The Sculling Championship.

Manawatu Herald, 17 May 1892, Page 2

The Sculling Championship.

The weather for the race was superb, while the watermill was like a pond. There was the largest attendance afloat and ashore seen for many a day. The steamers Pheasant and Admiral were authorised to follow the race. Mr Garvan, M.P., the umpire, chose to follow on the Government launch, and invited a large party.

At 4 19 p.m., Stanbury, afloat at the Ryde shed, sculled past the Bteamer. His condition was superb, he being as brown as a gypsy. He wore a red and white striped shirt. Sullivan, at Uhr's Point, attired in a blue and white shirt, looked fair, but fine drawn when alongside his swarthy opponent.

The race started at Uhr's Point at 4.28 p.m. They, took. the water together They had drifted down over 100 yards below the point, thus further shortening the journey. Stanbury rowed 39 and Sullivan 42. The pace was terrific. Stanbury gained a quarter of a length in the first few strokes, rowing clean and well. Sullivan was burying his boat in his eagerness to get the pace on. Still he never let Stanbury away, but seemed to hold him. When passing the old mile beacon Stanbury was half a length to the good, and looking round. Sullivan's drawn face, too, was attracting all attention.

The betting, which was previous to the start 7 to 4 on Stanbury here went to 10 to 2 on the champion. At Putney Point Sullivan spurted and came up to the leader, but only on sufferance From there the Maori died away, Stanbury holding a lead of a length and a half across the Reach. It was now merely a solemn procession. Sullivan, though getting the champion's wash, was still vowing pluckily, but hopelessly. Stanbury continually watched his opponent, who looked weary. The champion paused (fetoritu

two long lengths ahead, and the race was over. At Gladesville an enormous crowd was wild with excitement. Pigeons were sent away ! to Shoalhaven and Illawarra. The cheers inspired Sullivan to put on a spurt, but the champions response opened a three lengths' gap easily. From there Stanbury dwelt en his strokes, witb an evident amiable desire not to beat Sullivan too far. Even then Sullivan could not gain an inch. At the One Man Wharf, there being a crowd, one boat got in the road and gave Sullivan a cruel wash. But it made no difference. Stanbury passed the judge three lengths ahead. Time, 17min 26>iec.- Press Association.