SCULLING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8868, 19 July 1907, Page 3

SCULLING.

The World’s Championship. The Towns-Webb Match. The following interesting notes are clipped from “ Trident’s ” budget in the Sydney Mail of July 10th : W. Webb has been rowing well during tho week, and looks fit as can bo. Ho is down to list lib, but looks a big man for that weight. He rows very hard at times. His boat runs well, but there is too much use of his back at tho beginning instead of lifting on with the shoulders. We have seen men before with Webb’s stylo winning races ; but it is preferable to nip hold of tho water instead of swinging on to the catch. Webb states that he likes the course, although he feels sure it is worth a careful study, so as to know the set of the tide when going past the several points on the way down the river. There is a very good feature about the Now Zealander’s rowing, and that is his clever steering. Many a fast sculler loses several lengths through bad steering. Of course, all modem boats have nothing in tho way of a rudder, but the direction is controlled by the use of the oars—a little extra weight on one side or tho other. Tho metal fin on the aft part of the body of the boat keeps her frpm going crab fashion. To get his course the sculler has to take his bearing from marks astern of him. It never pays to look ahead.

Webb is quartered at Abbotsford with his co'mpanions, and ho should want for nothing. Ho has received his now boat from Towns, but be has not yet had a favourable opportunity of testing it. The boat, .which is one of the best turned out by the builder, is mimed “Ferro Stout,” being a gift from a firm of brewers in Webb’s homeland. Charlie Towns is now quartered at Mortlake with Fogwell as his companion, and a jolly pair they are. His training is rather an easy matter, -as he has rowed many races in the best of condition. The pace of the double-sculler, when rowed by Fogwell and the ex-champion, is all the champion needs, and n bit more; but it will materially assist him in the development of his sprinting powers. Towns will need to be with Webb all the way, for he is a dangerous man to give a lead to, and so far ns is known hero ho will be a trouble to any man, even though he may lead him. Towns is rowing well, and is sure to impro re on his present form and pace. As he fully recognises the obligations he is unaer as the defender he will persevere through the drudgery of preparation. If Towns wins the forthcoming race he will be accepted as a champion, but owing to the circumstances —peculiar, although perfectly fair and strictly legal —under which he obtained the title, he must not expect a full recognition of his position until he has scored a win against one or more of his rivals.

The best thing that could have happened to professional sculling is the advent of the New Zealand sculler. It would not kill, nor even depreciate, the sport if be were to win. Of course. Australians hope he won’t win. But he has the best chance of any man since O’Connor, in 1890, who, however, did not got a race with the then champion, Peter Kemp.

By last mail Mr W. E. Tuck received a letter from the New Zealand champion, who reports himself as feeling in first-class fettle. The chief item of interest outside of this is that Webb had a row over the course with five other scullers, Charlie Towns and himself . finishing in front together, the others dropping back after going a couple of miles.

The Sydney Referee . says : —Webb is looking well and fit, and expresses himself as well satisfied with a}l conditions except the westerly wind —a bugbear to all scullers and oarsmen on the Parramatta. He has taken over his new boat from George TowflSj and likes it. The christening ceremony took place last Friday afternoon. Webb gets undeniable pace out of his boat, the most noticeable thing being a slight overreach. But this is a theory he works on, and it remains to be seen whether it is better than the method we are more accustomed to. As he has been suffering from a bad heel, his true form has hardly been seen jet; at the same time, he is moving a large lot of water with every stroke, and that, after all, is the chief object.