AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 438, 8 November 1875, Page 3

AQUATICS.

Scratch races, in continuation of the series for the season, for prizes given to members of the C.R.O. by the committee of that club, were pulled off on Saturday last, at New Brighton, over a course from a point opposite Williamson’s house to a flag about a quarter of a mile past Paynton’s. The events comprised a sculling match, in beats, and a junior four-oared race. This latter race was exceedingly well contested for about threequarters of the distance, when the outrigger string of No 3 in the last boat broke, and the crew then gave up. The deciding heat in the sculls’ match, between Sibbald and Jones, was a splendid race up to a little over 300 yards from home, when Jones, who had been pulling a waiting race with great judgment, spurted up, and Sibbald, unintentionally no doubt, crossing over into Jones’ water, caused the latter to foul him. Sibbald immediately afterwards pulled into his own line, and Jones came up and passed him, winning easily. The following are the events in the order in which they were pulled off.

SCULLING MATCH IN HEATS. (First Heat.) Cygnet (J. O. Jones) ... ... 1 Moa (L. M. Ollivier) 0 This race was fairly contested, Jones clearing his boat after about 200 yards distance from the start, giving Ollivier bis wash, and gradually increasing the distance, winning by about two and a half boat’s lengths. SECOND HEAT. Cygnet (W. Sibbald) ... ... 1 Moa (J. Revell) ... ... •• 0 The race was won easily by Sibbald, Revell being evidently out of condition, and giving up when he saw he was out of it. Junior Four-oared race. Tamesis (A. Matthias, bow, A. Fooks 2, J. 0. Martin 3, J. R. Lanauze stroke, R. McDougal cox) ... ... 1 Illyssus (A. Lean, bow, F. Hornbrook 2, F. Davie 3, C. Morris, stroke, W.

Day cox) 0 Both boats started fairly, the Illyssus lifting clear first, improving the advantage until opening the bend, when the boat was about clear. Here the coxswain turned into the weeds, and, no doubt being reprimanded, shot across the river, allowing the Illyssus to come up. For about 150 yards after this there was a splendid race, both crews pulling a fast stroke, evenly and strong, the Tamesis’ crew if anything having the call. When nearing Paynton’s the Tamesis increased the pace, clearing their boat, and passing Paynton’s about a length and a half ahead. At this point the outrigger string of No 3 in the last boat broke, and the crew gave up, allowing the Tamesis to pull slowly up to the flag. But for this accident it would have been a hard contested race. Sculling Match. (Final heat.) Cygnet (Jones) 1 Moa (Sibbald) 0 Sibbald, who had the south bank, started best, taking his water clean, and improving his position so much that at the end of the bend he was about two and a half lengths ahead; Jones now began to increase the number of his strokes, drawing on his opponent up to Paynton’s, coming up with him about 100 yards past the wharf. Here Sibbald, who had gradually been drawing into Jones’ water, pulled too hard with his left scull, placing his boat athwart, and after another stroke Jones had bumped him in the quarter, the foul also causing the latter to hang on his stroke and lose distance. Sibbald immediately pulled into his own water, and then there was a splendid spurt between the two for about 50 yards, Jones gradually drawing up level and afterwards away, passing the flag about three lengths ahead, amid cheers for his plucky pulling. It was said that immediately before the foul Sibbald’s right wrist gave way. There was a good muster of the boating fraternity present. Mr J. Knox acted as starter, and Mr J. Kilgour as umpire.