A ROD IN A PICKLE

NZ Truth, Issue 1202, 13 December 1928, Page 17

A ROD IN A PICKLE

Jackson's Brilliance In Test Row On The Wanganui PEARCE'S WORTHY OPPONENT

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Rowing Correspondent). Olympic champion, sculler, H. R. Pearce, is going to have his work cut out to defeat "Gus" Jackson, the New Zealand champion, when the pair meet next Saturday week on the Parramatta.

THIS is the considered opinion of W. ; Webb, ex-champion of the world, who was m Wellington last week on his way to Sydney with Jackson. Webb was doubtful about being able to make the trip until the last minute, but finally made the necessary arrangements and went over m the capacity of manager. . "N.Z. Truth's" representative ascertained that prior to leaving Wariganui Jackson put up a splendid trial over a mile., Paced over the first part of the journey by Webb, the amateur champion covered the distance m excellent time on almost dead water. It does not do to rely too much on times m rowing on tidal waters, but it may be mentioned that Dick Arnst reckoned 5.30 on dead water the best he ever did. Jackson had just a little assistance from the tide and did 5.35, with a bit up his sleeve. Apart from the time point of view, the performance was a. very fine one, as. Jackson is credited with having shown splendid form. He made full use of his long reach and weight, rowing 26 to the minute right through with a final sprint up to 30.

He plied his sculls like a tradesman, his rowing- being hard and clean/while he steered a fine course. His pace over the mile came as a pleasant surprise even to his most ardent supporters, who look to him to row out the three miles all right. Brilliant as Pearce is, he will find Jackson a tough nut to crack over the long journey. When this pair line up, it will be a case of two good big men meeting. Pearce races at about 13.4, and Jackson 13.0. The former is proclaimed by his admirers as one of the best scullers ever seen, and they won't hear of his defeat. If Jackson finds the climatic conditions to his liking m Sydney, he will make Pearce row as he has never rowed before. The Australian has had much more experience than Jackson, but the New Zealander is a young sculler with great possibilities. He has made wonderful improvement m the short time he has been at the' game, and to-day is fit to row any man m the world. Unless Pearce is the super-sculler he is said by some to be, Jackson will gain the highest honors m amateur sculling jusr as Webb did on the Parramatta 21 years ago as a professional.