AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1671, 28 June 1879, Page 3

AQUATICS.

SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE INTER PROVINCIAL EIGHT-OARED RACE.

The following account of the Sydney and Melbourne Interprovincial Eight-oared Race is from “ The Leader” : The tide was almost full at the appointed hour for starting, but neither crew seemed to care to show on the water until the steamers had settled into their proper places. It was not therefore until half-past four that the race was started. The Victorians in their dark blue shirts showed out first from the Ryde shore, and as they paddled past the steamers they were received with an ovation of cheers. Their physique and condition was the theme of praise amongst the spectators. They were soon followed by their light-blue rivals, who wore caps and sashes of that color. The Sydney crew embarked from the shore opposite the Ryde Wharf. They also were heartily cheered as they paddled out; the crew were apparently in excellent condition. Mr Young, the captain of the Victorian boat, having won the choice of sides, selected the southern shore as being the smoothest. The eights were then backed to the moored boats, and after one break away on the part of the Victorian crew, owing to a misunderstanding, the race was started as a squall of wind and rain came down. Both crews caught the water together, but the Victorians at once led, rowing forty to their opponents’ fortythree strokes per minute. lu the next 100 yards daylight was between the stern of the leading boat and the other, and it looked for all the world like a runaway race, for the Victorians had settled down from forty a minute, then thirty-nine and thirty-seven, and even at the latter stroke the Sydney crew were tailing off. After half a mile was covered, the rough water from a bay was met with, and the Victorians at once got into difficulties, although up to that point they seemingly were rowing comfortably, with a strong swing and a long reaching stroke. From here to Blaxland’s point the Sydney crew began to make an impression, the crew getting through the rough water as “though to the manner born.” They began now quickly to decrease the gap, and the Victorians had to row their utmost to keep their position, and as the two crews passed the Mile Point the Victorians were a bare half length in front. The Sydney crew gradually came up to and went by the Victorian crew exactly two miles from the start. The water was now worse, and the boat of the Victorians was almost buried in waves rolling broadside on it. As the Hen and Chickens were passed squalls of wind and rain came down, which put all chance of the Victorians winning out of the question ; and except at One Mile wharf, past the boatshed of the Sydney Rowing Club, where smooth water was again reached, the Victorians were in difficulties until they reached the winning post, which was passed by the Sydney crew live or six lengths ahead of the Victorians in 20min. 4sec. Cheers were exchanged between the crews, and both were heartily applauded by the spectators. The crews were then taken on board the Government steamer Achilles, after housing their boats. The following are the names and weights of both crews. The weights given are as they stopped into their boats on Saturday :

The Sydney crew rowed in a new Clasper boat, and the Victorians in a Salter boat that won the last intercolonial race at Melbourne last year, besides seeing other service.

N. S, WALES. St lb. bow 10 0 C. C. Medcalf ..." 2 10 8 J. M'Kausey 3 11 7 W. G. Anslow 4 - 11 7 J, Arthur 5 11 9 T. F. Strange 6 12 7 A. Finlayson 7 12 10 D. Lord ... str. 11 G T. Kenkina cox. (> 0 VICTORIA. V. Pearson bow 11 11 J. L, Irvine 2 10 10 J, G. M'Kie ... 3 11 11 A. Loughnan ... 4 11 4 h W. H. Tuckett 5 12 2" W. Kemp 6 12 4 T. H. Young 7 12 2 J. Booth str. 11 i F. Edwards cox. 6 i