HISTORIC BOAT RACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 117, 14 April 1930, Page 7

HISTORIC BOAT RACE

WON BY CAMBRIDGE. STRENUOUS CONTEST. OXFORD’S PLUCKY EFFORT. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, April 12. Cambridge defeated Oxford in the ’Varsity boat race by two lengths.. It was a strenuous contest. • The time was 19min ssec. The crews were as follow: Cambridge.—Haig-Thomas (bow), Rickett Prideaux, Carpmael, Warriner, Collins, Reeve, Brocklebank (stroke),’ Swartout (cox). Oxford.—Waterhouse (bow), Low, Hutton, Johnston, Edwards, Clive, Tinne, Martineau (stroke), and Burbridge (cox). Crowds began to gather in the early morning despite drizzling rain and a cold south-easterly wind, and the shores were black with umbrellas. Rain ceased before the start, but came down again at the finish. Oxford won the toss and chose the Surrey side. There was a perfect start at 12.13 o’clock.

Oxford gained a slight lead, striking 37, and Cambridge' 36. The boats drew level at the mile-post. The dark blues (Oxford) regained threequarters of a length lead at Hammersmith Bridge, but Cambridge overtook them at three miles, after which, pulling more steadily than Oxford, they increased their lead to three-quarters of a length at Barnes's Bridge, and gradually added to their advantage. Oxford made a magnificent spurt at the Brewery, but were unable to reduce the leeway, and Cambridge finished two lengths -ahead of a very distressed dark blue crew. The time was the second best since tho war.

Cambridge have thus won 41 races to Oxford’s 40, gaining the lead for the first time since 1862. Tho race in 1877 was a tie.

Oxford rowed very pluckily and never lost form, but Cambridge had the race in hand after passing Barnes’s‘Bridge. Tinne (Oxford), commenting on the result, said that it was a gruelling race, and they just failed to pull it off. Mr Stanley Baldwin, who was a keen spectator, described it as the most thrilling race he had seen for years. Warriner (Cambridge) remarked that it was a terrific battle from start to finish. .

The first race was rowed in 1829, tho result of a challcngo from Cambridge University. Tho first official race, the forerunner of tho world’s greatest boat race, took place in 1840. Cainbridgo Started favourito but Oxford won easily. The “light and dark blue colours” did not distingiush the crews in tho early races, and it was not until 1836 that tho colours were adopted. Only once, in 1877, has the raco resulted in a' dead-heat, when tho third slowest time, 24min 6jsec, was registered. The fastest time, 18min 20sec, in 1911, stands to tho credit of Oxford, as also do tho two slowest times, 25min 35sec, in 1866, and 24min 41scc, in 1862. In 1925 Oxford did not complete the course. No raco resulted in 1912, as both- boats swamped. RESULTS SINCE 1905. ct Tho following table shows the results sinco 1905: —

From tho early stages of training operations both universities wero faced with difficulties in seating their respective crews, and in spite of many changes in tho personnel of each eight, tho material progress in tho work of tho crews was not affected to any great extent. Cambridge was first to complete its crew, and it sprang a surprise by bringing back to tho No. 6 seat J. B. Collins, who rowed in the 1928 and 1929 crews. Then the dark blues caused a stir by seating 11. R. A. Edwards as No. 5. Ho rowed for Oxford in 1926. Falling back on the older men like this has not met with much favour in some university circles, although by doing so tho strengthening of both crews has been acknowledged. The greatest sensation of tho boat raco followed when through a difference of opinion with the president of the Oxford University Boat Club over tho placing of tho crew, tho three coaches resigned. The controversy took another turn when the president’s resignation was accepted by tho collego boat club captains. Tho coaches wore later asked to resume their work. Much comment hat also been made regarding the now stylo of oarsmanship being developed by Cambridge. In tho 1928 crew the change was noticeable. It was moro marked last year, but this year it seems to bo fully developed. Tho light blues appear to bo paying great attention to tho start and middle of the stroke, but lack finish. Styles of rowing will always produco endless arguments, and, whatever Cambridge may bo doing, wins in tho last six races stand to its credit.

Timo. Won by Winner. 111. s. Lengths. 1905—Oxford ... 20 35 5 1905—Cambridge ... 19 24 34 1907—Cambridge ... 20 26 41 1908 —Cambridge ... 19 19 24 1909 —Oxford ... 19 50 34 1910—Oxford ... 20 14 * 31 1911—Oxford ... 18 29 2* 1912—Oxford ... ' 22 5 6 1913—Oxford ... 20 53 s 1914 —Cambridge ... 20 23 44 1920—Cambridge ... 21 11 4 1921 —Cambridge ... 19 45 1 1922 —Cam brid ge ... 19 27 44 1923—Oxford ... 20 54 l 1924—Cambridge ,.. 18-41 44 1925 —Cambridge ... 20 50 * 1926—Cambridge ... 19 29 5 1927 —Cambridge ... 20 14 3 1928—Cambridge ... 20 21 10 1929—Cambridge ... 19 25 7 *0xford did not complete the course.