3 APRIL 1926, Page 3

The Boat Race last Saturday was remarkable for an exceptionally

even struggle over about half the course, and then for an unprecedented collapse in the Oxford boat. No. 5 in the Oxford boat " cracked," so that for several strokes he was unable to row at all, and within a few seconds Cambridge gained three lengths. After that the race was a procession, with Cambridge easily ahead. The Cambridge Stroke rowed with singularly good judgment. His crew were already showing their superiority when Oxford broke up. Silly things have been said as a result of the Oxford collapse, as, for instance, that a freshman should not be allowed to row in the race. It would be futile, however, to make a rule ; everything depends upon the man. There have been many freshmen who rowed in the race without the least danger of collapsing. Moreover, a rule would be particularly absurd, as there is a variation of nearly two years in the ages at which freshmen go up to the Universities. No. 5 in the Oxford boat this year was a very heavy man who is still young and still conspicuously in the growing stage. * * * *