THE BOAT RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22405, 29 April 1936, Page 10

THE BOAT RACE

WIN FOE CAMBRIDGE OXFORD'S PLUJDKY EFFORT LONG SERIES OF SUCCESSES [from our own correspondent] By Air ilk LONDON, April 8 Up to 1899 Oxford had won 32 of the annual boat races and Cambridge only 23, while in 1877 had been a deadheat. From 1900 to the present day Cambridge has won 23 and Oxford only 8 races. During the post-war years Cambridge has had 15 successes and Oxford only one. Everyone interested in the annual test takes it for granted nowadays that Cambridge will be victorious. The Oxonians had shown some promise during the final spell of practice on the tideway. On April 4 they won the toss and so started jtvith the advantage of the Surrey station, but they never were in the lead by more than half a length. Rennie Rogers, the special correspondent of The Sporting Life, followed tho race closely, and he says that when the Light Blues made their effort half-way through the race Oxford were totally unable to respond, and were beaten to the finishing post even more easily than a year ago. Cambridge adopted winning tactics from the start. With the Dark Blues' somewhat unexpected lead through the bad water to Hammersmith Bridge, they pushed them all the way, with the result that when a supreme effort was required Oxford had no reserve strength to call upon. However, the Oxonians are to be congratulated upon putting up a better show than any of the crews to have represented Oxford during recent years. Coaching Triumph The result was a perfect triumph for swivels and tideway methods of coaching, and Mr. Charles Rew is to be heartily congratulated upon the success which has attended his efforts. Mr. Rogers can see little hope of Oxford winning in. the near future unless they decide to follow the example and adopt more modern methods. . , The rate of stroke at the start was Oxford, 39, and Cambridge, 40, dropping to 32 and 33 respectively at Craven Steps, where Oxford led by a canvas. Just before the mile post it looked as if the crews would clash when the Cambridge cox tried to get the full value of the tide. Oxford were a few feet to the good at the mile post, where the time was 4in 42s and the water conditions still pretty bad. There was little in it past Harrods on to Hammersmith Bridge, which was reached with the Oxonians leading by about a third of a length. The water above Hammersmith Bridge was all that could be desired and Oxford had everything in their favour had they been able to make a big effort. The best they could do was to increase their lead to about half a length. Laurie seized his opportunity, and, drawing level at the Stork, called upon his crew for another burst of ten, which put the Light Blues in the lead for the first time in the race. Continuing to get away from their rivals, Cambridge were about four lengths ahead at Barnes Bridge, where the watch shonCJ the time as 17m 345. Margin of Five Lengths From Barnes Bridge home the Light Blues increased their advantage, and passed the second post at Mortlake in 21m 6s, easy winners. The official verdict was five lengths. . Cambridge, who had maintained a slightly higher rate of stroke than Oxford for most of. the race, finished with a burst of 39, as against 26 by the Oxford stroke. Man for man, the Cambridge crew were superior. All rowed well and with great determination. The Times refers to the performance by Oxford as the most encouraging for many years, full of life and determination. "Oxford were inferior to" Cambridge, both individually and as a crew. But they rowed in a way which justifies great hopes for the future. Mr. Rathbone has shown that as a coach he is able to inspire a crew, admittedly inferior in technical accomplishment, with the racing spirit which means so much. That there is the material at Oxford for a good coach to work upon is evident from the fine showing of Magdalen and New -College in the recent head of the river race, and of Christ Church and New College at Henley last year. What is wanted is more raciDg experience and a more widespread enthusiasm among the colleges.'