’VARSITY BOAT RACE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 156, 29 March 1926, Page 7

’VARSITY BOAT RACE

CAMBRIDGE WINS AGAIN FIVE LENGTHS TO SPARE “A PLEASANT PRACTICE PADDLE” By Telegraph.—Press Association. Copyright. (Rec. March 28, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 27. The inter-’Varsity boat race was rowed to-day in the presence of a huge crowd. The conditions were ideal, smooth water and a light south-easterly breeze contributing to a fast race. Oxford won the toss and chose the Surrey side of the rivet.

The crews got off to an excellent start, Oxford with a slight lead, but Cambridge rowed beautifully. At the mile post the time was 4min. 3sec. When the boats were practically level, a spurt by Oxford secured them the advantage, but Cambridge answered well. Hammersmith Bridge was passed in 7min. 27sec. Oxford were slightly in the lead at Chiswick, but at Eyot, Cambridge, by a magnificent effort, drew ahead, and although Oxford tried hard by Dukes Meadows to reduce the lead, .Cambridge readied Barnes Bridge in 16min. lOsec. They then had the race well in hand. As they approached the finishing post Cambridge, by a short spurt, increased their lead considerably. The Cambridge crew appeared undistressed, but some of the Oxford men were badly done up. Won easily by five lengths. Time, 19min. 29sec. —Reuter.

OXFORD’S SURPRISING CRACK UP (Rec. March 28, 11.5 p.m.) London, March 28. The race was '■most remarkable for Oxford’s surprising crack up. They only feebly responded to Cambridge’s special deciding effort. Over the long straight to Barnes Bridge and passing Dukes Meadows, Cambridge were doing a pleasant practice paddle, smooth and effortless. They were never sufficiently pressed to ruffle the rhythm of their blade work. A neck and neck race might have told another tale, but beyond one scrappy patch when Oxford was leading the Light Blues outdid them in liveliness of catch, drive and length of stroke, though generally rowing fewer to the minute. Steve Fairbank, interviewed after the race, said that Bell was the best man in both crews. He revealed that the Cambridge coach, Escombe, built up the crew on Bell, also that during the last fortnight Bell was the mainstay of their improvement, exercising as much influence as the stroke.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. z [This is the third year in succession that Cambridge has won the race.]