THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 100, 25 September 1874, Page 3

THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

The trial heat of the Wingfield Sculls, or. as it is more generally known, the Amateur Championship, was rowed from Putney to Mortlake on July 20th, between Mr J. H. Eyre, of the Thames Club, and Mr W Pawcus, of Tynemouth, who came into notice three years ago at Henley, when he won the Diamond Sculls in a very hollow manner. Of Mr Eyre little has been known as a sculler, although as an oarsman he has done great service to his club. Mr J. Hastie, of the Thames Club, piloted Eyre from a club eight; while James Taylor, of Newcastle, did the like for Fawcus from a waterman's eight, steered by Harry Kelley, the ex-champion. Fawcus had the best station, and they got off together, being level at the pier, but directly afterwards, Eyre, rowing very strong, though awkwardly, shot slightly ahead. At the Duke's Head he led by half a length, but in 100 yards Fawcus put on a good spurt and drew nearly level. Eyre, however, was not to be easily disposed of, but continued to increase the lead to a length at the Creek. Here Fawcus began to mend his pace, and with another rush drew his boat's nose level with the other's outrigger, but to no purpose, for Eyre forced the rowing again as they made the point, Eyre still half a length ahead. As they shot the open water Fawcus again and again came at him, and at times looked as if he would pass, but Eyre resolutely stuck to his work, and at Crab Tree was a good length ahead ; he made it two at the Soapworks, but, Taylor bringing Fawcus in sharp, there was only half a length between them as they passed under Hammersmith Bridye ; in another dozen strokes Fawcus was level and a foul seemed imminent, but Fawcus's left hand here gave way, and in spite of all Taylor could do he went right across the river, while Eyre, pursuing a steady course, got as much as six lengths ahead, and when they lay in the water for Barnes Bridge the race was a foregone conclusion for Eyre, for although Fawcus kept at the same pace he had started at he evidently was not well and wore a glove on the left hand. After Barnes Bridge the northerner commenced a desperate spurt and maintained it to the end, but the lead of the other was too much, and Eyre landed a winner by two lengths. He was fearfully distressed, and could scarcely sit his boat, while Fawcus was soon out of his and took a spare oar in his eight home. The time was 2(i min 20 sec.