THE RECENT SCULLING MATCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8504, 6 August 1907, Page 6

THE RECENT SCULLING MATCH.

OPINIONS OF CRITICS. By Telegraph—Press Association. SYDNEY, August 5. Nearly all experienced rowers held the opinion that Webb had caused a foul through pushing Towns too far into the buoy, but that Towns had met a better man on the day. Tne New Zealander evidently did not know enough about the river and it would have been very hard on him if he had lost the race on a foul that was certainly not wilful. "Webb simply rowed the other fellow out," said Beach. "And no one was more surprised than I was," he added. Asked as to what he thought of Webb's rowing, the old champion said: "I am not a bit shook on his style; it could be improved a lot; but the stuff is in him, and he is a real top-notcher all the same." Regarding the Pu'ney incident Beach said:—"lt was undoubtedly afoul, and it is a pity it ever occurred. But foul or no foul Webb rowed him out." The Herald says: —"Those who had followed the race right through and had watched closely the splendid rowing of the challenger, felt that, foul or no foul, it was the better man that was first past the post. So far as could be seen, it was want of experience that caused Webb to get too close to his rival, and as he had caught his man and was leaving him, he had all to lose, and nothing to win, by getting into Towns' water. It was not much detriment to Towns, but it \,'as undoubtedly a foul under the rules." The Telegraph says:—"Webb, who gave : uch a fine exhibition of sculling on Sa .urday, may be cordially congratulated on his victory. Now that the championship has been won by New Zealand a powerful stimulus will douotless be given to sculling in that 'country, which is well provided with sv.iLable rivers, and which, in its climate and on the physique of its people is well adapted to produce men capable of excelling in this splendid sport." It is estimated that 15,000 persons witnessed the boat race. There was very little wagering, and what there was was 2 to 1 on Towns.