Eights 1927Eights 1927
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On the Isis — The Oxford University Summer Eights were begun in fine weather yesterday. Our photograph, taken near the finishing-post, shows a general view of the river during the racing.
The First Division race in the Oxford Summer Eights on Saturday, when there was a considerably larger attendance than on the previous days of the races. The photograph, which was taken by a staff photographer of The Times, shows Christ Church easily maintaining the headship of the River, and Magdalen on the point of being bumped by Brasenose. Christ Church have been head of the river for the past four years. The races will be continued until Wednesday.
Eights Week at OxfordThe article gives times 4, 5 and 6 o'clock for of Divs III, II and I, but doesn't mention the 4th division.The Oxford Summer Eights races, which will be begun this evening and will continue for six days, will be of marked interest in view of the exceptional circumstances of last year's races.
Last year, it will be remembered, crews had less than ten days' consecutive training in most cases, owing to the strike, and as a result the races extended over only four nights instead of the usual six. It so happened that in any case the standard of rowing at the University was distinctly low, and the dislocation, which was more serious than at Cambridge, was a considerable blow to Oxford rowing. This year the prospects are certainly brighter. Although the crews are not yet of a high level of merit, they are better than they were last year. There is no crew comparable with the 1925 Christ Church crew, but the general average seems better than it was in that year. It is not so much in the direction of individual merit that the improvement is evident, or even in style, but there is an atmosphere of keenness and hard work about many of the crews, and particularly those in the second half of the First Division, which gives the promise of keen racing to-day and a greater abundance of potential University oarsmen next November.
The Head of the River
Unfortunately, the crews were mostly rowing their last practice courses against a strong head wind, which did not flatter them either as regards their pace or their wrist and blade work, but in the present weather they should be more at their ease. Christ Church start Head of the River for the third time, and thus have an opportunity to equal the record of four successive years. This was achieved by Magdalen, 1892–1895, and New College, 1896–1899. Christ Church, on the face of it, should not have much difficulty in so doing, for, although one can have too many Blues in a Summer Eight, the weight of metal in the Christ Church crew seems inevitably too great for anybody else. Shaw, the President, is rowing at No. 6, with the other two Blues, Rathbone and Edwards, at No. 5 and No. 7. All are rowing well, and particularly Shaw, who evidently is glad to be back on stroke side again. Merrill, who has now rowed two years in Trial Eights, strokes them, and although he is obviously a make-shift stroke, he is rowing well and fits in with the other men in the stern. For all this, it is not really a satisfactory crew. It lacks rhythm and has not the length one expects in a crew with three Blues. Certainly it is not in so safe a position as in the two previous years.
Magdalen, who rowed second, are the most stylish crew on the river, but have suffered from the most unusual run of bad luck. After Johnson, the Blue, had been out of the crew for a week they lost in quick succession their two heavyweights, and have only been together for about ten days in their present order. Their paddling is well together and rhythmical, and they have considerable length, but they do not get very quickly into the water and their rowing clearly is not so good as their paddling. As things are, they will have a very hard struggle to keep their place, whereas, but for their misfortunes, they would have been just the sort of crew to go Head. Brasenose, who follow them, are a rough but hard-working crew, exceedingly well stroked by Graham, a past stroke of the Eton Eight. He reminds one strongly of W. P. Smith, the First Trinity stroke, particularly in the way in which he lifts his body back from the stretcher. He has given his crew life, and is one of the men most to be watched for the future. If Brasenose are fast enough to bump Magdalen they will make Christ Church row very hard. New College, behind them, show evidence of the good coaching they have received from Mr. Pitman and Dr. Bourne. Of all crews, they are the best drilled, and their wristwork is particularly good in a year in which this is not generally so. McCulloch, the New South Wales stroke, is a most useful man, and it is likely the crew will once more become one of the first four boats, where they were for so many years. Their great drawback is their shortness of swing.
A Much-Discussed Crew
Merton are not a very good crew, and are the more disappointing for the college that has for the first time gone head of the river in Torpids. Behind them are Exeter, who are the most discussed crew on the river. They have been coached by Mr. Steven Fairbairn in rather an exaggerated form of the so-called Jesus style, and are the first Oxford college crew to adopt it. They row with swivels and use very long slides. They are not so good a crew as the Selwyn Cambridge crew of last year, and have not the same poise, but they are reputed to have done exceedingly fast times over short distances, and the writer has no doubt that this is so. This style of rowing is particularly adapted to bumping races, for it enables a crew to get quickly off the mark. Those who still tread the steep and narrow path of orthodoxy will hope that a sudden success of Exeter may not cause this style of rowing to extend among Oxford colleges, as it has at Cambridge. Such an event would seriously narrow the field of choice of University oarsmen, but they must be prepared to see Exeter improve their position. Wadham and Lincoln are good crews, and an interesting struggle should be seen between them. Both are higher than usual on the river, while Queen's are notable for the presence of Kingsbury. Apart from him, they are not a good crew, and, with more weight on his shoulders than he had in the Boat Race, he is inclined to swing rather less long.
One of the three best crews on the river is Worcester, who will start 11th. Stroked by Hankin, the University stroke, with Whiting, the University bow, behind him at No. 7, as he was last year, they make a neat and even crew, with extraordinary level weights throughout. They are almost certain to go up several places and, although the four bow oars are not so strong as the stern four, they have excellent wristwork throughout. Magdalen II are the last boat in the first division, and they, too, were exceedingly promising earlier in practice but have suffered from the drafts that have had to reinforce their first crew. They still maintain some of their pace, however.
The Second Division
The most notable crews in the Second Division are St. John's, the "sandwich" boat, a well-drilled but slightly ponderous crew, Pembroke, who have command of a higher rate of striking than any other crew on the river, Balliol and Christ Church II. Balliol have at stroke Llewellyn, who stroked the University until he fell ill, and Peppercorn, the spare man, at No. 6. They row much in the same way as all Balliol crews, a little stiffly, but they should, with a racing stroke of Llewellyn's calibre, be able to improve their position. Balliol crews in the past have not often fulfilled the promise given by their good form in practice, but this year should, owing to Llewellyn, prove to be an exception. The Christ Church second crew are a really good crew, and, so far as rhythm is concerned, have a superiority over their first crew. It would be surprising if they did not improve their position, and their form promises well for Christ Church rowing next year.
In the Third Division there is no crew which can be picked out as markedly superior to the rest this year, but perhaps more than the usual number of bumps and counter-bumps can be expected to balance any lack of distinction in the rowing.
Order of starting ...
Summer EightsThe standard of Oxford rowing has been very much decried of late, and it must be admitted at once that if a standard is only to be measured by the number of victories achieved it is at a low ebb, for in the two past years no Dark Blue crew has shone brilliantly at Henley, and, as everyone knows, their record at Putney has been singularly blank since the war, only one victory standing to their credit.
But in spite of this, or perhaps because of this, rowing at Oxford, taken as a whole, is in a very sound state, and the O.U.B.C. only needs a president to take advantage of the fact to stem the tide of defeats. For if there are no very brilliant crews racing in the summer eights, which start to-day, it is as true to say that there are few very bad ones out of a total of forty-one crews. As a general rule, before and since the war there has always been one outstanding crew which has either started with or attained the leadership of the river; then there have been two, or at most three, crews which have stood out, while the rest have been very moderate indeed.
This year the state of affairs is very different, and although the seven Blues who are rowing are not very evenly divided, there are at least eight or nine crews which may be said, on their practice rows against the watch, to stand out. That this is so must be in some measure due the fact that greater enthusiasm has been displayed on the bank this year than of late. No less than four Old Blues — Colonel C.D. Burnell (who has coached both Magdalen and Brasenose), Mr. C.M. Pitman (who has taken New College after Dr. G.C. Bourne), Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Barker (who have shared Christ Church), and an ex-Magdalen captain, Mr. Janson (who has looked after the second Magdalen crew) — have all made daily journeys from London after their work in the City to help the young idea.
The Christ Church Crew
Christ Church start head of the river, and have rather more than their fair share of Blues. E.C.T. Edwards, who is at seven, has rowed against Cambridge three times, T.W. Shaw, the new president of the O.U.B.C., and W. Rathbone, who have both rowed twice, are at six and five, whilst they have an experienced American oarsman at stroke in Merrill, who is also a trial eights-man. Mr. Gladstone, when he was coaching them, had great difficulty in deciding who was the best man to stroke the crew, and it is only in the last ten days that they have rowed in their final order. As a crew they are not so fast as they should be, for, although they row with life and dash, they lack a firm finish, without which it is impossible for a boat to attain great pace. As it is, I do not think they are likely to be seriously troubled by any of the crews behind them, but it is probable that, if they were not so fortunately placed and had to start lower down the river, they would have to cover the greater part of the course before they bumped some of the crews who will now start behind them.
Magdalen, who start second, have been very unfortunate indeed, for while they have had five men out of the crew during the past fortnight, they will start to-day without two of their best heavy-weights, who are suffering from poisoned hands. One of these, Macdonald, a Freshman from Winchester, is a big man of exceptional promise, who was rowing well at six, whilst P. Johnson, the O.U.B.C. two, was out of the boat owing to a strained shoulder. Stroked by M. Graham, with Irvine at seven, two Old Salopians, they are an attractive crew to watch, but owing to their many mishaps they are only just getting together and are unable to command the higher rate of stroke of the crews near them, and for this reason it seems impossible that they should improve, or even keep, their position.
B.N.C., who start third, are, as usual, a powerful crew, but they are not so fast over the second half of the course as they should be. They have, however, a dashing stroke in Alastair Graham, with Balding at seven, Nicholas Burnell at six, and Barber [Barbour?] at four, all of whom have rowed in trial eights at one time or another. All B.N.C. crews race well; it is an old tradition of theirs, and I see no reason why this one should prove any exception to the rule.
New College start fourth. They took a long time to decide who was to stroke them. Dr. Bourne finally decided to put MacCulloch, the Australian oarsman, at stroke, in place of Ian Pitman, who went seven. Mr. C.M. Pitman and Dr. Bourne, between them, have given them just a touch of the style that made New College crews famous thirty years ago. They, more than any other crew on the river, know the art of getting quick into the water, but at that their excellence ends. They are certainly fast for a distance, but I do not think they are likely materially to improve their position.
Merton have suffered somewhat from the lack of a permanent coach, and do not seem to have gained much from the few odd days' coaching that David Raikes has been able to give them, and they are likely to fall to Exeter to-night.
The Fairbairn Style
And now we come to the first raid on Oxford rowing of Mr. Steve Fairbairn. By many old Oxford men, Exeter is regarded as a renegade college for having called him in. If Oxford rowing was really what is branded as orthodox rowing, perhaps this charge would have some justice in it. But orthodox rowing includes a firm, hard finish, and a steady recovery, and this is what rowing on the Isis conspicuously lacks. At any rate, Mr. Fairbairn sees to it that his crews possess it, and if other colleges learn this lesson from Exeter their experiment will not come amiss.
It cannot be said that Exeter are a shining example of Mr. Fairbairn's style, but they seem to have mastered the first principles, if not the finer points, and they certainly possess a certain pace, and one which carries them to the end of the course. They should certainly go up, and if they can keep their uniformity when it comes to racing, may even get up to the second place on the river. But it all depends on the racing capacity of the crews above them.
Wadham, Lincoln, and Queen's are, on practice, more or less equal in pace, with a slight advantage to Lincoln. Queen's have Kingsbury, the old Yale oarsman, who rowed six in the University boat at Putney, but in spite of his prowess are not as fast as they should be. In Trinity we have the first boat, which is definitely not in the same flight as the foregoing crews, though they have made wonderful strides since Mr. F.O.J. Huntley took them over last week.
Worcester, with Whiting, the Oxford bow, at seven and Hankin, the eleventh-hour 'Varsity stroke, at stroke, are good and should go up several places. Hankin is inclined to clip his finish rather badly, but Whiting in great measures makes up for his defect.
Pembroke, who start fifteenth, possess very considerable pace, pace, indeed, which is the equal of many of the crews at the top of the first division, and they should have a very successful week, whilst Hertford are much faster than the company in which they find themselves, mainly owing to Kingsbury's vigorous coaching.
The crews have had severe head winds to contend with in the later stages of practice, and this makes it the more difficult to prejudge what will happen when it comes to actual racing, and the capacity to race will determine the fortunes of many of the crews which yesterday seemed equal in pace, for the Summer Eights are almost a game rather than a sport, where luck plays a great part.
It is a pity that Magdalen are unable to put on a third crew and hold the high position of sandwich boat between the second and third divisions. St. Catharine's have also taken off their second boat, but Pembroke are for the first time entering one, as are also Exeter and Keble, so that there will be in all 41 crews.
In view of this fact, and the undesirability of rowing more than fourteen crews in one division, the president has decided to inaugurate a fourth division, which will, however, consist of only two crews, who will race early in the afternoon.
[article then gives the Thursday start order]
There seemed to be much less enthusiasm than usual in the opening day's racing in the Summer Eights at Oxford, and there was certainly a smaller attendance on both the barges and the towing path, although the weather was beautifully fine. Christ Church fully justified their position at the Head of the River, as they rowed up in very easy fashion 2½ lengths ahead of Magdalen. Exeter, who are rowing in the Cambridge style, justified themselves by catching Merton before reaching the Boathouse. There was a fiasco in the Third Division, when St. Edmund Hall and Lincoln failed to get clear of the following boats, and the question of the bump will be decided at a Captains' meeting.Fourth Division
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Exeter II, Keble II. Exeter met with a chapter of accidents, but they were able to recover, and finally finished their distance ahead.Third Division
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Worcester II, Brasenose II, Keble, Wadham II, Oriel II, University II, Lincoln II, St. Edmund Hall, Hertford II, Trinity II, St. John's II, Christ Church III, Pembroke II, Exeter II. Worcester had to row hard to escape Brasenose, the latter gaining steadily up Iffley Reach. At the commencement of the Green Bank about a quarter of a length divided them, but from this point Worcester got away again. They were a length and a half ahead at the finish. Keble followed some distance behind Brasenose, but kept well away from Wadham, who lost ground to Oriel. The latter, however, had shot their bolt at the Willows, and Wadham, drawing away again, were nearly their distance ahead at the winning post. University followed a long way behind Oriel. There was a hard race between Lincoln and St. Edmund Hall, the latter being well up at the Gut, and making their bump near the Boathouse. Then followed a mix up between the following boats, two bumped boats failing to get into the bank, and whilst St. John's were laying to Christ Church drew into them, a bump resulting. A captains' meeting, however, will be held later to inquire into the matter.Second Division
The order of starting in the second division was :— St. John's, Pembroke, New College II, Balliol, Corpus, University, Jesus, Hertford, Christ Church II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Merton II, Queen's II, Worcester II. Pembroke proved themselves faster than St. John's and gained considerably up to the Boathouse. From this point, however, St. John's held their own and nearly a length divided them at the finish. New College II fell away after coming out of the Gut, and Balliol ran them down under the Willows. University soon drew on to Corpus, who had to strike their colours on coming through the Gut, whilst Jesus, failing to withstand a vigorous challenge from Hertford at the Launch works, were bumped near the Free Ferry. Christ Church II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, and Merton II rowed up at wide intervals, and Queen's II, who were late in getting to the starting post [sic], were caught by Worcester II after a few strokes, Queen's having failed to get their boat into position.First Division
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Christ Church, Magdalen, Brasenose, New College, Merton, Exeter, Wadham, Lincoln, Queen's, Trinity, Worcester, Oriel, Magdalen II, and St. John's. Magdalen never made the slightest impression on Christ Church, who paddled up in excellent style and came in two and a half lengths to the good. Brasenose made a fine effort to catch Magdalen and were right on to them coming out of the Gut when one of their men caught a crab. They again drew up, but Magdalen managed to get home with less than a quarter of a length to spare, but at the same time several lengths in front of New College. Merton succumbed to Exeter half-way along the Green Bank. Wadham kept well away from Lincoln, who were some distance in front of Queen's. Worcester, showing excellent pace, quickly overhauled Trinity, whilst Magdalen II bumped Oriel at the end of Iffley Reach.
Visitors were more numerous than usual on the opening day of Eights week at Oxford. The scene on the towpath yesterday was one that warrants the title of a miniature Henley. This year there is a record number of crews, over forty-one, and as O.U.B.C. rules do not allow more than forty crews in three divisions, Exeter II and Keble II constitute a fourth division. They rowed against one another each day the last two boats will row the course in a preliminary trial [sic]. In yesterday's race Keble II failed to catch Exeter II and the latter thus rowed as bottom boat in the third division.Racing opened in a surprising manner in the third division. Neither Brasenose II nor Oriel II made bumps after getting within striking distance along the Green Bank where, however, St. Edmund Hall caught Lincoln II. When this bump was made neither made the least attempt to get clear and the boats following were thrown into a state of confusion either by trying to get through or row round. Each of them had to stop and then get through as best they could. It was hard luck on St. John's II who, at the time, were close on Trinity II when they were blocked and Christ Church III bumped them, despite which both crews rowed through. Christ Church, however, are claiming a bump which, together with the conduct of Lincoln and St. Edmund Hall, will later be considered by the committee.
The second division crews provided plenty of excitement as well as four bumps. Pembroke made no impression on St. John's but New College II were caught by Balliol at the Willows. Corpus had to strike their colours to University in the Gut and Jesus were caught by Hertford at the Free Ferry. Queen's II lost a place to Worcester II entirely through their own fault. They were late in getting to the starting-post and before they could get their boat into position Worcester had caught them.
Christ Church easily held their own at the head of the First Division, but Magdalen, the next crew, had a narrow escape from Brasenose. The latter shot for them coming out of the Gut and missed, and when still within a few feet of Magdalen their No. 6 caught a crab. They tried hard to make up lost ground, but at the finish were a bare quarter length off. Exeter, the Fairbairn trained boat, gratified their supporters by catching Merton along the Willows. Worcester bumped Trinity at the Weirs Bridge, and Magdalen II ran into Oriel coming into the Gut.
The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the brackets indicating the bumps made : [...]
There was a comparatively small attendance at the second day's racing in the Oxford Summer Eights yesterday, the chief reason probably being the cold east wind that was blowing. The disputed bumps in the Third Division on Thursday were dealt with at the captains' meeting, and it was finally decided that all of the six crews below Lincoln and St. Edmund Hall should keep their places, while a fine of £5 was inflicted upon both the latter crews for not having drawn into the bank and given the following boats a clear course.There were one or two exciting races yesterday, although, so far as the headship was concerned, Christ Church had a row over.
Fourth Division
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was Exeter II, Keble II. Keble got well up to Exeter in the Gut, but the latter drew away again and finished two lengths ahead.Third Division
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Queen's II, Brasenose II, Keble, Wadham II, Oriel II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Lincoln II, Hertford II, Trinity II, St. John's II, Christ Church III, Pembroke II, Exeter II. Brasenose II gained on Queen's II and were well up to them at the launch works and made their bump near the Freewater Stone. Wadham II gained ground on Keble, but the latter held their own after passing the Boathouse and eventually finished a good length in front. Oriel II got away very badly, and University II gained upon them in the first few strokes, and in making their bump smashed the bows of their boat. Unfortunately for St. Edmund Hall they had to lose a couple of lengths in getting clear of the Oriel II and University II boats, with the result that Lincoln II bumped them. Near by Trinity II soon began to gain on Hertford II, and got to within a few feet of them under the Willows. Hertford II, however, finished the stronger and, drawing away again, had a length to spare at the finish. Christ Church III bumped St. John's II at the Weirs Bridge, while Pembroke II finished a length and a half in front of Exeter II.Second Division
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— St. John's, Pembroke, Balliol, New College II, University, Corpus, Hertford, Jesus, Christ Church II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Merton II, Worcester II, Brasenose II. Although Pembroke gained ground on St. John's, the latter were never in any danger of being caught, and finished a clear length ahead. Balliol failed to make much impression on Pembroke, although finishing within their distance. There was a fine race between New College II and University, the latter being well up on them coming out of the Gut. New College put in a good spurt, but without success, and University bumped them at the Jesus barge. Corpus were bumped by Hertford at the end of the Green Bank, and there followed a fine race between Jesus and Christ Church, in which Jesus succeeded in reaching home by a third of a length. Balliol II had a very narrow escape, as, in trying to clear the boats in front of them, they ran into Corpus and were thrown out of their seats. St. Catherine's then got right up, but Balliol made a fine recovery and, drawing away again, finished a bare length to the good. Merton II were bumped by Worcester II at the launch works, and Brasenose II paddled up.First Division
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, Brasenose, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Lincoln, Queen's, Worcester, Trinity, Magdalen II, Oriel, and St. John's. Christ Church kept well away from Magdalen all the way, and finished without any effort two lengths to the good. There was another keen struggle between Brasenose and Magdalen, but the latter again succeeded in holding their own, and stalling off the determined challenge of Brasenose at [the] Cherwell, Magdalen finished a quarter of a length ahead. New College failed to make much impression upon Brasenose, two lengths dividing them at the finish, and although Exeter had the pace of their opponents, the latter got home with a length to spare. Merton and Wadham had a most exciting struggle, and at one point Wadham were right up. An unfortunate crab, however, spoiled their chances, and Merton escaped, with half a length to spare. Lincoln, Queen's, and Worcester provided a splendid race. Queen's had got right on to Lincoln when they had to strike their colours to Worcester coming into the Gut. Magdalen II caught Trinity near the launch works, and Oriel were bumped by St. John's before reaching the Weirs Bridge.
There was an unwelcome change in the weather conditions at Oxford for the second day's racing in the summer eights. Rain fell heavily until midday when, fortunately, there was a slight improvement, but it was always dull and overcast, just sufficient to take the gayness from the scene and give it a drab appearance.In the third division Queen's II fell for the second time, Brasenose II catching them at the entrance to the gut. Oriel II had an unfortunate experience through their rudder lines becoming entangled and they ran into the bank, and University promptly bumped them. Both boats were damaged, a large hole being cut in the bows of the University craft. St. Edmund Hall made a bad start and were further handicapped by the collision of the two boats in front of them, with the result that they lost the place they gained at Lincoln's expense on the opening night. Both these clubs, but the way, have been fined for not drawing clear after their bump on Thursday. Hertford were along the bank in grave danger from Trinity II, but recovered along the wall and got safely home.
In the second division Balliol II had a narrow escape. They just touched Corpus, who were laying to, and their Nos. 3 and 5 were thrown out of their seats. St. Catharine's got right on to them, but Balliol then made what can only be described as a wonderful recovery, and got right away.
The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the brackets indicating the bumps made: [...]
There was a vastly increased attendance at Saturday's racing in the Oxford Summer Eights, due doubtless to an improvement in the weather, for although the wind was still in an easterly quarter, there was a welcome spell of sunshine. The racing was very prolific in bumps, no less than 11 taking place. Even the Fourth Division, with only two crews rowing, providing one, thanks to the energetic measures adopted by Keble II at the start, which enabled them to atone for their two previous disappointments by catching Exeter near Weirs Bridge.Christ Church again kept their place without any difficulty at the Headship of the River, but now that they have Brasenose immediately behind them their task will not be quite such an easy one. Few anticipated Magdalen's defeat at the hands of Brasenose, but Brasenose showed themselves a much improved crew, and coming with a rush from the Boathouse, caught them opposite the Magdalen College Barge. Exeter never got near enough to New College to cause them any anxiety, but Merton had an exceedingly hard struggle to escape Wadham. Worcester, light crew though they are, continued their upward career, thanks in a measure to the fact that one of the Lincoln crew caught a crab near the Weirs Bridge.
In the Second Division Hertford made a determined, but unsuccessful, effort to overtake New College II, and University gained materially on Balliol.
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Exeter II, Keble II. Keble began to draw on Exeter soon after the start and made their bump in the Gut.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Brasenose II, Queen's II, Keble, Wadham II, University II, Oriel II, Lincoln II, St. Edmund Hall, Hertford II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Keble II. Brasenose paddled up, Queen's falling to Keble, who caught them near the Free Ferry. University gained somewhat on Wadham at the start, but afterwards the latter drew right away and finished four lengths ahead. Oriel II made a poor start, with the result that Lincoln II were quickly on top of them, and eventually ran them down at the Launch Works. St. Edmund Hall paddled up, Hertford II falling victims to Trinity at the Weirs Bridge, whilst St. John's II succumbed to Pembroke II at the Ferry.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Oriel, Pembroke, Balliol, University, New College II, Hertford, Corpus, Jesus, Christ Church II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Worcester II, Merton II, Brasenose II. Oriel II started slowly, and Pembroke, after getting well up at the Launch Works, made their bump just before reaching the Gut. There was a very good race between Balliol and University, which ended in Balliol getting home with about half a length in hand. University, following on, were about that distance ahead of New College, who were hotly pressed by Hertford. The latter were close up at the Red Post, but New College finished strongly along the Wall and got home with a quarter of a length to spare. Corpus followed a long way in the rear of Hertford, and although losing ground to Jesus had a length to spare at the finish, the same distance separating the latter from Christ Church II. St. Catherine's were well away from Worcester II, but Merton II had to strike their flag to Brasenose II at the Ferry.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Christ Church, Magdalen, Brasenose, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Lincoln, Worcester, Queen's, Magdalen II, Trinity, St. John's, Pembroke. Christ Church never had to extend themselves, but there was fine struggle between Magdalen and Brasenose. The last-named gained steadily all the way up, and were within half a length at the Boat-house. At Saunders Bridge they put in a fine spurt and made their bump opposite the Magdalen College Barge. Exeter had the pace of New College, but the latter stayed on well and passed the post half a length to the good. Exeter, in the meantime, had shown a clean pair of heels to Merton, who came up four lengths in the rear. The latter had a hard matter to escape Wadham, who at one time looked like bumping, but Merton struggled gamely to the end and finished a short quarter of a length ahead. Lincoln caught a crab soon after the start, and fell victims to Worcester at the Free Ferry. Magdalen II caught Queen's near the Weirs Bridge, whilst Trinity succumbed to St. John's near Haystack Corner.
Brasenose bump MagdalenThe third day's racing of the Oxford Summer Eights on Saturday was favoured with more genial weather, and those who assert that enthusiasm and interest are declining must have been surprised to find that the attendance was larger than ever. The two crews Exeter II and Keble II, who comprise the fourth division at last changed places, as after pursuing their rivals in vain for two nights, Keble caught them in the Gut, and so earned the right to compete in the third division. Brasenose II, the head boat in the third division, had an easy task, as Queen's II lost ground from the start and were caught by Keble at the Free Ferry. University gained on Wadham over the early part of the course, but afterwards fell away and finished four lengths behind. Oriel II again had an unlucky experience, as making a bad start they never recovered, and lost their place at the Launch Works. Hertford II rowed pluckily against Trinity II, but had to acknowledge a bump at the Weirs Bridge, where also Pembroke II caught St. John's II.
In the second division Oriel, like their second crew, got off to a bad start, and were bumped on entering the Gut. There followed a good race between Balliol and University, the latter being less than a length behind at the Boathouse. They crept up even closer along the Wall, but after passing the Cherwell Balliol recovered, and got home with a length to spare. New College II were hotly pursued by Hertford, and along the Barges it looked as if they must be bumped. Hertford, however, had finished at the Cherwell and New College reached the finishing point with a half a length to spare. The next five boats were some distance apart, but Merton II had to give in to Brasenose II at the Free Ferry.
In the first division Christ Church again experienced little difficulty in keeping their place at the head of the river. Magdalen and B.N.C. had yet another hard race. On the two previous evenings Magdalen had reached home safely. On this occasion, however, Brasenose would not be beaten off, and amid much excitement they caught Magdalen opposite the Magdalen Barge, only a few hundred yards distant from the winning post. Exeter again made a lot of ground on New College, but for the second time were denied a bump, New College getting home by half a length. Merton were at one time in danger from Wadham, and had only five yards to spare at the finish. Lincoln caught a crab soon after the start, and this enabled Worcester to bump them at the Free Ferry. Magdalen II went up for the third time by catching Queen's at the Weirs Bridge, and St. John's overtook Trinity at Haystack Corner. Eleven bumps were recorded on Saturday.
The appended lists show the order of starting, the bumps being indicated by the brackets: [...]
Ideal conditions from a rowing point of view prevailed at the fourth day's racing in the Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday, wind and stream being a negligible quantity. The weather, however, was dull and oppressive, and with every promise of thunderstorms the attendance was not nearly so large as on Saturday. The racing was very prolific in bumps, no less than 11 being recorded in the four divisions, and there were some rather more exciting finishes than heretofore. Those people who thought that there was a possibility of Brasenose making a fight for the headship with Christ Church must have been very disappointed, as the latter were never compelled to exert themselves unduly, and paddled up with fully two lengths in hand. New College were faster than Magdalen, but never got near enough to cause them any anxiety.The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Keble II, Exeter II. Keble led by two lengths half-way, and finally finished their distance in front.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Merton II, Keble, Queen's II, Wadham II, University II, Lincoln II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall, Trinity II, Hertford II, Christ Church III, Pembroke II, St. John's II, Keble II. Merton were not as smart in getting off the mark as Keble, who gained rapidly from the launch works and made their bump on entering the Gut. Queen's II and Wadham II were some distance apart on entering the Gut, but at the Bridges Wadham made up a lot of ground, and Queen's had to give way at the Willows. Lincoln II gained steadily on University, and were well up with them at the Cherwell, from which point University held their own and finished a quarter of a length ahead. Oriel II kept well away from St. Edmund Hall until reaching the Green Bank, when St. Edmund Hall began to draw up, and, putting on a fine spurt at Saunders Bridge, they made their bump at the Hertford Barge. Trinity paddled up, Hertford II falling victims to Christ Church III near the Weirs Bridge. St. John's II were bumped by Keble at the Ferry.
The order of starting in the Second Division was Pembroke, Oriel, Balliol, University, New College II, Hertford, Corpus, Jesus, Christ Church II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Worcester II, Brasenose II, [& Keble ?] Pembroke paddled up, Oriel, who had fallen to them on Saturday, being bumped by Balliol near the Corporation Ferry. University were well away from New College II, who were hard pressed by Hertford. The latter were dangerously near at the Boathouse and, passing the Cherwell, were almost within striking distance. New College, however, finished strongly and, holding off their final challenge, reached home three or four yards to the good. Corpus paddled up after having had to row hard to escape Jesus, who, in turn, lost ground to Christ Church II, who put in a fine effort after coming out of the Gut and made their bump under the Willows. Balliol II came up their distance in front of St. Catherine's, and Worcester II were bumped by Brasnose II on coming through the Gut.
The order of starting in the first division was :— Christ Church, Brasenose, Magdalen, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Worcester, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Queen's, St. John's, Trinity, Pembroke. Christ Church, the head boat, came up all the way at a steady paddle and finished two lengths in front of Brasenose, who, in turn, were three lengths in front of Magdalen. New College gained considerably on Magdalen over the first part of the course, but Magdalen never caused their supporters any real anxiety, and, finishing strongly, were a length to the good at the finish. New College were never in much danger of being caught by Exeter, but the latter, with Merton being driven on by Wadham, were only a length and a half in front at the finish. Wadham overlapped Merton on coming out of the Gut, but Merton got away again and a keen race followed, which resulted in their reaching home safely, with two or three yards to spare. Worcester in the meantime had been struggling hard to overhaul Wadham, and only a quarter of a length separated them at the finish. Lincoln were overhauled by Magdalen II near the Long Bridges. St. John's bumped Queen's before the Weirs Bridge, and Pembroke caught Trinity at Haystack Corner.
The Oxford summer eights were continued yesterday under favourable conditions, the weather being fine, and there was an absence of wind. The appended lists show the order of starting, the bumps being indicated by the brackets [...]
The Oxford University summer eights were continued yesterday, when there were some most exciting contests. In the three divisions 12 bumps were recorded.Owing to a dispute with regard to certain bumps at the bottom of the Third Division it was decided at a Captains' meeting last night that the two boats in the Fourth Division and the last three in the Third Division should row again at 2.30 p.m. to-day.
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— St. John's II, Exeter II. Exeter soon began to gain on St. John's, and bumped them in the Gut.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Keble, Merton II, Wadham II, Queen's II, University II, Lincoln II, St. Edmund Hall, Oriel II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, Hertford II, Pembroke II, Keble II, Exeter II. Keble paddled up, but Merton II were soon losing ground to Wadham, who came with a rush after leaving the Gut and made their bump at the Willows. Queen's II lost ground to University II, who in turn were being hard pressed by Lincoln II, and the last named made their bump in the Gut and so escaped the attentions of St. Edmund Hall. Queen's caught a crab and momentarily stopped, and St. Edmund Hall got to within a length of them. Queen's, however, got going again just in time to save themselves, and reached home in safety. Oriel II again experienced disaster, and after a sharp struggle fell victims to Trinity II at the start of the Green Bank, Christ Church III being well on to the latter at the time. There was a most exciting race between the next three boats, as, while Hertford II were being hard pressed by Pembroke II, the latter were losing ground to Keble II. In the end Pembroke bumped Hertford II, while Keble II were disallowed a bump over Pembroke, and being unable to get clear were caught by Exeter II
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Trinity, Balliol, Oriel, University, New College II, Hertford, Corpus, Christ Church II, Jesus, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Brasenose II, Worcester II, Keble. Trinity again experienced disaster. They could make little headway against Balliol and had to strike their colours coming through the Gut. Oriel II again did badly, and losing ground all up Iffley Reach, they were bumped by University near the Freewater Stone. New College II and Hertford provided a most exciting race, Hertford gaining steadily after coming through the Gut, and they were well up at the Boathouse. A considerable gap still divided them at the Cherwell, but from that point Hertford put in a brilliant spurt and, going up strongly, only failed to make their bump by three or four feet. Corpus followed a long way behind Hertford, who held their own against Christ Church II, who finished three-quarters of a length behind. Jesus had a very hard struggle to escape Balliol II, who were well on to them at the Boathouse. Jesus, however, held on with great determination and eventually got home, with two or three yards to spare. St. Catherine's fell victims to Brasenose II at the Free Ferry and Worcester II finished their distance ahead of Keble.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Christ Church, Brasenose, Magdalen, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Worcester, Magdalen II, Lincoln, St. John's, Queen's, Pembroke, and Balliol. Christ Church again had an easy task to retain the headship in spite of the determined efforts of Brasenose, who finished something over a length in the rear. Brasenose were a long way ahead of Magdalen, who lost considerably to New College, only a length dividing them at the finish. New College, in turn, lost ground to Exeter, who came up well from the Boathouse and finished within half a length of them. There was a most exciting race between Merton, Wadham, Worcester and Magdalen II. Wadham were right on to Merton in the Gut, while Worcester, hard pressed by Magdalen, were almost overlapping Wadham. A desperate race followed all the way up and, although Worcester struggled on in the gamest possible manner, Magdalen II bumped them opposite University Barge. Merton only succeeded in escaping Wadham by a few feet. Lincoln fell to St. John's after a hard burst of about two minutes duration, and Pembroke bumped Queen's before reaching the Weirs Bridge.
The Oxford University summer eights were continued yesterday under threatening conditions. In the fourth division Exeter II soon gained on St. John's II, and caught them in the Gut. Keble paddled up in the third division, but Merton soon commenced to lose ground to Wadham, who spurted coming out of the Gut, and made their bump along the willows. Queen's II were hard pressed by University, but Lincoln relieved the situation by overhauling University in the Gut. St. Edmund Hall gained considerably on Lincoln, but the latter escaped their attentions by making their bump first. Oriel II continued on their downward grade, falling victims to Trinity at the Green Bank, whilst Hertford succumbed to Pembroke II, who were losing ground to Keble II, the latter being overhauled by Exeter II at the Willows.In the second division Balliol caught Trinity in the gut, University bumped Oriel at the free water stone and Brasenose II overtook St. Catharine's at the free ferry. In the first division Christ Church again rowed over at the head of the river, and the next three boats followed at good distances apart. New College were pressed by Exeter but escaped. There was a fine race between Merton, Wadham, Worcester, and Magdalen II who came up all close together Magdalen II made the bump first, catching Worcester opposite the University barge. This was their fifth rise. Lincoln fell to St. John's at the ferry and Pembroke caught Queen's before Weirs Bridge. Twelve bumps were made during the day.
The appended lists show the order of starting, the bumps being indicated by brackets [...].
The Oxford Summer Eights were concluded yesterday, when the racing attracted an immense attendance to the towing path. Most of the college barges were filled to their utmost capacity. The weather, as it has been throughout the racing, proved beautifully fine with not enough breeze to unfurl the college flags. From the start the headship was a foregone conclusion for Christ Church, which was hardly surprising seeing that their crew included three Blues and a trial eightsman. On no occasion have they had to get beyond a steady paddle, and a great matter for regret is that, owing to Schools, such a really first-class crew will be unable to represent Christ Church at Henley.Besides Christ Church there were very few crews of any distinction, and it is rather remarkable that in the seven [sic] days' racing only two bumps were recorded amongst the first seven boats. Possibly Magdalen II were as fast as any and they looked like making a "record" by finishing higher up in the first division than any other second crew had ever done before, but the fates were against them yesterday and they not only had victory snatched from their grasp by an unfortunate crab before reaching the Weir, which enabled Wadham to escape them, but they also lost the place that they had gained from Worcester on the previous evening. This was not the only mishap during the afternoon, for No. 6 in Lincoln II broke his oar for the second time near Weirs Bridge just as they looked like catching Queen's II. A similar misfortune befell Oriel II, who proved easy victims to Christ Church III
The dispute with regard to several bumps in the Third Division on Tuesday was adjudicated on at a special meeting of the Boat Club which decided that the boats concerned — Hertford, Pembroke Keble, and Exeter — should be rowing in the Fourth Division. The result was that Pembroke II succeeded in bumping Hertford II, who also provided Keble II with a victim later on.
No single crew succeeded in making a bump each night, and, besides Magdalen II, Brasenose [II] was the only other that could boast a record of five bumps. The most unfortunate crews were Trinity and Oriel, who lost a place each time they raced.
The Racing
The order of starting in the fourth division was, Hertford II, Pembroke II, Keble II, Exeter II and St. John's II. Pembroke dashed off at a great rate and, gaining rapidly, caught Hertford before reaching the Free Ferry. Keble II kept well away from Exeter II, finishing two lengths ahead, but St. John's, after gaining considerably on Exeter in Iffley Reach, fell away again, and paddled up some distance in the rear.
The order of starting in the third division was :— Keble, Wadham II, Merton II, Queen's II, Lincoln II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Trinity II, Oriel II, Christ Church III, Pembroke II, Hertford II, Keble II, Exeter II. Keble lost some ground to Wadham in Iffley Reach, and the latter were a length up at the Gut. Keble, however, passed the Boathouse well away, and ultimately reached the psot with half a length in hand. Wadham, in the meantime, had drawn right away from Merton II, who finished six lengths in the rear. Queen's followed their distance away after having been hard pressed by Lincoln, who had very bad luck through No. 6 breaking his oar near the Weirs Bridge. Fortunately they were able to row up in safety as University II, who followed, had to give way to St. Edmund Hall under the Willows. Pembroke paddled up. Hertford, whom they had bumped earlier in the afternoon, falling victims to Keble II at the Weirs Bridge. Christ Church III bumped Oriel II soon after the start, No. 6 in the Oriel boat breaking an oar.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Balliol, Trinity, University, Oriel, New College II, Hertford, Corpus, Christ Church II, Jesus, Balliol II, Brasenose II, St. Catherine's, Worcester II, Keble. Balliol finished head of the division without any effort, Trinity, who followed, being bumped by University at the Red Post. Oriel were soon losing ground to New College II, who were being hard pressed by Hertford, the latter in turn losing ground to Corpus. New College, however, got out of danger with a good spurt in the Gut which enabled them to bump Oriel at the Long Bridges. Corpus could never get on terms with Hertford, although finishing well within their distance. In the meantime Christ Church II had gained considerably on Corpus, who managed to struggle home a third of a length to the good. There was an exciting struggle between Jesus, Balliol II, and Brasenose II. Jesus were being hard pressed by Balliol II up Iffley Reach while Brasenose II had got well on to Balliol II. It was just a question which of the two boats would bump, but Jesus just held on and saw Balliol II succumb to Brasenose at the Boathouse, after being overlapped at the Red Post. Worcester II threatened danger to St. Catherine's up Iffley Reach, but the latter struggled gamely and were not overtaken until reaching the Willows.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Christ Church, Brasenose, Magdalen, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Magdalen II, Worcester, St. John's, Lincoln, Pembroke, Queen's, and Balliol. Christ Church retained the headship without an effort and paddled up two lengths ahead of Brasenose. Magdalen made a big effort to recover the bump they had lost to Brasenose and got within a length at the Green Bank. From this point, however, Brasenose drew away and were two lengths ahead at the finish. New College gained considerably on Magdalen and three-quarters of a length divided them. Exeter in turn drew on to New College. Exeter failed to get within striking distance and were a third of a length in the rear at the Post. Wadham, although gaining ground on Merton, at one time looked like being caught by Magdalen II as the latter were gaining rapidly on them soon after the start. Unfortunately, however, one of the Magdalen men caught a crab and Worcester, profiting by their misfortune, dashed up and recovered the bump they had lost to them the previous night near the Weirs Bridge. At the same spot Lincoln fell victims to Pembroke, and Queen's were bumped by Balliol just after passing Haystack Corner.
The order of rowing, schools, and weights of the first three crews were :— [as listed below, alhtough the print is rather blurred]
Superiority of Christ ChurchLast night's racing terminated a brilliant eights week. It may be that Oxford rowing does not attain the high standard of ancient days, but no one can say that the spirit of racing has declined, for I seldom have seen an eights week so full of incident. It is true that shoals of crabs have had their part in causing excitement, to which bad coxing has also paid its share. Crabs were caught by many crews who should have been above such things, and in addition by oarsmen of repute: but bumping races, where crews have to row right in the wash of other boats, find out the weak spots in watermanship too easily, and crabs are to a certain extent pardonable, though they form an almost insuperable obstacle to success. It is necessary, however, that more attention should be paid on the Isis to the finer points of hand and wrist work.
Christ Church, who started and remain head of the river, were in a class by themselves, and thoroughly deserve their position. Mr. Harold Barker brought them on very well in the last two or three days' practice, and they became a very good crew indeed. It is a great pity that the demands of the examiners forbid the crew going to Henley, where they would certainly have done well in the Grand Challenge Cup. As it is, with the help of Murray Threipland, who rowed in the Oxford crew of 1926, they hope to send a four for the Stewards. Their crew was seated in the following order: [the list generally agrees with that given in The Times below, except for the initials of the following: A.J.D. Winnifrith, R.G. Pettiward]
Brasenose had had hard work to catch Magdalen, for they had to chase them all over the first two nights, and only caught them right at the end of the course on Saturday night. Magdalen made the most wonderful recovery from their mishaps that I have ever seen. On the Saturday before the races began it looked as if they must go down every night, but they improved so much in the last three days of practice and during races that it is safe to say that there was no boat below them that could have made any impression on them.
New College, though they never looked like improving their position, deserved to retain their place. They were never seriously pressed by Exeter, although the latter, generally down on them up to the Gut, always got a little within their distance up to the barges. Exeter was a disappointment to those who pinned their faith to the Fairbairn style. Three strenuous weeks at Putney under Mr. Fairbairn himself, had made them forward in pace when they started training at Oxford, and their early practice times were fast compared with those of other crews. But they had not the margin left for improvement that the others had, and their one bump on the first night was all that they deserved. Wadham had a very strenuous and unprofitable week, for they chased Merton home every night, and often overlapped them, but never made the bump. They were themselves in turn pressed by Worcester on two nights, on the second of which the latter were bumped by Magdalen II, while the fact that last night the Magdalen crew caught several crabs at the start and were rebumped by Worcester, enabled them to keep their place for the week.
Worcester gained three places on the week. Had they been just fast enough to catch Wadham on Monday they would undoubtedly have caught Merton, and probably Exeter, who were slow starters, and so made their six bumps. Magdalen II were the only crew who had the chance of making six bumps, and they threw it away. A heavy crew of hard workers, they had little style, but they owed their pace to a stroke who gave them a really hard finish. St. John's, Pembroke, Balliol, and University made four bumps, while Balliol II with five had the most successful week. On the whole it may be said that most of the crews found their own level as far as is possible in six nights, for there were no less than sixty-one bumps in all, which must surely be a record.
Last Night's Racing
The racing started yesterday at 2.30 with an enlarged fourth division of five boats, occasioned by the decision that the four bottom boats of the third division should re-row their Tuesday afternoon's race. This time there was no doubt, and Pembroke II made their bump on Hertford at the free ferry before Keble could get near them. For the rest there was no excitement.
In the third division, Wadham II were unable to catch Keble, though they were within a third of a length at the finish. Lincoln II had a narrow shave of being re-bumped by University II owing to breaking an oar, but were saved by St. Edmund Hall bumping their pursuers at the Willows. Oriel II descended for the fifth time to Christ Church III, while Hertford II fell for the fourth time to Keble II.
The second division afforded some very thrilling racing, especially as most of the bumps took place above the Gut. University came through the Gut close on Trinity, but did not catch them until after the red post. New College II bumped Oriel in the Gut. Christ Church II chased Corpus all the way home without effecting their downfall, and then Jesus I, Balliol II, and B.N.C II came through one on top of the other. All the way up to the Greenbank they raced like this, and it was not until they were opposite the O.U.B.C. Boathouse that B.N.C. II bumped Balliol, the latter being only 2ft behind Jesus at the moment. Worcester II bumped St. Catherine's just behind the red post, and Keble I, the sandwich boat, paddled home alone.
The first division did not provide the spectators on the barges with any real thrills, for all the bumps that were made took place low down. The first seven boats rowed over, Christ Church a good way ahead of Brasnose. There was a large gap between Exeter and Merton at the finish, and a slow race between Merton and Wadham. Only one other crew finished the course, for Magdalden II fell to Worcester within a minute of the start, leaving St. John's with no one to chase. Pembroke I caught Lincoln I, and New College II caught Oriel I, and Balliol I, sandwich boat, signalled their return into the first division by catching Queen's I.
[the article concludes with a complete bumps chart]
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