Eights 1928Eights 1928
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The Oxford Summer Eights were begun in fine weather yesterday afternoon, and our photograph shows the scene on the Isis at the finish of the Fourth Division race.(I'm guessing that the two crews shown are Pembroke II and Keble II.)
Oxford Summer EightsNote: Although The Times article makes several references to Dodds-Parker as an old Blue and rowing contemporary of Fletcher (early 1890s) I can find no trace of him and it seems more likely that he is being confused with A. P. Parker, listed as the New College coach in the Daily Telegraph article below. There was an A. D. Dodds-Parker (b.1909) at Magdalen in the late 1920s but not with any known rowing connection, and too young to be coaching the 1st boat.It must be confessed that after the Boat Race [Cambridge won by 10 lengths] one did not anticipate seeing any good College crews rowing at Oxford in May, but these gloomy anticipations are somewhat pleasantsly falsified. It is doubtful whether the low standard of University rowing at Oxford can be traced back to a low standard of College rowing, though it may be due, in part at least, to the difficulties in the way of College crews competing at Henley when "Schools" coincided with the Regatta.
Perhaps the most interesting attempt by an individual College to assist University rowing is that of New College. This crew is being coached by Mr. A Dodds-Parker, an old Blue, who was a contemporary of the late Colonel W.A.L. Fletcher. He maintains that Oxford University crews since the War have come to rely too much upon a sharp and vigorous drive at the beginning of the stroke, and nothing more. The old tradition of Oxford rowing, which was so successfully developed by Colonel Fletcher, consisted in anchoring the blade in the water, and then, with legs and bodywork combined, swinging the boat past this point, and finishing the stroke out strongly with that almost scythe-like action of the outside arm of which he was the most famous exponent. It is for this that he has coached his crew, and it certainly is noticeable that their blades are on the feather immediately they are out of the water, and this means that they have effective length. Mr. Dodds-Parker maintains that concentration upon one tremendous thrust at the beginning of the stroke is mechanically unsound, as it is largely wasted in compressing the boat, and by weakening the finish it detracts from the speed of the boat just the moment when extra effort is most effective, namely when the boat is running fast. In other words, he wants more lift of the body at the very beginning of the stroke, and he has achieved this without apparently lessening the force of the kick which an unsuccessful coach striving after the same ideal is so likely to do.
Mr. Stephen Fairbairn, on the other hand, thinks that Oxford rowing has too much lift and too little kick; at any rate, these are the lines upon which Exeter have been coached, and a very good crew they are in their own style. Lastly, Mr. Peter Haigh-Thomas is, with Mr. Fairbairn, helping to repay the debt which Cambridge owe to Oxford from the days when Colonel Fletcher went to coach them in 1899, for he is coaching Brasenose, and he is coaching them for quickness. Oxford rowing has something of great importance to learn from all three. First, from Mr. Haigh-Thomas that quickness which in an endeavour for a beginning has been really missed, and, secondly, from Mr. Dodds-Parker effective length, and this effective length is not a long, tiring, slow slog in the water, but the length which this year's Cambridge crew had, and which can only be appreciated by seeing photographs of the beginning and finish of the stroke, or seeing the crew rowing with another crew which has no such length. For a crew with effective length should travel so fast that the stroke does not seem long. And lastly, they have to learn from Mr. Fairbairn that rowing consists not in mere working, but in working to the best advantage, and not only in moving a boat but in not stopping it.
Some Promising Crews
To no crew on the river does all this apply more strongly than to the head boat, Christ Church. With the ex-President [T. W. Shaw] stroking, a tireless worker at No. 5 in Murray-Threipland, and material equal if not superior to that of any other crew, they combine all the faults which were outstanding in the University crew. They are slow into the water, they kick their slides away and wash out at the finish, and their wrist work and watermanship leave much to be desired. Only the immensely hard work and enthusiasm of the crew tempts one to think that, aided by clear water, they may be staying head a fifth year create a "record".
Everything points, however to Brasenose, who lie second on the river, going head. They are excellently stroked by Graham, who stroked the Isis crew that made so favourable an impression at Putney, and the President, Morphett, is at No. 7. Although he is rowing well he does not stand out in the crew, which has good material all through, with perhaps the greatest acquisition at No. 6 in Waterer, late of Sidney Sussex, Cambridge, and the Maidenhead Rowing Club. He is at the moment producing better form that that which in the Cambridge Trial Eights of 1924 made him one of the most fancied candidates for a Blue.
New College are stroked most excellently by Godber, and it is hard to see where a better University stroke is to come from next year. He is at the moment not only a good stroke, but the best oarsman in the University, and he is backed up most excellently by McCulloch at No. 6. Ever since McCulloch has been at Oxford he has improved steadily, and the coaching he has had in this crew has made a fine oarsman of him. Behind him the material is weak, but the crew certainly have possibilities. They remind one of the best of post-War crews at Oxford, the New College crew of 1921, which did 6min. 57sec. in the final of the Grand. This year's New College crew should improve still further before Henley.
Exeter, who start behind them, are the problem of the races. It is impossible to say whether they are better or not than the three crews in front of them, but the general impression at Oxford is that they and Brasenose will fight for the Headship. It is little short of wonderful what Mr. Fairbairn has done for the rowing of this college in the last two years, and it must be admitted that the success of his method of coaching has not been very enthusiastically received in Oxford. It is to be hoped that in the probable event of Exeter improving their position even further more attention will be paid by other colleges to those virtues which he inculcates in his crews than to certain of his methods of attaining them, which are liable to be abused by some of his imitators. Wadham are rowing with a most ingenious rowlock, This is the invention of Mr. G.C. Drinkwater, their coach, and as it combines the virtues of fixed and swivel rowlocks is likely to be adopted widely. Of the other crews in the First Division Magdalen II are probably the fastest. Worcester, with their two old Blues [A. M. Hankin and N. E. Whiting] at stroke and No. 7, are somewhat wooden, though Hankin is giving them a very nice length. Pembroke also have pace for a short distance.
The order of starting to-day will be :— [...]
Crews in the Summer EightsIt is quite obvious, even from only a casual glance at the crews in training for the Summer Eights, which start to-night and continue until next Wednesday, that Oxford rowing is not in such a bad way as would appear from the standard of recent crews which have been sent to compete against Cambridge at Putney.
It can be said that there is no crew of exceptional merit, such as were the Magdalen crews immediately after the war, but the general average of the first division crews is high, and the racing for the headship of the river will be unusually exciting. Although Christ Church, who start head, are unlikely to remain in the position which they have held for the past four years, there is little doubt that any one of the next four crews are capable of retaining the position, once attained. It has been said that to make certain of bumping a head-of-the-river crew the crew behind it should be some fifteen seconds faster over the course in practice, for although the 70 feet which it has to make up between its bow and the leader's rudder only costs about five seconds in time, it has the enormous handicap of having to row in the wash of the leading boat, which has no such disadvantage to contend with.
During practice Brasenose, who start second, have shown that they are fifteen seconds faster than the House, but there has been so much wind and conditions have been so variable from minute to minute that it has been impossible to gauge pace by the watch very accurately. But when the material and style are also taken into account it is, I think, fairly certain that B.N.C. will catch Christ Church tonight. They are stroked with great life and dash by Alistair Graham, the old Etonian, who comes of great racing stock, and he is being well backed up by H.C. Morphett, the new O.U.B.C. president, who rowed four in the Oxford crew, at seven. At six they have a powerful oarsman in Waterer, who is unique in the fact that he is a Cambridge Trial Eightsman. At five and four Balding and Barbour, both Trials men, help to give a solid foundation of work to the crew. At the beginning of last week they looked as if they were not going to fulfil their earlier promise, but Mr. Haig Thomas, the Cambridge coach, has had them in charge since last Thursday, and since then they have shown great improvement.
Magdalen's Bright Prospects
Christ Church, who are being finished by Mr. Harold Baker [Barker], have throughout practice been making desperate efforts to stave off defeat. Stroked by P.W. Shaw, the ex-president of the O.U.B.C., with P.W. Murray-Thriepland at five, the rest of their material is poor. Moreover, they only decided on their final order of rowing in the middle of last week. Shaw from the beginning has attempted to get pace out of this crew by a high rate of striking, but he commenced doing this before the men behind him had mastered a slow rate, and the crew naturally have tended to become shorter and shorter. They command considerable pace for a short distance, but I do not think they will be able to keep it up for very long when it comes to racing, and B.N.C. ought to press them very hard along the Green Bank.
Magdalen I, who start third, are a very much better crew than they have had for the last few years. Stroked by M. Graham, who rowed bow at Putney, they are a powerful crew, with Ingles at six, who rowed in the Tasmanian State crew weighing over 13½st, and J. Macdonald at four, and, moreover, they have no weak spots in the crew. They paddle, however, with more taking rhythm than they row, for their finish is not so well held out as it might be. Consequently, the prevailing head winds which have blown throughout practice have not helped them so much as other crews with longer finishes. Should the wind change during races they may be able to create a surprise; but in any case, unless B.N.C. fail to-night, they ought to bump Christ Church to-morrow.
Behind them are another good crew in New College. Coached by Dr. A.P. Parker, the old Magdalen Blue, they have tried very few set pieces against the watch, and they are therefore the dark horses of the first division. G.E. Godber, the Bedford freshman who rowed six at Putney, is rowing stroke, and in spite of the fact that this body and legs are not perfectly coupled up at the beginning, he is giving his crew good length and rhythm. Many think they are good enough to go ahead, but personally I do not think they can command a high enough rate of stroke to do this.
Then come Exeter, the disciples of Steve Fairbairn, who have rowed the fastest practice course. They are a very much better crew than last year, and in his own style G.E. Brander is a most effective six. They should make bumps pretty freely, for they can go over the course without dropping below 36, and, though comparatively slow starters, do not lose pace over the last half. I do not think, however, that they will be fast enough to bump whichever may be the leading crew, if and when they start second.
Below, Merton are likely to fall, but whether Wadham will be able to improve their position in the long run is open to question, for Worcester, with Hankin at stroke and Whiting at seven, after starting badly, have made very considerable improvement in the last week's practice.
Magdalen II, as last year, are again a very fast crew, for a distance, at least, are nearly as fast as their first crew, and if they race well should very materially improve their position. Below them is a considerable falling off in quality. Balliol, stroked by Llewellyn, are very disappointing, and though they have nothing very brilliant in front of them, do not look like going up. Lincoln, however, look promising enough to take advantage of any crews that may be sent down to them.
In the second division University, though they have no prominent oarsmen in the crew, are much better than of late. They row with life, and are well together, though a little short. They should bump Queen's to-night, and as sandwich boat to-morrow, unless Balliol give them a very hard tussle, ought to make a couple of bumps, and earn their bumps supper by next Wednesday. Trinity, who start immediately behind them, are also above the average of their position. They have been finished by Captain Harry Willis, and should follow University straight up the river. Below, moderate oarsmanship should provide exciting racing. With forty-two boats on, under the new rule, there will be a fourth division of six boats.
Order of Starting [...]
The Oxford Summer Eights were begun at Oxford yesterday.The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Pembroke II, Keble II, Hertford II, Exeter II, St. John's II, Balliol III. Keble II gained somewhat on Pembroke II in Iffley Reach, and were well within their distance at the Boathouse. Pembroke II, however, held them without much difficulty from this point, and finished a length to the good. Hertford II were unfortunate, their rudder line being broken at the start, and they ran into the bank. Exeter II then went in pursuit of Keble II, and, although gaining ground, finished three lengths behind and the same distance ahead of St. John's II, who came in more than their distance in front of Balliol III.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Worcester II, St. Catherine's, Keble, Wadham II, Merton II, Queen's II, Lincoln II, St. Edmund Hall, University II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, Oriel II, Pembroke II. There was a good race for the Headship of this division between Worcester II and St. Catherine's. The latter were well up on entering the Gut, but Worcester II struggled hard and reach the Third Willow before they were bumped. Keble were some distance behind, but held their own against Wadham II, who finished a long length behind. There was a most exciting struggle between Merton II, Queen's II, and Lincoln II, but coming through the Gut Queen's II saved themselves by bumping Merton II. Lincoln II, who were right up at the time, failed to get clear, and St. Edmund Hall, who were pressed by University II, rowed past Lincoln II. After a keen race University II bumped St. Edmund Hall opposite Talboy's Barge. Trinity II rowed up, Christ Church III making a bad start, and being bumped by Oriel II within 200 yards of the start. The question as to whether St. Edmund Hall obtained a bump by passing Lincoln II will come before the Committee for decision.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Balliol, Queen's, University, Trinity, New College II, Oriel, Hertford, Corpus, Christ Church II, Jesus, Brasenose II, Balliol II, Worcester II [? Presumably St. Catherine's]. Balliol paddled up after half the course had been covered, Queen's being bumped by University, who were much the faster crew. Queen's struggled hard to escape, but they were eventually overtaken at the end of the Willows. Trinity kept their distance in front of New College II, the latter keeping well away from Oriel, who followed five lengths behind. Corpus got well on to Hertford at the Launch Works, and bumped them just at the entrance to the Gut. Jesus bumped Christ Church II at the Ferry, amd Brasenose II were bumped by Balliol II in the Gut.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Christ Church, Brasenose, Magdalen, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Worcester, Magdalen II, St. John's, Pembroke, Lincoln, Balliol. Soon after the start Brasenose began to draw on Christ Church in spite of the faster stroke of the latter boat, and getting well up on coming out of the Gut they spurted hard along the Willows and made their bump near the Red Post. Magdalen never had unduly to exert themselves to keep clear of New College, and paddled up a length in front.
Exeter failed to make much ground on New College, who were two lengths in front at the finish, and Exeter themselves finished several lengths in front of Merton, who were about their distance ahead of Wadham. Worcester finished within a length of Wadham. There was an exciting race between Magdalen II, St. John's, and Pembroke. St. John's got right on to Magdalen II, who had caught a crab, but they caught one themselves with the result that Pembroke bumped them at Weirs Bridge.
The racing will be continued to-day
An Unusual IncidentThe weather proved deligthfully fine for the opening stage of the Oxford University summer eights yesterday, and there was an almost entire absence of wind. The entries were one in excess of last year, Balliol being represented by a third crew, and, with the three first divisions each restricted to thirteen, six crews competed in the fourth.
In this division Hertford were unfortunate in losing a place owing to their steering gear going wrong at the start. There was also an unusual incident in the third division. St. Edmund Hall rowed past Lincoln, who were unable to get clear of Queen's and were caught by University II under the wall. St. Edmund Hall claim a bump, and the matter will be brought before the committee.
The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, and the bumps are indicated by brackets [...]
There was a further improvement in the weather at Oxford yesterday, when the Summer Eights were continued, and, although there was a good deal of wind, it was a help rather than a hindrance.The committee solved the problem of the disputed bumps on Thursday by ordering the three boats concerned, Lincoln II, St. Edmund Hall, and University II, to row again yesterday morning. The race proved disastrous for Lincoln II, who got away badly, collided with the bank, and the caught a crab. St. Edmund Hall, who were being pressed by University II, bumped Lincoln II.
One bump occurred in the Fourth Division, Keble II being bumped by Exeter II after a good race. There were many bumps in the Third Division, St. Catherine's, Worcester II [? sic], Wadham II, and Queen's II being the only crews to row through. The spectators in the Barges had nothing to interest them, as all the five bumps took place below the University Boathouse, and only Worcester II and Keble II got as far as the New Cut. An accident occurred near the Launch Works, Oriel II driving their boat hard on to Trinity II and smashing their bows. The second division was even more prolific in bumps, and only one crew, New College II, rowed through, an almost unprecedented occurrence.
Brasenose retained the Headship of the River without much effort, and, although it was expected that Christ Church would be bumped by Magdalen, they put up a splendid fight and kept in front until they were well in the line for home. New College never seriously threatened Magdalen. Pembroke, St. John's, and Lincoln had a great struggle at the bottom of the division, in which it would be question of whether St. John's would bump Pembroke or be bumped by Lincoln, and the latter event occurred.
Yesterday's Racing
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Pembroke II, Keble II, Exeter II, Hertford II, St. John's II, Balliol III. Pembroke kept well away from Keble II, who steadily lost ground to Exeter II, the last-named making their bump when abreast of Saunder's Bridge. Hertford II, who were being pressed by St. John's II, had to take a wide course, and St. John's made an unsuccessful attempt to bump them. Hertford II subsequently drew away again, and finished a length in front, while St. John's came up three lengths ahead of Balliol III.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— St. Catherine's, Worcester II, Keble, Wadham II, Queen's II, Merton II, St. Edmund Hall, Lincoln II, University II, Trinity II, Oriel II, Christ Church III, Pembroke II. St. Catherine's, who had secured the Headship of the division on the previous afternoon, paddled up, Worcester II, who followed, being bumped by Keble just before reaching the Boathouse. Wadham II were well clear of Queen's II, finishing fully four lengths in front. None of the other crews rowed through. Merton II were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the Free Ferry; Lincoln II were bumped by University II coming through the Gut; Oriel II bumped Trinity II opposite Salter's Launch [Launch Works ?]; and Pembroke II bumped Christ Church III just after passing the Weir's Bridge.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Balliol, University, Queen's, Trinity, New College II, Oriel, Corpus, Hertford, Jesus, Christ Church II, Balliol II, Brasenose II, St. Catherine's. There was a very good race for the Headship, Balliol keeping well away until after coming out of the Gut, when University came up rapidly and made their bump at the crossing. Queen's and Trinity had a keen race, but Queen's failed to resist a determined challenge along the Green Bank and were bumped at the New Cut. New College II paddled over, but there was an exciting struggle between Oriel and Corpus. Oriel were well away at the Boathouse, but Corpus put in a determined effort along the Wall, and made their bump near the Oriel Barge. The remaining bumps all occurred below the Gut. Hertford, after making ground on Corpus in the early part of the race, were bumped by Jesus at the Free Ferry, where Balliol II bumped Christ Church II, and St. Catherine's bumped Brasenose II at the Freewater Stone.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Brasenose, Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Worcester, Magdalen II, Pembroke, St. John's, Lincoln, University. Brasenose rowed up without exerting themselves, but there was a fine struggle between Christ Church and Magdalen. Christ Church had a length's lead at the Red Post, from which point Magdalen gained rapidly and, after making an unsuccessful shot just before the Cherwell, they obtained their bump 50 yards higher up. New College at the time were within a length of Magdalen and their own distance ahead of Exeter, who led Merton by several lengths. Wadham gained on Merton, but lost ground to Worcester, who had a considerable distance in hand on Magdalen II. St. John's at one time looked like bumping Pembroke, but they were in turn hotly pressed by Lincoln, who made their bump near the University Boathouse.
Many Bumps in Lower DivisionsThe second day's racing in the Oxford University summer eights was favoured with delightful weather. There was rather more wind than on the opening afternoon, but fortunately it came from the south and helped the crew against the stream, which was not running with much force. The disputed bump between Lincoln, St. Edmund Hall, and University came before the Boat Club Committee, who ordered the crews to row again. St. Edmund Hall proved successful by bumping Lincoln soon after the start. It was not a very satisfactory race, as Lincoln, after fouling the bank, caught a crab and so fell easy victims.
The racing was remarkable for the number of bumps recorded in the lower divisions, five taking place in the third, all below the boathouse, whilst in the second New College II was the only crew to row through.
The appended lists show the order of starting, the bumps recorded yesterday being indicated by brackets [...]
The Oxford Summer Eights were continued on Saturday. The weather kept fine until after the First Division had rowed up, but before the spectators had left the riverside rain fell heavily.Bumps were not nearly as plentiful as on the preceding evening, 11 being recorded in the four divisions. In the Fourth Division St. John's, who were bumped by Balliol III, claimed that before this happened they had bumped Hertford II, and the matter will come before the Boat Club Committee.
There was no change in the Headship of the first three divisions, but in the fourth Exeter II caught Christ Church III, and so made an entry into the Third Division.
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Christ Church III, Exeter II, Keble II, Hertford II, St. John's II, Balliol III. Exeter II outpaced Christ Church III from the start, and after getting well up at the Ferry, made their bump at the Long Bridges. Keble II came up well ahead of Hertford II, who were being driven on by St. John's. The latter were well up at the Boathouse, and making a shot higher up claimed to have bumped Hertford. In the meantime Balliol III came up and bumped St. John's opposite the Hertford Barge.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Brasenose II, Keble, Worcester II, Wadham II, Queen's II, St. Edmund Hall, Merton II, University II, Lincoln II, Oriel II, Trinity II, Pembroke II, Christ Church III [? Exeter II] Brasenose II and Keble had a keen struggle for the Headship, and the latter gained considerable ground before reaching the Boathouse. Afterwards Brasenose held them and finishing strongly, passed the post a quarter of a length in front. Keble, in the meantime, had drawn well away from Worcester II, who had to row their hardest to escape Wadham. St. Edmund Hall pressed the last named, but, although well up at the Boathouse, they failed to improve their position. Queen's passed the post with a quarter of a length to spare. University were right on to Merton in Iffley Reach, but a crab in the University boat gave Merton temporary relief. A little later this state of affairs was repeated, but University managed to right themselves in time to escape Lincoln II, and, getting under way again, succeeded in catching Merton at the New Cut. Oriel II bumped Lincoln II on coming out of the Gut, while Pembroke II bumped Trinity just above the Weir's Bridge.
In the Second Division the order of starting was :— University, Balliol, Trinity, Queen's, New College II, Corpus, Oriel, Jesus, Hertford, Balliol II, Christ Church II, St. Catherine's, Brasenose II. University kept the Headship, finishing a length and a half in front. Balliol had some difficulty in keeping clear of Trinity, but were never really hard put to it, and had a length to spare at the finish. Queen's were pressed by New College and occasioned Trinity some anxiety. Nearly a length divided Queen's and New College at the Boathouse. From this point New College gained ground rapidly. Queen's held out and eventually got home with two or three yards to spare. Corpus were some distance behind New College. Jesus caught Oriel coming through the Gut and Balliol II bumped Hertford just below the Free Ferry. A little higher up Christ Church II were bumped by St. Catherine's.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Brasenose, Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Worcester, Magdalen II, Pembroke, Lincoln, St. John's, University. Brasenose paddled up two lengths ahead of Magdalen. Christ Church, who followed, made an effort to escape New College, but failed, the latter coming with a rush along the Green Bank and making their bump at the New Cut. Exeter finished two lengths ahead of Merton, who were half that distance in front of Wadham. Wadham had a hard race with Worcester, but reached home with half a length to spare. Magdalen II followed a length behind Worcester. Pembroke were bumped by Lincoln at the Freewater Stone and University bumped St. John's near the Weirs Bridge.
Eleven Bumps RecordedIn the third day's racing in the Oxford University summer eights on Saturday there were eleven bumps. The appended list shows the order of starting, the bumps recorded being indicated by brackets [...]
A big holiday crowd witnessed the fourth day's racing in the Oxford Summer Eights yesterday. The weather was again gloriously fine, with a fairly strong southerly breeze, which prevented the heat being oppressive.The disputed bumps between St. John's II, Hertford II, and Balliol III, in the Fourth Division were adjudicated on by the Boat Club Committee, who upheld the claim of St. John's II to have bumped Hertford II. The three boats maintained their respective positions, but Christ Church III experienced misfortune and lost their fourth place through No. 6's oar breaking soon after the start. Keble II made a gallant effort to deprive Brasenose II of the headship of the Third Division, but Brasenose, who were well stroked, put in a very successful effort in the last quarter of a mile, getting home by a bare quarter of a length. Oriel II and Exeter II both continued their upward career and scored their fourth success at the expense of Merton II and Trinity II respectively.
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Exeter II, Christ Church III, Keble II, St. John's II, Hertford II, and Balliol III. Exeter, who had bumped Christ Church III, contented themselves with paddling through. Christ Church III fell to Keble II soon after the start. Christ Church had got away badly and misfortune followed them, No. 6 breaking his oar before reaching the Weirs Bridge. St. John's had no difficulty in keeping clear from Hertford II, who finished their distance in front of Balliol III.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Brasenose II, Keble, Worcester II, Wadham II, Queen's II, St. Edmund Hall, University II, Merton II, Oriel II, Lincoln II, Pembroke II, Trinity II, and Exeter II. Brasenose held their own pretty well in Iffley Reach, and passing the Boathouse a length divided them from Keble. Brasenose fell away somewhat along the wall and Keble, going up well, got within a quarter of a length. Brasenose, however, held them after passing the Cherwell, and finished with three or four yards to spare. Keble, in the meantime, had drawn clean away from Worcester, who were hard pressed by Wadham, the latter finishing within half a length. Queen's II were bumped by St. Edmund Hall within the Gut. Merton were caught by Oriel II at the Weirs Bridge, and Exeter bumped Trinity II at the end of the Gut.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Queen's, New College II, Corpus, Jesus, Oriel, Balliol II, Hertford, St. Catherine's, Christ Church II, and Brasenose II. An interesting race was witnessed all the way up between St. John's, Balliol, and Trinity. The latter had made most ground at the Boathouse, being about a quarter of a length behind Balliol, who were within a length of St. John's. Trinity gained further ground, but fell away again after passing the Cherwell, and there was a length between each at the finish. New College II gave Queen's a hard race, and looked like bumping at the Cherwell, but Queen's finished strongly, and got home by a quarter of a length. Corpus fell victims to Jesus at the Freewater Stone. Oriel, after a gruelling race, passed the post a third of a length ahead of Balliol II, whilst St. Catherine's bumped Hertford at Weirs Bridge.
In the First Division the order of starting was :— Brasenose, Magdalen, New College, Christ Church, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Worcester, Magdalen II, Lincoln, Pembroke, University, and St. John's. Brasenose rowed over and were well away from Magdalen when they were caught by New College. The latter showed much improved form, and were close on the heels of Magdalen as they came out of the Gut, and making a fine effort along the Green Bank caught them at the New Cut. A strenuous race ensued between Christ Church and Exeter, and the issue was in doubt right to the finish. Exeter were within a few feet at the Boathouse, and shot at the Cherwell. Christ Church, capitally steered, however, kept them at bay, and after a very fine finish Christ Church got home by inches. A wide gap separated the next two boats. Magdalen II bumped Worcester at the Red Post, and University caught Pembroke at the end of the Green Bank.
Success of Exeter and OrielGlorious conditions were associated with the summer eights at Oxford yesterday, and there was a large attendance at the later divisions of racing.
The disputed bump between Hertford II, St. John's II, and Balliol II was brought before the Boat Club Committee, who decided that St. John's had caught Hertford before being bumped by Balliol. One bump occurred in the fourth division, Christ Church providing Keble II with a victim owing to their No. 3 [sic] breaking his oar soon after the start. Three bumps took place in the third division. Exeter II and Oriel II continue their victorious career unchecked, each, so far, having made four bumps.
The appended list shows the order of starting, the bumps recorded being indicated by brackets.
There was a big falling off in the attendance at yesterday's racing at Oxford for which in some measure the weather was probably responsible.[no report on racing in the fourth division].
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Brasenose II, Keble, Worcester II, Wadham II, St. Edmund Hall, Queen's II, University II, Oriel II, Merton II, Lincoln II, Pembroke II, Exeter II, and Keble II. A good race was witnessed between Brasenose II and Keble for the headship. Brasenose had got home with a considerable margin in hand the previous afternoon, but on this occasion Keble put in a lot of good work in Iffley Reach, and, after getting within half a length at the Long Bridge, eventually made their bump under the Willows. Worcester II lost ground to Wadham II up to the new boathouse, after which they held their own, and, finishing strongly, passed the post with a length in hand, Wadham II at the time being well away from St. Edmund Hall. Queen's II experienced another reverse, University II coming up rapidly after leaving the Gut and making their bump nearing the red post, leaving Oriel II to paddle up. Lincoln II made short work of Merton II, and, after overlapping at Haystack Corner, effected their bump at the Weirs Bridge, whilst Pembroke II fell to Exeter II at the New College Barge.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Queen's, New College II, Jesus, Corpus, Oriel, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Hertford, Christ Church II, Keble. St. John's had some difficulty in keeping away from Balliol, who had got within a length at the Boathouse. St. John's gained some ground under the wall, and in spite of a hard sprint by Balliol after passing the Cherwell reached home with a length to spare. Trinity, in the meantime, had made a lot of ground on Balliol, and were a length behind at Saunders Bridge, three-quarters of a length dividing them at the finish. Queen's failed to make any ground on Trinity, and whatever chance New College II had of overhauling Queen's was spoiled through No. 7 of their crew catching a crab and losing his oar opposite the Magdalen barge. Jesus failed to profit by the mishap, however, and New College reached the post with a length in hand. Wide gaps separated the three following boats. Balliol II were unfortunate, as soon after the start one of their men caught a crab, and subsequently lost an oar, and they were bumped by St. Catherine's below the Weirs Bridge, whilst Hertford fell victims to Christ Church II between the Weirs Bridge and the Ferry.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Brasenose, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, Exeter, Merton, Wadham, Magdalen II, Worcester, Lincoln, University, Pembroke, St. John's. New College were rather faster than Brasenose over the easy [sic] part of the course, but the latter never had to exert themselves to any great extent and passed the post a length and a quarter to the good. Four lengths separated New College from Magdalen, who were well away from Christ Church. Exeter, who had only just missed bumping Christ Church the previous evening, failed to reproduce their form and, starting badly, they had Christ Church leading them by a comfortable margin all the way. Merton were outdistanced by Exeter and narrowly escaped disaster, Wadham being well on to them when they had the misfortune to be run down by Magdalen II at the Long Bridges. Worcester could make no headway against Lincoln, who ran into them near the Free Ferry, and the remaining boats rowed up wide distances apart.
Ten Bumps RecordedThere were ten bumps in yesterday's racing at Oxford, and Brasenose again held their position at the head of the river.
The appended list shows the order of starting, the bumps recorded being indicated by brackets [...]
Brasenose at the Head of the RiverThe Oxford Summer Eights ended yesterday, when Brasenose retained the Headship of the River which they secured in the first day's racing last Thursday.
The order of finishing was as follows [...]
Promising Crews
Excellent racing was seen in the First Division and, as does not often happen, the five boats finishing first on the river were probably the best five in order of merit. Certainly Brasenose and New College were the best two, and they, together with Magdalen, Christ Church, Exeter, and Magdalen II, were all crews well up to what is expected in Summer Eights. Brasenose, the Head of the River crew, gained in length during the races, and while not up to Grand winning standard they should prove good enough to win a heat, or, if they prefer to enter for the Ladies' Plate, they would require a great deal of beating.
New College, as was anticipated, were also an improving crew throughout the races, and may well be faster than Brasenose when Henley comes. Magdalen just failed to stay second because they were on the short side and without rhythm, but they were a crew well worthy of their place for their neatness and racing qualities.
Christ Church, who should have been the best crew of all, suffered from too many of the faults of the University crew, and Exeter were a trifle disappointing, but these were all reasonably good crews. Magdalen II and University fully justified the faith that had been placed in them, the latter adding some length to their other good points during the races.
Oxford has every reason to be pleased with the rowing as a whole. There is plenty of material and plenty of enthusiasm. If only the right material from the crews seen this week is judiciously chosen and fostered, there is no reason why, in a year's time, it should not be at a really high pitch once more.
Yesterday's Races
The order of starting in the Fourth Division was :— Keble II, Trinity II, St. John's II, Christ Church III, Hertford II, Balliol III. Keble paddled through. Trinity II, after a brief struggle, were caught by St. John's just after passing the Free Ferry. Christ Church III lost ground steadily at the start, and were bumped by Hertford II in the Gut.
The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Keble, Brasenose II, Worcester II, Wadham II, St. Edmund Hall, University II, Queen's II, Oriel II, Lincoln II, Merton II, Exeter II, Pembroke II, Keble II. Keble kept well away from Brasenose, who lost considerably to Worcester II in Iffley Reach. Worcester got within a few feet under the Willows, but Brasenose did much better from this point and reached home three-quarters of a length to the good. University II soon began to gain on St. Edmund Hall and, making a fine effort on coming out of the Gut, bumped them under the Willows. Oriel II bumped Queen's II in the Gut, whilst Merton were bumped by Exeter II before reaching the Weirs Bridge.
The order of starting in the Second Division was :— St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Queen's, New College II, Jesus, Corpus, Oriel, St. Catherine's, Balliol II, Christ Church II, Hertford, Keble. St. John's kept well away from Balliol until after passing the Boathouse, where they gave some ground but retained the Headship of the Division by half-a-length. Trinity threatened Balliol coming out of the Gut, and were within a quarter-of-a-length at the Crossing. From this point Balliol gained ground and led home by a length. Queen's followed some distance behind Trinity and lost considerable ground to New College, who were only half-a-length behind at the Willows. Queen's, however, finished strongly and reached the post three-quarters of a length in front. Jesus made a big effort to overhaul New College over the first half of the course and were only a quarter of a length behind at the Bridges. They failed, however, to sustain it and New College drew away again and were two lengths up at the finish. St. Catherine's bumped Oriel at the Free Ferry, and Hertford were bumped by Keble near Haystack Corner.
The order of starting in the First Division was :— Brasenose, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, Exeter, Merton, Magdalen II, Wadham, Lincoln, Worcester, University, Pembroke, St. John's. Brasenose maintained a long lead all the way, and finished two lengths in front of New College, the latter being the same distance in front of Magdalen. Christ Church, who showed greatly improved form, gained considerably on Magdalen, and only three-quarters of a length separated them at the finish. Exeter, who had nearly bumped Christ Church on Saturday, were three lengths behind them. Merton were bumped by Magdalen II at the Long Bridges, after a hard struggle, but Wadham succeeded in escaping Lincoln by a quarter of a length. Worcester were bumped by University at the Gut.
The Successful Crews
The following are the names of the Head of the River crew, and also of the Exeter II. and St. Catherine's crews, who made the record of the races with six bumps each [listed below].
Success of BrasenoseThe Eights were concluded last night at Oxford in glorious summer weather after an exciting week's racing, for all positions save that of head of the river. By the end of the week it had almost been forgotten that Brasenose started second on the first night. As was expected generally, they easily showed their superiority over Christ Church, and although the latter were outside their distance coming into the Gut by virtue of their high rate of striking, B.N.C. charged up on them on the Green Bank and made their bump in less than four minutes opposite the Red Post. Thereafter they were never in danger of losing their proud position, and are undoubtedly the one crew on the river most fitted to hold it. Their names and weights are as follows [same as listed in The Times, below].
As a crew they were well stroked, and though by no means heavy, rowed with great power and determination, traditional characteristics of Brasenose rowing, but they also possessed that roughness which is generally seen in B.N.C. crews, and did not show that touch of swagger which head-of-the-river crews generally possess. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that they will be seen at Henley this year owing to the demands of the examiners, for with the extra traininig for the regatta they would undoubtedly have developed into a very good crew.
There is no doubt that the chief cause for the failure of Oxford rowing as a whole has been this inability of so many of the more promising crews to enter for the regatta, but I am glad to say that steps have now been taken by the authorities to remove this strangle-hold on what is still the chief sport at the University, all terms are to commence a week earlier than heretofore, so that Oxford oarsmen will have an extra week between Eights week and Henley in which to cope with their scholastic liabilities. This, save in exceptional years, such as last year, when Henley falls partly in June, should go a very long way to solve the difficulty.
New College
New College, who finished second, are also a very good crew, and during races very nearly reached a racing stroke. At the beginning of the week they used to start off no higher than 34 and soon drop to 30, and I never expected to seem them bump Magdalen. But after bumping Christ Church on Saturday, and tasting blood, they suddenly developed a desire to race which hitherto had lain dormant, and on Monday, being within striking distance of Magdalen at the Gut, rushed up on them along the Green Bank and made their bump at the New Cut.
Exeter must have greatly disappointed their supporters, and Mr. Steve Fairbairn, whose style they have adopted. Credited with very fast times in practice they showed complete inability to race. Last week they never made the slightest impression on New College, behind whom they started, and on Monday, although they nearly overlapped, were unable to bump Christ Church, who had already descended three places. On Tuesday they hardly gained at all on the House
Christ Church undoubtedly were saved from falling below fourth by the very gallant stroking of T.W. Shaw, the ex-president.
Below these first give crews Magdalen II were easily the best, and but for bad watermanship on the first night might have gone even higher. One of the crew lost his oar after a crab soon after the start. It was, however, cleverly retrieved by the coxswain, who passed it back to him again. Fortunately for them, St. John's, who started behind them, had also caught crabs, and Magdalen got away again just in time. They could not, however, catch Worcester, who were very pluckily stroked by Arthur Hankin, until Monday night, and this robbed them of any chance of pitting themselves against Exeter.
University were cheated of their chance to make six bumps by the fact that, on Tuesday, Lincoln, in front of them, caught Worcester, who fouled a punt at the start very early in the race. They were a good crew, well stroked by Tinne, who rowed bow in the Trials last December, and of whom more should be heard.
Trinity I were a disappointment when it came to racing. St. Catherine's who had been coached in orthodox style by G.E. Brander, the Exeter Blue, were the most successful of the second division crews.
Last Night's Racing
In the fourth division St. John's II brought Trinity down their fifth place in the Gut, and Christ Church III suffered their sixth bump at the hands of Hertford II, so that the only two third boats finished together at the bottom of the river. It would have been interesting to see them fight it out another day.
In the third division Keble rowed over comfortably, but Worcester II chased B.N.C. all the way from the Gut to the finish. University II bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Willows. Queen's II were caught by Oriel II, thus making their fifth bump; whilst Exeter II made their sixth bump by catching Merton II below the Gut, the latter having gone down every night.
In the second division there was good racing between the three head boats without any effective result. St. Catherine's made their sixth bump, and richly deserved success when they caught Oriel by the free ferry, while Keble completed Hertford's nightly downfall very early in the course.
The first division only afforded two bumps, Magdalen II catching Merton in the Gut, and University making their fifth bump by catching Worcester just below them. Brasenose rowed up well ahead. New College, trying a fast start, got off badly, and Magdalen gained at first, finishing about their distance behind. Christ Church came up well ahead of Exeter, who never seemed to race. Wadham had a most exciting race from the free ferry to the top, but shook off Lincoln, their pursuers.
[the article the lists the order of finish].
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