SCULLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 282, 23 November 1908, Page 2

SCULLING.

AUSTRALIAN C'UAMPIOX.SMP. THOROI't 111(1001) v. WHELCH. THE NEW ZEALAXDER DEFEATED. • AX IXTERESTIXG STRUGGLE. Received 22, 4.25 p.m. .Sydney, Sunday. Thoroughgood succeeded in retaining the title of champion of Australia by easily defeating Wheleli, of New Zealand, although the New Zenlander made a plucky effort. The race was rowed on llie Raymond Terrace course, Hunter River. Heavy rain delayed the start and also interfered with the attendance. Several steamers followed the race, but the gate was .lot a heavy one.

Whelch won the toss. Thoroughgood got the best of tile start, and quickly established a lead of half a length, which lie increased to two lengths before the quarter-mile was reached. Prior to thin point the Australian crossed into Whelcli's water, rowing ahead aud giving him his wash. The pace was slow, Thoroughgood (lipping 28 to Wlielch'ri .'l2 strokes. Xearing Hie mile, which occupied about six minutes, Whelch spurted and drew almost level. Thoroughgood, responding, went away again, leading by two lengths at the mile and a-half, the time being Bmin 50sec. Again the New /.ealunder spurted, and cut the lead down to a length. It was apparent, however, that Thoroughgood, who was still in the Xew Zealander's water, both being close inshore, hail iiis measure at this point, aud again at the two miles and a-lmlf, where Wlieleh by a fine effort pulled almost level. Thoroughgood easily rowed ahead ngaiii. The New Zealander kept plugging away, and in the last half-mile made some fine spurts, but the Australian had too much in hand, and, spurting a liumlml yards from the linisli, won by three lengths id 20min IlSsec. It was the -slowest championship race for years. It was rowed on dead water. Thoroughgood stated that if he had been pushed he could have improved the time a good deal. Al the same time, Whelch was the best man he had yet met. The New Zealauder received an ovation for his plucky exhibition.

Reports from up-river, says the Wanganui Herald, show that Arnst continues to do good work. He is out on the river twice each day with Fog well, usually rowing about an average of 24 for the course, starting at from 33 to 3d. He is rowing freely, and puts great vigor into his work. His party profess to be very confident, and look' forward to another [leacli-Hanlan race. They reckon weight will tell. So far as Webb is concerned, his friends will be pleased to know that his hand is now all right again, and lie has done a deal ol rowing during the last week or so. On Thursday morning he left to go into camp at Kaiwhaike, and will settle down to hard training on the championship course.