THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Evening Star, Issue 4021, 15 January 1876, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

{Abridged from, the Home News )

Since the memorable encounter between Harry Kelley and the late James Renforth, . which resulted in the Championship passing from the Thames to the Tyne, no race for fchampion honors has commanded so large a share of public interest as the match between J. H. Sadler and R. W. Boyd, which was decided ';On the 15th of November, on the Thames between Putney and Mortlake. The betting during the morning had been currently quoted at 6 to 4 on Sadler, but just before the start 7 to 4, and in some cases 2 to 1, were offered on shore, though strange to Bay, on board the umpire's boat as little as 5 to 4 was taken freely at the last moment, Sadler being unanimously pronounced to be ' "too fine." He scaled exactly lOst 121b., while Boyd weighed just lOst. 101b. Punctually at 2.18 p.m. Mr Ireland gave the signal to start, and both men dashed away at the first attempt, Sadler getting the first "draw," and showing a foot or two in front at the second stroke. It was evident, however, that the North countryman was bent on the cutting down tactics, as directly he was fairly under way he settled down into a tremendous stroke of 45 to the minute, and off Simmon's yard showed with a perceptible lead, which he improved to half a length at the London boathouse, and to three-quarters at Bishop's Creek. Foot by foot he increased his advantage along the river wall, and at the top of Finch's field drew himself clear, Sadler, who had started with a stroke of 40 to the minute, having by this time subsided into a steady drag of 37. > The Newcastle man also shut off the steam a little, but he was still rowing quite 42, and at the lower end of Craven Cottage grounds was fully B half a length to the good, and as they opened the Point, there was a gap of a length, or very nearly a length, between them. Here Sadler got a little unsteady, and for a moment appeared to falter, and it looked as though the Tynesider had fairly got him in his toils. The next instant, however, the Surbiton sculler pulled himself together, and quickening slightly, began gradually to reduce the gap, there being little more than | half a length between the pair as they made ■ the Grass Wharf. The pace at this point I was tremendous, aajtnay be judged from the significant fact that the mile was covered some seconds under the five minutes. Boyd still led, but Sadler was perceptibly coming up, there being only a foot or two of daylight between the stem and stern of the two - boats as they passed Rose Bank, where it was evident that the severity of the pace with which he had started was beginning to tell the inevitable tale upon the North countryman. He continued to struggle on, however, with indomitable resolution, but as they commenced to cross the water for the Soap Works Point, Sadler, taking one look over his shoulder at his opponent, pxit on half a-dozen powerful strokes, and shooting alongside him as if by magic, showed at once with the lead. This was the crisis of the race'. Directly he was collared, Boyd fell hopelessly to pieces, and though he made a desperate attempt to rally himself, it was clear that nature was exhausted, and he could do no more. Once well in front Sadler slackened speed, but passing round the Horse Shoe Bend he still continued to gain, and at the lower end of Chiswick Eyot was fully half-a-dozen * lengths ahead ; Boyd, now thoroughly dia- ■ tressed, labouring along hopelessly in his wake" The remainder of the race calls for no detailed description, as the Londoner clearly had it all his own way ; and from Chiswick to Mortlake it was a mere " procession," Saddler ultimately winning "hands down " by twelve or fourteen lengths in 28min i 2sec from the start.