SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME. London, November 22, 1875.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXII, Issue 5708, 8 January 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME. London, November 22, 1875.

The race for the championship of the Thames eventuated a week ago, ami as it is still a subject of conversation, I will take it tirst. The opponents were Boyd and Sadler— names both well-known on the water — the former hailing from Newcastle-on-Tyne, and the latter being a Thames man, and one who has competed for some years past with varied success. Shortly after 2, Sadler was seen to put off from the shore, and very soon after Boyd followed. It was well that a start was made when it was, as five minutes more at the post would have left the far larger portion of the race iitnpireless. Sadler was the first to get away, several feet being snatched towards victory at once ; but Boyd, after splashing for the first two strokes, settled down to his work- pulling remarkably fast, and being doubtless assisted by the last of the How, while Sadler was in perfectly slack water — and began to gain perceptibly. liefore a hundred yards had been covered ho was level, and then with every stroke he commenced to forge ahead. Sadler was evidently nervous, and for a time followed suit, and snatched with> his sculls almost as fast as the Northcountryman. Diiectly after this he, fortunately for himself, began to swing in his well known style, and though this btill allowed Boyd to go creeping on in front and to increase his lead, it was evident to all but the over-enthusia&tic, that tlie youngster would be obliged to lessen his rate right speedily, and that then the machinelike sweep of the home sculler would carry him to the goal victorious— provided he would only continue at it, and not be led away by over anxiety. But there weie not wanting people who firmly believed in Boyd's ability to stay the entire distance, even at the rate, and as he, at the end of half a mile was a length in front, and then commenced to put dayliylit beta ecu the boats, these commenced to offer evens, then odiu on "the boy." Sadler was now rowing grandly, but still Boyd went on gaining inch by inch, until, when Craven Point was reached, he was two lengths to the good. Sadler at the commencement of the shoot, seemed suffering from a fresh attack of his nervousness —perhaps iinding the ''long uns " not immediately beneficial, lie was inclined to try other measures. Soon the champion gave a look round, and found he had commenced to gain, for Boyd was within a length of him, and the position was undoubtedly critical. This gave "Joe" renewed strength, and with a grand burst he rowed up level with his man exactly opposite the (Jrabtiee, and the race was over. Then everybody knew " it would be so." Boyd, directly he was caught, collapsed, and for a few seconds seemed as if about to fall out of his boat, but though only too evidently beaten out of all shape, he gallantly struggled on, almost at once a long way behind. The change was so sudden, that people a hundred yards away from the critical place must have thought the affair " only a procession after all," little dreaming that at the rate they had been rowing it was so short a distance before only a question of which "cracked" first. Once in front, Sadler went on, and, rowing very easily and in beautiful form, reached Hammersmith three lengths first, in lOmin. 15sec. This time, after such a race, will show the sluggish condition of the river. Picking his way carefully through a most disorganised flotdla, Sadler went on, with i Boyd struggling at variously increasing and diminishing distances behind him, and first Barnes, with all the country under water, and then Mortlake, were reached, the winner's time, for a distance rather less than usual, being 2Sinin. 2sec, thus showing more than ever the fallibility of the time test on a tideway. The election of Baron Martin as an honorary member of the Jockey Club, has caused general surprise, and no small amount of consternation in certain circles. A general suspension of the rules, manners, aim customs of the most conservative of all clubs is necessary before such an election can take place, and it is supposed that some very great change must be imminent when the Jockey Club stultifies itself and its general practice and procedure by giving such decided recognition to so uncongenial a thing as ability. Baron Martin is a most devoted lover of the turf, but he is very likely to be quite overpowered by the honour conferred on him, and to reform his ways, as the Jockey Club have, by electing him, reformed theirs. Air. Martin was counsel in the memorable Running Rein j case, and it was mainly through him that Colonel Peel got his verdict. I am glad that the Judge is to be only an honorary member, as otherwise he might completely demolish the Jockey Club by trying to let a little fresh air, ventilation, and common sense in on the debates of that venerable institution. News of the deatk of the giant O'Baldwin in America causes people to turn their attention back for a few yjsars, when the ling was supposed to he revived, and ' pugilism reigned paramount as a national s^ort. There is, I firmly believe, just as much fondness as ever in the minds of Englishmen for boxing ; but lighting men cut their own throats, and by their insolence i anil general demoralisation put themselves ' beyond Hie pale of anything like support from rational or respectable beings. O'Balclwin's career was none of the rosiest. He commenced by getting himself beaten in the most ridiculously easy manner by Andrew Marsden, the time taken being just over two minutes. After having been mixed up in some very questionable transactions, supposed to be matches for the championship, i which, not being protected by the halo of

amateur gentility, wore voted disreputable. O'lhuJwin uentto America, and there spt-nt aLirgcWtioi' "f hif) time in prison. Ife had, I believe, »«>t long emerged from durance, when » bullet from his friend and partner itt lwiwss', made cold meat of To ride G50 miles in *evetf consecutive dayri is in itself a very great feat of endurance, but an Stauton never exceeded the limits of a "fair day's woik," the record of speed is in no way seond. The official rctm-n is -.-First day, 100 miles 1,200 yards. Second day, 94 miles 1,128 yards. Ihiwl clay, 100 miles 1,200 yards. I'ourth day, 90 miles 1,080 yards. Fifth day, 90 miles 1.0S0 yards. Sixth day, 85 miles 1,020 yards. .Seventh day, 87 miles 1,518 yards. The amoitnb of time spent by him each day is, 7hours7min., G hours oOmin., 7 hours 7miu., 7 hours 34min., G liotirs 12mm., 6 hours 2miu., 6 hours lSmni. Strict Sabbatarians will perhaps be pleased to dis- , cover that Stanton rode a less distance, ami was in the saddle a shorter period, on Sunday, than on any of the other days. This is about the first time I remember any business in connection with a public match for money being, allowed iu an enclosed ground on a Sunday. The Cesarewitcll alut Cambridgeshire handicaps will long be menlorfabie, as having both been carried off by hot favourites, either of whom could have won with a lot more weight up, and whose partisans for once reduced the biggest of handicaps to the most " moral " of certainties. There is also a good deal of grumbling, not only among the bookmakers who have been sho' at, but among the owners of horses, and the haphazard system of handicapping having become so glaringly patent by means of the two most important events of the "calculated" kind the turf possesses, unknown and dark horses are likely in future to suffer for the present lenity of the official impostor. At Lillie Bridge, in really fine, bright weather, a meeting of " two- wheelers " has been held under the auspices of the St. George's Bicycle Club. The 10 mile handicap was a magnificent affair, and the winner was found in B. Keen, a brother of the champion, 1,000 yards start, who reached home in 32min. 35sec, in itself a singularly good performance, but quite eclipsed by the champion himself, who was second some 250 yards off, and who completed the entire distance in the marvellous time ot 33min. 23isec. 1 am indebted to Mr. J. Jenn, the champion recorder— who has everything down in his book, from the most accurately clocked snail's pace at an inch and a half to Reed, Buttery, Seward, Lang, and other flyers' best and fleetest performances at from 100 yards to any given j distance— for the following mileage rate as made by Keen, the champion, on Monday :— One, 3min. 16sec ; two, Gmin. 31sec. ; three, 9min. 51sec; four, 13min. 14sec. ; live, IGmin. 34sec. ; six, 19min. 50sec. ; seven, 23min. 20sec. ; eight, 26min. 36sec; nine, 29min. 58sec. ; ten, 33min. 25isec. We are just now thinking a great deal more of the "long- tails" and cub hunting than of athletic sports, rowing, or anything else. Even racing for this year has received its quietus, bo that next month I shall vacate the athletic for something more sportive. Camballo.