Torpids 1930

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 54 44 Balliol 2 University 35 36 Worcester 3 Magdalen 31 30 University 4 Christ Church 28 28 Corpus Christi 5 New College 28 25 Magdalen 6 Worcester 22 23 Brasenose 7 Corpus Christi 17 22 Wadham 8 Brasenose 15 20 New College 9 Merton 15 18 Keble 10 Wadham 13 17 Christ Church 11 Keble 12 11 Merton 12 Lincoln 12 10 St Catherine's 13 Exeter 10 10 Exeter 14 Pembroke 9 9 Lincoln 15 St John's 8 8 St John's 16 Oriel 7 7 Pembroke 17 Hertford 7 7 Oriel 18 St Catherine's 6 5 Trinity 19 Queen's 4 4 Hertford 20 Trinity 4 4 S.E.H. 21 S.E.H. 3 3 Queen's 22 Jesus 2 3 Jesus 23 St Peter's 1 2 St Peter's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg St Peter's 1[13] 6[ 1] 6.00[ 1] Wadham 2[ 1] 6[ 1] 3.00[ 1] Brasenose 2[ 1] 6[ 1] 3.00[ 1] Worcester 2[ 1] 6[ 1] 3.00[ 1] Jesus 1[13] 5[ 5] 5.00[ 5] St Catherine's 1[13] 5[ 5] 5.00[ 5] Corpus Christi 1[13] 5[ 5] 5.00[ 5] Trinity 1[13] 3[ 8] 3.00[ 8] Keble 2[ 1] 2[ 9] 1.00[ 9] S.E.H. 1[13] 1[10] 1.00[10] University 2[ 1] -1[11] -0.50[11] St John's 2[ 1] -2[12] -1.00[12] Magdalen 2[ 1] -2[12] -1.00[12] Pembroke 1[13] -2[12] -2.00[12] Exeter 2[ 1] -3[15] -1.50[15] New College 2[ 1] -3[15] -1.50[15] Queen's 1[13] -3[15] -3.00[15] Lincoln 1[13] -3[15] -3.00[15] Merton 1[13] -3[15] -3.00[15] Oriel 2[ 1] -4[20] -2.00[20] Balliol 2[ 1] -5[21] -2.50[21] Hertford 1[13] -5[21] -5.00[21] Christ Church 2[ 1] -9[23] -4.50[23]

Notes

• 6 days: Thu 20 – Wed 26 Feb, 1930
• First appearance of St Peter's in Torpids.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 19 Feb

  Oxford Torpid races commence to-morrow and continue till the following Wednesday. Three new crews have been put on by St. Peter's Hall, Worcester, and St. John's, the latter two being second crews.

  Balliol, the head of the river crew, are not regarded as so strong as last year, and are thought to be in some danger from University College, who are immediately behind them. Probably neither of these crews is quite so strong as Magdalen, the third crew on the river, and it remains to be seen if the latter have the necessary pace to go top. Brasenose, who start tenth, are another fast crew who should go up several places.

  Order of starting [...St. Peter's Hall, Worcester II, St. John's II]. The last three crews, who are new entries, draw for positions on the day of the races.

• The Times Thu 20 Feb

  The Torpid Races begin this afternoon at Oxford, the Third Division rowing first at half-past 2. Balliol start Head of the River, but they will have a hard task to retain their position, with University College, Magdalen, and New College near them. A new crew is St. Peter's Hall, which only came into existence last year.

• The Times Fri 21 Feb

  The Torpid Races, which were begun yesterday at Oxford, attracted an unusually large number of spectators. The sun shone brightly and there was only a light easterly wind with very little stream to contend against.

  Thirty-five crews took part in the racing and the newly-founded St. Peter's Hall crew marked their entry into the competition by making a bump at their first attempt. There had been a misunderstanding with regard to their position, as the official list had placed them 11th, whereas they started at the bottom of the Third Division. Twelve bumps were made in the three divisions, and unless New College can work themselves up it does not seem likely that there will be any change in the Headship, as Balliol held their own against University College without any great effort, while University College finished right away from Magdalen.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting :— Trinity, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, Exeter II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Jesus, Keble II, Worcester II, St. John's II, St. Peter's Hall. The race for the headship of this division provided little excitement. St. Edmund Hall at one point gained ground, but Trinity were never really pressed. St. Edmund Hall in turn held Wadham without much effort. Christ Church II caught a crab and ran into the bank at the start. Exeter II were being pressed by Oriel II, who had Brasenose II well on to them in the Gut, the last-named crew obtaining their bump half-way along the Green Bank. Jesus then began to gain on Exeter II, and suceeded in getting to within a quarter of a length at the winning post. Worcester II made very short work of Keble II, whom they bumped near the Weirs Bridge, and St. Peter's made their début by bumping St. John's II near the Ferry.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting :— Keble, Wadham, Pembroke, Exeter, St. John's, Hertford, St. Catherine's, Oriel, New College II, Queen's, University College II, Trinity. Wadham soon began to draw up on Keble, and getting well up with them at the Free Ferry made their bump on coming out of the Gut. There was a good race between Exeter and Pembroke all the way up the Green Bank, and Exeter, putting in a determined spurt along the Wall, made their bump just before reaching the Cherwell. St. John's paddled up, but Hertford were losing ground to St. Catherine's from the start. The latter were right on to Hertford on entering the Gut, but Hertford struggled on and reached the Long Bridges before they were bumped. Oriel and New College II had a hard race. At one time New College II were within half a length, but Oriel drew away again and eventually finished three-quarters of a length in front. University II went off very strongly at the start and bumped Queen's before reaching the Free Ferry.

  First Division
  Order of Starting :— Balliol, University College, Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, Worcester, Balliol II, Corpus, Merton, Brasenose, Lincoln, Wadham. The racing between the three leading boats was very uninteresting as they kept their respective positions with little difficulty, Balliol finishing two lengths in front of University College, who were the same distance in front of Magdalen. Christ Church were lucky in that they had lost ground to New College, and the latter were well on to them when one of the New College crew caught a crab. New College, on the other hand, were bumped by Worcester on coming out of the Gut. Balliol II were bumped by Corpus near the Weir's Bridge. Brasenose, going off at a trememdous pace, bumped Merton at the Launch Works, and Lincoln were bumped by Wadham before reaching the Free Ferry.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 21 Feb

  Twelve Bumps Recorded in First Day's Racing

  The Oxford torpid races commenced in fine weather and under ideal conditions yesterday afternoon, and there was a large crowd. Bumps during the day numbered twelve, four in each division.

  In the third division the first three boats rowed over well apart from one another, but Christ Church II had the ill-luck to foul the bank, and were caught by Magdalen II.

  In the second division there was a fine race between Pembroke and Exeter, and it was not till 100 yards from the winning-post that Exeter effected their bump.

  The first division racing resulted in the first four crews rowing over, Balliol having no difficulty in keeping their place at the head of the river. Christ Church were being pressed by New College when one of the latter crew caught a crab, and they were bumped by Worcester.

  Yesterday's bumps are indicated by brackets opposite the crews in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Sat 22 Feb

  The weather took a change for the worse at Oxford yesterday, and although it kept fine there was every promise of snow. The cold northerly wind had a very marked effect on the attendance. The racing was uninteresting from the spectator's point of view and not a single bump out of the 11 recorded took place on the finishing side of the new boathouse. The only close finish was between Christ Church II and Magdalen II, Christ Church putting in some good work from the boathouse, and finishing within a quarter of a length.

  Balliol, the Head Boat, again showed a clean pair of heels to University, who at one point lost considerably to Magdalden, though they regained what they had lost along the Wall. Four First Division crews, Worcester, Corpus, Brasenose, and Wadham, further improved their positions, and Keble, after losing their position to Wadham at the Head of the Second Division, regained it by bumping Lincoln, who may find some difficulty in escaping Exeter. Hertford might have been caught by Oriel, as the latter were gaining when one of their crew caught a crab, and they were bumped by New College II soon after leaving the Gut. Quite a number of crews in the Second and Third Divisions again improved their positions, St. Peter's Hall, who look like claiming more victims, being among the number.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting :— Trinity, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Magdalen II, Christ Church II, Exeter II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Jesus, Worcester II, Keble II, St. Peter's Hall, St. John's II. There was an uninteresting race for the Headship, Trinity keeping well away from St. Edmund Hall and finishing with two lengths in hand, while St. Edmund Hall, in their efforts to catch Trinity, had four lengths advantage of Wadham. Magdalen II were their distance behind Wadham, and although at the Boathouse they were right away from Christ Church II, the latter made up so much ground along the Wall that there was only a quarter of a length between them at the finish. There was a good race between Exeter II and Brasenose II, and up to the Gut Exeter held their own. Afterwards Brasenose came up rapidly and made their bump under the Willows. Jesus and Oriel II had a determined struggle on Iffley Reach, which ended in favour of Jesus at the Free Ferry. St. Peter's Hall bumped Keble II near the Weirs Bridge.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting :— Lincoln, Keble, Exeter, Pembroke, St. John's, St. Catherine's, Hertford, Oriel, New College II, University II, Queen's, Trinity. Lincoln again met with disaster and lost the Headship of the Division to Keble, who gained steadily from the start and bumped them near the Red Post. Keble were well away from Exeter at the time, while Exeter had no difficulty in getting home a length and a half in front of Pembroke. St. John's held their own with St. Catherine's for half the distance, but after leaving the Gut St. Catherine's gained rapidly and bumped them near the Boathouse. There was a good race between the next three boats. Oriel, hard pressed by New College II, gained a lot on Hertford, but on coming out of the Gut one of the Oriel crew caught a crab and New College bumped them under the Willows. University II paddled through, Queen's beign overhauled by Trinity near the Weirs Bridge.

  First Division
  Order of Starting :— Balliol, University College, Magdalen, Christ Church, Worcester, New College, Corpus, Balliol II, Brasenose, Merton, Wadham, Keble. Balliol maintained their position at the Head of the River without any difficulty, passing the Post two lengths ahead of University College. The latter at one time lost ground to Magdalen, who were within a length at the Boathouse, but they drew away again along the Wall and finished two lengths ahead. Christ Church, who rowed through on Thursday, were outclassed by Worcester, who made a capital start and caught them just before reaching the Ferry. Corpus followed up their previous success with a victory over New College. Soon after the boats came out of the Gut Brasenose also claimed another victim, Balliol II being bumped at the Ferry. Merton were bumped by Wadham near the same place. Wadham had brought off a "double" on the previous afternoon.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 22 Feb

  There was an unwelcome change in the weather for the second day of the Oxford Torpid races, it being colder and overcast. There were eleven bumps, against twelve on Thursday.

  In the Third Division, three bumps were recorded, Brasenose II catching Exeter at the Willows, Jesus overtaking Oriel II at the Free Ferry, and St. Peter's Hall reaching Keble II at Weirs Bridge. There were four bumps in the Second Division.

  In the First Division were were four bumps. Balliol were in no danger of losing their place at the head of the river, but Christ Church fell to Worcester at Weirs Bridge, Corpus bumped New College at the long bridges, Brasenose overtook Balliol II at the entrance to the Gut, and Wadham caught Merton at the Free Ferry.

  Yesterday's bumps are indicated by brackets opposite the crews in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Mon 24 Feb

  This year's Torpids look like creating a record, as with no fewer than 13 bumps registered on Saturday the sum total amounts to 36, as against 21 last year. The conditions on Saturday were favourable for rowing, for the north-easterly wind occasioned no inconvenience and there was very little stream. Balliol again retained the Headship without much difficulty, and although they finished two lengths ahead of University College, Worcester may possibly create a surprise, as they unexpectedly bumped Magdalen before reaching Saunders Bridge, Magdalen having got within a length of University College.

  Corpus added to their laurels with a decisive bump over Christ Church and Brasenose claimed another victim in New College. Wadham also continued their successful career and may score a "highest possible," as they have now made four bumps in the three days. Lincoln, Queen's, and Merton continued their downward career unchecked, but St. Catherine's again improved their position, as did St. Peter's Hall, who displayed as much dash as any crew.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting :— Queen's, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham II, Magdalen II, Christ Church II, Brasenose II, Exeter II, Jesus, Oriel II, Worcester II, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, St. John's II. Queen's suffered their third successive defeat at the hands of St. Edmund Hall, who quickly had their measure and overhauled them at the Freewater Stone, and Wadham had little difficulty in keeping their starting distance ahead of Magdalen II. Christ Church II, although putting up a gallant fight against Brasenose II, were bumped after a prolonged struggle on reaching the Cherwell. Exeter failed to escape Jesus, who, going off at a fast rate of striking, bumped them at the Weirs Bridge. St. Peter's Hall continued their upward career and made their third successive bump at the expense of Worcester before reaching the Weirs Bridge.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting :— Keble, Lincoln, Exeter, Pembroke, St. Catherine's, St. John's, Hertford, New College II, Oriel, University II, Trinity, Queen's. Keble retained their position without any effort, but there was a capital struggle between Lincoln and Exeter. Lincoln gradually lost their advantage until there was only a quarter of a length separating the crews at the Boathouse. Passing Saunders's Bridge, Exeter made their effort and effected their bump by the New College barge, where the Exeter stroke broke his oar against the steps through the cox hugging the wall too closely. Pembroke put up a strong resistance against St. Catherine's, but the latter bumped them at Talboy's barge. New College accounted for Hertford after a good race by the Long Bridges, and Trinity, going off at a tremendous pace, soon had University II in difficulties and caught them at the Ferry.

  First Division
  Order of Starting :— Balliol, University College, Magdalen, Worcester, Christ Church, Corpus, New College, Brasenose, Balliol II, Wadham, Merton, Keble. Balliol had no difficulty in retaining the Headship of the River and finished two lengths ahead of University College, who lost somewhat through Magdalen being hard pressed by Worcester. Worcester came up very fast along the Green Bank and eventually caught them near the New Cut. Christ Church experienced a further defeat and were bumped by Corpus near the Free Ferry. After a capital race a similar fate befel New College who were bumped by Brasenose at the Keble College barge. Wadham were again on the up grade with a victory over Balliol II at the Weirs Bridge. Keble soon took the measure of Merton and overtook them in the Gut.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 24 Feb

  The Torpid races were resumed at Oxford on Saturday, and were watched by a very large crowd. The weather was fine but cold and dull. There were 13 bumps as against 11 on Friday and 12 on Thursday.

  Wadham have made four and Worcester, Corpus, Brasenose, St. Catherine's, Brasenose II, and St. Peter's Hall three each. Worcester, third from the top, are considered to have a good chance of going to the head of the river.

  In the Third Division St. Edmund Hall caught Queen's at the Free Water Stone, Brasenose II bumped Christ Church II at the Cherwell, Jesus overtook Exeter II at the Weirs Bridge, and St. Peter's Hall made their third bump when they stopped Worcester II just before Salter's launch works.

  In the Second Division Exeter were given a hard race by Lincoln, and it was not until about 100 yards from the winning post that Lincoln struck their colours. St. Catherine's, in making their third bump, were taken almost to the Cherwell before they caught Pembroke. New College II bumped Hertford at the Bridge, and Trinity made short work of University College II, catching them before the Ferry.

  In the First Division Balliol again experienced little difficulty in maintaining their position at the head of the river. Worcester caught Magdalen at the New Cut, Corpus bumped Christ Church at the Weirs Bridge, Brasenose overtook New College opposite Keble Barge, Wadham bumped Balliol II at the Weirs Bridge, and Keble caught Merton in the Gut.

  Saturday's bumps are shown by brackets in the following tables [...]

• The Times Tue 25 Feb

  The fourth day's racing in the Torpids was not so largely attended owing to the unpromising weather outlook, but although there was every appearance of heavy snow none fell until after the First Division crews had rowed up. Balliol retained the Headship of the River, ahead of Magdalen, without much difficulty, but they will have a much more severe task to-day when they have Worcester following them.

  Worcester, who had made a bump each afternoon, made comparatively short work of University College, and to-day's race is sure to create an immense amount of interest. Corpus had their upward career checked by Magdalen, who proved the better stayers, although at one time it looked as though Corpus would achieve their bump. Brasenose further added to their laurels with a victory over Christ Church at the Willows, and Wadham, who have now made five bumps, Jesus, and St. Peter's Hall all increased their winning record. The Second Division race ended in a fiasco, Exeter, on coming through the Bend in the Gut, struck some wreckage and one of their men caught a crab. They were consequently bumped by Lincoln, who had St. Catherine's right up to them. The latter could not get clear, and although Pembroke passed them the river was so congested with boats that it was impossible to say who had bumped and who had not, and the difficulty was solved by the Boat Club Committee ordering all the boats, with the exception of Merton, to row again this morning at 11 o'clock.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting :— St. Edmund Hall, Queen's, Wadham II, Magdalen II, Brasenose II, Christ Church II, Jesus, Exeter II, Oriel II, St. Peter's Hall, Worcester II, Keble II, St. John's II. St. Edmund Hall rowed up Head of the Division three lengths in front of Queen's, who had to row hard in order to escape Wadham II. Wadham went off strongly and gained steadily up to the Boathouse, where they were within half a length. Queen's, however, held their own and ultimately passed the post that distance to the good. Magdalen II, with Brasenose II pressing them up the Green Bank, gained on Wadham, but fell away towards the finish when more than a length divided them. Brasenose II, after gaining half-way, followed two lengths behind Magdalen II. There was a good race between Christ Church II and Jesus, who were well up coming out of the Gut and made a futile shot at the end of the Willows. A little later, after being overlapped again, Christ Church got away, but Jesus came again and made their bump opposite the New College barge. Oriel II failed to check the victorious career of St. Peter's Hall, who went off in dashing style and made their bump before reaching the Weirs Bridge. Keble II got within a length of Worcester II at the Boathouse, but fell away again and Worcester led them home by a length and a half. Keble II finished two lengths in front of St. John's II.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting :— Merton, Exeter, Lincoln, St. Catherine's, Pembroke, St. John's, New College II, Hertford, Oriel, Trinity, University College II, St. Edmund Hall. Merton kept their place at the head of the Division and rowed up alone, as Exeter caught a crab in the Gut and fell victims to Lincoln. This happened in the narrowest par of the river, and the two boats barred the progress of St. Catherine's, who had to cease rowing. In the meantime Pembroke managed to row past St. Catherine's, but St. John's, New College II, Hertford, Oriel, and Trinity were unable to get through. Pembroke claimed a bump over St. Catherine's, but it was not allowed. It was subsequently decided that the race should be re-rowed at 11 o'clock to-day, all the boats competing with the exception of Merton.

  First Division
  Order of Starting :— Balliol, University College, Worcester, Magdalen, Corpus, Christ Church, Brasenose, New College, Wadham, Balliol II, Keble, Merton. Balliol again kept their place without being hard pressed by University College, who failed to hold off the fast Worcester crew. Worcester were well on to them when they reached the Gut, and, coming up hand over hand along the Green Bank, made their bump near the Red Post. Magdalen and Corpus provided the most interesting struggle, and the latter flattered their supporters when the passed the Boathouse, for only a quarter of a length separated the two boats. Corpus, however, had rowed themselves out, and Magdalen, staying well, passed the post that distance ahead of them. Brasenose soon had the measure of Christ Church, and, coming up fast after leaving the Gut, made their bump at the Willows. Wadham completely outpaced New College and bumped them at the Free Ferry, while Balliol II fell victims to Keble under the Willows.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 25 Feb

  Eight Boats locked together in Oxford Races

  An accident without precedence occurred in the Second Division of the Oxford Torpid races, resumed yesterday.

  An Exeter man fouled an obstruction in the Gut, and, the following boats failing to get clear, an extraordinary block resulted. At one time eight boats were locked together. The bows of the New College boat were damaged.

  Lincoln, Pembroke, New College, and Oriel all claimed bumps, but the Committee decided that the race must be re-rowed to-day, and all bumps in the Second Division, therefore, were cancelled.

  The six bumps recorded in the First and Third Divisions are indicated by brackets opposite the crews in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Wed 26 Feb

  Worcester go Head of the River

  The fifth day's racing in the Torpids at Oxford excited much interest, more especially in the First Division, in which Balliol, who had not hitherto been pressed in the race for the Headship, had on this occasion to start in front of Worcester, who had successive victories to their credit, all of which they had gained with consummate ease. The general opinion was that Worcester, who if they are not a particularly polished crew undoubtedly possess great pace, would prove equal to the occasion, and so it proved. Although Balliol had a substantial lead coming out of the Gut Worcester gradually wore them down in a succession of spurts from the Willows, and Balliol went down, fighting hard, midway between Saunders's Bridge and the Cherwell.

  University College gave their supporters a shock, as early in the race Magdalen got right on to them. Magdalen, however, failed to sustain the effort, and Corpus, improving on their form of the previous afternoon, succeeded in making a bump opposite their College barge. Brasenose, who had previously done exceedingly well with four successive bumps, made no impression on Corpus, but Wadham continued their victorious career unchecked. The most interesting item in to-day's final racing will be the race with Brasenoe, which may end in them making a record of seven bumps for the six days. Keble again improved their position in the First Division.

  With regard to the Second Division, it had been decided that Monday's race should be re-rowed, but Lincoln appealed against the decision, and at a Captains' meeting in the morning their appeal was upheld, it being decided that Lincoln were entitled to the bump they claimed over Exeter and that the other boats should start in the same order as on Monday. All boats have to stand by their accidents, according to the Boat Club rules, and consequently Exeter were bound to lose a place, but a question arose as to whether Pembroke were entitled to a bump over St. Catherine's through having rowed past them. The point at issue would be whether the fact of simply rowing past a boat is the equivalent of a bump or whether the boat rowing past has to complete the course. If the former, then St. Catherine's should have lost a place to Pembroke, which would have been terribly hard luck on them. As it was, the contretemps probably deprived them of a bump, as they were right on to Lincoln, when Exeter caught their unfortunate crab.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting :— St. Edmund Hall, Queen's, Wadham II, Magdalen II, Brasenose II, Jesus, Christ Church II, Exeter II, St. Peter's Hall, Oriel II, Worcester II, Keble II, St. John's II. St. Edmund Hall had a very easy journey, holding their own against Queen's II without an effort, and finishing their starting distance ahead. Queen's had a very hard struggle to keep their place in front of Wadham II, who were well up at the Freewater Stone. Coming out of the Gut indifferent steering cost Wadham a lot of distance, and, although they again drew up, Queen's held their own to the end, and finished barely a quarter of a length to the good. Brasenose II, who had previously made three bumps, at length experienced disaster at the hands of Jesus, who, after a stern chase from the Willows, caught them just before reaching the Cherwell. Christ Church II got away badly, but it did not affect them much, as Exeter II could not get away from St. Peter's Hall, who caught them near the Weirs Bridge. Oriel II and Worcester II had a prolonged struggle, but although the Worcester boat was well up at the Boathouse Oriel held them from this point and had a quarter of a length to spare at the finish. Worcester II came in three lengths ahead of Keble II, who only succeeded in escaping St. John's II by a quarter of a length.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting :— Merton, Lincoln, Exeter, St. Catherine's, Pembroke, St. John's, New College II, Hertford, Oriel, Trinity, University College II, St. Edmund Hall. Merton kept their place without being fully extended, for, although Lincoln gained on them, a length separated the two boats at the finish. Exeter drew on to Lincoln, but never got near enough to cause them any anxiety. In the meantime St. Catherine's had been steadily overhauling Exeter, and, after being within half a length at the Long Bridges, bumped them near the New Cut. St. John's gained somewhat on Pembroke, but the latter finished strongly, and were more than a length in front at the finish. St. John's had a hard task to keep in front of New College II, but they succeeded in reaching home with a quarter of a length in hand. Oriel were outpaced by Trinity, who caught them near the Weirs Bridge. University College II and St. Edmund Hall paddled up their distance apart.

  First Division
  Order of Starting :— Balliol, Worcester, University, Magdalen, Corpus, Brasenose, Christ Church, Wadham, New College, Keble, Balliol II, Merton. Hundreds of spectators followed the race for the Headship. Worcester gained steadily in Iffley Reach, but coming out of the Gut there was fully a length between the two crews. After passing the Long Bridges, Worcester put on a fine spurt and further reduced the deficit. Balliol responded and recovered, but Worcester came up again, another spurt once more giving Balliol the advantage. And so it continued until after passing Saunders's Bridge, where Worcester succeeded in making their bump opposite their own College barge. University lost distance to Magdalen, who were being hard pressed by Corpus. Magdalen were within a quarter of a length of them coming out of the Gut, but University drew away again. Magdalen failed to hold Corpus, and finally succumbed opposite the Corpus barge, Brasenose at the time being some distance behind Corpus. Wadham made short work of Christ Church, bumping them after a short struggle near the Ferry, and New College were bumped by Keble at the Willows. Balliol II and Merton paddled up.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 26 Feb

  Worcester relieve Balliol of Headship

  Oxford torpid races were resumed yesterday in fine but dull weather. It had been decided to re-row yesterday's Second Division race, but this arrangement was cancelled. Lincoln, however, were awarded a bump over Exeter, but the other crews retained their order.

  There were two bumps in the Third Division; Jesus caught Brasenose II at the Magdalen barge, and St. Peter's Hall, going up for the fifth time, overtook Exeter II at the Weirs Bridge.

  A similar number of bumps took place in the Second Division, in which St. Catherine's caught Exeter at the new cut, and Trinity overtook Hertford at the Weirs Bridge.

  The First Division racing was of more interest than usual, owing to the struggle for the headship, which Balliol had held since the start of the races. After a very fine race Worcester made their bump opposite their own barge, and so went to the head of the river for the first time since 1923.

  Other bumps were Corpus caught Magdalen opposite Corpus barge, Wadham overtook Christ Church at the ferry, and Keble ran into New College at the Willows.

  Bumps recorded are indicated by brackets opposite the crews in the following table: [...]

• The Times Thu 27 Feb

  Torpid Races Concluded

  The Torpid Races were concluded at Oxford yesterday in delightful weather, brilliant sunshine succeeding a dull, wet morning. Worcester retained their position of Head of the River.

  There were big attendances at each Division, but especially the first, in which the struggle between Brasenose and Wadham excited much interest. Wadham had previously made six bumps and were out to score a "highest possible," but the fates were against them, and, although at one time it looked as though they might achieve their purpose, they found Brasenose a class above the crews they had previously defeated, for this was the first occasion that they had had to row farther than the Free Ferry, and Brasenose managed to get home with a quarter of a length to spare. Worcester left off Head of the River in a manner befitting their position. Seldom have a crew finished in such brilliant fashion, and they made Balliol look mediocre indeed. They appeared to have a real stroke in F. T. Hawkin [sic, presumably N. T. Hankin], the St. Paul's freshman, who is a brother of the Old Blue. They had been coached by their old captain, M. G. Billing, and Mr. Vivian Nickalls. The first and last occasion on which they had headed the Torpid was in 1922, and on that occasion they had an American oarsman in their crew, S. R. Tyler of the University of Virginia, who rowed No.2. St. Peter's Hall made a brilliant debut, for they only came into existence two years ago. They made a bump every afternoon and from the ease with which they made them would have gone a long way into the Third Division before reaching the end of their tether. Their performance is the more noteworthy as they have only 40 members on the books. Next year their prospects will be hardly as good, as most of those rowing this year in the Torpids will be requisitioned for their Summer Eights. Corpus, another of the smaller foundations, who have always succeeded in maintaining a prominent position on the river, also did remarkably well in making five bumps in the First Division, a record equalled by Keble [Wadham ?]; and St. Catherine's, in the Second Division, and Jesus, in the Third Division, also gained five places. But for sheer bad luck St. Catherine's might have done likewise [?].

  Some crews were very disappointing, notably New College and Magdalen, who had given much promise in practice. Magdalen lost only two places, one of which was to the Head Boat, but New College went down on no fewer than five occasions. Bumps were much more numerous than usual, as 58 were recorded during the six days' racing.

  The Head of the River crew consisted of :— [as below]. The order of finishing was: [...]

  Third Division
  Order of Starting :— St. Edmund Hall, Queen's, Wadham II, Magdalen II, Jesus, Brasenose II, Christ Church II, St. Peter's Hall, Exeter II, Oriel II, Worcester II, Keble II, St. John's II. St. Edmund Hall retained their position at the head of the Division without any effort, and finished fully two lengths in front of Queen's, but Queen's and Wadham II provided a most interesting struggle. Wadham gained in Iffley Reach, and, after coming out of the Gut, drew right up. Along the Willows the Wadham cox made a futile shot, and Queen's drew right away. Wadham came up again at the Red Post, and got within a couple of feet, but from this point Queen's held them, and, after a gruelling race, succeeded in reaching home by a quarter of a length. Jesus came up steadily in Iffley Reach and were within a length of Magdalen II coming through the Gut. Magdalen drew away slightly, but could not sustain the effort, and in a capital dash along the Green Bank Jesus made their bump at the Willows. Brasenose II paddled over, as the irrepressible St. Peter's Hall, going off at a great pace, overhauled Christ Church II before reaching the Free Ferry, thus making their sixth successive bump. Exeter II rowed up, Oriel II, who followed them, being quickly overtaken by Worcester II, who bumped them near the Weirs Bridge. There was a fine race to finish up with between Keble II and St. John's II, which ended in Keble passing the post barely a quarter of a length to the good.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting :— Merton, Lincoln, St. Catherine's, Exeter, Pembroke, St. John's, New College II, Oriel, Trinity, Hertford, University College II, St. Edmund Hall. Merton retained their position without difficulty, and were well away from Lincoln when the latter were caught by St. Catherine's. St. Catherine's had previously bumped Exeter, but the latter made a great effort to regain their position, and had got to within a length of them. Coming out of the Gut St. Catherine's drew away, but again Exeter gained on them. St. Catherine's, however, saved themselves further anxiety by making their bump near the New College barge. Pembroke finished within two lengths of Exeter and well away from St. John's, who had New College within a length of them at the finish. Two lengths separated New College from Oriel, who were a like distance ahead of Trinity. Hertford and University College had a brief struggle in Iffley Reach, which terminated in University College making their bump at the Free Ferry.

  First Division
  Order of Starting :— Worcester, Balliol, University College, Corpus, Magdalen, Brasenose, Wadham, Christ Church, Keble, New College, Balliol II, Merton. Worcester left off Head of the River in no uncertain fashion, as they got well away from Balliol and finished brilliantly four or five lengths ahead. University and Corpus provided and interesting struggle. There was a wide gap between them at the Gut, but Corpus came up very fast along the Green Bank and at the Boathouse were within a few feet. University struggled gamely along the Wall but to no purpose and had finally to give way just after passing the Cherwell. Magdalen lost distance to Brasenose, who were having all their work cut out to escape the attentions of Wadham. Magdalen kept their place, finishing a length ahead of Brasenose. Brasenose were a length in front of Wadham at the Boathouse, and, stalling off a determined challenge at the Cherwell, reached home in safety with a quarter of a length to spare. Christ Church were quite outpaced by Keble and had lowered their flag near the Weirs Bridge. New College, Balliol II, and Merton rowed up at wide intervals.

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 27 Feb

  Worcester Head of River

  Worcester yesterday maintained their position as head of the river on the concluding day of the Oxford Torpid races. Seven bumps were made, bringing the total for the six days up to 58.

  St. Peter's Hall and Wadham made six bumps each. The achievement of the former is particularly meritorious. They put on a crew for the first time, and have only forty members from which to select, but they were exceptionally fast and captured all their opponents before they had gone 100 yards.

  The Worcester crew was: [as below, from The Times, but adding weights, and some changes of initials: L.P. Addison, N.T. Hankin (now corrected, Times had F.T.), D.H. Pritchard]

  Yesterday's bumps are indicated by brackets opposite crews in the following tables: [...]

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