THE BOAT RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 13

THE BOAT RACE

OXFORD V. CAMBRIDGE

EVENT TAKES PLACE TO-DAY

PERSONNEL OF CREWS

One of the biggest sporting events of the year and one which attracts world-wide interest, the annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities, will take place to-day on the River Thames. In London it is an occasion of great enthusiasm. More than 1,000,000 people lining the banks between Putney and Mortlake witness the event.

This will he the first occasion since 1921 on which the race has been held on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday. Oxford as challenger suggested March 13, but, as the Cambridge Senate would not grant their oarsman permission to miss the last fortnight of the term, and the tides were unsuitable on other dates, March 24 was decided upon. As a result, both crews had an extra 10 days' training. In the short, dark days of December training was commenced. Oxford optimists think that there is every prospect of breaking the long run of Cambridge victories. This assumption is based largely on the number of olrl "Blues" which Oxford can muster. Five at least are known to be available, while it is considered extremely lucky that J. C. Cherry and J. D. Sturrock, both Olympic oarsmen, will be together in the seven and six seats respectively.

Views ol Critic

There is probably no need to apologise for the optimism expressed in speaking; of this year's Oxford crew—it is clearly justified, when one considers the material available, wrote a critic in an English newspaper. One curious feature is worthy of mention in that while some of the best Oxford oarsmen are heavy-weights, the eox is the lightest ever to hold the rudder lines of a university crew. But lest it be thought that a cox of under 4st. is incapable of guiding or commanding the fortunes of the men who tire in front of him, Massey can make up for his meagre weight in pounds by considerable power of voice and determination of purpose.

Latest reports about the Cambridge eight were very satisfying to its supporters and with so many successes to its credit it has come to be recognised that the result is a foregone conclusion.

A special correspondent to an English paper says he can see little prospect of Oxford winning unless the crewdecides to follow Cambridge's example and adopt more modern methods.

Losses to Cambridge

The loss of W. G. M. Laurie and D. G. Kingsford, who have rowed in the eight for at least the past two years, and the inability of H. W. Mason to take his place in the stroke seat on account of an alpine accident, are considered to be very detrimental to the combination of the Cambridge crew. However, there is some good material which may be moulded into a sound crew, and, it is confidently hoped, one of the fastest eights seen at Putney for many years. As far as is known only three old "Blues" will be available. According to the latest information the crews to-day will be: — Oxford. —M. G. C. Ashby (Oundle and Xew College) (bow). J. S. Lewes (King's, Parramatta, and Christ Church), D. R. B. Mynors (Eton and Xew College'), R. G. Rowe (Eton and University College), J. P. Bur rough (St. Edward's and St. Edmund Hall), J. D. Sturrock (Winchester and Magdalen), J. C. Cherry (Westminster and Brasenose), A. B. Hodgson (Eton and Oriel) (stroke), H. P. V. Massey (Upper Canada College and Balliol) (cox).

Cambridge.—T. S. Oree (Geelong and Jesus') (bow), D. M. W. Xapier (Plton and Magdalen), 31. Bradley (Monkton Combe and Pembroke), J. Turnbull (Geelong and Clare). M. P. Lonnon (Westminster and Third Trinity), T. B. Langton (Radley and Jesus), A. Burrough (St. Paul's and Jesus), R J. L. Perfitt (K.C.S., Wimbledon and Trinity Hall) (stroke), T. H. Hunter (Harvard and Trinity Hall) (cox). Previous Races Up to 1899 Oxford had won 32 of the annual boat races and Camhridge only 23, while in IS7" there had been a dead-heat. From 1900 to the present day Cambridge has won 23 and Oxford only eight 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 sport of rowing, has had a haphazard development, and grew slowly from insignificant origin. It was not until after the Battle of Waterloo that boat-racing was seriously indulged in, at Oxford in 1810, and at Cambridge in 1826, but the inter-university contest was not introduced until 1529, The first event, which was rowed from Hambledon Lock to Henley, was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Oxford won easily, as it did later when the first official race took place in 1839. Between 1861-1869, and 1890-1898 Oxford had a sequence of nine victories to its credit, which has only been, beaten by the present record of Cambridge's 13 successive wins. In 1577 the only dead-heat in the history of the contest occurred.