Sporting.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1775, 4 October 1862, Page 3

Sporting.

THE WINGFIELD SCULLS AND AMATEUB CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE THAMES.

(From the Home News.)

Last season, on the death of Mr. Casamajor, Mr. E. D. Brickwood, of the London Bowing Club, won the Championship of the Thames. This year Mr. W..8. Woodgate, of Brazenose College, Oxford, and Mr. G. K. Cox, of the London Bowing Club, resolved to contest the distinction with him. These two gentlemen, in compliance with the conditions of the match contended on July 14 to ascertain which should row against Mr. Brickwood for the championship. The distance was from Putney to Mortlake. Mr. Woodgate seemed to be the favourite. Mr. J. Walmisley, winner of the sculls in 1847, having been appointed umpire the competitors and the various gentlemen, connected with the match rowed to their s ta» tions at a quarter past 4. Mr. Stephen Salter, the boat-builder o£ Oxford, "coached" Mr Woodgate, and was rowed by an eight composed of Oxford University men. Mr. H.J Playford, in the London Bowing Club 12 oared boat, did the same duly for Mr. Cox. A distinct eight of the London Club men conveyed the umpire. The competitors started very evenly, but at the second stroke Mr. Cox began to gain on his opponent. Such was his speed that he cleared himself in 50 yards. At Fiuch's there were two, and at Point three clear lengths between him and his opponent. Perhaps at Craven Mr. Cox had added still more to bis lead, but bis exertions were evidently having their effect upon him. The long, dragging stroke of Mr Woodgate began to tell — so much so that he had neared hit opponent very considerably soon after Craven, and before they bad reached the Crab tree, had challenged and passed him. From this point the race w?s virtually over; Mr. Woodgate continued to increase his lead all the way and won easily by over 100 yards. The fiual beat for this important aquatic trophy came off on July 17. Mr Brickwood having won the toss, the gentlemen rowed to their stations about 6 o'clock — Mr. Brickwood on the Middlesex side, in a fine boat built by Biffen, while Mr. Woodgate pulled in the boat be had used in his race with Mr. Cox on July 14, constructed by the Messrs. Saltei, of Oxford. On the word "go" being pronounced Mr* Biickwood went away at a most rapid rate, and working right in shore, bad cleared his opponent in a few seconds, and was immediately afterwards leading by a clear length. Mr. Woodgate, however, abandoning the tactics be had hitherto used, at once lay down to bis work, and had begun to collar his opponent at the Star and Garter (the course as before being from Putney to Mortlake) ; opposite Simmonds's he bad considerably decreased his lea d, and at Finch's was nearly over his stern. Mr. Biickwood here seemed to go away a little, but his opponent would not be shaken off and they had a most determined and gallant race to abreast Craven-cottage, preserving about the same positions ; but here Mr. Woodgate went right by his man by a magnificent spurt, increasing bis lead as he pleased, and winning " the sculls" with perfect ease.