the championship rue, as given by the Sportsmen :—

As the competitors backed up to their moored skiffs the scene was indescribable, and volumes might be written ere a full description could be given. Toe weather was all that could be desired, with the exception that perhaps the sun asserted itself rather too strongly. Scarcely had both been secured when the Australian broke away, but the Canadian having had plenty of practice at the getting away system with Wallace Ross, one of the most astute seulleis that ever sat in a boat, was not to be caught napping, and when they again were motionless O'Connor got away, leaving his opponent hard held. Searle again took a little trip by himself, as O'Connor did not care to be left behind, and at the fourth attempt a start was affected, and the exciting contest commenced at twenty-five minutes past one precisely. The Canadian represen tativa was the first to dip his sculls, and was fully half a length in front ere Searle was on the move, striking at the rate of 44 strokes per minute, O'Connor made his Swaddle “ walk the waters" like a thing of life and travel at a terrific rate, and opposite the Star and Garter Hotel wu quite three-quarters of a length in front. Keeping up the same high pressure he was well clear abreast the Duke’s Head, amidst the most frantic and deafening cheers of his partisans both ashore and on the accompanying steamboats. Searle now quickened up, putting in some of his enormously long, sweeping, giant like strokes, his muscles whilst doing so standing out like bosses of bronze, and at every effort he quickly drew nearer his opponent, who must have felt

The stern joy which warriors-feel At meeting foemen worthy of their steeL On they went at a pace that probably has never been seen on this or any other river, and when opposite Alexander’s boat yard Searle had reduced his opponent's lead to half a length. When O'Connor was abreast of the filled in aits of tbs Bishop’s Creek be was only g few feet in front, (Time, 1 min 28see), A yards or so farther on O'Connor, to of those who bad laid odds

on him, dipped bis right scull rather too deeply, and it became fixed for an instant. Bhours of “He's caught a crab I " and yells of disappointment arose from the layers, but with a dexterous turn of the wrist the scull arose to the surface, and ha was hard at it again. Although it seemed only an instant, the interval was all too long, as it enabled Baade, who was urged oh by Perkins, just to fbow in front, and when they had reached Craven Steps the Australian was leading by a Couple of feet or io, in 9 min 88 sac. both now taking 81 strokes per minute. One of the grandest struggles ever seen took place up to the site whan the Old Mile Tree formerly Stood, when Searle was only a few feet in front, the time being 4 min S 3 sec, the fastest on rapord, the sound of hand-clapping by spectators on shore being distinctly beard on the steamboats. From this point the Australian drew steadily away from hie opponent, who made heroic struggles to keep with him, but when eff the ■' Old Crab Tree," 5 min 59 era from the start, Searle was only leading by a few feet, and when they had reached the centre crane of the Seep Works (lime, 7 min }0 sec), Bearle was leading by half a length, apparently taking matters comparatively easy, Terrific shouts and cheering arose both from the shore and steamboats as Bearle was seen to spurt away, and he was soon plear, Passing under Hammersmith Bridge the Clarence Biver representative was leading by a length and a quarter. (Time, 8 min 37 sec). Soon after both had cleared the structure two heavy skiffs, laden with paesengars, suddenly came from the centre of the stream, and rowed right across the bows of the competing boats. Cries of indignation prose, and all sorts of epithets were bestowed on the persons in charge. The fearful pace at which both the competitors had been going pow began to tell on the scullers, and Bearle was now only striking 2B strokes per minute to his opponent's 25, yet the Australian gradually increased the gap, and at the Oil Mills waa two lengths in front. All along Chiswick Eyot Searle continued to gradually gain, and at Chiawick Church (time, 13 min. 58

) waa quite two lengths and a half in front. In obedience to signals from their pilots both made the shoot over to the Midd.eeex shore simultaneously, without losing a fraction, but when once they had reached it Perkins made bis man get in a direct .line, so as to give O'Connor all the benefit of the wash, and as the water here waa extremely choppy, it was a sight advantage, but Charlie Gibson soon got his man out of it. Shortly afteri wards, when about midway between Thorpeycroft's and the Bull’s head, Searle put on a brilliant spurt, but in doing so made a alight mistake, by missing the water with his right scull which, was quickly perceived by the occupants of the steamboats, but he righted himself with marvellous rapidity and slowed down again. Nearing Lonsdale-ioad O'Connor steered out into the centre of the stream, bnt gained nothing by the mancenvre as Searle went gradually away again, and went under Barnes Bridge in 19 min. 4 secs., only 6 sec. more than the fastest time, whilst the Canadian occupied 19 min 17 sec. Thousands of spectators lined ths Surrey shore. From here to the finish their shouts, the whistles of the steamers, and other sounds were simply defeaning. The Australian now rapidly increased hie advantage, and at the Queen's Head he was fully six lengths in front. The Canadian made several very heroic efforts to lessen the gap, but to no purpose, as Searle went away at almost every stroke, and passing ths winning flags placed on the Ship Mortlake, and opposite shore, amidst cheering and firing of oumon, the undoubted Champion of the World, and winner of one thousand sovereigns, by ten lengths, his time being 22 minutes 40 seconds, and O'Connor's exactly 23 minutes, Binging and enthusiastic cheers arose SO the competitors grasped each other’s ■hands most cordially, and these were as the men stepped on ths umpire's where Searle, before dressing, made a a holleotlon for tbs lour, amounting to £3915a. Al ths Fuchsia steamed down to Barnes, where the [World's Champion landed at the pier, bo wu most snthusiastioally cheered as soon as he was recognised by the occupants o| pining craft, and the thousands who had witnessed this memorable contest waited patiently tor the news, which was everywhere well received, applause in all instances following the announcement.

LOCAL AQUATICS: THIS WEEK'S MATCHES. (s? “ OLD MB.”) Lovers of rowing are promised a real good time this week, commencing to morrow evening, and extending over Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, between 5 and 6 o’clock. The crews have not been blessed with favorable weather for their preparation, but, nevertheless, they have been pegging away at their work manfully right through, and deserve every encouragement, and I wish them fine weather and a big attendance each tvenfog. ’ Lunn and Miller open the ball for the Gteborne Rowing Club, end u the race will be rowed on a strong ebb tide, Miller will bare a big advantage over Lunn's crew, which is a light one ; and I have no hesitation fo t«ppfog MlUUa’B CMW to win easily. Following clou on this race the Poverty Bay Bowfog Club will start their first heat, the opposing crews being stroked respectively by W. Walters and J. Nisbett. Walters' orew appease to bo a strong one, but I hear they-have not made the most of their opportunity, and their chance of winning is greatly discounted thereby : Nisbett’* crew also appear short of work, but they are a wirylooking lot and should not suffer a beating from wis canoe; and I shall therefore select Nmbxtt a* my choice. The next heat is between Spurdie and Teat (G.R£,), Spurdie is unfortunate in having to meet a such a strong orew for his flea* heat, and I think he might fairly have been allowed the bye under ill circumstances. I have a strong fancy for TEAT against the field, and most therefore tip him to win this beat eerily and likewise the final; with be*t. P"Tbofaday evening after the decision of tbs Gisborne Rowing Club's second round, for Wbfob deawing has to take place to decide Um !««« i» anxious H*,-Ma»b*U ntiai bs fit-

I cidel. These two crews appear very even, and a real good race may be expected. Mar«ball will start a slightly better favorite, but I will select Sawyer's to win, though the slightest accident will mar the chance of either. The winner nf this heat should win the final, though Niabelt’a orew is worth watching and may yet upset the moral. Since writing the above I bear that one of Nisbett’s crew has sustained an injury to the hand, which may prevent them from competing. I hope, however, it may not be so, as their absence would rob the final heat of of all interest.

On Saturday afternoon the contest for Mr W. Fraser’s medals will probably take place; although, at present, nothing has bean decided upon between the two Clubs, The race will be from Crawford's to the Gisborne Rowing Club's shed, and as some time has elapsed since a previous contest between the two Clube took place, a great amount of interest is centred in the event. I shall expect the Poverty Bay Rowing Club to bs the victors, though I am convinced they will bave nothing to spare, All events of both Clubs will finish at the Gisborne Rowing Club's shed.