SCULLING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8503, 5 August 1907, Page 5

SCULLING.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD. WEBB v. TOWNS. THE NEW ZEALANDER WINS BY FIVE LENGTHS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received August 3, 8.52 p.m. SYDNEY, August 3. The sculling race for the championship of the world between Charles Towns, of New South Wales, and W. Webb, of New Zealand, took place on the Parramafcta River this afternoon, the men breaking away just after 4 p.m. The weather was dull and threatening* witn a strong wind blowing, but right behind the scullers.

Webb won the toss, but there was no particular advantage in positions. Rush, the veteran seuiler, acted as umpire. The competitors received an ovation as they leisurely sculled to the starting post. An excellent start was effected, Towns going away at the rate of 38 strokes to the minute, while his opponent was only rowing one less. The champion did iot get away from Webb with a rush that his supporters had expected. At Uhr's Point it was found that Towns had reduced his stroke to 30. and while Webb, too, had decreased ;.. ' ; was putting in 32 strokes to the minute. The first halfmile was clocked as 2min 40sec, and the Maoriiander was pressing his rival, who had barely a length's advantage. Webb was rowing surprisingly well, although his body was rolling somewhat. As the mile post was approached, Webb had reduced Towns' lead to half a length, and the hopes of the New Zealander's supporters were rising steadily. It was clearly evident thai; Towns could no ! : get rid of him. As the boats swept past the mile (Blaxlands), Webb was almost on terms with Towns, the time in traversing the distance being smin 40sec. Webb then opened out with a fine spurt, and Towns gamsiy responded, each doing 33 strokes to the minute. Approaching Putney Webb had forged ahead, and soon a?!-3med a. length's lead. Towns came at him, and both scullers edged into' Gascoigne Bay somewhat, which was Towns' side of the river. Towns quickened his stroke, and altered his course to clear Putney Point. -Webb made a great effort to get clear, but To.vns came too quick and hit the stern of Webb's boat with the ieft scull. The New South Welshman held up his hand as a protest, and then went on after Webb. Putney point was left behind in 9imn 7sec. . Webb at this stage had a couple of lengths advantage. Seeing his rival comirg up again, he cracked on the pace, and added another length to his lead, and the race was practically over. Towns spurted, but Webb responded i readily to every effort Towns put forth. Tennyson's (about two miles) was passed in llmin 52sec, and ' there great cheering arose from steamers at Webb's success. He was now able to hold Towns with the utmost ease, and though the latter spurted and spurted, Webb maintained his eight lengths lead, and passed Gladasville in 15min 58sec. Towns now made a wonderful spurt, which he maintained almost to the finish, and drew up to within three or four lengths of the visitor, but as the judge's boat was neared Webb put in some hard rowing and gained the verdict by five lengths, in the fine time of 20min 45sec.

PROTEST DISMISSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received August 4, 4.7 p.m. SYDNEY, August 4. The protest against Webb was dismissed. Received August 4, 4.45 p.m. SYDNEY, August 4. In dismissing the protest, Mr Rush, the umpire, in giving his decision, said: "I wish to say that, when BlaxHnds Point was turned, I considered the men rowed as straight a course as possible for Putney, both occupying - the same positions that they took at starting. I believe that Towns had sufficient water at all times without having to depart from his straight course, and that the slight touching of the scuils which took place i"< no way interfered with the result. Therefore I dismiss the protest,"