SCULLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 172, 7 December 1912, Page 7

SCULLING.

DURNAX BADLY BEATEN IX THE BOAT RACE. Next, perhaps, to the Derby, there is nothing that attracts the good old British public, more than a boat race (says an English writer), and. it would have done Drake's heart good had he seen the crowds that lined the riverside from Putney to Mortlake to see .the championship race. There was not, quite such a sentimental interest over Barry's meeting with Durnaii, perhaps, as when 'Varsity Blues take the waters of their classic course, but with the glamor of a world's championship, a £2OO trophy, and side stakes of £SOO attached to the race, it furnished one; of the most important aquatic' sporting • events of the year.

■ It will not be forgotten that Barry, beaten by,.Dick- Ar'nst. on. the Zambesi -waters two years ago, turned tiie tables on the New Zealander last July, Amst having been persuaded to come to the Thames for his beating. . As world's sculling champion Barry has since received plenty of challenges, having already won the Sportsman Cup three times, he accepted Du'rnan, who is a nephew of Ned Hanlpri,' once the world's champion, as his next rival. By defeating Durnan he made th& cup his own property, and ,as is 40 years old to Barry's'3o; it is not surprising that the river experts' view of the colonial's chance was reflected by the odds of 4to 1 against him. Barry himself had had only three weeks' training, but he looked very fit when the two men weer "moored, to the starting boats. Previous, to;this Gobbett and Cordery, two younger\aspirauts to sculling fame, had started on a little contest of their own, and the'-'former. who is a Greenwich .expert, won easily.

ON THE WINNING PATH. As for the big race, which started twenty minutes late, it could only be called so out of compliment to a plucky challenger whose ability was not equal to his spirit. After the mile, covered in 4min 57V a sec., Barry went across to the Surrey side. There was plenty of daylight between the boats. Along the Doves it was a tame procession. Barry was paddling along comfortably, and the Canadian, with mechanical, lifeless Sort of strokes, kept going like a man who has abandoned all hope. He had gone too far down the river of years to beat a man so much younger. He felt the handicap of age, and steered so badly that lie had to be frequently recalled to the right path by his trainer. Still, he kept going to the bitter end. Barry, to a running accompaniment of cheers from his riverside 'admirers, had the race well won, and this being so, like a true champion and a sportsman, he showed a generous courtesy to the older man by slackening his efforts. Slowly the gap lessened between the boats, Barnes Bridge had been passed in ISmin 43sec, with Barry eight lengths ahead, but as the winning post came in sight the Englishman's sculls merely kissed the water. His boat almost floated home with the force of the tide, and at the finish he was barely two lengths ahead. Durnan, fairly rowed out, held his head on his hands and laved some cool water on his heated brow, but he seemed touched by the generosity of the man who had beaten him, and it was a hearty shake of the hand that the pair exchanged, amid the shrill notes from the whistles of all the steam craft of the river.

The official time for the race was 22 min 31sec. Barry rowed in the same boat in which he beat Arnst. It was a gift from a rich Hungarian sportsman,