CHAMPION BOAT RACE.

Kumara Times, Issue 3073, 8 September 1886, Page 2

CHAMPION BOAT RACE.

MATTERSON V. PERKINS. [From the Sydney Evening News.] London, August 16. The great race between Matterson (the Australian sculler), and Perkins (the English champion), took place on the Thames to-day, over the championship course. The event caused great excitement, crowds lining the banks of the river throughout the entire course, and the various bridges under which the scullers passed in their trial of skill and strength were crowded. In the last match Mutterson rowed in a 37ft>. boat, while the craft then used by Perkins only weighed 30ft»s. It was to this handicap and the alteration that Matterson had made in his style of sculling that the stalwart Australian attributed his defeat. For the present contest he had had a splendid craft built, the full weight of which was barely 30Bjs. Both men had been under careful training, and when thoy stepped into their respective boats expressed themselves aa being in perfect condition, and they were each fully confident of victory. Perkins, who somewhat easily vanquished Matterson in the last contest, pledged himself not only to defeat the young Australian, but to display his powers in a yet more signal way than he did in the previous contest with Matterson. The Thames was alive with craft some time before the hour fixed for the beginning of the contest. Matterson won the toss, and selected the Surrey side, which gave him a slight advantage by reason of the bends in the river. The race began. Matterson put in six terrific strokes, and at the end of the first half minute he was half a length abend. Matterson continued to improve his position, and rowing a fine stroke he forged himself clear of the English champion, at the end of the first minute and a half. Perkins rowed a game race, but he was never able to reach the Australian, who bad his man settled from the start. Matterson continued to pull with a long, sweeping stroke and finally won by five lengths! The result was a great drop for* the Englishman. The betting before the race began was 2to 1 against Matterson. At the end of five minntes it was 50 to 1 on him. Matterson was loudly cheered at close of the race.