LIGHT BLUE WINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 947, 14 April 1930, Page 9

LIGHT BLUE WINS

CAMBRIDGE VICTORY IN BOAT RACE TWO LENGTHS TO SPARE Reed. 11.15 a.m. LONDON, Sat. Iu the University boat race today, Cambridge defeated Oxford by two lengths after’ a strenuous contest iu the official time of 19min 15sec. Crowds of spectators began to gather in the early morning, despite drizzling rain and a cold south-easterly wind. Oxford won the toss and chose the Surrey side. There was a perfect start. Oxford gained a slight lead, striking 37, and Cambridge 36. The boats drew level at the mile post. The dark blues had gained three-quarters of a length lead at Hammersmith Bridge, but Cambridge overtook them at the three miles post. After that, pulling more steadily than Oxford, the light blues had increased their lead to three-quarters of p, length at Barnes Bridge, and gradually added to their advantage. OXFORD DISTRESSED Oxford made a magnificent spurt at the brewery, but could not reduce their leeway, and Cambridge finished two lengths ahead of a very distressed dark blue crew. The time was the second best since the war. Cambridge has now won 41 races to Oxford’s 40, and has gained the lead for the first time since 1862. The race in 1877 was a tie. Today’s was a great race. It wae rowed between shores black with umbrellas. The rain ceased before the start, but came down again at the finish. Oxford rowed very pluckily and never lost form, but Cambridge had the race in hand after passing Barnes Bridge. Mr. D. E. Tinne, of the Oxford crew, commenting on the result, said: “It was a gruelling race, and we just failed to pull it off.’’ Mr. Stanley Baldwin, who was a keen spectator, described it as the most thrilling race he had seen for years. TERRIFIC BATTLE Mr. M. H. Warriner, of the Cambridge crew, remarked that it was a terrific battle from start to finish. The crews were:— Cambridge.—Haig-Thomas (bow), H. R. Rickett, Prideaux, P. N. Carpmael, M. H. Warriner, J. B. Collins, A. S. Reeve, T. A. Brocklebank (stroke) and Swartout (coxswain). Oxford. —M. J. Waterhouse (bow). R. V. Low, N. K. Hutton, C. W. Johnston, H. R. A. Edwards, L. Clive, D. E. Tinne, C. F. Martineau (stroke) and H. A. C. Burbridge (coxswain). The following table shows the results ■tf the boat race since 1905: Time. Won by Winner m. s. Lengths 1905—Oxford 20 35 3 199$—Cambridge .. 19 24 3$ 1907—Cambridge .. 20 26 4i 190 S—Cambridge .. 19 19 2% 1909 Oxford .... 19 50 3J 1910— Oxford .... 20 14 3| i ’9ii —Oxford .... 18 29 2* 1912 —Oxford .... 22 5 6 ’9l3—Oxford .... 20 53 9 I 1 9i4 —Cambridge .. 20 23 4£ ’92o—Cambridge .. 21 11 4 1 921—Cambridge .. 19 45 1 ’922—Cambridge .. 19 27 4| —Oxford .. -. 20 54 1924— Cambridge 13 41 I 1925—Cambridge .. 20 50 1926 Cambridge .. 19 29 K 1927 Cambridge .. 20 14 2 ! 1923 —Cambridge .. 20 21 10 i 1929—Cambridge .. 19 25 7 ; 1930—Cambridge ..193 •Oxford did not complete the course.