“THE BOAT RACE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 945, 11 April 1930, Page 6

“THE BOAT RACE”

EACH UNIVERSITY HAS 40 VICTORIES GREAT EVENT TOMORROW Cautious constables in London will tighten the chin-straps of their helmets tomorrow evening: theatre managers will be chary of reserving rows of seats for riotous young men, and there will be even more life and activity than usual in Piccadilly. It will be “Soat Race Night.’’ Each University having 40 wins to its credit, the annual eight-oar race between Cambridge and Oxford, to be rowed on the Thames from Putney to Mor t lake, is attracting even more attention than last season, which was the occasion of the centenary celebrations. Both crews have been ’ bolstered by the bringing back of older men. Cambridge has J. B. Collins, who rowed for th <* lights in 1928 and 1929, back in No. S seat and Oxford has put H. R. A. Edwards, a 1926 representative, as No. Fortunately, the several changes in the crews have not greatly affected training operations, although serious disorganisation in the Oxford ranks was only averted by the resignation of the president of the Oxford Unit ersity Boat Club. A difference of opinion with the president over the seating of the crew, has resulted in the resignation of the three coaches. The college boat club captains accepted the proffered resignation of the University Club president, and, eventually, the coaches were persuaded to resume their duties. VIEWS OF CRITICS Cambridge is claimed to be a super crew, but oarsmen of the old school have found serious faults in the style. The catch is good, they say. The oars rip. through the water, and the men come steadily up the slide, but the finish is ragged. However that may be, Cambridge has won the last six races, generally by a substantial margin, and the light blues are confident again this season. Oxford supporters state that thoir crew is a stronger combination than any other that has represented the University for the last five years. According to latest reports the crewa for tomorrow’s race will be as follow: Oxford. —M. J. Waterhouse (Eton and Balliol), bow. 12st 21b; C. M. Johnston (Shrewsbury and Brasenose). 12st 3flb; N. K. Hutton (Fettes and University), 12st 71b; R. V. Low (Winchester and University), 12st 3£lb; H. R. A. Edwards (Westminster and Christchurch), 12st 111 b; L. Clive (Eton and Christchurch), 13st 111 b: D. E. Tinne (Eton and University), 12st 21b; C. F. Martineau (Harrow and University), stroke, list; H. A. C. Bur bridge (Malvern and University), cox. 9st. Cambridge. —D. Haig-Thomas (Eton and Lady Margaret), bow, list 81b; H. R. N. Rickett (Eton and Third Trinity), 32st 41b; A. S. Reeve (Brighton and Selwyn), list 101 b; P. N. Carpmael (Oundle and Jesus), 12st 101 b; M. H. AVarriner (Harrow and First Trinity). 14st; J. B. Collins (Eton and Third Trinity), 14st lib; R. H. H. Symonds (Bedford and Lady Margaret), list 3 01b: T. A. Brocklebank (Eton and Third Trinity), stroke, list 61b; J. M. Ranking (Cheltenham and Pem.), cox, Gst 91b. THE FIRST RACE The first race was rowed in 1829, the result of a challenge from Cambridge University. The first official race, the forerunner of the world’s greatest boat race, took place in 1840. Cambridge started favourite, but Oxford won easily. The “light and dark blue colours” did not distinguish the crews in the early races, and it was not until 1836 that the colours were adopted. Honours are now even, each University having won the race 40 times. Only once, in 1877, has the rroe resulted in a dead-heat, when the third slowest time, 24m 61s, was registered. The fastest time, 18m 20s, in 1911, stands to the credit of Oxford, as also do the 'two slowest times, 25m 355, in 1866, and 24m 41s, in 1862. In 1925 Oxford did not complete the course. No race resulted in 1912, as both boats swamped. For this year’s race both crews will be seated in new boats. The following table shows the results since 1905: —

Winner. 1905— Oxford 1906— Cambridge Time . 20 35 19 24 Won by Lengths 190 1 —Cambridge 1908—Cambridge . 20 26 . 19 19 !! 1910— Oxford . . 1911— Oxford .. . . 20 14 1 1912—Oxford . . . . 22 5 6 1914—Cambridge 1920—Cambridge : 13! 3 1921— Cambridge 1922— Cambridge 19 45 1 1923— Oxford 1924— Cambridge 1925— Cambridge 1926— Cambridge 1927— Cambridge 1928— Cambridge 1929— Cambridge * Oxford did not com . 20 54 18 41 . • 20 50 41 !gg . 19 25 jlete the 10 course.