Torpids 1928

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 45 54 Balliol 2 Merton 34 33 Magdalen 3 Magdalen 31 31 University 4 New College 29 27 Christ Church 5 Christ Church 29 22 New College 6 Wadham 22 22 Merton 7 University 21 18 Lincoln 8 Worcester 16 15 Brasenose 9 Brasenose 15 14 Worcester 10 Lincoln 12 14 Wadham 11 Exeter 11 11 Exeter 12 Corpus Christi 10 10 Corpus Christi 13 Pembroke 10 9 Keble 14 Keble 9 8 Pembroke 15 St John's 8 8 Hertford 16 Oriel 7 7 St John's 17 Hertford 5 6 Oriel 18 Trinity 4 5 Queen's 19 Queen's 3 4 St Catherine's 20 St Catherine's 3 3 Trinity 21 S.E.H. 2 3 S.E.H. 22 Jesus 2 1 Jesus

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg University 2[ 1] 7[ 1] 3.50[ 1] St Catherine's 1[13] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 2] Queen's 1[13] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 2] Hertford 1[13] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 2] Lincoln 1[13] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 2] Exeter 2[ 1] 4[ 2] 2.00[ 2] Balliol 2[ 1] 4[ 2] 2.00[ 2] S.E.H. 1[13] 2[ 8] 2.00[ 8] Keble 2[ 1] 1[ 9] 0.50[ 9] Corpus Christi 1[13] 0[10] 0.00[10] Pembroke 2[ 1] -1[11] -0.50[11] Brasenose 2[ 1] -1[11] -0.50[11] Jesus 1[13] -1[11] -1.00[11] Worcester 1[13] -1[11] -1.00[11] St John's 2[ 1] -3[15] -1.50[15] Trinity 1[13] -3[15] -3.00[15] Oriel 2[ 1] -4[17] -2.00[17] Wadham 2[ 1] -4[17] -2.00[17] New College 2[ 1] -4[17] -2.00[17] Christ Church 2[ 1] -4[17] -2.00[17] Magdalen 2[ 1] -4[17] -2.00[17] Merton 1[13] -4[17] -4.00[17]

Notes

• Thu 23 – Wed 29 Feb 1928
• The Daily Telegraph Thu 23 Feb lists division times as 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30pm.
• The head boat, Merton, was sunk twice in consecutive days: on the Friday when the Balliol bump was disallowed as being past the finishing post, and again the following day, when it was allowed (and Balliol also sank).

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 23 Feb

  The Torpid Races at Oxford commence to-day. Thirty-four crews have entered, as against thirty-two last year. Worcester have taken off their second crew, and Exeter, Pembroke, and Keble have put on second crews. Merton start head of the river, but are not expected to stay there, Balliol being the most fancied for premier honours, though, in this connection, Christ Church, Magdalen, and New College cannot be disregarded. Corpus are the pick of the crews in Division II, and in Division III St. Catharine's and St. Edmund Hall should do well. The order of starting is: [...]

• The Times Fri 24 Feb

  The Torpid races were begun at Oxford yesterday, and although the weather was dull little fault could be found with it from a rowing point of view, as the stream was almost normal and there was no wind.

  The Third Division provided no excitement and only one bump was recorded, Exeter II, who were a new crew, justifying their appearance by catching St. John's II at half-way. The Second Division rowed over without a single bump, a remarkable record for a first day's racing.

  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Queen's, St. Catherine's, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Jesus, St. John's II, Exeter II, Pembroke II, Keble II. Queen's maintained their position without much effort until after passing the Boathouse, when St. Catherine's began to draw up, and at the Cherwell were within a length. They further reduced the deficit, but their cox steered a bad course in the final bend, which enabled Queen's to hold their own and pass a length to the good. University followed three lengths in the rear of St. Catherine's, but had to row hard to escape St. Edmund Hall. Jesus made a considerable amount of ground on Oriel over the first half of the course, and were within half a length. At the Boathouse, however, Oriel drew away again, and ultimately finished two lengths ahead. St. John's II soon began to lose ground to Exeter II, and were bumped under the Willows.

  Second Division
  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus, Exeter, Pembroke, Keble, New College II, St. John's, Oriel, Hertford, Trinity, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, Queen's. Corpus never had to extend themselves to keep clear of Exeter, and were only paddling when they passed the post four lengths to the good. Exeter had drawn right away from Pembroke, who finished six lengths in the rear. Keble, after being a length behind Pembroke at the Boathouse, put in a fine but unsuccessful effort along the Wall, and Pembroke managed to get home by three yards. New College II fell a long way behind Keble, and they had to row their hardest to escape St. John's. Another wide gap separated St. John's from Oriel, who had a tremendous struggle to escape Hertford, but got home in the end with two yards to spare. Trinity finished their distance in front of Christ Church II, who had drawn right away from Magdalen II.

  First Division
  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Merton, Balliol, Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, Wadham, University, Worcester, Balliol II, Brasenose, Lincoln, Corpus. Merton, although losing ground to Balliol, were never in any real danger of being caught and passed the post with a length in hand. Magdalen made a fine effort to overhaul Balliol after being a length behind at the Boathouse. All the way up the Wall they steadily reduced the deficit, and a few feet from the finish their cox shot, but just missed. Magdalen, in the meantime, had drawn right away from Christ Church, and the latter finished fully their distance ahead of New College. Wadham were quite outpaced by University, and had to strike their colours before getting out of Iffley Reach. Worcester came up well away from Balliol II but Brasenose had to give way to Lincoln as the boats were coming out of the Gut.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 24 Feb

  Only Three Bumps

  For the first day's racing in the Oxford Torpids yesterday the crews had a fairly strong stream to contend against, and this seemed to affect a good number of the coxswains, whose steering, on the whole, was poor. An unusual feature of the races was that there were only three bumps during the day.

  Merton easily kept their position at the head of the river, but Balliol, who followed them, were hard pressed by Magdalen, who were deprived of a bump by only a few inches.

  The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the bumps being indicated by brackets: [...]

• The Times Sat 25 Feb

  The Torpid races were continued in Oxford yesterday in beautiful weather. Five bumps were made during the afternoon's racing. Details :—

  Third Division
  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Queen's, St. Catherine's, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Jesus, Exeter II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Keble II. Queen's were at no time in any danger of being bumped by St. Catherine's, who in turn kept well away from University II until passing the Cherwell, when University II came up, but failed to reach them by half a length. Oriel II and Jesus had a hard race in Iffley Reach, but Jesus made ground fast on coming into the Gut and obtained their bump opposite the Long Bridges.

  Second Division
  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus, Exeter, Pembroke, Keble, New College II, St. John's, Oriel, Hertford, Trinity, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, Queen's. Corpus finished three lengths in front of Exeter, who in turn were never threatened by Pembroke. Pembroke, who had been nearly bumped by Keble on Thursday, held their own without difficulty until after passing the Boathouse, and Keble got to within a quarter of a length at the finish. New College II had a very narrow escape from St. John's, but they just held on, and finished a foot in front. Hertford bumped Oriel just before reaching the Boathouse, and Magdalen II were bumped by Queen's near the Hertford barge.

  First Division
  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Merton, Balliol, Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, University, Wadham, Worcester, Balliol II, Lincoln, Brasenose, Corpus. Merton kept well away until coming out of the Gut, when Balliol began to gain appreciably. Merton then regained some of their lead at the crossing and at the Boathouse were about a length in front. Coming up the Wall Balliol again made good headway, but Merton still had a comfortable lead when the boats passed the Cherwell, and were a quarter of a length in front at the Christ Church barge. Balliol then made a great effort, both crews being splendidly steered. Bit by bit Balliol crept up, but they just failed to obtain their bump, and the semaphore fell a fraction of a second before the Balliol bows struck the Merton rudder. The Merton boat was swamped, the crew having to swim for the shore. University again improved their position by bumping New College at the New Cut, and Worcester were bumped by Balliol II along the Willows.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 25 Feb

  The second day's racing at Oxford was favoured with more pleasant weather. Bumps were again few in number and totalled five, as against three on Thursday. One or two crews, however, notably New College II, only got home with a bare canvas to spare.

  In the first division Merton, the head boat, were given a fright by Balliol II [sic]. A hundred yards from home a quarter of a length separated the crews, and from this point the distance between them was gradually decreased. A bump looked inevitable and, as a matter of fact Balliol did make one, but unfortunately for them the semaphore fell a second before it happened and, of course, it could not be allowed. University caught New College at the New Cut, and Balliol II ran into Worcester along the Willows.

  Racing in the second division provided plenty of excitement. There was a fine struggle between New College II and St. John's, the former getting home by a foot. Oriel succumbed to Hertford at the Crossing, and Magdalen II had to acknowledge a bump from Queen's about two hundred yards from the winning post.

  In the third division the racing was rather unexciting, and there was only one close contest. This was between Oriel II and Jesus, the former acknowledging a bump at the Long Bridges. All the other crews finished some distance apart, and Exeter II, who were hoping to catch Jesus, sadly disappointed their followers.

  The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the bumps being indicated by brackets [...]

• The Times Mon 27 Feb

  Balliol Leading

  The Torpid races were continued at Oxford on Saturday in beautiful weather. Seven bumps were made during the afternoon, Balliol going up to Head of the River. When Merton were bumped by Balliol both crews were swamped.

  Details of the racing are given below.

  Third Division
  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Magdalen II, St. Catherine's, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Jesus, Oriel II, Exeter II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Keble II. Magdalen got away slowly and St. Catherine's came up fast along the Green Bank to make their bump at the Red Post, being well away from the University at the time. St. Edmund Hall failed to make any impression on University II, and although Brasenose II at one time gained on Wadham II, the latter got away again and finished with two lengths in hand. Oriel II again experienced disaster, being bumped by Exeter II at the Free Ferry.

  Second Division
  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus, Exeter, Pembroke, Keble, New College II, St. John's, Hertford, Oriel, Trinity, Christ Church II, Queen's, St. Catherine's. Corpus maintained their position without being unduly pressed, Exeter, in the meantime, having drawn right away from Pembroke. Keble gave Pembroke a hard race, and there was another fine struggle between New College II and St. John's. The last named gained a great deal after leaving the Gut, and were within half a length at the Crossing. They were within two or three yards at the Cherwell, but from this point New College held them, and passed the post with two yards to spare. Hertford got to within a length of St. John's, and Christ Church II, after a sharp struggle in Iffley Reach, were bumped by Queen's coming through the Gut.

  First Division
  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Merton, Balliol, Magdalen, Christ Church, University, New College, Wadham, Balliol II, Worcester, Lincoln, Brasenose, Corpus. Balliol came up well from the Long Bridges and were only half a length behind Merton at the crossing. Continuing to gain, they were right up at the Cherwell, where the Merton cox was keeping his boat too close to the wall. Apparently one of the Merton crew struck the wall, with the result that Balliol ran right into them and both boats were swamped. University continued their victorious career by bumping Christ Church coming out of the Gut. Wadham were bumped by Lincoln at the beginning of the Green Bank. Corpus were well on to Brasenose, but at the Cherwell one of the Corpus crew caught a crab and Brasenose paddled in leisurely.

  The present order of the boats is listed below [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 27 Feb

  Balliol Head of the River

  The prospect of seeing an exciting tussle for the headship of the river attracted a large attendance to witness Saturday's racing in the Oxford Torpids. The most notable feature of the third division was the feat of St. Catharine's in going up into the second division, a position they have not occupied for some years [1885].

  The headship of the river passed out of the keeping of Merton to Balliol. As on Friday the two crews raced neck-and-neck along the wall, and Balliol made the bump 200 yards from the post. Altogether there were seven bumps as against five on Friday and three on Thursday.

  Balliol gained on Merton over the first part of the course, and at the Boathouse were only half a length in the rear. They continued to go up, and, along the wall, drove Merton close to the Berks shore, so close that one of the Merton oars touched the bank. Balliol were near at the time, and the impact caused the two boats to sink, the men having to wade to the shore. University went up a third time, catching Christchurch at the Long Bridges, and there were two further bumps in the gut, Balliol II catching Wadham, and Lincoln overtaking Worcester.

  Appended was the order of starting, the bumps made being indicated by brackets: [...]

• The Times Tue 28 Feb

  The fourth day's racing in the Torpids at Oxford yesterday produced nine bumps. Details :—

  Third Division
  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— St. Catherine's, Magdalen II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Jesus, Exeter II, Oriel II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Keble II. St. Catherine's, rowing well within themselves, drew well away from Magdalen II, who were bumped by University II opposite the Long Bridges St. Edmund Hall kept well away from Wadham II, who in turn were never in any danger from Brasenose II. Jesus began to lose ground rapidly from the start, and Exeter II made their bump near the Free Ferry. Three lengths separated Oriel II from St. John's II, who were well away from Pembroke II, Keble II being some distance behind.

  Second Division
  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus, Exeter, Pembroke, Keble, New College II, St. John's, Hertford, Oriel, Trinity, Queen's, Christ Church II, St. Catherine's. Corpus rowed hard at the start, and got well away from Exeter. Pembroke were very unfortunate, for soon after the start one of their crew caught a crab, and they were bumped by Keble, who had pressed them hard on all three previous occasions. New College II rowed in, but there was an interesting race between St. John's and Hertford, the last-named crew obtaining their bump at the Corpus barge. Trinity, after a hard race over the first half of the course, were bumped by Queen's half-way along the Green Bank. St. Catherine's were again successful, and obtained a firm position in the Second Division by bumping Christ Church II in the Gut.

  First Division
  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Balliol, Merton, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, New College, Balliol II, Wadham, Lincoln, Worcester, Brasenose, Corpus. Balliol did not have to exert themselves to keep their place, but Merton, who had to enlist the services of their reserve man, were bumped by Magdalen when passing the Corpus barge. University kept well ahead of Christ Church, but New College were hard pressed by Balliol II, who eventually made their bump at the Crossing. Wadham were outpaced by Lincoln from the start, the latter obtaining their bump before getting out of Iffley Reach. A length and a half separated Worcester from Brasenose, who were a similar distance in front of Corpus.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 28 Feb

  Balliol Still at Head

  For the fourth day's racing of the Oxford Torpids the weather was again most favourable, and this, no doubt, accounted for the attendance being above average. Bumps were more numerous than on previous days, and in the four days racing numbered twenty four. Merton, who started head, again went down, and when Magdalen caught them they prevented University making their fourth successive bump. Last year University lost six places.

  In the first division Balliol retained the headship which they secured on Saturday, but Merton again went down, this time to Magdalen along the Willows. Balliol II caught New College at the crossing, while Lincoln bumped Wadham at the Free Ferry. There were more bumps in the second division than on any previous night. Pembroke had some bad luck, as almost before their boat had got under way one of the crew caught a crab, and they were promptly overtaken by Keble, who had rowed behind them on the three previous nights.

  The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the bumps being indicated by brackets [...].

• The Times Wed 29 Feb

  The fifth day's racing in the Torpids at Oxford was again favoured with bright, sunny weather, although there was a fairly strong south-easterly breeze. Fortunately, however, it was blowing up stream. There were large attendances at each division's racing, and bumps were more plentiful than before.

  Four bumps were recorded in the Third Division, the headship of which was secured by University II, who bumped Christ Church II along the Green Bank. Magdalen II continued their downward career and sustained their fourth reverse, incidentally providing St. Edmund Hall with their first success. Exeter II again improved their position at the expense of Brasenose II, this making their fourth bump. Details of the racing are given below.

  Third Division
  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Christ Church II, University II, Magdalen II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Exeter II, Jesus, Oriel II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Keble II. Christ Church, who were slow in getting away, lost ground to University II, only a length separating them in Iffley Reach. Gaining further ground going through the Gut, University eventually made their bump under the Willows. St. Edmund Hall gained rapidly on Magdalen II, and, making a determined effort at the Ferry, caught them in the Gut. Wadham II paddled up, but Brasenose II, who lost considerably along the Willows, had to strike their colours to Exeter II at the New Cut. Jesus succeeded in holding their own against Oriel and passed the post with a length in hand. St. John's II, handicapped by the inclusion of a new man in their crew, could not escape Pembroke II, and had to give way at the Willows.

  Second Division
  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus, Exeter, Keble, Pembroke, New College II, Hertford, St. John's, Oriel, Queen's, Trinity, St. Catherine's, University II. Corpus did not have to extend themselves, and again rowed up Head of the Division, two and a half lengths ahead of Exeter. The latter steadily lost ground to Keble and were in danger of being bumped, but after making the crossing Keble went too close in fouling the bank, and Exeter were able to draw away again and finish with half a length to spare. Pembroke followed several lengths in the rear of Keble, but New College II, who had escaped disaster in the four previous races, had to give way to Hertford oppposite the University Boathouse. Queen's were again successful, and bumped Oriel just as the boats emerged from the Gut. Trinity, after being hard pressed by St. Catherine's in the Iffley Reach, finally succumbed to them along the Green Bank.

  First Division
  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Balliol, Magdalen, Merton, University, Christ Church, Balliol II, New College, Lincoln, Wadham, Worcester, Brasenose, and Corpus. Balliol had a difficult task to escape Magdalen, who had gained a lot along the Green Bank. Only a length separated them at the Boathouse and Magdalen improved their position along the Wall, but they never got near enough to strike and Balliol finished with three-quarters of a length to spare. Merton went down again, University getting well on to them coming through the Gut and eventually bumping them at the Willows. Christ Church held Balliol II, who gained some ground half way. Christ Church, however, finished strongly and reached home with two lengths in hand. There was an interesting struggle between New College and Lincoln, which resulted in the defeat of New College opposite the Hertford Barge. Another keen race between Wadham and Worcester ended in favour of Worcester opposite the Cherwell.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 29 Feb

  Fifth Day's Racing

  For the fifth day's racing in the Oxford Torpids the weather was again fine and the attendance as large as usual. Illness has deprived several of the crews of oarsmen, and among those to suffer have been Merton, who started head of the river, and Christ Church, whose stroke, Morrison-Scott, met with a serious eye accident while playing squash rackets. The second torpid stroke had to take his place.

  Ten bumps were made yesterday, the total now being thirty-four. Balliol should retain the headship of the river. The nearest Magdalen could get to Balliol in the first division racing was three-quarters of a length, but Merton again fell, University catching them along the willows. There were three bumps in the second division, and probably would have been a fourth had not Keble fouled the bank when they were close on Exeter, who had a quarter of a length to spare at the winning post.

  The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the bumps being indicated by brackets [...].

• The Times Thu 1 March

  Balliol Head of the River

  The Torpids were concluded at Oxford yesterday. The racing had at first been uninteresting, but in the end 42 bumps were made in the six days.

  Balliol finished Head of the River, and once having got there were never in danger of losing their position. Magdalen certainly succeeded in finishing within their distance yesterday, but Balliol were hardly all out. They have experienced many ups and downs since the War, the last time on which they were Head of the Torpids being in 1911. Merton lost their stroke through indisposition, and this in a measure accounted for the fact that they went down four places. There was no phenomenal performance by any crew, but Lincoln, Queen's, St. Catherine's, Exeter II, and University all gained four places.

  The order of rowing in the Head of the River boat was :— [as below]

  Third Division
  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— University II, Christ Church II, St. Edmund Hall, Magdalen II, Wadham II, Exeter II, Brasenose II, Jesus, Oriel II, Pembroke II, St. John's II, Keble II. University II paddled up and were well clear of Christ Church II when the latter were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the Long Bridges. Magdalen II were bumped by Wadham II under the Willows. Jesus and Oriel II had a desperate struggle, and had not the Oriel II cox taken them into the bank they would have bumped near the Cherwell. They got going again, however, and made the bump opposite the old University barge.

  Second Division
  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus, Exeter, Keble, Pembroke, Hertford, New College II, St. John's, Queen's, Oriel, St. Catherine's, Trinity, University II. Corpus rowed up Head of the Division without any difficulty, and finished three lengths in front of Exeter, who held Keble all the way up. Pembroke lost ground to Hertford, and, although they rowed a plucky race, were bumped opposite the Hertford barge. New College were not as fast as St. John's, but they succeeded in holding their own. Queen's in the meantime gave St. John's a fright, for they came up splendidly in Iffley Reach. As the boats came through the Gut Queen's looked as if they would make their bump; in fact, they overlapped under the Willows, but they failed to sustain the effort, and St. John's, staying the better, drew away along the Wall, and finished with more than a length in hand. Oriel were bumped by St. Catherine's at the Freewater Stone, while University II bumped Trinity at Haystack Corner.

  First Division
  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Balliol, Magdalen, University, Merton, Christ Church, Balliol II, Lincoln, New College, Worcester, Wadham, Brasenose, Corpus. Balliol lost some ground to Magdalen in Iffley Reach, and only a length separated them on coming out of the Gut. Afterwards, however, they held their own without much difficulty, and finished a good length in front. Magdalen kept well clear from University, but Merton were bumped by Christ Church at the Willows. Balliol II finished well ahead of Lincoln, who were also clear of New College. Wadham failed to escape Brasenose, who bumped them at the Red Post.

  Final Order
  The final order was :— [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 1 March

  Head of River Crew

  The Oxford Torpid Races were concluded yesterday. Balliol finished head of the river, but it is doubtful if they were such as good crew as either Magdalen, the best of the lot, or University The schools and weights of the Balliol crew are: [as in the list from The Times, given below, except the cox's weight is recorded as 8st 10lb].

  Others who can look back with satisfaction upon the races are Lincoln, Queen's, Hertford, and Exeter II, all of whom registered four bumps. Altogether the bumps numbered forty-two, made up as follows: Thursday, three; Friday, five; Saturday, seven; Monday, nine; Tuesday, ten; and Wednesday, eight. Wadham I and Magdalen II were the unfortunate crews, each losing five places.

  The appended lists show the order of starting in the respective divisions, the bumps being indicated by brackets: [...]

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