Eights 1923Eights 1923
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Prospects of Good RacingThe summer eights start at Oxford to-day, and as usual will continue until the following Wednesday — six nights in all. These races always attract much interest, especially towards the end, when the question of gaining or retaining the headship of the river is at issue, and the lucky crews who have made bumps are finally attempting to "gain their oars." I have had the opportunity of a couple of visits to the towpath recently, and I certainly think the sport on the Isis is on the upgrade, possibly as a result of winning the Boat Race this year. There appear to be more big men in the crews than last year, though, generally speaking, the rowing seems rather short. I saw only one crew really reaching out while rowing, and that was Brasenose, who are down in the second division. Certainly they have three Blues in the stern, W. P. Melling [Mellen], P. R. Wace, and G. K. Mower-White, and so ought to be useful, but they struck me also as a crew which, with careful coaching after the eights, should do well at Henley Regatta.
The head of the river is New College, who have been coached by Dr. Bourne, and look powerful enough to stay there, though when I saw them it was blowing hard, and they did not appear nearly so well together as last year's crew. They have J. R. Baker again at stroke; he is a great asset to the crew, and I think they will take a great deal of catching. Magdalen, who are second, are a very light crew this year, of about 11st 3lb average, with G. O. Nickalls, the ex-president, in the middle of the boat. They are very well together, and capable of a fairly high rate of stroke. Merton, who are third, have two Blues in the stern — G. Milling (who rowed seven the year before last) and A. C. Irvine. Milling has recently gone stroke, though he is probably a much better No. 7. The crew has not made the improvement which was anticipated, and has hardly worked up to racing pitch yet. They might well come on with racing, and I doubt if Oriel, who are behind them, have much chance of catching them. Oriel, however, race well, though they are not great stylists. Christ Church, fifth on the river, struck me as being faster than they were last year; they have A. V. Campbell at stroke, who rowed in that position in the 1922 Oxford Crew. He is in much better form than last year, and I should say Oriel, who start ahead of them, will have their work cut out to keep away.
Popularity of the "Bourne" Craft
Trinity, who are behind, looked not too well together though they row fairly long. Corpus, behind Trinity, might go up as they appear nicely together, and Magdalen II will probably race well. Of the remaining boats in the first division Exeter, stroked by G. H. Barter, created a favourable impression, and Balliol, with the American Blue, R. K. Kane, in the middle of the boat, and R. Thorneycroft, one of the spare men this year, show fair form, though there is not a great deal of life about their rowing. Balliol hold the unenviable position of sandwich boat, and curiously enough their second boat is similarly placed in the lower division. Most of the crews at the top are rowing in Bourne-designed craft, which appear all the rage at Oxford. It seems to be generally conceded that a good crew with a sharp beginning can get a little more run out of this shape than the orthodox type, and I believe the design has had the compliment paid it of being barred in the races at Cambridge this year; I suppose to prevent the more wealthy clubs gaining a possible advantage.
In the second division, Lincoln might well go up, and Pembroke struck me as having a turn of speed, though these boats have a nasty snag in B.N.C., who are just below, immediately behind Queen's. The latter has the new president, Mallam, in it, who stands out very conspicuously in the crew. It would be a rash prophet who said much about the possibilities of the crews in the third division after a couple of visits to the towpath. Most of them display enough vigour and roughness to make it difficult to say which will scratch along fast enough to make bumps. So much depends in this type of crew upon how they get off and race; one has often seen a crew quite well together rowed down by a more ragged team who can race. The second B.N.C. crew, who, I understand, have just "got onto the river," if it was the crew I saw rowing eleven strokes in the quarter [presumably meaning: rating 44/min], ought to make things warm for some of the lower boats.
Last year's order of finishing was: [...]
The summer eights at Oxford were begun in glorious weather yesterday, and there was a large number of spectators. Oriel and Brasenose on this occasion each entered a second boat, bringing the total up to 37. The races were rowed in three divisions, at 4, 5, and 6 o'clock. The results were :—Third Division
Order of Starting.— Magdalen III, Lincoln II, Hertford II [sic], [Queen's II,] Wadham II, Trinity II, Jesus, Merton II, St. Edmund Hall, University II, St. John's II, Oriel II, Brasenose II. Lincoln II were overtaken by Hertford near the Long Bridges, and Trinity II sustained a defeat by Jesus near to the same place. St. Edmund Hall made gallant efforts to escape University II, but were obliged to yield near the Freewater Stone. Brasenose II moved from bottom place on the list by running into Oriel [II] before reaching the Long Bridges.Second Divsion
Order of Starting .— Lincoln, University, Pembroke, Queen's, Brasenose, Keble, Christ Church II, New College II, Wadham, St. Catherine's, Balliol II, Worcester II, Magdalen III. Pembroke displaced University shortly after the passing the Free Ferry. Queen's maintained their starting distance from Brasenose until passing the Long Bridges, but, from there, the latter spurted strongly and effected their bump at the Red Post. Christ Church II gained a length on Keble before reaching the Free Ferry, and ran into them at the Long Bridges, and, as New College II were unable to clear the two boats, and Wadham by this means were enabled to row past them, they had to lose a place. Balliol II made short work of St. Catherine's, whom they caught at the Freewater Stone.First Division
Order of Starting .— New College, Magdalen, Merton, Oriel, Christ Church, Trinity, Corpus Christi, Magdalen II, St. John's, Worcester, Exeter, Balliol, Lincoln. Five bumps were made, making 14 in all. Magdalen, after a very hard race, succeeded in overtaking New College at Talboys Barge. Oriel were caught by Christ Church near the New Cut, Magdalen II bumped Corpus Christi at the Long Bridges, and at the Free Ferry, St. John's and Balliol sustained defeat by Worcester and Lincoln respectively
The Summer Eights were continued at Oxford yesterday in favourable weather. The racing was again close and exciting. The results were :—Third Division
Order of Starting .— Magdalen III, Hertford, Lincoln II, Queen's II Wadham II, Jesus, Trinity II, Merton II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II, Brasenose II, and Oriel II. Hertford gained on Magdalen III from the start, and shortly after passing the Free Ferry made their bump. A short distance further on Lincoln II were bumped by Queen's II, and before reaching the Long Bridges Wadham II were bumped by Jesus. Near the Free Ferry Merton II bumped Trinity II, and early in the race Brasenose II achieved another success by bumping St. John's II.Second Division
Order of Starting .— Balliol, Pembroke, University, Brasenose, Queen's, Christ Church II, Keble, Wadham, New College II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Worcester II, and Hertford. Pembroke easily bumped Balliol before reaching the Free Ferry, and Brasenose, also early in the race, bumped University. Keble were bumped by Wadham shortly after passing the Long Bridges, and St. Catherine's were bumped by Worcester at the Weirs Bridge.First Division
Order of Starting .— Magdalen, New College, Merton, Christ Church, Oriel, Trinity, Magdalen II, Corpus, Worcester, St. John's, Exeter, Lincoln, and Pembroke. A close struggle followed for the Headship. New College at the Green Bank being close upon Magdalen, who, however, spurted well and finished half a length to the good. Another fine race was witnessed between Merton and Christ Church, and it was not until the Cherwell was reached that Merton were bumped. Worcester bumped Corpus under the Willows, Exeter bumped St. John's at the same place, and Pembroke achieved their second success by bumping Lincoln at the Long Bridges.The races will be continued to-day.
There was again a good attendance on Saturday afternoon at the third day of the Oxford Summer Eight-Oar races, when some keen racing was seen. Fourteen bumps were made on Saturday, making the unusual number of 41 since Thursday. Details :—Third Division
Order of Starting .— Hertford, Magdalen III, Queen's II Lincoln II, Jesus, Wadham II, Merton II, Trinity II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Oriel II. Magdalen III from the start were gradually losing distance to Queen's II, and at the Freewater Stone were bumped. Before this point was reached Jesus had almost overtaken Lincoln II, and eventually made their bump at the Free Ferry, and near the same spot Wadham [II] were bumped by Merton II. There was a very close race between Trinity II and University II, the former crew just getting home. Brasenose II bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Willows, and St. John's II went to the bottom of the list through being bumped by Oriel II at the Green Bank.Second Divison
Order of Starting .— Lincoln, Balliol, Brasenose, University, Queen's, Christ Church II, Wadham, Keble, New College II, Balliol II, Worcester II, St. Catharine's, Hertford. Balliol were bumped by Brasenose before reaching the Long Bridges, and Queen's bumped University at the Willows. New College II bumped Keble at the Free Ferry, Balliol II were bumped by Worcester [II] a short distance further on, and Hertford bumped St. Catharine's at Haystacks Corner.First Division
Order of Starting .— Magdalen, New College, Christ Church, Merton, Oriel, Trinity, Magdalen II, Worcester, Corpus Christi, Exeter, St. John's, Pembroke, Lincoln. Christ Church succeeded in bumping New College, after a sharp struggle, at the Cherwell. Trinity bumped Oriel at Saunders Bridge, Exeter bumped Corpus Christi at the Boathouse, and, before reaching the Long Bridges, St. John's were bumped by Pembroke.The races will be continued to-day.
The fourth day of the Oxford University Summer Eights was greatly marred by the bad weather. Heavy rain fell during the rowing in the Third Division, and there was a cold north-easterly wind. The results were :—Third Division
Order of Starting .— St. Catherine's, Queen's II Magdalen III, Jesus, Lincoln II, Merton II, Wadham II, Trinity II, University II, Brasenose II, St. Edmund Hall, Oriel II, St. John's II. Queen's gained on St. Catherine's from the start and made their bump at the Willows. Magdalen III were bumped by Jesus before reaching the Long Bridges. Lincoln sustained another defeat, being bumped by Merton II near to the Free Water Stone. Trinity II were on the point of catching Wadham II when their coxswain steered them into the bank, with the result that they were easily displaced by University II. St. Edmund Hall were bumped by Oriel II near the New Cut.Second Division
Order of Starting .— Lincoln, Brasenose, Balliol, Queen's, University, Christ Church II, Wadham, New College [II], Keble, Worcester II, Balliol II, Hertford, Queen's II. Brasenose could get no nearer than a quarter of a length away from Lincoln. Balliol were bumped by Queen's after passing the Free Ferry Wadham bumped Christ Church II at the Red Post. Worcester II bumped Keble at the Free Ferry and Balliol II were bumped by Hertford at the Freewater Stone.First Division
Order of Starting .— Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, Merton, Trinity, Oriel, Magdalen II, Worcester, Exeter, Corpus Christi, Pembroke, St. John's, Lincoln. A sharp struggle for the headship of the river took place between Magdalen and Christ Church, the former passing the post with only a third of a length to the good. Worcester bumped Magdalen II near the Hertford College barge, Pembroke bumped Corpus Christi at the Weirs Bridge, and Lincoln bumped St. John's before reaching the Free Ferry.The races will be continued to-day.
The Oxford Summer Eights were continued in a bitter north-easterly wind and in showers of rain yesterday. There were some exciting races and an average number of bumps. The results were :—Third Division
Order of Starting .— Queen's II St. Catherine's, Jesus, Magdalen III, Merton II, Lincoln II, Wadham II, University II, Trinity II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II. St. Catherine's were overtaken by Jesus at the Willows and, before reaching the Long Bridges, Merton II bumped Magdalen III. Wadham II were bumped by University II at the Willows, and Trinity II were bumped by Brasenose II at the Red Post.Second Division
Order of Starting .— St. John's, Brasenose, Queen's, Balliol, University, Wadham, Christ Church II, New College II, Worcester II, Keble, Hertford, Balliol II, Queen's II. Brasenose drew rapidly on St. John's from the start and bumped them at the Long Bridges. Wadham bumped University at the Boathouse and Hertford quickly disposed of Keble, bumping them at the Free Ferry. Balliol II were bumped by Queen's II at Weirs Bridge.First Division
Order of Starting .— Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, Merton, Trinity, Oriel, Worcester, Magdalen [II], Exeter, Pembroke, Corpus, Lincoln, Brasenose. The chief interest lay in the struggle for the Headship of the River between Magdalen and Christ Church, between whom there was an exciting race from start to finish. Christ Church were within half a length at the Green Bank, and at the Post they were within three yards. Merton were bumped by Trinity at Saunders Bridge. Pembroke gained their sixth success by bumping Exeter at the Weirs Bridge, and Corpus were bumped by Lincoln at the Free Ferry.
The Oxford Summer Eights were concluded in delightful weather yesterday, when Magalen retained their position at the Head of the River. The results were :—No details are given of the head crew.Third Division
Order of Starting .— Balliol II, Jesus, St. Catharine's, Merton II, Magdalen III, Lincoln II, University II, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Trinity II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II. There was a fine race for the headship of this division, and it was not until Hertford College Barge had been reached that Jesus bumped Balliol II. St. Catharine's were quickly bumped by Merton II at the Free Ferry, and Magdalen II were bumped by Lincoln II at the Long Bridges. Wadham II were bumped by Brasenose II at the beginning of the Green Bank.Second Division
Order of Starting .— Brasenose, St. John's, Queen's, Balliol, Wadham, University, Christ Church II, New College II, Worcester II, Hertford, Keble, Queen's II, Jesus. St. John's were bumped by Queen's before reaching the Long Bridges, and Balliol were bumped by Wadham, after an exciting race, opposite Exeter College barge. Keble were bumped by Queen's II at the Long Bridges.First Division
Order of Starting .— Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, Trinity, Merton, Oriel, Worcester, Magdalen II, Pembroke, Exeter, Lincoln, Corpus Christi, Brasenose. The chief point of interest was the struggle between Magdalen and Christ Church for the headship of the river, and, after a very hard race, Magdalen retained their position by a third of a length. Another interesting race was that between New College and Trinity, and resulted in Trinity obtaining their bump a few feet from the post. Magdalen II were bumped by Pembroke at the Freewater Stone, this making their seventh bump. Exeter were bumped by Lincoln at the Weirs Bridge, and Corpus Christi were bumped by Brasenose at Haystack Corner.During the six days' racing the unprecedented number of 73 [actually 75, as correctly reported in the Daily Telegraph] bumps was recorded, of which Pembroke were credited with seven, Jesus with six, Brasenose, Wadham, Queen's II, Merton II, Hertford, and Brasenose II with five each. Corpus Christi, St. John's, Keble, and St. Catherine's have lost six places each, Balliol and Magdalen III five each, and University, Wadham II, and Trinity II, four each.
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