The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-25 00:00:00

THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

(THIS DAY.)
The crew were at work early this morning
owing to the state of the tide. The Oxford
men were in advance of the sister University,
and embarked on board Mr. Willans's steam
yacht, in which they were conveyed to Mort-
lake, when it was decided that they should row
from Barnes to Putney on the ebb. Mr. Willan,
assisted by Timms, the clerk and waterman, kindly
took their boat up, and was steered .by Mr. Hall.
The work down was done in good style, averaging
about 35 or 36 strokes per minute. The " catch "
of the water in the beginning of the strokes was for
the most part perfect, and the swing good, but there
was litCe faults to correct in some of the crew. There is
force in their rowing, and the men can afford to bear
plenty of reasonable work between now and the day
of the race. The stroke oar is very fine, but it is
hardly necessary to say anything in favour of Mr.
Darbishire, who rowed the principal oar in the
gallant race with the Harvard last year. Unt!l his
accession to the Oxford crew, a fornight ago, the
hopes of their rivals were very high.,
The Cambridge crew got into their boat just before
11 this mining, and were accompanied by Mr.
Morrison in Mr. Bligh's steam yacht. They rowed up
to the Crab Tree against the ebb, starting slowly and
rowing with much care. Getting more used to
their work as they proceeded onward, and more
habited to the boat, they began to clear their oars
well, and in some parts of their practice were rowing
at 37 or 38 strokes per minute, and making their boat
travel very fast. In this, as in the other crew, there
is room for improvement.'

An article in the Lally News on tne oxford crew says
that though the changes have been numerous the crew
are now as good as could be expected under the circum-
stances. Nevertheless, the eight is far from first-class.
Taken as a whole, the Oxford men are physically inferior
to those of Cambridge. No. 2 is very deficient.
" That he works well and conscientiously Is undeniable,
but he has an awkward and ungainly action that
completely spoils the appearance of the boat, in
addition to which he at times clips his stroke badly. No.
(3, also seems scarcely equal to his place, and, though a
good worker and capable, as all who saw him last year at
Henley will admit, of setting a fine dashing stroke, ad.
mirably suited to a short course, is evidently not at home be-
hind Mr Darbishire. He would have been better placed,
and doubtless, would have shewed to greater ad, vantage at
the bow on No, 2 thwart ; but I can readily imagine
that the president might have searched the whole univer-
sity in vain to find an adequate substitute at No. 6 for
Mr. Yarborough. Edwards-Moss (No. 4), the late cap-
tain of the boats at Eton, hardly does credit to Mr.
Warre's coaching, as he rows with a shockingly round
'pack—as bad as any North country professional ; but, on
the other hand, he has a long, powerful reach, makes good
use of his stretcher, and works splendidly. Both
5 (Payne) and 3 (Baker) are also strong, useful oars, but
somewhat rough and unfinished, though Baker, from all
accounts, has vastly improved since he was transferred
from the middle of the boat to his present seat. Benson,
though hardly up to his old form perhaps, makes a capital
No. 7, and being accustomed to row behind Darbi-
shire, in his college eight, could scarcely be better
posted—though in default of Darbishire he would
have figured very creditably at the No. 8 thwart--
his old place in the Eton Eight. Mirehouse as bow is
everything that could be desired, and wants only a few
pounds additional weight to be a model 'Varsity oar. His
style and form are faultless, and he sits up to his work
' marks the beginning' in a fashion that is a real treat is
witness. -The only wonder is that his merits should have
been so long overlooked. As for Darbishire, he is, what
he always was, the perfection of a 'Varsity stroke oar."