The University Boat Race.

Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1904, Page 3

The University Boat Race.

WON BY CAMBRIDGE. weather was fine and the .cer smooth for the boat race on Saturday. Cambridge won the toss and chose the Surrey side of the river, Cambridge going off at 35, and Oxford 36, strokes to the minute. At Walden’s Cobtree, Oxford was leading by a length. Cambridge then began to improve their position and, at the Saccharine works, had reduced the lead to threequarters of a length. Passing Hammersmith bridge, where both had settled down to 32 strokes per minute, Oxford had a quarter of a length’s advantage, which at the Lead Mill had increased to half a length. Cambridge begem to forge ahead, and at Tborneycroft’s had established a slight lead which they gradually increased, eventually winning after a splendid struggle by 2£ lengths. The Cambridge crew showed perfect form throughout the race, and were never hustled. At Thorneycroft’a the Oxford rowing was rather ragged, and Cambridge, spurting, took the lead and came right away, winning by 2j lengths. Time, 21min 34sec. (1902 19min 9sec ; 1903 -19 min 85sec.) Oxford rowed a dogged stern race. [Cambridge has now won three years in succession. The totals now stand-Oxford 83, Cambridge 27, dead heat 1877.]