Torpids 1929

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 50 48 Balliol 2 Magdalen 30 32 University 3 University 29 27 Magdalen 4 Christ Church 25 25 Christ Church 5 Merton 20 24 New College 6 New College 20 18 Worcester 7 Lincoln 16 15 Corpus Christi 8 Brasenose 13 13 Merton 9 Worcester 13 13 Brasenose 10 Wadham 12 11 Wadham 11 Exeter 10 10 Lincoln 12 Corpus Christi 9 10 Keble 13 Keble 8 8 Exeter 14 Hertford 7 7 Pembroke 15 Pembroke 6 6 St John's 16 St John's 5 6 Oriel 17 Oriel 5 5 Hertford 18 Queen's 4 5 St Catherine's 19 St Catherine's 4 3 Queen's 20 Trinity 3 3 Trinity 21 S.E.H. 2 2 S.E.H. 22 Jesus 1 1 Jesus

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg Corpus Christi 1[11] 4[ 1] 4.00[ 1] Worcester 1[11] 3[ 2] 3.00[ 2] Oriel 2[ 1] 3[ 2] 1.50[ 2] St Catherine's 1[11] 2[ 4] 2.00[ 4] St John's 1[11] 2[ 4] 2.00[ 4] Pembroke 1[11] 2[ 4] 2.00[ 4] Keble 2[ 1] 2[ 4] 1.00[ 4] University 2[ 1] 1[ 8] 0.50[ 8] Jesus 1[11] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] S.E.H. 1[11] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] Trinity 1[11] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] New College 2[ 1] 0[ 9] 0.00[ 9] Wadham 2[ 1] -1[13] -0.50[13] Brasenose 2[ 1] -1[13] -0.50[13] Christ Church 2[ 1] -1[13] -0.50[13] Magdalen 2[ 1] -1[13] -0.50[13] Balliol 2[ 1] -1[13] -0.50[13] Exeter 2[ 1] -2[18] -1.00[18] Queen's 1[11] -2[18] -2.00[18] Hertford 1[11] -2[18] -2.00[18] Lincoln 1[11] -4[21] -4.00[21] Merton 1[11] -4[21] -4.00[21]

Notes

• 4 days: Fri 1 – Tue 5 March, 1929
• Due to ice, Torpids was postponed until Fri Mar 1st and reduced to 4 days racing.
• The Times Sat 2 March includes a photograph captioned

  The second division. — The Oxford Torpids, which were postponed last week on account of the condition of the river, begun yesterday in sunny weather. Our photograph, taken from the University Boathouse, shows Wadham leading the Second Division

  (with Corpus Christi in the background).

• The Times Wed 20 Feb

  A Captains' meeting was held yesterday when it was decided to postpone the Torpid Races until March 1, provided that the river is clear of ice on the Monday, in order to allow four days' continuous practice. It was also decided to reduce the racing to four days. The last occasion on which the Torpid Races had to be postponed was in 1895, when the frost lasted several weeks.

• The Times Sat 2 March

  The Oxford University Torpid Races, postponed on account of the weather, were begun yesterday. There was a very slow stream running and what wind there was favoured the crews. The racing was not very exciting and the three divisions only produced seven bumps. Details :—

  Third Division Order of Starting.— 1, Oriel; 2, University II;, 3, Trinity; 4, St. Edmund Hall; 5, Christ Church II; 6, Wadham II; 7, Magdalen II; 8, Exeter II; 9, Brasenose II; 10, Oriel II; 11, Jesus; 12, Keble II. Oriel kept well away from University II all the way up. The latter gained slightly towards the finish but hugged the wall too much, and Oriel finished a length and a half to the good. Trinity made some impression upon University II, getting within a length, and in the meantime had drawn clean away from St. Edmund Hall, who followed three lengths behind. Wadham II were well up to Christ Church II at the Willows and, taking a good course, caught them at the Red Post.

  Second Division Order of Starting.— 1, Wadham; 2, Corpus; 3, Exeter; 4, Keble; 5, Hertford; 6, Pembroke; 7, New College II; 8, St. John's; 9, Queen's; 10, St. Catherine's; 11, Oriel. Wadham were well away from Corpus coming out of the Gut, and there were wide gaps between the three succeeding boats. Corpus gained some ground along the Green Bank, but Wadham were never in any real danger and finished a good length in front.

  First Division Order of Starting.— 1, Balliol; 2, Magdalen; 3, University; 4, Christ Church; 5, Merton; 6, Balliol II; 7, Lincoln; 8, New College; 9, Worcester; 10, Brasenose; 11, Wadham. Balliol held their own against Magdalen without any difficulty coming out of the Gut, when they went very wide, and must have lost a length, which, however, they recovered along the Green Bank. In the meantime University had been gaining slowly but surely on Magdalen, and, when abreast of their college barge, Magdalen had to give in, Balliol being well away at the time. Christ Church paddled up. Merton, after a sharp struggle in Iffley Reach, gave way to Balliol II near the Free Ferry. New College experienced an almost equally easy task in their race with Lincoln, who, however, succeeded in struggling through the Gut before having to give way. Worcester came through three lengths ahead of Brasenose.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 2 March

  Oxford torpid races, postponed from last Thursday week owing to the Isis being frozen over, commenced yesterday, and will continue till Tuesday — four days instead of the usual six. This is the first time the races have had to be curtailed since 1895. The river was in good condition, and the weather was almost springlike. The crews numbered thirty-two, against thirty-four last year, the second boats of Pembroke and St. John's having been withdrawn.

  Balliol held their own at the head of the river, but lost ground to Magdalen in the gut. Magdalen at the time were being hotly pursued by University, who along the bank were only a quarter of a length away. Magdalen put up a fine race, only to lose further ground along the wall, and finally they succumbed to University opposite their own barge. Balliol II soon drew on to Merton and bumped them at the free water stone, while Lincoln were caught by New College at long bridges.

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

• The Times Mon 4 March

  The second day's racing in the Oxford University Torpid Races on Saturday was favoured with splendid weather and stream conditions.

  Eight bumps were recorded in the three divisions, although in the Third Division not a single bump was recorded. Corpus secured the headship of this [2nd?] division after a strenuous race with Wadham, and later established themselves well into the First Division.

  Third Division.— Order of starting: 1, Oriel; 2, University II;, 3, Trinity; 4, St. Edmund Hall; 5, Wadham II; 6, Christ Church II; 7, Exeter II; 8, Magdalen II; 9, Brasenose II; 10, Oriel II; 11, Jesus; 12, Keble II. University gained somewhat on Oriel along the Green Bank, but the latter eventually finished over a length ahead. Trinity had a gruelling race with St. Edmund Hall, but after being almost overhauled they spurted under the Green Bank and reached home in safety. Wadham in the meantime had got close up to St. Edmund Hall, who narrowly escaped. Christ Church had no difficulty in keeping clear of Exeter II, but Magdalen II only just managed to keep clear of Brasenose II, who finished within four yards of them.

  Second Division.— Order of starting: 1, Wadham; 2, Corpus; 3, Exeter; 4, Keble; 5, Hertford; 6, Pembroke; 7, St. John's; 8, New College II; 9, St. Catherine's; 10, Queen's; 11, Oriel. Corpus bumped Wadham just before reaching the Cherwell, although the latter were well ahead in the Gut, and did not begin to lose ground appreciably until coming up the Green Bank. Keble were much too fast for Exeter and made their bump in the Gut. Pembroke were gaining on Hertford when the latter were unfortunate enough to be put out of their course by Corpus, who had failed to get clear. Pembroke were thus enabled to come up and bump them opposite Magdalen Barge. Hertford later lodged an appeal and the committee disallowed the bump. St. John's paddled in whilst St. Catherine's caught New College II just by the Free Water Stone. Oriel bumped Queen's near the Long Bridges.

  First Division.— Order of starting: 1, Balliol; 2, University; 3, Magdalen; 4, Christ Church; 5, Balliol II; 6, Merton; 7, New College; 8, Lincoln; 9, Worcester; 10, Brasenose; 11, Corpus. There was an exciting race for the headship. University went off at a very fast stroke, and had gained a length at the Ferry. After going through the Gut they were almost within striking distance. Balliol now put in a fine spurt, and, keeping up their rate of striking, reached safety with a quarter of a length to spare. Christ Church gave Magdalen a strenuous time, although they did not gain appreciably until after passing the Willows. They then went all out and only failed in their purpose by two yards after a most exciting finish. New College could make little impression on Merton until reaching the Ferry, where they put in a spurt and made their bump at the Long Bridges. Lincoln gave Worcester their first bump at the Free Ferry, and Corpus registered their second success by catching Brasenose after an exciting struggle before reaching the Cherwell.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 4 March

  Large crowds gathered at the riverside at Oxford for Saturday's racing in the Torpids, which owing to the exigencies of schools and the weather are this year being rowed on four days instead of six.

  As expected, there was a very fine race between the two head first division boats. Balliol held their own till coming out of the Gut, when University began to go up. Balliol spurted, but they lost further ground near the crossing. All along the barges it was touch and go, but in the end Balliol got home with a bare quarter of a length to spare.

  The only three bumps were by New College, Worcester, and Corpus. New College caught Merton at the Long Bridges. Worcester overtook Lincoln at the ferry, and Corpus ran into Brasenose at the Cherwell. The racing will be continued to-day and conclude to-morrow. [followed by list of bumps]

• The Times Tue 5 March

  The Torpids were continued at Oxford yesterday in a cold north-easterly wind. The results were :—

  Third Division.— Order of starting:— 1, Queen's; 2, University II;, 3, Trinity; 4, St. Edmund Hall; 5, Wadham II; 6, Christ Church II; 7, Exeter II; 8, Magdalen II; 9, Brasenose II; 10, Oriel II; 11, Jesus; 12, Keble II. Queen's kept well away from University for half the distance, but after passing the Boathouse University II succeeded in reducing the lead, and ultimately finished within three-quarters of a length. Trinity were hard pressed by St. Edmund Hall, who drove them to within a length of University II. Trinity, however, held their own, for after St. Edmund Hall had looked like catching them at the Cherwell they drew away and passed the post with a third of a length to spare. St. Edmund Hall finished their distance ahead of Wadham II, who were well clear of Christ Church II. A distance divided Christ Church from Exeter II, who at one time were in danger of being bumped by Magdalen II. Oriel II bumped Brasenose II near the Free Ferry, and Keble II looked like bumping Jesus, but one of their men caught a "crab" coming out of the Gut.

  Second Division.— Order of starting.— 1, Brasenose; 2, Wadham; 3, Keble; 4, Exeter; 5, Hertford; 6, Pembroke; 7, St. John's; 8, St. Catherine's; 9, New College II; 10, Oriel; 11, Queen's. Brasenose held their position at the head of the division without much difficulty, and were well away from Wadham when the latter were caught by Keble opposite the Christ Church barge. Exeter lost ground to Hertford when the latter were being hotly pressed by Pembroke, who had been deprived of the bump they had made on Saturday. St. John's and St. Catherine's paddled through after the latter had obtained a slight advantage in Iffley Reach, and New College II were bumped by Oriel near the Weir's Bridge.

  First Division.— Order of starting:— 1, Balliol; 2, University; 3, Magdalen; 4, Christ Church; 5, Balliol II; 6, New College; 7, Merton; 8, Worcester; 9, Lincoln; 10, Corpus; 11, Brasenose. There was another fine race for the Headship between Balliol and University. University were within three-quarters of a length at the crossing, and had still further reduced the lead at the Cherwell. From this point, however, Balliol held them, and, rowing the faster stroke in the final stage, passed the post a third of a length ahead. University came in four lengths in front of Magdalen, who again had a hard task to escape Christ Church. The last named, however, hardly showed the same dash as on the previous afternoon, and after getting within a length at the Boat House they finished that distance behind. Balliol II lost the place they had gained on Friday, and provided New College with their third success, the latter coming up very fast from the Long Bridges and making their bump at the Cherwell. Merton were bumped by Worcester near the Free Ferry, and Lincoln were bumped by Corpus just after coming out of the Gut.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 5 March

  The Oxford Torpids racing was resumed yesterday and will conclude this afternoon. The conditions were more unpleasant than on the two previous days because of the return of the east wind, while owing to the thaw the towpath was inches deep in mud.

  Brasenose kept their position at the head of the Second Division, and Wadham gave Keble a fine race, taking them to the Christ Church barge before Wadham could claim the bump. Exeter, Hertford, and Pembroke followed close together. Pembroke appeared to have bumped Hertford at the Red Post, but this was not acknowledged. However, they stuck to them, and Hertford, who got away to a bad start, had to admit defeat at the New Cut when they were within a quarter of a length of Exeter.

  Balliol again robbed University of the headship of the river by getting home by a third of a length. New College caught Balliol II at the boathouse. Worcester ran into Merton at Haystack Corner, and Lincoln had to acknowledge a bump to Corpus coming out of the Gut.

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

• The Times Wed 6 March

  After having narrowly escaped abandonment the Oxford Torpids were brought to a successful termination yesterday, the racing having been restricted to four days instead of six. Bumps were not as plentiful as usual, and in the Third Division the average was only one a day. Corpus were able to claim the record with four bumps to their credit, after having missed Wadham on the opening afternoon, when they had to put an entirely untrained man into the boat. Balliol, who started Head of the River, retained their position after some gruelling races with University, a much heavier crew.

  Third Division.— Order of Starting :— 1, Queen's; 2, University II;, 3, Trinity; 4, St. Edmund Hall; 5, Wadham II; 6, Christ Church II; 7, Exeter II; 8, Magdalen II; 9, Oriel II; 10, Brasenose II; 11, Jesus; 12, Keble II. University gained a length on Queen's before coming through the Gut and further reduced their advantage along the Green Bank. Only a quarter of a length divided them at the Boathouse, but from this point Queen's held their own and finished three or four yards to the good. Trinity followed, their distance behind University, and after losing ground to St. Edmund Hall up to the Boathouse, got away again and finished with a couple of lengths to spare. Wadham followed, two lengths behind St. Edmund Hall, but well away from Christ Church, who saw Exeter fall victims to Magdalen II at the end of Iffley Reach. Oriel, Brasenose, and Jesus followed, wide distances apart, but the last-named had a hard struggle to escape Keble II, who ultimately finished within a length of them.

  Second Division.— Order of Starting :— 1, Brasenose; 3, Keble; 2, Wadham; 4, Exeter; 6, Pembroke; 5, Hertford; 7, St. John's; 8, St. Catherine's; 10, Oriel; 9, New College II; 11, Queen's. Keble gained considerably on Brasenose for half the distance and were within about a length at the Boathouse. From this point Keble were unable to make further headway and finished a length in the rear. Wadham failed to make any impression on Keble and followed, their distance behind. A splendid race followed between Exeter and Pembroke. At the crossing Pembroke were overlapping, but Exeter, who were well steered, got away again. In the end Pembroke effected their bump opposite the Hertford Barge. Hertford got very badly away, one of their men catching a crab, and St. John's, profiting by their mishap, caught them before reaching the Weirs Bridge. St. Catherine's held their own against Oriel without much difficulty and a length separated them at the finish.

  First Division.— Order of Starting :— 1, Balliol; 2, University; 3, Magdalen; 4, Christ Church; 5, New College; 6, Balliol II; 7, Worcester; 8, Merton; 9, Corpus; 10, Lincoln; 11, Brasenose. University went off at a tremendous pace and, after gaining a length in Iffley Reach, were right up with Balliol along the Green Bank. At the crossing there was next to nothing between the two boats, but Balliol struggled on in the most plucky fashion and, drawing away bit by bit, there was again clear daylight between the boats along the wall. University made a final effort at the Cherwell, but Balliol held them and, in a most exciting finish, passed the post a quarter of a length to the good. University in the meanwhile had drawn clean away from Magdalen, who followed four lengths in the rear. Christ Church gained appreciably on Magdalen, but never got within striking distance and finished well away from New College. Balliol II fell victims to Worcester opposite the Long Bridges. Corpus made their fourth bump by catching Merton coming through the Gut, and Brasenose overtook Lincoln near the Red Post.

  The names and schools of the Balliol, University and Corpus crews are given below :— [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 6 March

  The Oxford Torpid races were concluded yesterday in fine weather, although towards the end of the afternoon the sky became overcast, and the last race was rowed in a very poor light.

  As a results of the racing Balliol had the satisfaction of retaining the headship. They were always hotly pursued by University, a much faster crew, but one which seemed unequal to the strain of going all out over the whole course. This is borne out by the fact that, while appearing likely to catch Balliol in the earlier part of the race, they had shot their bolt when an extra effort was demanded along the barges. Worcester had the distinction of making a bump on each of the four nights [sic].

  The appended tables [...etc]

University
B:	R. N. B. Cridland (University)
2:	J. E. Mitchell (Dalousie University)
3:	E. R. Silberhauer (St. Andrew's, Grahamstown)
4:	G. F. Bader (St. Andrew's, Grahamstown)
5:	Count Czerin Gonondden (University)
6:	R. H. Dutton (St. Peter's, Adelaide)
7:	J. M. Freeman (Charterhouse)
S:	C. F. Martineau (Harrow)
C:	H. C. Slessor (Haileybury)

Corpus Christi
B:	C. P. de F. Bigg (Shrewsbury)
2:	G. B. Neale (Wellington)
3:	M. H. Fyffe (Tonbridge)
4:	W. E. Stubbs (Radley)
5:	M. St. A. Woodside (Toronto University)
6:	R. R. MacGibbon (Fettes)
7:	E. C. Fieldsend (Oundle)
S:	G. O. Lace (Westminster)
C:	F. F. Lindsay (Charterhouse)

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