SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 471, 14 May 1890, Page 6

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

KEMP Y. MATTERSON. Once again has Kemp demonstrated his superiority over Matterson. The pair have now met six times, and with one exception Kemp has always proved successful. The points on the various parts of the river were crowded and the fleet of steamboats were also filled. On the way up the river offers of “3 to 1 Matterson ” were made, but not much business was done, as nearly all on board seemed to be in favour of Kemp. Arriving at JRyde, it was some time before the men put off. The tide was running a strong half-ebb and the wind was steady from the north-east. Matterson came out from his old quarters, Uhr’s Point, weighing lOst 131 b, and looking very well. He was seated in a new boat. Kemp got afloat at the same time from Jordan’s shed, weighing list £-lb, and nothing could be found fault- with in him. They book up their positions, Kemp on the southern side, Matterson midstream. The betting now was 4 and 5 to 1 against Matterson, offered in hundreds, buttherewereonlyafew bakers atsmall prices. Both men being old scullers there was no splashing, though Matterson pulled 39 and Kemp one better. They had not gone above 50yds before Kemp began to creep out, and half way down to Uhr’s Point had a good three-quarters of a length lead, and this he made one length at Uhr’s Point. Both men were pulling well, though for style Kemp was by far the prettiest. On the stretch over to the one mile Matterson put an extra pound on and came up a little, still rowing well. On nearing the mile beacon he began to tire and Kemp shot the mile post in smin 48sec, two lengths ahead, and in t-be next 50yds he was three lengths ahead. Matterson here collapsed, slowing down to 26 sti’okes per minute, while Kemp went on his way rejoicing at an easy swing and he passed Putney Point 15 lengths ahead, in 9min 17sec. AtCatarita Wharf the time stood at 15min. for Kemp, while Matterson came along 55sec. after. The timekeepers made this 75sec. at Gladesville, Kemp’s time being 16min. 15sec., and for One Man Wharf 18min. 4Qsec. He slowed down as he came up to the judge, whom he passed a couple of seconds before the flag went down, which made the time 2imin. I3Jsec. Matterson came along lmin. 6sec. afterwards. Both men drew up and shook hands. The race showed that Kemp is still able to take care of himself and possibly the championship a 3 well. When Kemp had passed the judge by several lengths he asked him to lower the flag, but the latter appeared to be in doubt and it was not until asked again by Kemp and Beach that the flag was lowered. Beach paddled over to Matterson and expressed sympathy with him over his defeat, though the ex-champion was glad his friend had won. Matterson remarked that he was fairly and honourably beaten by a better man.