The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-24
OXFORD DEFACTS
 CAMBRIDGE CREW
Annual Boat Race Is Tame as
 Compared With Others
BEATEN VERY EASILY
Eight From Oxford Show Much Better Throughout the Race and Cross the Line Winners By Over
 Three Lengths

Putney. Eng. March 2s.-By three | lengths Oxford defeated Cambridge to- day in hollow fashion at the annual eight cared rowing race over the champion ship course from Putney to Mortlake. The time was 20 minutes, 14 seconds. Last year Oxford won by three and a half lengths in 19 minutes and 50 seconds.
 For the first mile today the light blues put up a good fight and f1attered their a6herents for few minutes. but there after the race was a procession, the only question being how far ahead the favor ties would be at the winning point.
 The inter-'varsity race was never rowed under more favorable weather conditions. It was perfect spring day, the sun shining brilliantly and there was hardly a ripple on the Thames. Practically there was no choice in stations. Despite the early hour of the start and the fact that contrary to custom the contest was made on Wednesday instead of on Sat urday, the crowd in attendance was quite up to the usual standard All places along the river from which even a glimpse of the passing boats could be obtained
  as always, fleet of launches and pleas ure craft followed in the wake of the shells.
 The Oxonians are made strong favor ties among the riverside men and In the betting, having the advantage of 36 pounds in weight, but undaunted by lack Of popular confidence, the Cambridgeites turned out in force and cheered encour- agement to the wearers of light blue.
 The official time of the winning crew at the various points on the course was as follows:
 First mile, minutes, 19 seconds.
 Hammersmith bridge, [ minutes, 42 sec onds.
 Chiswick church, 12 minutes, 20 seconds
 Barnes bridge, 16 minutes, AS seconds.
 Finish, 20 minutes, 14 seconds.
 According to the English practice, the time of the defeated crew was not taken
 Cambridge won the toss and chose the Middlesex shore, but the condition of the wind and water was such that there was practically no advantage in the selection of stations.
 The crews were sent away to splen- did start. With slightly quicker stroke the light blues forced the nose of their shell in front. The boats, however, had hardly covered dozen yards before the Oxonians drew up to level with the rival crew. and before the half mile had been completed were holding a slight lead. Rounding the curve, Cambridge having the advantage of the inside posi- tion, gradually overhauled the Oxonians, passed them, and at Crabtree, just be- yond the mile post, obtained a lead of nearly quarter length.
 At this point Oxford slightly quickened the stroke, and passing Harrods had al most regained even terms. Gradually the shell of the dark blues forged to the front and, gliding under Hammersmith bridge was the best part of boats length In front. The light blues had evidently shot their bolt The Oxonians meanwhile settled down to the long, steady stroke which had made them such favorites throughout the period of the training.
 One more effort on the part of Cam bridge shortened Oxford's lead to half length at the two 1Hlfeti Dut NitH Spich- di6 rhythm and 34 strokes to the nlin- ute, the oxonians steadily drew away and had daylight between the boats be- fore Thorneycroft was reached. c. A. Skinner, the Cambridge coxswain, called on those behind him for spurt, but, though they struck the water at clip of 36 strokes, his men were unable to make any impression. The Oxonians gradually widenen the breach slid un- der Barnes bridge two and three-fourth lengths to the good, and passed the winning post the easiest of victors. their margin being officially recorded as three and one-half lengths.
 Todays contest was the sixty-seventh oxford Cambridge race. Oxford has now won 36 contests, and Cambridge 90. In 1871 the race ended in a dead heat The fastest time on record is IS min utes 47 seconds, made in 1893, and by Cambridge in 1900.
 The Cambridge crew was In bad shape at the finish. Two of the Cambridge men fell over upon the shoulders or their companions, while the others of the eight were able to pull the Cambridge shell to the landing. The Oxonians. on the other hand, sat up well in tnelr craft after crossing the finish me, ana rowed to the boathouse at smart clip The Oxford boat was steered much bet ter than the other, and this contributed materially to success.
 This years Oxford crew had three old hlues. D. McKinnon at No. 5. A. s. Gar | ton at No. 6, and R. c. Bourne, last years stroke Cambridge also had three | old men In R. w M. Arbuthnot, bow; 1 p. G. Williams at No. 5, and J. I. Bosner Tt No G. The latter was the weightiest man in either crew, tipping the beam at lsa pounds. The oxford eight. as whole however, was much heavier.