SCULLING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 288, 30 August 1920, Page 5

SCULLING

BARRY REGAINS CHAMPIONSHIP

FELTON EASILY DEFEATED

RACE MARRED BY A COLLISION

By Telegraph-Press Assoclatlon-Oopyrieht (Rcc. August 29, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, August 2D. The race for tho world's sculling championship yesterday proved a much tamer affair than anticipated, Barry securing an easy victory over Felton. Tho race was marred by the boats touching after passing tho 1.1-milo point. Both men held up their "liTnds, claiming a foul, but as they were in neutral water, and neither subsequently made a .formal claim for a foul, the umpire, Mr, William Beach, decided not to interfere, declaring that the incident in no way affected the race. The weather was fine and the river calm, the slight breeze being insufficient to interfere with the rowing. There were great crowds afloat and lining the banks throughout tho course. It is ostimated that over a hundred thousand witnessed the race. The start was delayed till nearly i o'clock. Bariy's rowing weight was list. 101b., and l 1 elton's 12st. 81b.

Felton won the toss. From a good start, both striking twenty-eight to the minute, Felton soon went to the front, and established a lead of alength and a half. The pace to the mile beacon was very slow, the distance taking 7min. 20sec. Here Felton's lead was three lengths. Barry rowing comfortably in the rear. Approaching Tennyson the Englishman began gradually to ovorhanl his opponent. Barry was now spurting finely and forging aliead with long, ma-chine-like strokes. Velton failed to respond, and before they had reached Mort'.ake Barry had overhauled the leader. They rowed locked together for a time, then suddenly Felton's hand shot up. _ Barry's immediately followed, indicating that the boats had touched. Both stopped rowing, awaiting a signal from Beach, who was watching the race from an accompanying steamer. As previously stated, Ben«h decided that there was no use interfering. Little time was lost before , a fresh start was made. Barry was quickest away, and going at top speed got a two-lengths' lead. Felton started to chase him, but was never able to get near his rival, tho gap gradually increasing. • At Cabarita. Barry had- six lengths advantage, and he finished twelve lengths to the good, tho whole course taking 2taiin. 3fcec.

Though the touching incident -was regretted, the very general opinion was that the Australian bad little, if any, chance after the Englishman drew level with Mm, and after the bump made little real attempt to overtake him. Barry declared himself sorry about the foul, but said it was nobody's fault, being purely accidental. Felton declined to say anything. • Arnst, his trainer, said the result was unsatisfactory from Fel ton's standpoint. Ho would like to see them meet again. Beach declared that the better man had won. Describing the foul, Barry said: "Overhauling him off Mortlake, I jumped on to him quicker than expected. It all hapnened. in the excitement of the race. He was a tired man. and I was an eager one."

Speaking at a dinner later, Barry declared that ho had no intention of contesting the title again. He intended to return to England in Octobcr, and settle down in his little "pub" at Twickenham. Arnst told an interviewer he thought Felton should have got the decision, as Barry chased him across the river. Arnst added that Felton had nothing to say, and took his beating like a man, but he told Arnst that he thought he had won on a foul. Arnst said if Felton's backers wanted him to row Barry again, and the latter was willing to row him in Australia, he (Arnst) would waive his challenge as first for the next match.

The "Sunday News," commenting on the foul, says;—"lt looked as if a collision could have been avoided by Felton, unless he was too tired to pull out of Barry's way."—Press Assn.

INTEREST IN RACE IN ENGLAND. (Rec. August 29, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 28. . The Barry-Felton race, as a result of reports of Barry's good training work, is now arousing increased interest. It is pointed out that this is the first time an Englishman has contested the title in Australia. Special arrangements have been made for the announcement of the Tesult, the newspapers bringing out special editions. In reference to Beach's appointment as umpire, the newspapers recall the ex-champion's great struggle on the Thames with Gaudaur in 1886.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.