SCULLING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2574, 23 September 1915, Page 6

SCULLING

. THE WEBB-HANNAN MATCH. This week-end will bo the gala one at Wanganui. There are horse races there to-morrow and on Saturday, and on Friday'a sculling race for the champjousliip of New Zealand and £200 a side will be.rowed on tho championship course on the Wanganui River between William Webb, the ex-champion sculler of the world, and Paddy Hannan, of Wellington, an aspirant for rowing honours. Jhe interest in the race lies in the fact that it is to be rowed between one > of'the most experienced scullers'in Australasia, who has not been beforo the public for some time, and one of the least known, both being New Zealanders. Webb defeated Stanbury on the Wanganui and secured the world's title from diaries Towns on the Parramatta. Subsequently Webb defeated Tressider, but later mot trouble in Dick Arnst, who defeated him twice on the Wanganui, and later still Pcarce travelled from Australia and beat Webb on his own water. Now it is stated that Webb is back to tho best form ho has over shown. Hannan lias youth as liis sword and shield, and a very useful asset it is, but sometiling uioro than youth is needed in a wager boat. . Still lie is a promising oarsman, and is expected to make a real good .showing against his adversary. The raco is to start.at noon tomorrow, when tho river is at the top of. the tide. Mr. Percy Evans is to act as umpire, and Mr. E. Day will officiate as judge.

AN AMATEUR. EVENT. 1 . Interest will fce lent the big event to-morrow ly a race for the amateur sculling championship of New Zealand botween D. Hadfield, of tho Waitemata. Club, Auckland, land A. Sharp, of tlio Union Club, Wanganui. the champion single sculler of the Dominion when tho title was won from him by the Auckland mnn. Sliarpe, who lias enlisted for tho front, lias been anxious to havo another mce, and Hadfield being willing, the Now Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was approached for a permit, which was readily given. Tho fact that the professional and amateur sculling championships of Now Zealand are ' being rowed for on tho same day on tho "Wangamii River is unique in the history of sculling in New Zealand.