OXFORD'S BOAT RACE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 107, 22 May 1937, Page 17

OXFORD'S BOAT RACE

FIRST SUCCESS IN THIRTEEN YEARS EXCITING DUEL WITH CAMBRIDGE

Oxford won the boat race by three lengths in 22min. 39sec. after one of the most exciting races ever seen on the tideway, writes E. P. Evans (Oxford boat 1904-5-6) in the Manchester Ouardian of April 2. The race will go down in history as one of the best between the two universities, for it was not until Griffin Brewery, which is just before the Duke's Meadows, that the Oxford crew definitely asserted their superiority. Up to that point the struggle had been close all the way — first one crew being in the lead and then havlng to give way to the other. Even when Oxford had established such a lead that the race could be considered to be theirs barring accidents the Cambridge crew- were not altogether finished with, and they rowed an extremely plucky and gallant Iosing race. It was a truly magnificent victory for tho Oxford crew, and they certainly justified all the good things that had been said about them in practice. They have worked hard to bring about this result, and they are fully entitled to the credit which has to be given to the crew which has in no uncertairt manner broken the sequence of Cambridge victories. New Spirit Oxford had.an entirely different spirit about the race this year. They knew they were a good crew and that if they rowed Up to their form they could beat Cambridge. They had the will to win, which was half the battle, and they just settled down to give theit best without any semblance of being disturbed by their opponents' tactics. The great feature of the race was the coolheadedness of the Oxford stroke — Hodgson, He rowed just the right race, giving his heavyweights all the time they needed to apply their power. When Cambridge spurted, as indeed they did to some tune on many occasions, Hodgson let their spurt die away and never attempted any great acceleration of the stroke, which . might have upset his crew. He kept them going hard throughout at a rate which he knew suited them best, and so he gradually wore Cambridge down. Indeed, it may be said that, whilst not actually cracking, Cambridge were rowed to a standstill, and at the flnish hardly a man in the crew could have rowed another stroke. Oxford were improving their rowing all through the race, and their great power was applied right up to the finish. After they had shaken Cambridge off they' were increasing their lead at every stroke, and it was their beautiful finish which really gave them their Pace. Cambridge lacked finish, and when their bolt was shot they became rather ragged and short, though still keeping up the rate of stroke. > After the bad weather of the last few days the morning was beautifully fine and the sun was shining trightly. .There was almost no wind, and what there was blew from a point south of west. The water in Putney Reach was comparatively cairn, with nothing more than a slight popple. Cambridge were lucky again in winning the toss and took the Surrey station, which suited Oxford, for they expected to be faster over the second half of the course, and this gave them the last long bend from Duke's • Meadows to the finish. False Start After a false start Mr. Rickett got I the crews away to a good start and

Cambridge led off rowing 10, 20 and 38 strokes in the first quarter, half, and full minute to Qxford's 10, 19, 36. At' the end of; the first minute Cambridge were leading by half a length, and at the Craven Steps they had the same lead and were now rowing stroke for stroke with Oxford at 32. Hodgson made the most of the first dorner at the end oi Fulham Wall and brought his Crew tip level. It seemed then that the Cambridge coX was heading too far over to the Surrey side and thereby lost a little ground. Coming up to the mile post Oxford had about a quarter of a length's lead and were going Very steadily and rpwing well wlthin themselves. At the mile post (4min. 39 sec.) Oxford were leading by a canvas and had dropped the stroke to Under 30. Opposite the Crabtree Perfitt put in a determined spurt and raised the stroke; to 35, but he did not make much impression aird Oxford were still leading at Harrod's. At this point the crews were very close to each other and a foul appeared imminent; the Oxford cox gave way, and by dping so lost ground, so that by the time Hammersmith Bridge (8min. 24sec.) was reached both crews were dead level. Oxford had raised the stroke to 32, but Perfitt was determined to make the most of the corner, and he put in another vigorous spurt which put his crew up one-third of a length. All this time Hodgson was watching carefully to see that Cambridge did not get away, and he kept his crew going at an even rate Without any hustling. At the Doves Cambridge still retained their lead of a third of a length, and though still spurting at intervals could not increase their lead. A slight headwind in Chiswiok Reach steadied the crews down a bit, and going past the Stork training-ship Oxford looked like faltering, but this was only momentary and they soon pulled themselves together. Again Perfitt tried to establish a further lead by another burst, but this soon faded away. The crews were again very nearly touching and once again the Oxford cox had to give way. This put Oxford on their mettle to make up lost ground, and when they passed Chiswick Steps (13min. 33sec.) they just had a canvas lead, and from this point they wcnt ahead. Crossing over to Middlesex opposite Grifiin's Brewery the Oxford cox appeared to be too close to the shore, but this manoeuvre gave him the best of the tide. The crew picked up the stroke to 32 and put in a fine piece of rowing along Duke's Meadows and gradually forged ahead, leaving Cambridge toiling in the rear. Cambridge Done Cambridge had shot their bolt, and though they were sticking to their work gamely there were distinct signs of distress. Their rowing got" short and scratchy and there was no longer any kick in their beginnings. Oxford passed Barnes Bridge (19min. 34sec.) three-quarters of a length ahead and were going strongly. Thelr immense power was still being applied, and knowing that they had the race well in hand they did not attempt any higher rate of striking than 32. Cambridge came along with a final burst at 35, but they were all spent and could only just get home. Oxford i passed the winning-post in 22min. 39sec., winners by three lengths according to the official verdist, though perhaps this was on the generous side.