VARSITY BOAT RACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 March 1929, Page 5

VARSITY BOAT RACE

CAMBRIDGE’S EASY WIN

(Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

LONDON, March 23. Cambridge won the University boat race bv seven lengths. Glorious sunshine brought record crowds to the tow paths, thousands taking up their positions before breakfast, and eating this 'meal in picnic fashion. ~ ... The water was so smooth that it afforded little advantage to the crew winning the toss. Both of the crews were fit and confident. Cambridge, winning the toss, chose the Surrey side. The day was fine and fresh. There was a south-west breeze and no delay. Oxford was up a canvas one minute after the start. Both were doing forty strokes to the minute. Then Cambridge drew level, and got their nose in front. They now steadied down. The breeze was now freshening. At Fulham Palace, Cambridge was half a length ahead, but Oxford, rowing splendidly, spurted and drew up a little. Cambridge, however, was going easily, and soon increased their lead slightly. Oxford was striking 36 to the minute, and Cambridge 37, after five minutes. At the mile, Cambridge was one length in the lead, and was still rowing with a lovely rythm. Oxford at Harrods, made another effort, but failed to make any impression, rowing a little rockily. Cambridge was still holding the lead, and was drawing away with a two lengths lead under Hammersith bridge. Oxford again spurted gamely, without gaining. Both crews next lengthened out to thirtytwo to the minute, but Cambridge had matters well in hand. Passing Chiswick Eyot, which is rather more than half-way, Cambridge was leading by 31 lengths. Oxford were fighting all the way, but Cambridge were still well within themselves, and their boat was running beautifully between the strokes. At Duke’s Meadows (rather more than 31 miles) there was a gap of six lengths between the boats. Cambridge were now drawing away at every stroke. Oxford was still rowing well, but was obviously a tired crew. Cambridge, rowing a magnificent rhythmic stroke, increased their lead to the finish,' and the official verdict was that they won by seve’n lengths in the time of 19 minutes 25 seconds. . Cambridge ended sitting up, but the whole Oxford crew, except Morphett, collapsed over their oars. BOW HAS INFLUENZA LONDON, March 24. Barr, the Oxford Bow, collapsed at the end of the race and was unconscious for half an hour. The doctor certified that he was suffering from influenza. CAMBRIDGE WINS SPORTS.

LONDON, March 23

Cambridge beat Oxford by winning seven events to four events, at the inter-Varsity sports, which were held for the first time at Stamford Bridge, owing to the Queen’s Club having been converted into tennis cqurts. The attendance was 20,000.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH OXFORD?

LONDON, March 24.

Successive defeats has revived the question, “What’s the matter with Oxford ?”

H. M. Abrahams, the famous Cambridge athlete, says it is unprecedented for a University to lose the sports and boat races four years in succession. Personally, he considers that the healthy scientific atmosphere of the Cantabs is far more conducive to sport success than the spirit of taking life seriously dominating Oxford. Another athlete ascribed effeminacy to Oxford.