THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3057, 2 December 1878, Page 1

THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

On Sept. 18 the final heat in this match, between Boyd and Elliott, took place. Boyd had the choice of station, and naturally took the windward one (Surrey shore). .Higgings had beaten Boyd de. oisivoly on all the occasions but one in which they had met; and, since Elliott has in turn defeated the Thames man in their last two. meetings, the odds were naturally quoted upon Elliot, at about 13 to 8. But we are not aware that there was any large amount of genuine betting and many London speculators held aloof, feeling that it was hardly satisfactory to gamble upon the merits of two men who are to,all intents and purposes "in one stable."' For 1, eren though the race might be perfectly genuine, the northern division would, at all events, be much more likely to hare the key of the problem in their possession, from the facilities which practice on the Tyne would gire for trials, direct or collateral, between the men. At the start Boyd went right away, sculling much faster than Elliot. The latter had the leeward station and rougher water. Boyd led easily two lengths at the London Boathouse, and three at the Point. Now and then Elliott came up a trifle, but Boyd spurted in return, and got away again. At the Soapworka Boyd was four lengths away. The odds had long ago veered round to 3 to 1 on Boyd, and were quoted at this as he shot Hammersmith Bridge some three clear lengths ahead in--Bmin. 25sec. Elliott made up ground a little round the bend to Chiswick. Each sculler was in turn interfered with slightly by rowing craft that most improperly got in the way under the bank and drove them out into the rough water. Boyd's proper course < was under the Sarrey shore from Hammersmith to Horse Beach. In that water he would get less' surf and a shorter course. For some reason, best known to himself or his pilot, after he had cleared his obstruction he rowed wide out,into the river off Chiswick Eyot, courting rough water and a collision with Elliott. The latter catastrophe soon came off as a matter of course under such

circumstances; and when the touch occurred there could be no two opinions as to who: was in the right. Boyd then rowed on, and came in some five lengths ahead. Whether Elliott rowed his hardest after the foul, or whether he felt confident of a verdict and therefore did not exert himself, we cannot say with certainty. The time of the race was decidedly good under the circumstances —namely, 24min. 20sec, The umpire at once gave Elliott the race on the-foul. Elliott therefore becomes the holder of the Challenge Cup and the Championship, lie isnot destined to remain long in undisputed possesion, for Higgins has,already chal-, lenged him, and has deposited a preliminary stake to bind the match. Unless we are to abandon all old traditions of sculling, we shall hardly believe that Elliott is a first-rate sculler because he has won this cup. At the same time, we believe he is a faster starter than might be inferred from the apparent ease with which he was left behind by Boyd at the commencement of the race. Boyd will never be more than mediocre unless he inendi his style, and so learns to stay.—Home News.