The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-27 00:00:00

CAMBRIDGE AND OX F RD EIGHT•
OARED MATCH.—(This Day.)

The great contest for aquatic superiority
between the rival Universities of Oxford an
Cambridge took place this day over the risua
course, from Putney to Mortlake, and as
time approached for the decision of the event,
which for the last month has been the sub-
ject of speculation amongst all classes of sporting
men, the interest excited became intense, and
during the last week many anxious faces might be
observed on the towing-path at Putney, watching
the daily practice of the rival crews and criticising
t'.eir respective merits. The Oxford crew having
arrived at Putney on Saturday last, and
took up their quarters at the White Lion,
the Cambridge men, on Monday, taking
their old quarters at the Stir and Garter
and, since their arrival each crew have been in
active training, having a picked crew of the best
watermen on the river to row with them. The
Oxford crew for some time past have been the fa-
vourites in the betting, but within the last day or
two the Cambridge men have improved so much
that they were backed at evens, and in some in-
stances odds on them.

The morning being remarkably fine and mild,
the assemblage of spectators was very great ; the
numerous steam-boats engaged to accompany the
race being well patronised, particularly the two
chartered by Messrs. Searle, the eminent boat
builders, of Lambeth.

As usual, on such occasions, there were an im-
mense number of gentlemen on horseback on the
towing-path and Hammersmith-bridge, and, in
fact, every "place where a glimpse of the race could
be obtained, was crowded to excess. There were
several eights, fours, &c., on the river, besides an
immense number of small boats of every descrip-
tion.

The following are ill. nameg of the crows; a
OXFORD.

st lb
1. R. W. Risley, Exon ll 7k
2. T. Arkell, Pembroke
3. C. G. Lane, Christ Church ...... ll 8
4. H. Austin, Magdalen . .........
5 E. Lane, Balliol
6. W. H. Wood, University l2 5
7. E. Warre, Balliol
S. J. I'. Thorley, Wadham
H. Walpole, Balliol (cox.) 9 8
CAMBRIDGE.

at lb
1. H. H. Lubbock, Caius ll 4
2. A. L. Smith, Trinity
3. W. J. Havart, St. John's
4. D. Darroch, Trinity l2 1
5. H. Williams, St. John's l2 4
6. R. L. Lloyd, Magdalen
7. A. A. Fairbairn, Trinity ll 12
8. T. Hall, Magdalen
R. Wharton, Magdalen (cot.) 9 2

On proceeding to take their stations, Cambridge,
having the choice, took the Middlesex side, and
about three minutes past one o'clock a beautifulstart
was effected by Mr. Edward Searle, who officiated
as starter.

The Oxford crew appeared a little excited and
nervous at the start, two or three of them actu-
ally lanshipping their oars, but on getting
into work, bath boats appeared nearly level,
neither getting much advantage for the first half mile.
On nearing Craven Cottage, the Cambridge boat
began to show a little in front, having the rudder
level with their opponents' stem. They maintained
about the same lead to Hammersmith-bridge,
after passing which they rapidly drew away from
their -opponents, and taking their water before
reaching Chiswick Eyot, never afterwards decreas-
ing their lead, and coming in the winners at Mort-
lake by about four boats' lengths.
The winning crew rowed in a beautiful boat,
built by Matthew Taylor, of Newcastle-on-Tyne;
and the Oxford crew in one by Messrs. Searle, of
Lambeth. The time occupied in doing the distance
was to Hainmersmith-bridge 9i minutes, and to
Mortlake about 21 minutes. The Oxford crew
thus losing the laurels which they so gallantly
won last year. We believe that one or two of the
crew have been ill during the last week, which may,
in some measure, account for their easy defeat.