THE INTER-UNIVEESITY BOAT RACE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 678, 30 June 1870, Page 3

THE INTER-UNIVEESITY BOAT RACE.

Oxford won the toss, and contrary to all precedent, chose the Surrey side. This was done with an idea of getting a full benefit of the tide; but, as the Middlesex station is acknowledged to give an advantage of upwards of a length, the wisdom of the step is very questionable. At any rate, we do not fancy that a crew losing the toss will ever obtain this station again. Just before the start the betting was about even, Oxfordfor choice. Theygotoff very wildly, but, on settling down, Cambridge at once took the lead, though it was only rowing thirty-eight strokes to the miaute, against Oxford's thirty nine. Here again was a complete change in the usual order of affairs. Odds of 3 to 2 were now laid on Cambridge, though after passing Craven Cottage the light blue coxswain took a bad bad course, and Oxford began to imake up its leeway. When, however, [ Gordon got his boat right again, i Goldie put on a capital spurt, and shot j Hammersmith's Bridge with an advan- \ tage of fully half a length. At this I point Gordon again got wrong, and, as I Darbishire took full advantage of his | mistake, Oxford drew up, and were j nearly level at the Waterworks. The [odds then veered round, and 3 to 2 I was offered on the dark blues. Off i Chiswick, Church Cambridge were still | slightly in front,and wehad no doubt of i the result, for, though Oxford were growing forty strokes against thirty- \ eight, they could not gain ground. [ Darbishire was still in grand form ; ■ but Benson and Lewis were doing jno work, and there was a good deal of splashing and unsteadiness in the I boat; while the Cambridge men were I going like a piece of machinery, and I well within themselves. Passing under I Barnes bridge, Cambridge was first clear, | and, in spite of the desperate efforts I of their opponents won by two lengths I after one of the grandest races ever | witnessed on the Thames. Time —22 I minutes 6 seconds.