The TBB and QSS boatrace was rowed this year over the usual course from Putney to Hammersmith on Wednesday July 28th. Before the start it was supposed that the race would be a very close affair, and this was particularly to be desired this year, as it is the last and decisive race for the Challenge Cup presented by J.C. Hawkshaw Esqre in 1859. Unfortunately ten days before the race R.C. Batley TB met with rather a serious accident, which deprived the T.BB of one of their best oars, and compelled them to place E.C. Frere at No. 3:- Both crews got away together, and for about half a mile it looked as though the contest would indeed by a close one. At this point, however, the Q.SS. began to draw ahead, and , being well steered, kept on increasing their lead and eventually won with great ease by three or four lengths. The T.BB. cox probably lost his crew a couple of lengths from the serpentine course he took. The cup therefore becomes the property of the Q.S.S, as each crew has previously won it seven times. Crews.
| T.BB. | Q.SS | |
| Bow. C. Westmacott | Bow. S. Bere | |
| 2. J. Morison | 2. H.R. James | |
| 3. E.C. Frere | 3. G. Stephenson | |
| 4. E. Poland | 4. H.T. Clarke | |
| 5. J. Whiston | 5. J. Langhorne | |
| 6. C. Ingram + | 6. E.T.H. Brandon + | |
| 7. R.T. Squire + | 7. R.H. Coke + | |
| Str. F.G. Clarke + | Str. W.W. Bury + | |
| Cox. G.G. Phillimore + | Cox. H.W. Waterfield |
+ members of the eight
H. Clifton Benbow
Prin: Opp:
inserted by W.L. Benbow Prin: Opp: Oct. 1880
The race has been previously won,
| 1859 | Queen’s Scholars | 1873 | Town Boys |
| 1860 | Town Boys | 1874 | Queen’s Scholars |
| 1861 | Town Boys | 1875 | Queen’s Scholars |
| 1862 | Town Boys | 1876 | Queen’s Scholars |
| 1863 | Queen’s Scholars | 1877 | Not rowed |
| 1864 | Queen’s Scholars | 1878 | Town Boys |
| 1865 | Queen’s Scholars | 1879 | Town Boys |
| 1866-71 | Not rowed | 1880 | Queen’s Scholars |
| 1872 | Town Boys | ||
| Total Queen’s Scholars 8, Townboys 7 victories | |||