THE GBEAT BOWING MATCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 100, 28 April 1879, Page 4

THE GBEAT BOWING MATCH.

LAYCGCK V. RUSH.

[Sydney Evening News, 14th April.] The choice for position having been Won by Bush, he selected the ontside, or southern water. Laycoek, therefore, had the "inside one, "close to the hathing house-. Aa the tide ma> running out strong, and the wia* blowing nearly dead on each up tbe jtwt, there cannot be"_ui4l& toft fte& gny al&antage in their pflwtiaiif, WjHhw* .m«ch delaj

the men came to a determination, and both broke away to a splendid start at eight minutes to 5 o'clock. The rapid flashing ofthe sculls indicated that the men were at work in thorough earnest. Laycoek was plying his customary finished stroke at almost 40 to the minute. Bush's stroke was more sweeping, and the contrast of Rush's particularly long sliding was at once apparent; he rowed at about 38 to the minute. Atthe end of about 200 yards Rush quickened a trifle, and drew a length in front, bufc Laycoek responded, and they were once more level. Coming abreast of Uhr's Point, Rush made a determined effort, and amidst the most jubilant demonstrations of applause, left the point with half a length to bis credit. Foot by foot be drew out, with a bare length lead as they crossed tbe tide way for the mile point, on the north side of tbe river. When nearly over Rush crossed and took bis opponent's water, and went along splendidly at a strong, measured swing, Rush rowing in better form tban we had seen him in practice. Laycoek spurted, but Rush answered the challenge, gamely maintaining his lead, and as they passed inside the beacon at the mile point was leading by a length and a half. The first mile was rowed in Gmin. 20sec , and the hope ofthe Rush backers fluttered higb in tbe ascendant at tbe aspect of affairs . Offers of 2to 1 failed to find takers, and the odds on Rush continued fco increase over every furlong of the course. The scullers kept down the north side of the river, Rush keeping immediately in front of hk man, and tbe rate of strokes to the minute became somewhat slower— Rush at 34, while Laycook was more rapid at 36 to the minute. Steadily the gap between the boats widened till at one and a half miles from the start, there was a length clear between the stern of one boat and the stem of the other. We, in the Presa boat, could nofc help noticing tbat the features of Rush bore the firsfc signals ol distress, but be held gamely to his hard-earned advantage ; Putney Point witnessed no change and the magnificent contest continued wifch two lengths between them. On they wenfc paßt Breakfast Point in B_\ minutes. The confidence of the Rush party became stronger and stronger, and as the contest continued so the odds in the betting increased till they attained thp absurd price of 10 to I, and even 20 to 1 is said to have been given. Going down to Gladesville tbere was a rather stronger wind, but no change whatever took plaoe, the rowing of both being remarkably steady. The excited crowd on the point sent forth a cheer apparently intended for Rush, who bere, tbree miles from the start* kept his two lengths' advantage* Laycoek spurted, bufc the spurfc had little effect, and the most game struggle continued on past the S.S. Club premises, where about two and a half lengths separated them Rush's rowing was visibly weakening, and the distress wbicb, as we have said, was apparent afc a mile and a balf, was now more manifest. His rowing became feeble, and his right arm must have been disabled, for at the end of every stroke his scull tripped up the spray. Laycoek was weak in the right arm and unable to recover. Both men were now well pumped, but Laycoek getting a glance of his rival plucked up for fche final struggle, which commenced as they shot One Man "Wharf, and there commenced one of the most exciting and extraordinary struggles* Laycoek gathered himself together, quickened his stroke to five to his rival's four, and foot by foot crept np, urged on by the most frantic cheering, and when 100 yards from the finisb he displayed one of the finest spurts ever seen in the end of a hard race, lifted his boat up level with bis almost victorious, rival, and passed- fche goal a bare half-length a-head. Time 22min 28eeo, by chronograph — very

, taking into account that the men had a foul wind from beginning to end.