THE BOAT RACE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 88, 23 March 1931, Page 2

THE BOAT RACE

VICTORY FOR CANTABS

BATTLE OF THE BLUES

CAMBRIDGE ALL THE WAY

LONDON, March 21

Cambridge defeated ■ x'jix by two ami a-half lengths in the University rowing race to-day, the time recorded being lOinin. 2(lsec. Oxford won the toss and chose the Middlesex side. The wind was due south but moderate. Cambridge were a few feet ahead in the first few minutes and maintained a slight haul for a mile where Oxford closed up. but Cambridge entering the second mile steadily increased their lead to tiueequaiters ot a length. Oxford again increased the rate but Cambridge had a slight lead at Hammersmith Bridge' and n lead of a length at Uj miles which was maintained at two miles. Oxford’s struggle to hold till* leaders now told ami they became ragged. Cambridge, rowing well within themselves, were two and a-hall lengths in the lead at 21 miles an! three, and a-half lengths at 31 miles,. Oxford, though very tired, made a desperate effort approaching the four miles and gradually crept up to within two lengths, buy, Broeklebank, keeping Cambridge well together, spurted near the finish and won convincingly. The Cantabs seemed fresh despite the gruelling race, but the Oxonians all leant on their oars. The crews wore as follows: —

Cambndgt—Haig-Thomas (Old Blue), bow, Brideaux (Old Blue). Symonds, Gray, Carpmael (Old Blue), Picket (Old Blue), Scigai, Broeklebank (Old Blue) stroke. Hanking, who eights only 97 lb. is the tiniest cox on record. Oxford. —Garstang (bowl, Smith, Tinne (Old Blue), Johnston (Old Blue'. Pool, Clive (Old Blue), Erskmiecrum, Uoklsworth (stroke). Edmet (cox). All members of both crews are from English Public Schools. Krskunecrum was rowing on the same thwart as lus father, the famous •itonian, “Wet Bob,’’ iu the 'nineties. Broeklebank is regarded as one of the finest strokes in the history of the .a«e.

No sport® event in the Empire arouses keener interest than Hie university rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge, which took place on flu Thames on Saturday. Even in New /calami, far removed as it is from the scene ot the race, the event is always considered one of the most important of the year. For the past eight- years the race has been won by Canuiri Ige. this including Saturday’s race, and last year the time was the second best since the war.

Such names as Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge, prominent points on the course, have been made familiar to New Zealanders by reason of the race. In England, the iutmost is intense. Last year, although tin-, race was contested in a drizzling rain and there was a cold south-easterly wind, the banks of the Thames were lined witn people along the course. Until recently there was every chance that New Zealand would bo represented in the race, as Mr J. F. Platts Mills, formerly of Nelson College, and now ot Balliol, was a member of the O-ctorJ crew in training. However, he was forced to retire owing to an injury. The following table show- the resu'ds of the race from lOfio to ISKIO: —

'Winner. Tinu . Won by in. s. lengths. ] 90,1 —Oxford .. . . 20 65 o 1906 —Cambridge . . 19 24 1907 —Cambridge . .v 20 26 41. 1 90S —Cambridge • . la 19 1909 —Oxford .. . . 19 50 * * !• 1910—Oxford .. . . 20 14 ;> I. .1911 — Oxford .. . IS 29 - f 1912—Oxford .. . . 22 .1 6 i 1914—Cambridge . !"•) 2 .*» 41 1920 —Cambridge . . 2111 4 1921— Cambridge . . 19 45 1 1922 —Cambridge . . 19 27 192.‘5—Oxford .. . . 20 54 4 1924— Cambridge . . ,18 41 41 1925 —Cambridge . . 20 50 1926 —Cambridge . . 19 29 f) 1927 —(":1111 b :• id <r o . . 20 1 t :; 1928 —Cambridge . . 20 21 10 1929—Cambridge . l'a 25 l 19:10—Cambridge . . 19 5 2 1961- —Cambri Igc . . 19 26 *Oxford did not coin]drto the eonr; a