Torpids 1955

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 56 59 Balliol 2 Worcester 49 48 Queen's 3 Magdalen 46 47 Worcester 4 New College 41 42 Merton 5 Queen's 39 40 Magdalen 6 Oriel 38 38 St Peter's 7 Merton 35 38 S.E.H. 8 Brasenose 32 36 Christ Church 9 S.E.H. 28 26 Trinity 10 Trinity 28 25 Oriel 11 St Peter's 24 25 New College 12 Christ Church 24 20 Exeter 13 Hertford 22 20 Brasenose 14 Exeter 18 20 Lincoln 15 University 17 18 University 16 Pembroke 17 16 Wadham 17 Lincoln 17 14 Pembroke 18 Jesus 14 14 Hertford 19 Corpus Christi 12 14 St John's 20 Keble 12 13 Corpus Christi 21 St Catherine's 10 9 Jesus 22 Wadham 10 8 Keble 23 St John's 8 7 St Catherine's

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg Christ Church 3[ 1] 15[ 1] 5.00[ 3] St John's 2[ 5] 14[ 2] 7.00[ 1] Wadham 2[ 5] 11[ 3] 5.50[ 2] St Peter's 3[ 1] 11[ 3] 3.67[ 4] Balliol 3[ 1] 10[ 5] 3.33[ 5] Corpus Christi 2[ 5] 5[ 6] 2.50[ 6] Lincoln 2[ 5] 4[ 7] 2.00[ 7] Worcester 2[ 5] 3[ 8] 1.50[ 8] Queen's 2[ 5] 2[ 9] 1.00[ 9] Pembroke 2[ 5] 0[10] 0.00[10] S.E.H. 2[ 5] -1[11] -0.50[11] Magdalen 3[ 1] -2[12] -0.67[12] Trinity 2[ 5] -2[12] -1.00[13] Merton 2[ 5] -2[12] -1.00[13] University 2[ 5] -4[15] -2.00[15] Exeter 2[ 5] -4[15] -2.00[15] St Catherine's 1[22] -5[17] -5.00[19] New College 1[22] -6[18] -6.00[22] Keble 2[ 5] -7[19] -3.50[17] Hertford 2[ 5] -9[20] -4.50[18] Jesus 2[ 5] -10[21] -5.00[19] Oriel 2[ 5] -11[22] -5.50[21] Brasenose 2[ 5] -12[23] -6.00[22]

Notes

• 6 days: Thu 17 – Wed 23 Feb 1955

• The Times Thu 17 Feb, by Our Rowing Correspondent

  Oxford Torpids Prospects — qualified support for Balliol

  It would be rash to name too many particular cases, but a superficial study of the crews practising for the Torpid Rcaes, which will be begin at Oxford to-day, suggests that bumping may be almost as prolific as it was last year, when 53 bumps were recorded in the top two divisions. There is still the same rather depressing impression that, with a few exceptions, it is largely chance, and in particular the luck of their annual intake, which decides which colleges shall go up and which shall go down.

  At the top of the river the opinion seems to be that Balliol will hold the headship if they can withstand Worcester's onslaught in the first two minutes. New College are sluggish, and look as though they will be hard put to it to remain in the first three, but they have a reputation for dour fighting. Magdalen are the best looking crew on the river, though perhaps lacking in power; but if they can row as they paddle they might go up. Queen's made five bumps last year, and will find it difficult to go much higher.

  Most of the other crews in the first division look as though they may be due for a fall, and some look more due than others. Christ Church, after their disastrous drop last year, should certainly get back into the first division. Pembroke and Lincoln, lying next to each other, are both capable of making four or five bumps if they get the opportunity. Further down, Wadham look to be underplaced.

  Practice, though interrupted by flooding, has not suffered so seriously as it did last year from the ice.

  The order of rowing appeared in these columns on Tuesday.

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 17 Feb

  Keen Tussles likely in Oxford Torpids

  Forty-eight crews are competing in the Oxford University Torpid races which open to-day and continue for six days. Christ Church, Magdalen, Balliol and St. Peter's Hall each have three crews, but New College and St. Catherine's have not entered a second crew. Keen struggles between Magdalen, Balliol, Worcester, Merton, Queen's and Wadham are expected in Division I. The order of start is: [...]

• The Times Fri 18 Feb, From Our Special Correspondent

  Torpids in the Snow — Balliol not in danger

  A bitterly cold wind blowing across the river, with a snowstorm during the racing in the Second Division, made conditions difficult for the first day of the Torpids at Oxford. Racing was good with 16 bumps, including an overbump by St. John's II on Hertford II in the Fourth Division.

  Balliol were never in any danger at the head of the river, though Worcester were barely a length behind them. Trinity had a great race with St. Edmund Hall, and it was only on the finishing post that the latter made their bump. St. Catherine's, Keble and Wadham were in a bunch in Division II; Keble were overlapping St. Catherine's but before they could make their bump were themselves caught by Wadham. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 18 Feb

  Sixteen bumps and an overbump were made when the Oxford University Torpids opened on the Isis at Oxford yesterday. Bumps were made by: [...]

• The Times Sat 19 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Balliol row over at the head

  With no wind and very little stream for the time of year, the crews at Oxford had far better conditions for the second day of Torpids. Balliol, keeping their full distance in front of Worcester, rowed over at the head of the river, but Magdalen, the third boat, had fallen a long way behind Worcester.

  The rest of the crews in the first division were all involved in bumps, most of them before the concrete bridge. Only St. Peter's Hall and Trinity went over most of the course, St. Peter's Hall making their bump at the University boathouse.

  Balliol had a good day, for in addition to their first boat rowing over at the head of the river, their second boat bumped Oriel II and their third boat bumped Magadalen III. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 19 Feb

  Balliol still lead in Torpids

  There were 16 bumps in the Oxford Torpids yesterday, the same number as on Thursday. Balliol had no difficulty in retaining their position at the head of the river. Behind them Magdalen, who were fancied to catch Worcester, failed in their effort and were a good distance away at the finish.

  Only the three top boats in Division I rowed through. Bumps were made by: [...]

• The Times Mon 21 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Queen's challenge to Worcester

  On the third day of the Torpids at Oxford on Saturday there were 20 bumps, making a total of 52 for the first three days, and of the 48 crews there are now only three, Balliol and Worcester at the top of the First Division and University in the Second, who have not been involved in a change of places.

  However, this afternoon may see the end of Worcester's immunity, for Queen's caught Magdalen along the Green Bank on Saturday and, being now in the third place, are going to make Worcester go very hard to escape them. If Queen's catch Worcester, Balliol may find that their own place at the head of the river is not quite so secure.

  The changes in the First Division have been particularly severe. New College, Brasenose, Trinity, and Hertford have been bumped on each day, and their daily descent has seen a corresponding rise for Merton, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Peter's Hall. The last named have also had the satisfaction of seeing their second boat make a daily bump.

  St. John's have been even more successful. The first boat, starting at the foot of the Second Division, has gone up every day, while the second, making a flying start with an over-bump on the first day, has risen five places and may advance yet again to-day by catching Jesus II. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 21 Feb

  With three days racing left Queen's College have a chance to go to the head of the Oxford University Torpids. Having bumped Magdalen on Saturday they now lie third behind Balliol and Worcester.

  Twenty bumps were made on Saturday bringing the the first days' total to 52. Bumps were made by: [...]

• The Times Tue 22 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Balliol's easy task in the Torpids — three lengths lead on Worcester

  The weather had deteriorated still more for the fourth day of the Torpids at Oxford yesterday, and snow fell throughout the afternoon.

  Balliol easily kept their place at the head of the river and rowed over nearly three lengths in front of Worcester, who in their turn never allowed Queen's to get within a length of them. This was a little surprising, and Queen's did not race as well as they had done on the previous days.

  Merton, St. Edmund Hall, and St. Peter's Hall all made their bumps, and each of them has gained a place every day. St. John's I and II continued their upward journey, the first boat catching Jesus I and the second Jesus II. The second boat has now made six bumps and may catch Magdalen III to-day. There were 17 bumps in all, making a total of 69 for the four days. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 22 Feb

  Seventeen Bumps

  Seventeen bumps were made in Oxford torpids yesterday by: [...]

• The Times Wed 23 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Excitement in Torpids — Worcester caught near the end

  The wholesale change of places went on unabated in the Torpids at Oxford yesterday, when 19 bumps were made.

  There was much excitement in Division I when Queen's caught Worcester. Queen's were gaining on Worcester all the way, and at the University boathouse were half a length behind. Then Worcester held them off for a time, but Queen's finally made their bumps about 75 yards from the finish. Meanwhile Balliol had rowed through about four lengths ahead of Worcester, and it is difficult to see that Queen's can catch them to-day.

  Another fine race was between St. Edmund Hall and Magdalen, St. Edmund Hall making their bump with only 50 yards to go. Of the 48 crews seven have now made a bump every day. They are St. Edmund Hall, St. Peter's Hall, Wadham, St. John's, Magdalen II, Corpus II, and, last of all, St. John's II, who have now gone up seven places. From the general rowing point of view the interest is in the good showing made by the smaller boat clubs such as St. Peter's Hall Wadham, St. Edmund Hall, and St. John's. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 23 Feb

  Queen's finished in second position, their highest ever, by bumping Worcester in the Oxford University Torpids yesterday. To go to the head of the river for the first time they must catch Balliol to-day.

  St. Peter's are now seventh, the best in their history. Nineteen bumps were made by: [...]

• The Times Thu 24 Feb, from Our Rowing Correspondent

  Unsatisfying Torpids — Balliol never in danger

  The Oxford Dictionary's definition of the word "Torpid" is hardly a kind one, if applied to the Oxford Torpid races which finished yesterday. Benumbed, they certainly were, by one of the most miserably bleak weeks on record. Dull or apathetic they were not, for the racing was most exciting.

  Yet the races gave little cause for satisfaction, for too many of the crews which made their four or five bumps must have known that it was only because they had dropped too many places in recent years. The annual Torpids chart seems to be all straight lines, but a chart of the past five years looks like a scenic railway.

  The exception to this rule was provided by Balliol and Queen's. Balliol were fourteenth in 1951, and went head last year, after making 13 bumps in 18 nights. This year, in spite of rumours and alarms, they were never really in danger. They were not a tidy crew, but the work was hard and honest.

  Magdalen disappointing

  Queen's must surely have made one of the most spectacular climbs ever recorded, for they were 28th in 1950, and reached the second place on the river when they bumped Worcester on Tuesday. It had taken them 35 nights to make 25 bumps. Yesterday they had a substitute in the boat and were hard put to it to escape Worcester.

  It was sad to see New College drop six places, for they had rowed head of the river undisturbed for four whole years until they were bumped by Worcester last year. But they were hopelessly ragged and ponderous. Magdalen, too, were a disappointment, for they looked to be one of the best, but the horse-power was not there. St. Edmund Hall made five bumps, which nicely balanced the five places they lost last year, while St. Peter's Hall made six, to finish sixth, which is probably as high as they have ever been [correct]. Last year they started 16th.

  The head of the river crew were:— [as below]. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 24 Feb

  Queen's unable to catch Leaders — Balliol head Torpids

  Queen's could not catch Balliol, the leaders, in the Oxford Torpids which ended yesterday. Thus their hopes of creating a record by going to the head of the river ended in disappointment.

  Their chances were lessened when their No. 6 went down with gastric flu and a substitute had to be put into the boat at the last moment.

  As the crews came out of the Gut nearly two lengths separated Queen's from Balliol, and the distance gradually increased until the finishing-post was reached, with Balliol more than three lengths away.

  Queen's in turn were pressed by Worcester, whom they bumped on Tuesday.

  Nineteen bumps, bringing the six days' total to 108, were made yesterday by: [...]

• In other news ... [1955]

  February 19

  The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) is established, at a meeting in Bangkok.

  February 24

  The Baghdad Pact (CENTO), originally known as Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), is signed between Iraq and Turkey.

  February 24

  A big freeze across Britain results in more than 70 roads being blocked with snow, and in some parts of the country rail services are cancelled for several days. The Royal Air Force works to deliver food and medical supplies to the worst affected areas.

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