MISHAPS OF THE PAST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1403, 1 April 1912, Page 5

MISHAPS OF THE PAST.

RIVAL CREWS AND THEIR PROSPECTS. The most serious mishap shown in the records of tho Oxford-Cambridge race since 1829 was the sinking of the Cambridge boat in the race of 1859, which Oxford won in 2-lmin. 30sec. In 1849 Oxford won on n foul; in 1877, tbe one occasion on which tho race resulted in a dead heat, tho Oxford bowman damaged his oar; and in 18S7 No. 7 in tho Oxford boat broke his oar. These, so far as the available records show, wero the sum total of the accidents in tho past. The present race is the sixty-ninth. Oxford has won 37 times, Cambridge 30, and, as stated above, one race ended .in n dead heat. Last year's time, 18min. 29sec;, was tho fastest on record. Writing of the prospects of the race on February 10, "Tho Times" said:— Oxford. There were several important, changes in the Oxford crew during last week. The crew may now bo regarded as finally settled, and there will be no further changes in the. ordinary course of events. As far as'can be seen, the right men are rowing in the right places, and the crew as a whole, has been considerably improved by tho changes, and have come on considerably dmiiig tha week, notwithstanding the alterations to which they have been subjected. Mr. Tinne is a very good 2, and is rowing bettor, and is better placed in that position than ho would be in any other pfaco in the boat. The same remark applies to Mr. Wormald at 3, where he is rowing a. great (leal better than he did at i. As was expected, Mr. Horsfiill's presence in a Torpid has improved him out of all recognition, and the work in a fixed seat in a heavy boat has acted like a tonic upon his beginning. Hia, shoulders are still very awkward, but his work is coming on much quicker, and he is improving. Mr. Pitman at bow is ako improving, though it will be some time before he. learns to time correctly together his body swing and . sliding. Mr. Wedderbnrn is still very late with his blade and work, but was doing very much better in this respect on the way back on Friday, and when he 'dons get'his work it is jiood. Names and latest weights:— st. lb. F. A. H. Pitman (Eton and Now College (bow) 11 9 *2. C. E. Tinne (Eton and University) 12 0 *3. L. G. Wormald (E'on and Mag- ■ dalcii) 12 7 i. E. R. Ilorsfall (Eton and Mag--dalen) 12 0 5. A.. H. M. AVedderburn (Eton and , Balliol) 13 G 6. A. F. R. Wiggins (Eton and Now College) 12 H *C. W. B. Littlejohn (Victoria and College) 12 6 •R. C. Bourne (Eton and New CollewV (stroke) ]0 13 •H. B. Wells" (Winchester and Magdalen) (e'jx) 8 8 *An (Ad Blue. Mr. Wiggins wo/.- snare man 1911. .

Cambridge. Last week (continues "The Times") there were comparatively few changes in tho Cambridge crew; in fact, their first changa from the order—bow, Mr. Ayluif; 2, Mr. Burnaml; 3, Mr. Pattinsou; i, Mr. Dobb; 5, Mr. Goldsmith; (i, Mr. Lo Wane Smith; 7, Mr. Heyland; stroke, Mr. Swann—was on Friday, when they made two journeys, in the first of which Mr. D. C. Collins came in at 2, Mr. Burnnnd going i, tu the exclusion of Mr. Dobb. In the second Mr. Dobb returned to i, Mr. Bnrnand went 2, Mr. Ayliff went 3, Mr. l':il tin-son • bow. The crnw seem at last to be reaching something like n final brder, and Thursday should see tho crow fhmily settled. Mr. Arbuthiiot, the president, who lias very wisely given himself a long rest in order to make a complete recovery from his indisposition, has, oE, course, still to conic into the boat nt bow, displacing either Mr. Ayliff or Mr. Pattinsoii, and as on I'ridiiy Mr. Pattinson went bow and Mr. Aylift 3, it looks as if tho latter had the better chance. As Mr. Collins was only givu:i a short trial at 2 on the first journey, Mr. Burnard and Mr. Dobb are likely to row 2 and i or •1 anil 2 respectively. The rowing shows improvement, as they were longer and steadier, though they still have the fault of doing too much with>.heir ."hoiildcT* which makes them slow both' in Ei'tHii',' thi-ir blade- in tlir. H -ntcr and in Rollins their work on. There is :il>o a k-mleiicy to sacrifice length nt the end of the stroke lo getting tlio hands away quickly. Although this latter is very desirable, it is more iinnorbint that (he stroke should lip completely finished. Names ami latest weights: — st. lb. L. A. Paltinson (Rugby ami Jf-M") (how) 12 t *2. C. V, Ijiiniaml (Downside and J'ii-st Trinity)' 12 8 3. ,T. Ayl.itr (Trinity Hall) 12 i i. K. I!. Dobb (Toubridgo and Pembroke) '. 12 12 5. J. U. Goldsmith (Ka-sall and Jesus) 12 1.1 R. 7* IJlnnc Smith (Eton and Third Trinity) 13 7 7. H. M. Hcyinnd (Wellington and Pembroke) 12 4 *S. K. Swnnn (Knjrb.v and Trinity IlnlO f?trorV> 11 U *(■'.'A. Skiu'wr (Durban Ilinh Kplioul, Nnliil, anil Jesus) (coi) 9 0 'An-Old Blue.