AQUATICS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 143, 7 May 1879, Page 3

AQUATICS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

The groat sen]ling' match hctvroon Michael I’nsh. a native of Ireland, now hailing from the Clarence Fiver, ami Kiias haycock, a native of the Clarence, canio off mi 11. e 1 ;Mh n!h, ami resulted, alt' r ihe mo-t excising ami best contested race .hat has ever taken place on

xrrei.x.ua , iliver, in favour of Haycock. 1 call it | a great race because haycock has already i boated Trickctt and the Engush sculler ! Messenger, and for the ether reason : that ii precedes a challenge from the victor for the championship of the world gained by Trickett in his first match on the Thames with Sadler. The match was for LIOO a side, Hush, who is a man of good repute, putting in, as he always does, his own money. They had once previously met in a race ; this was at Grafton, when Push won the great match, defeating Tricked t, Hickey, haycock, and others. Subsequently Trickctt went to England, under the guardianship of James Punch, an old Colonial champion, and beat Sadler, bringing away the Thames bolt. At the last anniversary, early in the year, Laycock defeated Trickctt, the latter, however, being much out of condition. Saturday was a glorious day for the race, and many thousands congregated along - the banks of the river at its various points of vantage to witness the event; Twenty steamers were, also occupied, besides every available craft in the harbour ; and the greatest part of the city may be said to have been in the neighbourhood. A splendid staid was effected at about 5 o’clock, and barring that the wind was against them and somewhat troublesome, 1 Imre was noth ingle demur about in the proceedings. Larrikinism was for the nonce kept out of sight, and the river police were so perfect that the combatants had a thoroughly fair race, without any obstruction whatever. Laycock started, plying his customary finish stroke, at almost 43 to the minute ; Rush at about 33. At about 200 yards the latter was about a length in front, to lose it and recover again ; and at the first mile — time, 6 min. 20 see.—he was a length and a-half ahead. Tire betting, which at starting was against him 6 to 4, now turned in his favour 2 to 1, without takers. The rate of stroke now moderated with both —Rush, 34 ; Laycock. 3G,—but at a mile and a-half Rush was a full boat’s length to the good. It was,, however, quite perceptible that he was beginning to be distresccd. Pluck, however, carried him on to the third mile, and two lengths ahead, the betting rising with the occasion, and varying from 10 to .1 to 20 to 1, offered and taken. Towards the finish Ids fatigue became more manifest, rowing became feeble, his right arm seemed wrong, and his sculls tripped at each stroke. He still, however, kept his distance ; and it was only at the last 200 yards that Laycock, who seemed also in distress, catching a glimpse of Rush and seeing his condition, made a spurt, quickening his stroke five to Rush’s four, and creeping up foot by foot, until the boats were nearly equal. About 100 yards from the post. Laycock made a magnificent effort, overhauled Rush, lifting his boat almost level, and by a tremendous exertion passing him, as it afterwards decided by a half length. So certain were the spectators that Rush had won that before declaration the carrier-pigeons, carrying his colours (green), were dispatched, bets were paid, and sweeps handed over, and in town a second edition of the evening paper announced his victory. The official, however, who held the flag at the finish, and had best opportunity of judging, had no doubt, and proclaimed Lavcock the winner. Rush himself said that he was sure of the race that he stopped rowing a few yards from the goal ; but from what I have hoard I am induced to think ho was too much exhausted to make any further effort. Laycock was not too distressed to appear in town in the evening to receive the stakes, but he admits he had all Ik* cou'cl do to win. Rush is not yet thoroughly the master of the sliding seat, and seems to labour much more than his opponent, who is a younger man, and, to all appearance, a more graceful and accomplished sculler. Tremendous excitement, disappointment, and squabbles arose from the mistakes in the way of bets, but it is satisfactory to bo able to record that the contest was tried on its merits, and that the man of most endurance won it. Since writing the above I learn that the friends of William Elliott, the champion sculler of England, who lias just beaten Higgins are negotiating a match between Elliott and Trickctt. The former is willing to erne? ont to Hew (South Wales, and steps will be taken hero to promote the project. Elliott’s performance as chronicled by “Roll’s Life” does not show against Laycock’s to much advantage. He commenced with a. stroke of 40 to the mimnte, and decreased to 3G ; but bis rowing was not considered iu the host form, and is described as sculling in the roughest manner with his left-hand skull. In perfectly smooth water, however, he appeared to improve, and won his match by three lengths, “ in the exceptionally fast time of 22 min. 1 sec. Laycock’s time was 22 min. 23 see. by chronograph—a foul wind Iff owing from beginning to end. Should the match come off with Trickett, and lie be* in good condition. I believe tiiat he will win it. ii is skill is perfect as ever, tmt I incline strongly to think that his change of habits for the past 13 months must have depreciated Ids rowing condition. A city public-house atmosphere, lx a man ever so temperate, cannot but have an undermining tendency, particularly on one aeensloiiuai. ail bis loregone days to pure air, homely diet, and regular exorcise. .! notice in a Newcastle paper that a meeting has been belli at Ncwcosllo-on-Tyua to raise funds for defraying the expenses oi ill Holt to (Ids’ Colony. TIL James Ranch, of Punch's Hotel, King street, i id,; m a hr-! (bat bn will reecho colonial subscriptions in aid of the object.