THE GREAT SCULLING MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD AND £400 A-SIDE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5083, 9 July 1877, Page 3

THE GREAT SCULLING MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD AND £4OO A-SIDE.

RUSH v. TRICKETT.

(From the Sydney Morning Herald, July 2.)

The long talked of contest' in wager boats for £4OO a side, and the Championship of the World, over the champion course, from Charity Point a little above Ryde, to The Brothers rook, just below Gladesville —a distance of about three aud a half miles—took place on Saturday afternoon, and resulted iu an easy victory for Edward Trickett over his opponent, Michael Rush. It was natural that Trickett should have the call iu the betting, as well from his English fame as from his use of the sliding seat, which is usually understood to give a considerable advantage. On the other hand, it was confidently asserted by the friends of Rush that, while a cross-handed puller, like Trickett, coidd adopt the.sliding seat with advantage, it would be a positive detriment to one who pulled open-handed, like Kush, especially as it was known that Rush, after repeated trials, had found that he could get on better with a fixed seat. The odds in favor of Trickett have varied, from 2 to 1, to 5 to 4, which has been the ruling quotation for some days, and at which a great deal of money has been laid; but towards the close of the evening before the race, and after the final deposit of the stakes had been paid, Trickett rose in favor, and bets were taken at 7 to 4, and this was about the state of the odds up to the time of the start. It ought in fairness to be stated that, however disappointed the friends of Rush may have felt at the result of the contest, there was but one feeling with regard to the pluck and determination he evinced all through. There was never a defeated competitor who struggled more gamely up to the last moment than did Michael Rush, and if he failed to secure the victory, at all events he did his very best to deserve it. There can be no doubt that Trickett owes his success in a very great measure to the liberality of Mr. James Punch in taking him to England, and to the exertions of Mr. Henry Kelly, who trained him there. The skill and experience he thus gained, added to his wonderful physique, and his coolness of nerve, have given him an amount of address as well as grace in the management of a boat that are not often found”combined with the strength and endurance that he possesses, and until some one comes forward with a larger share of these dualities, the chances are that Edward |f "rickett will remain the Champion Sculler of the World.

It is satisfactory to be able to state that the competitors had a clear course all the way, and were not hindered or annoyed by steamers crowding in upon them, as has too often been the ill-luck of pullers in races upon the Parramatta River. This happy state of things arose in a large degree from the admirable regulations laid down by the Marine Board for the maintenance of order, and from the energy of their officers, and the water-police under- Mr. SubInspector Penis, in enforcing the rul -s. There were upwards of forty steamers, including seagoing boats, as well as harbor vessels, advertised, for each of which a station was assigned, and the positions had to be maintained until after the race had passed. There were countless other vessels present, including launches, skiffs, gigs, dingies, and every other variety of craft, all well filled, many of them crowded. It is computed that the number of people who witnessed the race, either afloat or from the points of vantage on the shores, must have been at least 50,000. THE "RACE. At a quarter-past 3, Rush was seen to embark in a six-pair from tbe wharf below Drury's, and with bis boat was carried to the other side of the river, where he completed his preliminary arrangements, and then rowed to tbe start. Trickett got into his boat above Bowden’s wharf, and after pulling slowly down past the umpire’s steamer, gave a short spurt and turned. In appearance Rush had everythiutf in bis favor, every muscle developed, and seemingly confident of success. Trickett was also in good form, but apparently less powerful, and looking a trifle nervous. Their style of pulling also presented a marked difference, Bush’s stroke not being cleanly rowed out, while his opponent’s was as finished and regular as a machine. If ever a doubt existed m°our minds as to the superiority of a sliding 'seat over a fixed one, it was dispelled when we saw the ease with which Trickett sent his boat along on Saturday. After a short delay, occasioned by Trickett having to pull down to his cutter for something, the pair took np their positions ; Trickett next to the Ryde shore, Rush on the outside. Not more than a minute was lost in getting level, and simultaneously they caught the water at 3 hours II minutes 30 seconds. Bush went off at 42 strokes per minute ; Trickett at 39. For about fifty yards they were level, then Rush went ahead foot by foot, and passing Uhr’s point he was a clear length in front. Half a mile from the start he was directly ahead of Trickett, giving him his wash, and not pulling more than 40 a minute. The Champion seemed to quicken as they neared Blaxlaud’s point, until it came stroke for stroke, and the boats got into dangerous proximity. Rush, responding to his rival’s efforts, again left a clear gap between them, and the Clarence man shot the mile mark in 5 minutes 58 seconds, leading by a length and a half. They were now coming into the straight pull, down the long reach, and Trickett was seen to look round over his left shoulder as if to gauge his opponent’s position. He had as it were felt him in the previous spurt, and putting on a little more steam, drew rapidly alongside. There was an effort to keep the other boat ahead, but it was only for a moment, Trickett was not to be shaken off, and ere a mile and a half had been rowed the contest was virtually over, as Trickett was a clear length in front, rowing with' apparent ease, whilst Bush was already laboring greatly. Before the Hen-and-Chickens were reached the Australian was at least six lengths ahead, when suddenly he was seen to cease pulling, much to the consternation of his friends. The cause was, however, speedily apparent—he was merely waving an acknowledgment of the first hearty round of cheers he had received. As he passed One-man wharf he was simply paddling, and again stopped to wave his hands to friends ashore. This was repeated twice before he reached Bedlam Point, where at least 10,000 pairs of lung gave vent to a perfect tempest of cheers as the champion rowed leisurely by, with Bush some

five or six lengths astern pulling a game stern chase. In the last few hundred yards Trickett showed the best piece of rowing he did during the match, and, increasing his lead a length or two, finally shot by the flagboat at 4 hours 4 minutes 56 3-10 seconds. Rush, who was very much exhausted at the finish, and had to contend with broken water, came in 22 seconds later. The affair was so completely one sided for the last two miles that it can hardly be termed a rare. Time from start to finish, taken by a chronograph lent by Messrs. Allerding and Son, 23 minutes 26 3-10 seconds. The winner was piloted by Williams from a fourpair, and Green did a similar service for the loser from a six-pair. Two things have been satisfactorily demonstrated by the result of the race. In the first place, it has proved that the sliding-seat, if properly used, is an immense advantage over the old style ; and, secondly, that the English trainers impart to their pupils a finish worthy the imitation of colonial mentors. Henry Kelly deserves all that Trickett has acknowledged he owed to his tuition and training. Rush, a type of physical force and traditional notions, met a less powerful man, representing the scientific results of modern experience, and, as usually happens, strength waged an unequal contest with science. Trickett’s victory brings back the championship of Australia to Port Jackson, and it is to be hoped that the rowing men of Sydney will, in the future, prove equal to the task of retaining it against all comers. We need hardly say that Trickett deserves the honors he has acquired, or that he is for the hour one of the representative men of what some designate “ the native party.” His present rowing form is good enough to warrant the belief that he has no superior either in England or America. If there is, and possessing the laudable ambition which induced Messrs. Trickett aud Punch to visit England, be will have an opportunity of gaining the coveted honor of Champion of the World more cheaply than Trickett did. The English sporting papers will be spared the necessity of making further appeals for subscriptions to pay the expenses of sending Boyd or any other representative rower of equal prowess to endeavor to win back old England’s lost laurels. If what we are informed on Saturday evening is correct—and we believe it to be so —it is that a cablegram will go to London challenging Boyd or any other person now holding the championship of the mother country, to come out here and row Trickett over the Paramatta River course for the sum of £IOOO aside. Iu the event of this challenge being accepted, £3OO will be paid to defray the Englishman’s expenses. If an offer of this character does not result in a contest, no reasonable inducement will bring it about. The present is a good opportunity for suggesting that the Harbor and Rivers Department should have the champion course surveyed similarly to that of, the Thames, so as to fix the exact distances between the start at Charity Point and the prominent headlands or other guide marks down to the iron beacon on the Brothers Rocks. This could be accomplished for a mere trifle. We append a short sketch of the performances, &c., of the competitors : EDWARD TRICKETT, The first man who has ever taken away the championship of the Thames and that of the world from British waters, was born at Greenwich, on the Parramatta River, iu 1851, and stands 6ft. 3Ain. in height. When he rowed for the championship of Australia (won by Rush in 1874) his weight was 12st. In his Thames match he scaled 12st. Hlbs., and in the race on Saturday was about 12st. 71bs. His maiden effort as a public rower took place before he was fifteen years of age at the Anniversary Regatta in the race for youths under sixteen, when he was defeated. In the following year he won the prize for youths under eighteen, and then defeated McNeale, Bullivant, and two others in a handicap race in light skiffs.' He and his brother subsequently won a double-scull race for all comers under twenty-one. In 1870, when the Clarence first sent representatives to the Anniversary Regatta, the brothers Trickett were amongst the vanquished in a - double scull race, aud Edward Trickett was beaten singly by Coulan in a private match over the champion course. At Balmain Regatta the same year, Trickett and Williams won the double scull race, defeating Reynolds, Connor, and the other pairs. He did not enter at Anniversary Regatta, 1871, but, with his former mate, rowed against McCleer and Lyons, at Balmain, where the latter won. (McCleer had been defeated by Trickett in a private match two years before.) Trickett then disappeared from rowing contests for a couple of years, and followed his occupation as a quarrymau. In 1873 he came out again at Balmain regatta, and won a race in light skiffs from Lynch, Lyons, and Colebrook ; and on the same day was one of the second crew in a whaleboat race won by Barnett’s crew. He afterwards won two private matches against H. Pearse easily. The following year he defeated Laycook, Lynch, and, Mulhall in the outrigger match ; and was one of the winning crew iu whaleboats. At Anniversary Regatta, 1875, he was in the winning gig’s crew ; and in the match for the championship of the colonies, won by Rush, came in second, beating Newby, Hickey, Layoock, and Green. Trickett won the all-comers race in light skiffs the same day. On November 9 he met Laycock and Lynch at Balmain, where he again won the outrigger race, aud in conjunction with his brother carried off the prize for double sculls in light skiffs. Anniversary Regatta saw Trickett win the prize for all-comers in outriggers —the veteran Green being his only opponent. He also won the double sculls, with his brother, the same afternoon, the brothers Lynch coming in second. Trickett’s ability, as a promising rower, had, some time before, attracted the attention of Mr. James Punch, a well-known hotelkeeper of this city, and formerly a crack oarsman, who announced his intention of taking his brother native to London and challenge Sadler, the then holder of the championship. We need hardly say that the project was carried out, that they met on June 27, rowed from Putney to Mortlake, and that the Australian proved his right to the title Sadler had won from the representative of America. Prior to leaving London, Mr. Punch having offered again to back his protegd against any who disputed his title, some friends of Lumsden’s took up the challenge. The race fell through, Lumsden forfeiting, and unfortunately preventing Trickett taking part in the champion race at Philadelphia, On his return to Sydney he again won the all-comers match in outriggers at Anniversary Regatta this year, and on visiting the flagship was presented by Sir John Robertson with a cheque for £BOO, subscribed by the public in recognition of his English victory. Trickett’s next appearance before the public was as the proprietor of an hotel in Pitt-street, where he was hardly settled ere Rush called upon him to uphold his claim to the championship of the world, and, after some preliminaries, resulting in the present contest, a match was made for £2OO a side, to be rowed over the usual champion course, from Charity Point to The Brothers, in best and best boats on June 30. The Hon. R. Driver was chosen umpire and Mr. B. Palmer stakeholder, but the latter being unable to act, Mr. James Merriman, Mayor of Sydney, was chosen to fill his place. Trickett at once went into training on the river under the care of T. Williams, and has had a”steady row once a day for more than a month. He is a firm believer in the efficacy of the sliding-seat, and rowed on one iu a boat built by Donnelly, of Sydney. MICHAEL RUSH. The Clarence River champion, though he has not been quite so prominently before the metropolitan residents as his competitor, boasts of a satisfactory record in rowing circles. In 1860, when fifteen years of age, he arrived in the colony from his native place, the County Tyrone, Ireland, and first learned to handle n pair of sculls on the Clarence River. He is thirty-two years of age, stands nearly six feet in height, is compact and well proportioned in frame, has great reach, and rows about 12st. 121 b. The first essays, which led to subsequent success, were local matches, and when in 1868 he rowed and beat Coulon for the championship of the Clarence, he became ambitious to meet some of the metropolitan scullers. In company with Coulon he visited Sydney in January following, and the dark pair from the country astonished some of the

cognoscenti by their easy victory in the allcomers’ double sculls at Anniversary Regatta. After some negotiations they were induced to remain in the city for a short time to meet the brothers Trickett in a private match, in light skiffs, for £SO, over the champion course. This resulted in an easy victory for the Grafton men, as they were termed. Hush, though then by no means a finished puller, had a wonderful way of making his boat travel, and his friends thought him good enough to try conclusions with the then champion, W. Hickey, who staked £2OO to £l5O, and won after being led for a mile and a half ; Rush when then beaten was far from fit on account of illness. His friends knowing this, offered the same night to make another match in the same boats if Hickey would stake £3OO to £2OO. This the latter declined to do, but his brother Richard took up the challenge, and was defeated. Rush then turned his attention to outrigging rowing, and having been backed against W. Hickey in best and best boats, lost the match through lack of experience. Another match between the pair pulling in light skiffs saw Rush the victor, who then, after practising for awhile in wager boats, tried bis then greatest effort, against W. Hickey. The match took place on the Parramatta River in February, 1873, for £2OO a side and the championship. It was a good race for a short distance, but Rush quickly rowed his opponent down, and won with plenty to spare. It was then said that Hickey was not beaten on his merits, and the relative abilities of the pair remained an open question for some time. About the middle of 1871 it was proposed to hold a grand regatta on the Clarence, and Rush, who is a storekeeper in the district, offered to contribute £SO towards a prize of £2OO, for an outrigger race for the championship of Australia. This brought together more rowing talent than had previously taken part in any match in the colonies. Green, Trickett, and W. Hickey, from Sydney, met the local representatives—Rush, Laycock, and Newby—on a three and a half mile course. Rush went to the front soon after starting, and after stopping three times to wave his cap in response to cheers from the wharfs as he passed, won by over fifteen lengths in 19 minutes 42 seconds. Trickett second, leading Laycock by a length and a half, the latter about the same distance from Hickey. The only other match Rush rowed until the race on Saturday was at Grafton Regatta, 1875, when having injured the boat he intended pulling in, he rowed a leaky old craft, which half filled, and left Laycock the winner. In his matches with the Hickeys he was trained by Dick Green, who has also acted as his mentor for Saturday’s struggle, in which he rowed a boat built by Swaddle and Winship.