Sculling Championship.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43211, 6 August 1907, Page 3

Sculling Championship.

WEBB DEFEATS TOWNS,

(By Telegraph—Press Association

SYDNEY, YesterdayThe match for the championship of the world between Charlie Towns, of Sydney, and Webb, a New Zealander, was rowed on the Paramatta on Saturday afternoon.

The weather was dull, and there was a strong wind behind the competitors.

There was a good start, Towns going away at 38 strokes and Webb 37 to the minute. Towns soon had a length lead, but before a mile was reached this was reduced by half. Both were rowing well, A little later the men were almost level, and before Putney was passed Webb was a length in front. Towns responded, and both bcullers edged somewhat into the Gascoigne Bay, which was in Towns’ side of the river. Towns quickened his stroke,- and altered his course to clear Putney Point. Webb tried hard to get clear, but Towns, came quickly, and hit the stern of Webb’s boat wi'h his left scull. Towns held up his hand as a protest, and then went after Webb. Towns continued to spurt, but Webb readily responded, and passed the two milepost in tlmins. 52secs. Webb was now able to hold Towns without apparent effort. Towards the end Towns maintained a fine spurt, which somewhat lessened the gap from Webb, but the latter too

rowed hard as the judge’s boat was neared, and won by five lengths in the fine time of 20mins. 46secs. The protest lodged by Towns was dismissed, DELIGHT IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, This DayThe news of Webb’s victory over Towns in the sculling championship, was received here with great deligh:. The race created more genuine excite ment than anything else for some weeks past. Later. The stakes were paid over to Webb to-night. Mr Coombes, in handing the money over, said the race was contested in the best possible spirit, that no unworthy motive had prompted Webb when the mishap occurred. Webb, amateur of yesterday, was the world’s champion to-day. He had achieved his object in two races. Mr Rush, referee, said he was. satisfied that both men acted honorably. Webb might have deviated a : little out of his course, hut he was quite sure it was done unintentionally.

Mr J. M. Field, the English backer of Towns brothers, said all knew Mr Rush was an honorable man, but he believed a mistake had been made, therefore he would give Webb £IOO out of his own pocket and £250 expenses if he would give Towns another race in a month's time. Mr Tuck, Webb’s backer, considered Mr Field's remarks an insult to Mr Rush. (Applause). If you have got a man send him to Wanganui. Webb thanked all for the kind treatment accorded him, and regretted there had been any argument about the decision. In regard to Mr Field's offer, he had come over to win the championship, and having done so thought he should be allowed to take it back to New Zealand. (Applause). If he was challenged, Towns would not be kept waiting, provided Towns challenged first. j On Towns responding, he said he would like to explain his position ; not that he reckoned he was defeated on his merits. He did not say Webb took his water intentionally, but from the moment he claimed a foul he did not persevere further, as he regarded the. race as his own on the foul. He contended that Mr Rush in saying foul, made no difference. He had no right to speculate on the ultimate result. He felt the matter keenly, but now that Webb held the championship he wished him all sorts of luck.