AQUATICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1819, 1 October 1886, Page 26

AQUATICS.

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. (Rbuter's Telegrams.) London, September 17. Considerable interest is exhibited in the contest to take place on Saturday between Beach and Wallace Ross. Beach is the favourite. The press speak in terms of admiration of the honesty and pluck he has exhibited since his •arrival in England. The Times expresses the opinion that his victory in the desperately fought contest against Guadaur was due to the energy of the pilot, who was also his trainer, and who encouraged him to make an effort on two occasions when he stopped from sheer exhaustion. Edward "Hanlan has issued a challenge to Beach. He offers to row the latter on the Tyne for £500 in October. Hanlan excuses his absence from the International Sweepstakes rowing matches on the ground of illness. It is stated that Beach is certain to decline the challenge. i'or the champion race between Beach and Wallace Koss, 100 to 30 is laid on the New South Welshman. Perkins has challenged to scull Matterson. 4 AN EASY WIN FOR BEACH. London, September 25. The sculling match for £1000 and the championship between William Beach and Wallace Boss was rowed on the Thames to-day. Beach led from start to finish, ultimately winning by five lengths. (Special to Press Association.) London, September 25. The weather was fine, but the tide was poor. There was a fair attendance. At the start 5 to 2 was laid on Beach, who chose the Surrey side. Ross had slightly the better of the start, pulling at the rate of 33 per minute, while Beach pulled 35. At the Star and Garter Beach had gained a length, and at Rosebank he was four lengths ahead and rowing easily. When passing the soapworks Ross made a fruitless spurt. In order to avoid the barges at. Hammersmith bridge, Beach steered for the centre of the river, but suddenly returned to the Surrey arch, passing the bridge half a length ahead of Ross. The former rapidly resumed his previous advantage, and when passing Barnes' was leading by ]0 lengths. He merely paddled for the rest of the course, and won by four lengths. Time, 23min ssec, Ross finishing 12sec later. September 27. Efforts are being made to arrange a match between Beach and Gaudaur next year; the rize to consist of a urse of £2000. Beach's victory over Gaudaur was received in Sydney with the utmost enthusiasm. The special cablegram to the Melbourne Telegraph states that the racing was characterised as phenomenal, and was really the grandest on record. Beach stopped twice, and at the second time appeared as if he was beaten. Heavy odds were offered on Gaudaur, who showed phenomenal pluck. The friends of the Australian received fresh courage by the result, and Gaudaur admits thai he has been beaten by a better man, and describes Beach as the best sculler in the world.