SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 476, 31 May 1890, Page 4

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Sydney papers to han't by the f.s. Waihora contain full particulars of the match between Peter Kemp and John McLean for tho sculling’championship of the world. AS wc were informed by cable, Kemp won, the race for the first mile -being, the hardest ever rowed on the Parramatta. Tho betting at tbe start was faster than has boon seen for some years, and the amount of money that changed hands was very large. The public went for McLean, and the books who fielded for the champion laid McLean at 7 to 4 almost as last »3 they could write.

McLean won the choico of positions and took up his station on the southern side. The principal advantage of this was that it gave him the slack water as far as Uhrs Point, but after that it made little or no difference. As they drew up level for the start, both men looked in the pink of condition. Kemp rowed in his new Donelly boat, and McLean in the Ivy, which he won from Matterson. The champion rowed at list 21b, and McLean at list 101 b. The betting was now brisk, 2 to 1 being freely offered against McLean. For a minute or so the contestants wore almost motionless at the starting point, and then suddenly, amid excited shouts of “ they're off,” dashed away at 41 to the minute. The excitement ran high, and as tho men appeared to bo keeping level, it grow in intensity. The steamer was some distance astern, and for nearly a minute neither man appeared to be gaining any advantage. Some thought thatMcLoan was holding the dashing Peter, and the cry was raised, “McLean wins.” This, however, was of short duration, as Kemp began to go ahead before reaching (jhr’s Point, and passed there in 1 minute 45 seconds, leading by a quarter of a length. On the stretch across to Blaxland’s the difference gradually increased, Kemp rowing at 30 to the minute in beautiful style, while McLean’s rowing became jerky, ft was evident that he was pushed and was rowing all ho knew bow. On nearing the mile point he spurted, but was unable to materially decrease the distance between the" boats. The mile was covered in. 6 minutes 16 seconds, Kemp leading by two lengths and a quarter. At this point Kemp was going 29 to the minute, and McLean 30. Considering that the men had the lull force of the bide against them, the race for the mile was one of the best ever seen. After this the betting was any odds on the champion, who was rowing a long, sweeping stroke, with plenty left in him, whereas McLean was rowing short strokes and was evidently beginning to be in difficulties. He stuck gamely to his work, how r ever, but showed want of judgment in rowing down mid-stream where the current was strongest, while Kemp kept well inshore. When close to Putney McLean again put on a spurt, bub it was ineffectual, and when Kemp shot past Putney in 9 minutes 43 seconds, he led him by over three lengths. He sti.l continued to go away, and McLean, who was labouring at his work, was fully four lengths astern at tho Gasworks. Cabarita was reached i.i 15 minutes 26 seconds, McLean being 18 seconds later. A great gathering of people at Gladesville cheered loudly as Kemp pissed there in 16 minutes 40 seconds, with the race well in hand. At One Man Wharf there was another large crowd, and Kemp was enthusiastically cheered as he approached with a lead of seven or eight lengths. The time at that point was 19 minutes 14 seconds for Kemp, with McLean 21 seconds later, and Kemp shot past the post in 21 minutes 462 seconds, leading by about six lengths. After the race the men shook hands, and as they did so were loudly cheered. Kemp states that the race was, he supposed, the hardest he has rowed. He expected chat McLean woukl keep level with him for tho first 400 sards and then he would leave him, and he did. He was better boated than he had over been before, and was in first-rate condition.