The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-04 00:00:00

PAST UNIVERSITY MATCHES.

(From the Field of this day.)
These exciting contests originated in a challenge
from Cambridge to Oxford, made in 1829 ; and on

the 10th of June of that year was rowed the first
match between the two great Universities of Eng-
land, the beautiful reach of Henley-on-Thames being
chosen as the scene of the encounter. The match
was not rowed over what is now the Regatta course,
namely from the island to the bridge (about one

mile and a third), but from just above the lock (be
low the island) to the bridge, beiug about three

quarters of a mile longer than the present rowing
distance. All who know the Thames at this point
will readily admit that the Berkshire side is a de-

tided advantage, the river turning sharp on that
side. This advantage was possessed by the Oxford
crew, who shortly drew in advance, and reached
Henley-bridge the winners by severalboats'lengths.
Another contest did not take plaee till 1836, in the
month of June of which year they rowed for the
first time in London, the course being from West-
minster-bridge to Putney bridge, a dis-

tance of rather more than five miles. The race
took place in a deluge of rain ; Cambridge, who
at the start displayed some good water-
manship in the management of their boat, gained
a gradual advantage, and won by as mach
as 500 yards. The second London match was rowed
in 1839, Cambridge winning by one minute and a
half. The next match, which took place in the
spring of 1840, was also won by Cambridge, but
not without a most determined and exciting struggle
over the whole distance, and then by only three-
qua rtere of a boat's length. Time, under 30 minutes.
In 1841, for the fourth time in succession, the Cam-
bridge men were victorious, winning by one minute.
In 1842 Oxford won by 16 seconds. There was not
another match till 1845, when they rowed for the
first time over the present course—Putney to Mort-
lake ; the result was in favour of Cambridge, by
about five lengths. In 1846 Cambridge won by
shoat t vv.) lengths, after a hard race, the time of
-which was 21 minutes 4 seconds. They did not again
meet till 1849, when there were two matches, the
first of which the Cambridge won ; the second,
wnich was rowed in December, was unfortunately
terminated by a foul caused by Cambridge, who at
the time were leading by three-quarters of a length,
and Oxford were consequently the winners. In
1852, after another interval of two years, they
sowed a match, which was decided in favour of Ox-
ford by six lengths. The next contest was in 1854 ;
and the 0 sonians again proved victorions,winning by
about 7or 8 lengths. The next year passed with-
out a match, but in 1856 they rowed down from
Barker's Rails (above Mortlake) to Putney, and,
after an exceedingly close race, Cambridge won by
• three-quarters of a length only. From 1857 may be
dated the change of style in the rowing of the I.lni-
' versity crews, the modern light rowing of the Ox-
, ford crew on thatoccasion beating with the greatest
ease their opponents, who rowed the high feather
• for the last time. It was declared by many expe-
rienced boating men of the day that the champions
cf that year were, at the time of the race, the most
• perfect eight-oared crew they ever beheld. In 1858
Cambridge won easily by 25 seconds, but it was not
at all a satisfactory contest, owing to the thowl of
• the Oxford stroke being damaged immediately after
starting. In 1859 it will be remembered Cambridge
were still more unfortunate, as their boat went down
headforemost in the rough water, but they were
already beaten. In 1860 there was a splendid con•
test, Cambridge winning, after a most determined
succession of spurts on both sides, by a length and
a half. In 1861 the Oxford won easily by fifteen or
sixteen lengths; and last year they were also 'vic-
torious, winning by 35 seconds. They have again
• won easily, for the third time in succession. Thus it
will ba seen that, for the twenty contests, the
honours aro equally divided, each University having
won ten.