SCULLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1915, Page 7

SCULLING.

■WEBB DEFEATS HANNAN AN EASY WIN. By Telegraph.—'Press Association. Wanganui, Yesterday. The weather was unfavorable for the Webb-Hannan race, heavy showers continuing till an hour before the star, though the river was as smooth as a millpond. Webb was favorite, fair odds being laid. Both men reached the startting point at 12.15, looking lit. Hannan won the toss and chose the inside position on the left bank. The contestants got away on even terms, Hannan striking 44 in the first minute and Webb 40. The latter soon settled down to long, sweeping strokes. His clean work was in marked contrast to Hannan's. Neither man had any advantage for the first two minutes' rowing, when Webb drew away, increasing his lead to three lengths at the mile post, rowing 25 to Hannan's 27. Half a mile further on he was a good six lengths ahead, and rowing 24 to the minute the two mile peg was reached in Umin 20sec. Webb drew further away, rowing well within himself, Hannan being 15 seconds behind. From this out the race was a procession, Webb rowing comfortably and holding his opponent easily. He finished about fifteen lengths to the good in lOmin 15 4-ssec. Hannan rowed pluckily to the end, which he readied in l'Jmin 55sec.'

(Notes by "Moturoa.") Wanganui, Last Night. The race attracted very little attention. Heavy rain fell during the morning and the steamers following the race were poorly patronised. The rains brought down numerous snags, which rendered fast sculling a dangerous and uncertain pastime. The rain cleared off before the start, and there was no wind. Hannan, winning the toss, took advantage of a strong current, and chose the Kaiwhaike side. Without delay the scullers got away to a level start, and both kept level for a couple of minutes. Webb, rowing in better style than his opponent, quickly forged ahead. Hannan rowed a quicker stroke, but could not keep with his more experienced rival. Webb was three lengths in front at the end of a mile, and the further they went the greater was his lead. He slowed down over the last mile, and looking round every few-seconds kept clear of the ugly logs which floated in the fairway. Hannan ran through some willows in midstream near the finish, but he really never had a chance with Webb, who held the race in safe keeping after the first half mile.

SHARPE BEATS HADFIELD. Visitors turned up in force to witness the race between Hadfield (N.Z. amateur champion), and the local lad, A. Sha-rpe, who is shortly leaving for the front. Hadfield had bad luck to strike driftwood early in the race, and his boat was almost full of water. He struggled on gamely to the finish, but Sharpe led over the last half mile and won a good race by a couple of lengths.