THE SCULLING MATCH BETWEEN RUSH-AND LAYCOCK.

Kumara Times, Issue 806, 1 May 1879, Page 4

THE SCULLING MATCH BETWEEN RUSH-AND LAYCOCK.

The following is the Argus report of the match between Rush and Laycock, which was rowed at Sydney on April 12 :—" The sculling match between Elias Laycock, of Sydney, and Michael Rush, of the Clarence River, took place over the championship course on the Parramatta River to-day. The stake at issue was LIOO aside, and a wager of LIOO also depended upon the result. Both men are well known to fame in the aquatic world, Rush once having gained the championship by defeating William Hickey. Subsequently, he met Trickett, Laycock, and others onthe Clarence River, and once more victory crowned his efforts. When Trickeit returned from England after defeating Saddler, Rush maintained that he was still champion, though Laycock had beaten him in a second match on. the Clarence River. Trickett readily accepted a challenge, and the pair met on the Parramatta River, when Trickett achieved a very easy victory. At the last Sydney anniversary regatta, Trickett, being out of form, was easily defeated by Laycock, and Rush, being present, challenged the victor to another trial of skill, and the match under notice:was the result. When Rush made his appearance on the Paramatta, the best judges found fault with.his rowing for though he had pretty well mastered the sliding seat, he was still inferior to Trickett and Laycock, and as a consequence his opponent was a alight favorite, though Laycock'a backeas did not seem to regard their man with confidence, some of them alleging that he had not put in an apperance to row a trial which had been arranged. In justice to Laycock, however, we may mention that •he states that his nonappearance was owing to a misunderstanding?, i The time for the contest was set down for a quarter past 4, and long before that hour the Parramatta was crowded with boats of almost every description. Having a seat in the umpire's (MrR. Driver's boat, I arrived early at the starting poitn, and although it was only half-past 3, Laycock was shortly afterwards Bent preparing for the fray, and carrying his boat to the river, he being on the southern shore, while Rush was oyer at Ryde taking it leisurely on the banks.' A short time before the appointed hour Laycock entered his craft-ta Swaddle and Winship—and after rowing about for a while, he informed the umpire that as it was beyond the starting hour he would claim a row over if Rush did not come to scratch. Mr Driver requested him to wait a few minutes, but quite ten minutes elapsed before Rush was seen embarkihg in his boat, also built by Swaddle and Winship, and a splendid specimen. Both men were applauded and as they rowed up Jtowards the umpire's boat their condition was eagerly scanned, Rush weighing about 33it, and Laycock a few pounds lighter. When Rush, who won the toss, and choose the southern side, rowed to his place, he took off his cap and threw it in the water, but the gauntlet was quickly taken up, as Laycock rescued it and placed it in his boat. The weather was very fine, the tide being on the ebb, but a steady breeze from the southward rose a slight ripple, and the wind being dead ahead, a rather slow race was anticipated. After a little finessing they started by mutual consent, Rush catching water first, and gaining an advantage of nearly half a length, which he maintained for a hundred yards, when Laycock, who was rowing in beautiful form, decreased the lead, and they were rowing almost level, Rush rowing at the rate. of 35, and Laycock at about 37 strokes to the minute. Before reaching Uhis's Point, Rush who was using the slide much more artistically than it was imagined he would, began to draw away, and though not rowing quite so clean as his apponent, there was wonderful power in every strokß. After passing Uhis's Point, Rush increased his lead, and crossing over he took Laycock's water and gave him the full benefit ot his wash. Quickening up, Laycock placed the bow of his boat over the stern of Rush's and for a moment a foul appeared imminent, but by a few pi werful strokes Rush drew clear again, and as they dashed paat the beacon in 7min 25sec Rush held an advantage of a length and a half, which he shortly afterwards increased to s couple of lengths, and as he passed Putney Point he was rowing at the rate of 36 to the minute, in very good form too, though not quite so neat as Laycock, who was sculling beautifully 36 Btrokes to the minute. As they began to' draw near to Gladeaville Point, Laycock revived the hopes of his friends by decreasing the gap, but Rush responded, and as they passed the Gladesville wharf he was again two lengths to the good. Yet he was not,rowing in such good style as he was during the early portion of the race, his right hand getting very low, while ,the jcull went far to deep into the water.- Nevertheless Laycock had not decreased the lead at Five Dock, where thousands [of people had assembled. After passing. this point, however, and when 100 to 6 was offered on Rush, Laycock began to draw closer, and about 250 yards from Ihe goal he quickened up to 38 and rowing in grand form he quickly over-lapped Rush, amidst excitement of the most intense descriptipn. He drew np to Rush's outrigger, and the Clarence Riyer hero, not having a spurt left in him, collapsed a few lengths from the finish, and was beaten by a little more then a length. The' official time was 24min 34jsec: Laycock immediately picked up Rush's cap and waved it in the air, as a response to the enthusiastic cheers of his friends. This ended the best sculling race ever witnessed on the Parramatta. The course was kept well, and neither man received, the slightest inconvenience from the steamers.