CAMBRIDGE'S VICTORY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 205, 23 May 1908, Page 10

CAMBRIDGE'S VICTORY.

OXFORD DEFEATED AFTER A CAME STRUGGLE. ■ . A STERN CHASE. The University boat-race began and ended on Saturday, April 4, in a victory for Gambridge. The weather,; though far from ideal, was not bad enough to have any considerable cftect on the contest. The race was won — as tho prophets safely said it would be— on form. If any names can bo selected for mention in cpuncctiou with ilio result they are:— . O. G. E. Stuart, the Cambridge stroko, who showed a keen insight into his .crew's capabilities, and kopt them well in hand from Putney to Mortlake. , R. Boyle, the Cambridgo coxswain, who not only took Oxford's water, but even forced thorn to take the Middlesex station to escape his boat's wash; and' Influenza, which greatly interfered with Oxford's training. Mr. D. C. It. Stuart, writing in the " Standard," says it was " tho hardest raco I've rowed on tho P.utney-to-Mortlako course. We were fortunate to possess such an excellent cox. I think wo won because wo had the four.finest coaches thoro are."The time of'tho race —3.30 —on the Saturday afternoon was so eminently suitable to workers of all classes that the crowds approached a record. A -gaudily bedecked launch, bearing the motto, "Votes for women, I ' - ..and the army of' motor-cars were tho only innovations to orthodox boat-race scenes. HOW CAMBRIDGE' WON. ■ Cambridge won the raco by 'two and' a half lengths—tho official distance as estimated by Mr. Fenner. . • There is no such, thing a3 an official timekeeper, but the experts were unanimous in recording 19min. 'lOsec. for tho four and a quarter miles between Putney and Mortlake. This tinie is thirty-two seconds from a cord, but was nevertheless an excellent per- ; formarice, considering that the wind was not .altogether favourable and tho water 'was badly churned up at places; ■ There are no excuses to bo advanced for Oxford, as they won the toss and chosc .the Surrey shore. They rowed well throughout, and' never lost their form, but they were pitted .against a faster and. generally more brilliant crew. One fino crew, : regrettably, does not make a groat boat-race. It was thought that the conditions might level matters if Oxford won the toss, but as it turned,out there was little' in tho choice of station.' Everybody felt relioved, however, that the Oxford president had guessed right, for, if Caiuhridgo were. to. win they wore to do so on tlieir merits. The natural "nervous fever in both crews and'crowds, disappeared in the first minute. Cambridge, barring'accidents and provided they could retain their practice form, were tlio winners. - 'Just for a few seconds Oxford appeared to lead, although Gladstuno only struck tho smooth,water 38 times to Stuart's <tl, in tho first minute. ■ " STEADY GAIN. ■ . ; Before those 33 strokes of Oxford's had been put in, however, Cambridgo were ahead and going further - in'-'front -at every, mechanical dip of their blades..... Old rowing 'men crowding tho many balconies of the local boathouses shut up their glasses with conviction as tho boats disappeared from' view; they realised the result. Those near; Craven Steps, which wcio reached in two ' and a half minutes, saw Cambridge with' over a length's lead. Tho bond at Craven: Point brought t]ie boats into troubled. water, which, lasted all up. .tho long .roach at Harrod's. Oxford ,wcre seemingly'more at homo in miniature waves, for Cambridgo did not for a timo, iiicreaso tho daylight between the ships. '

At tho mile post thoy had rowed for and werof-.still a littlo over , a lengtVin front,-:.-As they swept under Hammersmith Bridge in 7min. 32sec. they wero pulling in Oxford's water;, and were a good three lengths. ahead. 1 There was plenty of time now to note how well Oxford were keeping together—showing a coolness ono might e'xpcct in a "secret trial." Occasionally Gladstono spurted, but they scdrned to 1 - mako better progress when rowing at a slower rate. Thus the race proceeded on follow-your-leader lines. Tho water was still untroubled as an'ather' important landmark— Chiswick Church 4*was passed ■ after twelvo minutes, and ■ it became.-only a. question of what sort of time Cambridge would accomplish.- Tliey shot, under-Barnes Bridge after lOmin. 3scc., and continued to row steadily and at a fast pace. . As is frequently,tho caso when tho winning crew is leading by three or four 'lengths, this margin was reduced in tho final stages. Cambridge, wero by 110 means inclined to take thiugs very leisurely, for Oxford wero rowing too well to attempt liberties. But tho prospccts of a record were out of the question, and Stuart realised that a strong and cleanly executed finish is wonderfully effective. He is always a marvel in a winning raco, and tho Oxford stroke knew it.

OXFORD'S LACK OF FORM. 1 ■ The winning post was reached; neither crew; was • badly' done up; and .Cambridge had ■ won their thirtieth boat-race. Oxford still have an advantage of four. Cambridge possessedj in addition to their undoubted paco, groator strength and steadiness than their, rivals. Oxford are a pretty crew to watch paddling or pulling a. lowracing stroke, but thoy never really obtained tho right sort of form-when doing a very high rate. . The lessons taught by their inability to shake off scratch crows were borne out. Gladstone, knowing the Oxford defect, dare' not "ask his crew to do too much. Their stamina was not in doubt, but their form had. its limitations. It must be frankly admitted that few old Oxford "blues" thought that their University would win.