Maher shows class

National sculling champion Albert Maher of Neptune showed his class in the time trial of the 34th Dublin Sculling Ladder at Islandbridge on Saturday. He retained the top rung of the ladder, racing twice in the first section at 10 and in the final section at 5, beating his clubmate, Sean Jacob, by 41/2 seconds. James Mangan, the new novice champion, now rowing for UCD, and lightweight international Derek Holland (Neptune) were another three seconds behind, tied in third place.