THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8755, 4 March 1907, Page 2

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Retained by Towns

Press Association- —Copyright. Sydney, March 2. Towns won the match. Lateb. Not since Beach met Hanlan 20 years ago has a championship race been decided on the Nepean river. Like the historic struggle of 1887 the international character of the event added greatly to its interest, and like it, too, the result added to the laurels of Australian scullers. Beach won a groat race from Hanlan and Towns to-day demonstrated his right to' retain the championship of the world after a hard fought struggle. Notwithstanding that the weather was dull with occasional showers, large numbers journeyed in special trains from both the city and inland towns.

Towns won the toss and chose the .Penrith side of the river. Owing to rain the start was delayed till 4.30. From a good start Towns got going at a strong pace which quickly took him ahead of Durnan, the Canadian’s stroke appearing short. By the time the half mile was reached Towns had a length and a half advantage, and at the mile, reached in G minutes 19 .seconds, was leading by two'and a half lengths. The Australian, rowing easily with longer strokes,, appeared to greater advantage than Durnan. Towns had in-' 'creased the gap to four lengths at the mile and a half, when the Canadian began to close up a little, passing the two mile post three lengths at the roar of Towns, the time being 13 minutes 45 seconds. Their positions were maintained for another halfmile; then Durnan, w'orking in earnest, began to overtake the champion, and for the last half-mile there was a ding-dong go, great excitement prevailing., Durnan, however, found the task too. groat, tiring towards the last, and Towns passed the post with an advantage, variously estimated at from one to three lengths, in 22 minutes 27 seconds.

Towns, who started favourite, received an ovation, and Durnan was greatly cheered for his game struggle. The length of the course wns 3 miles and 320 yards. Sydney, March 3. No sculler could have fried harder than Durnan. He showed that he had made wonderful preparation, but ihe succumbed to a cleverer and faster sculler whom oarsmen who are competent judges declare is the best man in the world. All the crack oarsmen tipped Towns whom they saw the Canadian afloat, hut Durnan’s friends stuck to him in the belief that ho was going to effect a huge surprise. Ten thousand witnessed the race, though as a spectacle ifc foil far short of tho groat contests on the Parramatta course. There -were so few boats available that no difficulty was experienced in in keeping tho course clear. Durnan rowed faster strokes, but Towns? machinerliko strokes wore more efficacious.

It is officially announced that Towns won by four lengths. Towns says—“ Tho race was as hard as I want. It was a good race till within thrce-qaiu'tors of a mile from homo, then I was satisfied I could win.

Human looked quite pumped at the finish. Ho says it was a bard race for him, but a fair oho. " Ho declares that his racing days arc finished and ho will never row again. . . „ Sydney, MiuTT 3 - At one time, shortly after the start, Dm--, pan led Towns by half a length, bpt only for a hundred yards. Sydney, March 4. Human states that ho backed himself heavily. The trip'cost him iiIOOO.