SCULLING MATCH. STEPHENSON V. J. KEMP. VICTORY FOR A YOUNG AUCKLANDER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 402, 14 September 1889, Page 5

SCULLING MATCH. STEPHENSON Y. J. KEMP. VICTORY FOR A YOUNG AUCKLANDER.

The afternoon of last Friday week witnessed the race between Sbephenson and Joseph Kemp for £100 a-side. A Sydney paper gives the following account of the contest : — Sbephenson comes from New Zealand, and brought with him a fair reputation. Ec has been over here for some time trying for a race. Joe Kemp is a brother of the ex-champion, Peter Kemp, and has been trained by Stansbury. Of form and style, Kemp showed the best, though he lacked pace. He pulls well together, though he rather jerks his strokes, and ho uses plenty of back, power. His rowing was clean, but very short and flurried, bub when he is drilled into a long steady stroke he jOught to be a good man. StephetiBon, though he won, does nob seem bo possess any of the attributes that make a good man. His style is very uneven and lopsided, though he has a fair amount of pace. The steamer Courier followed the race, and was well patronised. 'On the way up the river offers of " an even tenner Kemp goes down " showed that the New Zealander was favourite. The tide was a dying ebb, and the wind being somewhat behind the men the time consequently should be fast. Kemp was the first afloat, coming out from Jordan's shed at Ryde Wharf, while Stephenson got adrift from Rodd's Wharf under the bridge. When they took up their positions Sbephenson was on the southern shore, Kemp being midstream ; the latter had gone back in the betting to 6 to 4 against. There was considerable way on the boats when they started. Kemp, being rery anxious gob away the besb by nearly half a stroke, and he rabbled out over 40 sbrokes, going away ab a paco seldom seen in a race over 3J miles. - Stephenson seemed a bit astonished at the pace, bubopened out and went, after Kemp, who made a great mistake in going off at such a rate. That he was in excellent condition his subsequent pulling down the river showed. After leaving the start 200 yards behind Sbepheuson got up level, and a great race took place, both men pulling all they knew.^ Nearing Uhr's Point, Stephenson went into the lead and he made it a good lengthas they passed the point. Themennow went well out into midstream, getting the benefit of bhe tide and wind. Sfcophenson's pulling was very uneven, while Kemps was much more uniform, though his strokes were getting light, a sure flign he was tiring. The mile beacon wa« reached in smin. 43sec. Some .idea of the pace is given by comparing the mile with Searle's races ;— Searle v. Wulf, mile, smin. 55see. ; Searle v. Stansbury, smin. 43sec. ; Searle v. Nelson, 6rnin. The two latter were rowed on a similar tide to that of yesterday. After leaving the mile beacon Kemp fell back to three lengths astern, Stephenson pulling 33 to the minute. Putney was passed in 9min. 4sec, and Kemp then tried again and brought Stephenson backalength, buttheeflbrtwas too much and he let Stephenson alone for the remainder of the journey. At Cabarita Stephenson was rowing 32 and Kemp one better. The watch showed 15min 47sec at Glades ville Wharf. Kemp was now completely rowed out, and Sbephenson appeared little better. When the flag wenbdown Stephenson was ahead four lengths, the time being 20min 24Jsec. This time compares very favourably with the test; races held on the river. The Searle v. Wuif race, 21min 23£ sec ; Searle v. Stansbury, 19min 52|sec ; Searle v. Nelson, 21min 34£ se c; and Stansbury v. Wulf, 20min 50aec.