GREAT SCULLING MATCH FOR £400.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5251, 22 January 1878, Page 3

GREAT SCULLING MATCH FOR £4OO.

(From tiie Jiuropean Mail.) Shortly after one o’clock on November 3, Harry Kelly and Joe Sadler started to row a race over the old, and to them familiar, course from Putney to Mortlake, for a stake of £4OO. Four steamers accompanied the race, one being for each of the competitors, one for the umpire, and one for the Press. Neither of the boats, however, was particularly crowded, nor was the gathering on the tow-path near the London Rowing Club boat-house by any means equal to what had been anticipated in a meeting between two old stagers so universally known and so deservedly popular. Sadler, having won the toss, of course chose tha Middlesex shore, being accompanied by a cutter with James Taylor iu the how, Kelly being piloted by G. Drewitt. The betting at starting ruled even, but Sadler for choice ; and in some few instances slight odds were laid on him. Sadler appeared to be in fairly good condition, but, on the other hand, Kelly appeared decidedly too fat to last over a four-mile course. The umpire’s boat having goi nearly level with the two boats, the men started very evenly, and for some 50 yards, but not more, kept level. From this point, however, Sadler began to draw away, aud it soon became evident, even before the end of the Bishop’s Grounds was reached, that the race was all over, as at this early point in the match Sadler led by three lengths, a lead that was not materially decreased when Kelly was rowing a stroke of 38 to Sadler’s 36. On nearing Hammersmith Bridge some six lengths must have separated the two men, though at one moment there seemed some danger of Sadler being fouled by a number of small boats that were being towed about close to the Sussex shore, but they gradually cleared the course of their own accord with that dexterity peculiar to Loudon watermen. Hammersmith Bridge was passed by Sadler at Smiu. 54secs. from the time of starting, Kelly being llsecs. behind him, aud on getting into Chiswick Eyot this lead was still further increased, aud all interest in the race ceased. There was, however, a fair number of spectators on Hammersmith Bridge aud along the tow-path, the crowd being decidedly larger than on the occasion of the last champion race between Higgins and Boyd. Barnes Bridge was readied by Sadler iu 20rains. 6seos. from starting, and by Kelly in 20mius. 23secs.; and Sadler eventually passed the Ship at Mortlake an easy winner, the whole time being 24mins. 2secs., or 34secs. less than the time in his race with Trickett, the Australian. Sadler rowed easily at the finish. The weather during tha match was everything that could be desired, and the water was smooth. At the finish Kelly rowed up to Sadler’s boat, aud the veteran oarsman sh»ok hands amidst the cheers of the lookers-on. Mr. Ireland, L.R.0., officiated as umpire.