GREAT BOAT RACE ON THE TYNE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1125, 7 May 1880, Page 2

GREAT BOAT RACE ON THE TYN E .

[Sporting and Cramatid News.]

In wretched weather Robert Watsoji Boyd, of Middlesborbugli, and W'ilhW Elliott of Blyth, contended over the Tyne Championship Course for stakes of £2OO a side. The men" were old" ritfalg and underwent very careful preparation for' the struggle, Boyd training from the Ord Arms, Scots wood, and Elliott from private quarters in George's road, Elswick.Fourteen steamers accompanied the merij and they were for the nWst part crowded, with spectators. Boyd on stripping, scaled list 31b, and Elliot list &lb, the former being shown up river from the 1 bow of the umpire's boat by John Bright, of the Mushroom, and the latter by John Hepplewhite. Betting just prior" to i\\e start ruled 11 to 8 on Boyd. Mr William Oldham, of Newcastle, officiated as referee.- On the toss for positions talcing place the Middlesborough sculler won, arid he! selected the north station, which ; gave him little, if any advantage, Elliott ' finding the ou'tside, or south station, pro- ' bably the better of the two, as he thereby gained the full advantage of the tide. The latter's stroke was a light dipping one, which Scarcely; drove' his boat six inches forward, and his second was not much bettor. Boyd,, on the contrary, got a fair and full grip of the water, and imparted so much power" td his" stroke that he at once drove her quite half a length ahead of that of his antagonist: Elliott quickly realised his position, fefad bending well forward he exercised his enormous strength to pull with three or fditf huge sweeps, and he succeeded in prdjtelling his light craft well alongside of that of his rival, and maintaining his exertion lie sooon showed slightly to the fore. Hid supporters were highly delighted by this display, and already cries that the Blyth sculler would win with the greatest ease was to be heard. Both were striking about 40 to the minute, but Elliott had decidedly the best of the pace. The critical-onlooker, however, could discern that the "pitman" could not possibly keep up his terrific exertions long. He was burying" the blades of his sculls far too deeply in the water, and wrenching them through with tremendous sweep, which must have taxed even his powerful muscle to the very utmost. Boyd, on the other hand, quickly settled down to his long;, rather dragging, but wonderfully serviceable, method, and as he drove his boat alofrg much reminded the onlookers of Just above Wylie's Quay he began to draw on Elliott, and but a few yards more sufficed to place him on even terms. In the final result Elliott was beyond all doubt ba,dly beaten. As the men passed the High Elswick gangway;, Elliott's head dropped over his right shoulder, a sure sign that his exertions were telling upon him severely. Tin&s for the two miles were respectively 12irfm sfaec and 13min 15sec, after which affairs degenerated into a mere procession, Boyd taking matters very cooly. At the head of the Meadows—time, 14min. 30sec and 14min 45 sec—he eased down rapidly, and

M*>t by Paradise Quay in 17min 30sec, allowing Eltidtt to draw up. The Middlesborough sculler eventually reached Scotswood Suspension bridge in 22min 47 sec from the start, with about four lengths to the good, Elliott time being 23min £sec. Both were loudly applauded as they rowed ashore to dress, Elliott, perhaps, coming in for the greatest ovation, as it seemed to be felt that he had rowed a game though losing race.