THE BATTLE OF THE BLUES.

Evening Star, Issue 6913, 28 May 1885, Page 4

THE BATTLE OF THE BLUES.

[From Our London Correspondent.]

London, April 11. That public interest in the annual boat race between our two great Universities has waned, there can now be no doubt. The dense crowd lining the banks all the way from Putney to Mortlake ; the cheked railway traffic; the übiquitous rosettes; the heavy wagering; and, above all, the contagious enthusiasm which marked the eras of Goldie and Darbishire are things of the past. Last year the time of rowing, and the year before the execrable weather were put forward as reasons for the slackened attendance. This anniversary neither excuse could be offered. The weather was simply perfect - mild and spring-like—the time noon (when even the busiest man can spare an hour), and the day, Saturday. Circumstances seemed to conspire to attract a “ largest on record,” but the “ boom” didn’t come off. At Putney, half-an-hour before the start, there were barely 500 or 600 people assembled, and the majority appeared far more interested in a nigger minstrel yelling the delectable “ What Cheer, ’Ria ?” than in the possible doings of the rival crews. Towards noon, however, things began to look livelier, and with the arrival of the “ Press ” steamer, reeling over with her crowd of “ specials,” business began. Opinion amongst experts was pretty evenly divided as to the chances of the rival Blues, till Oxford won the toss and obtained the much - coveted “Surrey station.” The previous evening Cambridge —notwithstanding her new man—was distinctly favorite, owing to Oxford having “ caught a crab ” at exercise. That both crews were poor class and indifferently trained was on all sides admitted, but it was thought the balance of credit lay with Oxford. Prior to the “ toss ” even money was taken about either University winning, but when the crews came out the betting settled down at 13 to 8 on Oxford. For one reason or another the men were kept waiting a long time at the post. When they did start the Oxford stroke was forty to the minute, the Cambridge forty-two. Both crews at once strained every nerve to get the lead, but for some minutes the boats seemed to keep exactly level. This augured excitement, and it deepened presently when Cambridge drew about half a-length to the front but could obviously get no “forrarder.” The Oxford crew began rowing in splendid style. Time, swing, and recovery were almost perfect, and the dark-blue oars entered the water precisely together. The crisis came at Grass Wharf. Oxford rapidly made up the half-length, and passed Crab Tree with something to the good, which at the Soapworks increased to a full length. From this point the race was a stern chase os far as Cambridge was concerned. At Hammersmith the light blues were all to pieces, and from thence to Mortlake there was nothing to admire in their rowing but its pluck. Humphries, the Oxford “ cox,” twice forgot the stake-boats, and, besides losing ground, narrowly escaped fouling Cambridge. The dark blues, had, however, too strong an advantage for these errors to materially affect their chance. They rolled about like a ship in distress towards the last, but kept increasing their lead, and won eventually by three and a-half lengths; time, 2hnin 36sec. Approaching Barnes Bridge a little boat shot out from the side, wliich Oxford all but fouled. Had she done so, Cambridge must have won. This incident created some excitement, and for a few minutes suspicions of premeditation were entertained. Fortunately the delinquent proved to be a small boy, whose boat a mischievous friend had pushed out “for fun.”

Thp inter-university sports at Lillie Bridge were largely attended. Since the commencement of the meetings in 1864 Oxford has scored t)4 wins and 06 seconds as against Cambridge s 93 wins and 87 seconds Last year Oxford won six events out of nine ; but for the two previous years Cambridge had been in front. On the present occasion Oxford scored 5i wins to Cambridge’s 3J. First, Mr J. R. Orford, of King’s (Cambridge), threw the hammer furthest, 99ft Tin ; Mr J, Neilson, Clare (Cambridge), second, 95ft 7in. Then Mr Booty, of Clare (Cambridge), won the 100 yards’ race ; Mr A. S. Blair, Braseuose (Oxford), second. The high jump resulted in a dead heat between three Messrs Hornby, Montgomery, and Purves (all Oxford), for sft 6Jin. Mr E. R, Holland, of Pembroke (Oxford) won the mile easily by 10 yards from T, C. Waters, of Jesus (Cambridge). Mr Ware, of Braseuose (Oxford), successfully put the weight (101b) furthest, 36ft Him Mr Blair, who ran second for the 100 yds, won the quarter-mile by half-a-yard, after a grand race with Tindall, of Christ’s (Cambridge), and Paine, of Merton (Oxford), dead heat for second place, Mr Roberts, of Selwyn (Cambridge), made a good fight (19ft Biin) for the long jump, but was beaten by half-an-inch only by Mr Grant Asher (Oxford), Mr E. T. Elliot, of Trinity (Cambridge), won the three-mile 1 race.