Eights 1970

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 S.E.H. 201 194 Keble 2 Keble 191 183 S.E.H. 3 Christ Church 182 182 Christ Church 4 Oriel 151 155 University 5 Balliol 143 152 Oriel 6 University 138 150 Balliol 7 Merton 135 133 Merton 8 New College 119 122 St John's 9 St John's 116 116 Lincoln 10 Queen's 113 113 New College 11 Brasenose 112 110 Queen's 12 Lincoln 108 105 Brasenose 13 Worcester 102 93 Wadham 14 Pembroke 92 92 Pembroke 15 Exeter 92 89 Jesus 16 St Catherine's 81 86 Worcester 17 Wadham 79 85 St Catherine's 18 Jesus 75 79 Exeter 19 Hertford 74 76 Magdalen 20 Trinity 72 68 Hertford 21 Magdalen 72 67 Trinity 22 St Peter's 62 65 St Peter's 23 Corpus Christi 56 52 Corpus Christi 24 Mansfield 8 7 Mansfield 25 Osler House 3 4 Osler House 26 Linacre 2 2 Linacre 27 Wolfson 2 2 Wolfson 28 St Hilda's 2 1 Regent's Park 29 Regent's Park 1 1 St Hilda's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg University 6[ 1] 20[ 1] 3.33[ 4] Jesus 4[13] 18[ 2] 4.50[ 1] Wadham 5[ 5] 16[ 3] 3.20[ 5] St Peter's 5[ 5] 13[ 4] 2.60[ 6] St John's 5[ 5] 7[ 5] 1.40[ 7] Balliol 6[ 1] 6[ 6] 1.00[ 8] Regent's Park 1[24] 4[ 7] 4.00[ 2] Osler House 1[24] 4[ 7] 4.00[ 2] St Catherine's 4[13] 3[ 9] 0.75[ 9] Keble 6[ 1] 3[ 9] 0.50[10] Corpus Christi 4[13] 2[11] 0.50[10] Lincoln 5[ 5] 0[12] 0.00[12] Brasenose 4[13] -1[13] -0.25[13] Merton 4[13] -1[13] -0.25[13] New College 2[23] -1[13] -0.50[17] Pembroke 5[ 5] -2[16] -0.40[15] Christ Church 5[ 5] -2[16] -0.40[15] Oriel 5[ 5] -3[18] -0.60[18] Linacre 1[24] -3[18] -3.00[24] Hertford 4[13] -4[20] -1.00[19] St Hilda's 1[24] -4[20] -4.00[26] Mansfield 1[24] -4[20] -4.00[26] Queen's 3[21] -5[23] -1.67[21] Wolfson 1[24] -5[23] -5.00[29] Magdalen 4[13] -6[25] -1.50[20] Trinity 3[21] -8[26] -2.67[23] S.E.H. 6[ 1] -15[27] -2.50[22] Exeter 5[ 5] -16[28] -3.20[25] Worcester 4[13] -16[28] -4.00[26]

Notes

• Wed 27 – Sat 30 May 1970
• First appearance of Regent's Park

• The Times Wed 27 May, by Jim Railton

  Keble favourites

  Keble are strong favourites to retain the headship in this week's Oxford Summer Eights, starting today. If they do, it will be their fourth "head" in succession and a fitting achievement in their centenary year.

  With three of this year's Blue boat — Lonsdale, Hall and Dale — and two of last year's Isis crew in the boat Keble have by far the most impressive line-up. Furthermore, they are tipped as most likely winners by their leading opponents, which could possibly be interpreted as a tactical ploy in a week promising serious fun and considerable business for the boat repairers.

  Keble have made their training preparations at Wallingford, Godstow and Henley before returning to the home reaches for the final training under W. R. Fink, who rowed five in the 1965 Oxford crew. At Thames Ditton they were beaten by Eton in the final of the senior/junior eights; but on that occasion they were without their heavyweight six, A. J. Hall. They have made rapid progress since.

  Keble's main opposition is expected from Christ Church, Oriel and Balliol, who start second, fourth and fifth respectively. Christ Church are once again coached by Harris and stroked by the Blue, J. K. G. Dart, and include C. R. W. Parish, the Isis oarsman.

  Oriel, however, may well prove to be the dark horses in the competition and have planned their approach meticulously. They have even employed modern training techniques such as videotaped recordings of their training sessions; and are desribed as "rough but tough".

  Balliol include three Blues in their crew — Tee, Higgs and Hawksley — with the Yale oarsman, J. Higham, at five. Rumours of dissensions among the Balliol crew are strongly refuted by their captain and stroke, J. Lister, in spite of this being a characteristic of successful boats in top class rowing. Coached by the Tasmanian, R. J. D. Gee, Balliol on form could dislodge both Christ Church and Oriel; but I doubt that they will seriously challenge the Keble eight.

  Order of start :— [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 27 May, by Desmond Hill

  Keble look set for hat-trick

  Keble scraped home at the head of the Oxford Summer Eights in 1968–69, but they should be less troubled to survive in this, their centenary year, writes Desmond Hill. They have three Blues aboard and have shown promise in recent regattas.

  When racing starts this afternoon, their immediate pursuers will be Christ Church, stroked by J. K. G. Dart, the Blue, but The House, smooth as ever, look a shade short of horsepower.

  They should, however, be in little danger from St. Edmund Hall, who are, uncharacteristically, short of big names.

  There is a persistent tip for Oriel, who start fourth. They were last head in 1967, when their now traditional fitness and enthusiasm outweighed their shortage of technical skill. This year the opposition looks rather tougher.

  Balliol's task

  Balliol have three Blues, including Hawksley, at No. 6, but they do not quite seem to have hit it off and must, in any case, score each night if they are to reach the top. To do this a crew must be outstanding, a description few critics have so far applied to them.

  Starting order [...]

• The Times Thu 28 May, by Jim Railton

  Keble maintain their headship

  Keble maintained their headship by cruising home two lengths clear of Christ Church on the opening day of the Oxford Summer Eights yesterday. There were, however, a few anxious moments for Keble's supporters as the leading crews emerged out of the Gut.

  Christ Church, rating 36, were rapidly gaining on Keble's and had reduced their lead to three-quarters of a length. Lonsdale, the Keble stroke, sensing some danger, urged his crew into greater activity to win comfortably.

  Oriel confirmed their reported good form by bumping St. Edmund Hall at the Stone and it should be an exciting contest when they compete against the House [Christ Church] today. A few strokes after Oriel's triumph University caught Merton and will certainly be in the hunt today, starting immediately behind Balliol.

  Balliol had a thoroughly bad row but in spite of this managed to hold fifth position. Just off the start Hawksly caught a minor crab and a shipwreck on strokeside almost brought the crew into the bank with the result that the stroke's blade was damaged.

  Other promotions in the first division were made by St. John's who caught Brasenose and Lincoln at the expense of Worcester. [List of bumps]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 28 May, by Desmond Hill

  Keble at Head of River

  Though initially pressed by Christ Church, Keble came home comfortably at the head of the river when the Oxford Summer Eights began yesterday.

  Christ Church were within three-quarters of a length of Keble crossing the Gut, with both crews at 36, but once on the Green Bank Lonsdale lengthened to 34 and drew away fast. The gap was two lengths at the O U B C and more at the finish.

  Balliol shattered stroke's blade on the bank after a minute, but Oriel caught St.Edmund Hall at the Stone, where University hit Merton. New College, in some danger from B N C, survived when the latter went down to St John's at Tims. Lincoln quickly disposed of Worcester.

  In Division II, Jesus caught Exeter at the Pink Post and Wadham despatched St Catherine's two strokes later. The other bumps occurred much sooner. John Gee, the Blue, in St John's III, has alread gained four places with an over-bump in the nether regions.

  Yesterday's bumps [...]

• The Times Fri 29 May, by Jim Railton

  Keble again lengthen in time

  Keble continued to give an impression of living dangerously in the Oxford summer eights yesterday by allowing Christ Church to creep up to three-quarters of a length in the Gut. The House stormed off the start at 42 to the leaders' 41 and made an immediate impression, but once again Keble lengthened just as danger threatened and came home three-quarters of a length clear.

  Oriel, starting in third position, once again went off fast and progressively closed on the two leading crews. They began to rush their work, however, as they came out of the Gut and slowly died in the final straight. Balliol, as expected, caught St. Edmund Hall just out of the Gut but must row with greater sparkle today to make any impression on the leaders.

  Jesus gave one of the most impressive performances of the day, anchored by D. R. Hunter at six, who has made a rapid recovery from a bad car accident six months ago. Starting second in the second division, they overhauled Worcester, but their attempts to gain a positive footing in the first division three-quarters of an hour later were frustrated. They made considerable ground on Lincoln, but Lincoln caught Brasenose, leaving Jesus to row over with two hard races in front of them today.

  Details of bumps [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 29 May, by Desmond Hill

  Christ Church chase Keble in vain

  Christ Church made a sustained effort to dislodge Keble when the Oxford Summer Eights were continued yesterday and if it proved unsuccessful, at least they held Oriel at bay without too much difficulty. For all that, Keble's tenure now seems assured.

  Despite starting at 42, Keble quickly lost ground to the House and the gap was half-a-length below the Stone. A spurt on the Green Bank afforded breathing space, but Christ Church came again and were within a length at the O U B C.

  Oriel were always inside their distance from the House, without threatening real danger, but Balliol, catching St Edmund Hall at the Long Bridges, could bustle them up today. St John's caught New College in the Gut.

  In the Gut Worcester lost their foothold in Division I, when bumped by Jesus, while Wadham caught Exeter before that. Trinity took Magdalen as far as the New Cut, but New College II made short work of Hertford and could well displace the Hall as highest second place.

  New arrivals, Regent's Park, made their second bump and Linacre, with three girls aboard having been over-bumped on Wednesday, restored a little of the damage. Osler House, still patently under-placed, took a further step towards another maximum.

  The bumps [...]

• The Times Sat 30 May, by Jim Railton

  Keble draw away

  After the penultimate day of racing in the Oxford summer eights, there can be little doubt that Keble should have no trouble in retaining their headship with Christ Church, Oriel and Balliol finishing second, third and fourth, respectively.

  Keble's captain, A. G. Burns, admitted that there had been some complacency among his crew on Thursday, but there was certainly no sign of it in the last minutes of yesterday's race. Off the start, the first three crews closed rapidly on each other with Oriel rating 44, making the most ground. Once again Christ Church closed to gap to half a length on Keble in the Gut but to do so found it necessary to rate 36 to the leading crew's 34.

  Just out of the Gut W. R. C. Lonsdale, the Keble stroke, turned on the pressure and the head crew drew swiftly away to come home just over a length clear.

  Oriel came into the home straight one length down on Christ Church but in spite of showing more control in the final stages than on Thursday could make no impression on the House.

  Balliol, in fourth position, were again unimpressive consdering the talent on board and finished two lengths down on the Oriel crew. Balliol still aim to finish second, which displays exceptional optimism after their performances this week. [List of bumps]

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 30 May, by Desmond Hill

  Leading crews unchallenged

  There is no doubt now that the leading crews in the Oxford Summer Eights have found their true level and that the first three will again row over this afternoon. University could conceivably displace Balliol from fourth position, but that should be all.

  Yesterday Christ Church again closed on Keble, but a spurt through the Gut took the leaders well cleaer and they were at starting distance at the O U B C. Oriel came within a length of The House but fell back along the Green Bank.

  Balliol, who had been breathing fire earlier, were almost three lengths behind Oriel and the speed with which University hit a dispirited St. Edmund Hall can hardly encourage them. The other Division I bumps — by Lincoln and Jesus — were both predictable and swift.

  Exeter escapes

  There were desperate deeds in Division II. Wadham quickly put paid to Worcester, but St. Catherine's took four swings at Exeter before catching them opposite their boathouse.

  Trinity missed a revenge bump on Magdalen by inches, while Hertford, Pembroke and Corpus succumbed in the early stages.

  St. Hilda's surrendered once again and look likely to provide Regent's Park with a first-ever bump supper today. Linacre's mixed crew had to cover the full course for the first time in two years, after being badly baulked in the Gut. Yesterday's bumps: [...]

• The Sunday Telegraph Sun 31 May

  Keble again

  Keble became Head of the River for the fourth successive year when they decisively beat off Christ Church in the Oxford University summer eights on the Isis yesterday. In the first division St. Edmund Hall were caught by Merton, which meant that they had been bumped on each day, and Jesus bumped New College to gain promotion to Division I.

  [List of Div I bumps & overall finish order]

• The Times Mon 1 June contains just the list of Saturday's bumps, and Keble crew list, without any additional reporting.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 1 June, by Desmond Hill

  Keble stay unbeaten as Head of River

  At full pressure for the first time, Keble convincingly emphasised their superiority on the last day of the Oxford Summer Eights, finishing more than 21 lengths [sic] clear of Christ Church. Keble went Head in 1967 and have not been beaten since.

  Behind these two crews, Oriel, Balliol and University came up widely spaced, and there were only two First Division bumps.

  Merton, after at least one miss, caught St Edmund Hall on the line, while Jesus completed a maximum to escape from the Second Division. Wadham, Osler House and Regent's Park were the only other first boats to score four times.

  Faster winner

  The winning crew were well up to recent standards and probably faster than their predecessors. The next three were also eminently respectable, but at the tail of the division things were very different.

  At least one first boat contained four men who had never touched an oar before this term. [Head crew - as below]. [List of bumps & finish order]

  Keble again

• In other news ... [1970]

  Tue May 26

  The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2.

  Wed May 27

  A British expedition climbs the south face of Annapurna I.

  Sun May 31

  The 7.9 Mw Ancash earthquake shakes Peru with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe) and a landslide buries the town of Yungay, Peru. Between 66,794 and 70,000 were killed and 50,000 were injured.

  Sun May 31

  The 1970 FIFA World Cup is inaugurated in Mexico.

Return to Bumps Index