Torpids 1965

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 S.E.H. 45 46 S.E.H. 2 Christ Church 42 41 Christ Church 3 Balliol 37 38 St John's 4 St John's 34 34 Balliol 5 Magdalen 29 27 Oriel 6 Lincoln 27 27 Magdalen 7 Keble 25 24 Lincoln 8 Oriel 23 23 Keble 9 New College 21 21 New College 10 University 19 20 University 11 Worcester 19 17 Merton 12 Exeter 16 14 Exeter 13 Merton 13 14 Queen's 14 Queen's 12 13 Worcester 15 Hertford 11 11 Wadham 16 Wadham 11 10 Pembroke 17 Pembroke 9 10 Hertford 18 St Peter's 9 10 St Peter's 19 Brasenose 7 7 Jesus 20 Trinity 7 7 Brasenose 21 Jesus 6 6 Trinity 22 St Catherine's 6 5 Corpus Christi 23 Corpus Christi 5 5 St Catherine's 24 Mansfield 1 1 Mansfield

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg St John's 3[ 1] 5[ 1] 1.67[ 7] Pembroke 2[ 3] 4[ 2] 2.00[ 2] Magdalen 2[ 3] 4[ 2] 2.00[ 2] Merton 1[15] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 1] S.E.H. 3[ 1] 3[ 4] 1.00[ 8] Jesus 1[15] 2[ 6] 2.00[ 2] Queen's 1[15] 2[ 6] 2.00[ 2] Oriel 1[15] 2[ 6] 2.00[ 2] University 2[ 3] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 8] Corpus Christi 1[15] 1[10] 1.00[ 8] St Peter's 1[15] 1[10] 1.00[ 8] Wadham 1[15] 0[12] 0.00[12] Balliol 2[ 3] 0[12] 0.00[12] New College 2[ 3] -1[14] -0.50[14] Christ Church 2[ 3] -1[14] -0.50[14] Mansfield 1[15] -1[14] -1.00[16] Trinity 1[15] -1[14] -1.00[16] Brasenose 1[15] -1[14] -1.00[16] St Catherine's 2[ 3] -3[19] -1.50[19] Exeter 2[ 3] -3[19] -1.50[19] Lincoln 2[ 3] -3[19] -1.50[19] Hertford 2[ 3] -4[22] -2.00[22] Keble 2[ 3] -5[23] -2.50[23] Worcester 2[ 3] -6[24] -3.00[24]

Notes

• Wed 17 – Sat 20 Feb 1965
• Multilane racing
• Divisions at 30 min intervals from 2:15 (Div V) until 4:15 (Div I).
• First appearance of Mansfield in Torpids
• On the last day of racing there was only one change in position among the 40 boats.

• The Times Wed 17 Feb

  St. John's likely to head river

  Oxford University Torpids will be begun today with 42 crews in five divisions [40 crews actually raced, Brasenose II and Merton II scratching]. As on previous occasions crews will race in lanes. From the start to the top of the Gut they will be in two lanes and from the Gut to the finish they will divide into three lanes. Promotion will thus depend on passing crews in other lanes though one crew may bump another in the same lane. If a bump is made, the crews concerned must still race through to the finish [this is incorrect — only the bumped crew continues racing].

  The indications are that St. John's, though not covering much water, will finish at the head of the river. St. Edmund Hall are well together, but have not shown much life in their work. They may be overtaken by Christ Church today. Balliol are smooth in their work and their blades well synchronized but it is doubtful if there is much solid power in the boat.

  Keble should have no difficulty in rising to the first division. For two minutes they are probably the fastest crew on the river and if they can keep up for a further five minutes they will take a lot of holding. St Peter's, also, should move out of the third division. There is well applied power in the boat and they will race every inch of the way. Division V should be unusually interesting as Mansfield College have entered an eight for the first time.

  Order of starting:— [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 17 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  St. John's Favourites to Depose St. Edmund Hall

  The Oxford Torpids, which begin to-day, will once more be overtaking races and so largely incomprehensible to the majority of spectators. Entries are three down at 42, split into five divisions, starting at half-hour intervals from 2.15, writes Desmond Hill

  Theoretically, any crew starting within 15 places of the top could finish head, but in practice this does not happen. Last year there was only one change in four days' racing in the first division and this was caused by a crew becoming entanlged in its bungline.

  It seems to be generally expected that St. Edmund Hall will be deposed but there is less agreement on who is to do it. Certainly the Hall look short and scratchy and less well-drilled than their immediate predecessors.

  Christ Church, starting second, have been strengthened by the disbanding of the University's third crew, which has returned to them two promising oarsmen. This is a big crew but not particularly well together and each time I have seen them they looked dangerously short.

  Long Practice — New system

  For all that they have only one place to gain and must come into the reckoning, Balliol are well up to first-division standard but hardly Head calibre and it is to St. John's that most pundits are looking.

  They started practice long before term began, and covered a prodigious mileage — at least by present-day Oxford standards — and are stronger than most.

  They look the part, but it is asking a lot of any crew to overcome three other crews and the new system with its right-angled turn and vagaries of the current in the four days available. Oriel peck along with their spades and will work as hard as ever. Keble have a new boat, but are short of practice and rather stodgy, and could be bustled up by a light but lively New College crew which contains two junior trialists.

  Worcester have a freshman stroke from UCS, where he was coached on reputed German or perpetual motion lines. This has had some peculiar effects on the men behind him, but the unfinished product could well have some pace.

  It is impossible to believe that any other crews could come even remotely into the reckoning, though the first boat standard is higher than last year. That of the second crews is, frankly, abysmal.

• The Times Thu 18 Feb

  St. John's make up ground — Balliol show little fight in Torpids

  Oxford University Torpids were begun yesterday in fine conditions. The wind was blowing off the Oxfordshire bank, but not enough to trouble the crews seriously.

  Among the first boats the racing did not produce much change in order. St. Edmund Hall rowed over at the head of the river, though at the finish they were only three-quarters of a length ahead of Christ Church. St. John's passed Balliol, who seemed to have little fight in them, along the Green Bank, but on yesterday's form it now seems unlikely that St. John's will catch either Christ Church or St. Edmund Hall.

  In Division II Keble failed to overtake Oriel, and over the second half of the course were making heavy work of their challenge. St. Peter's had every chance to pass Hertford and go to the top of Division III. They were half a length ahead coming out of the Gut, but lost the advantage along the Green Bank.

  In Divisions IV and V there was considerable slaughter. Only St. Edmund Hall II had nothing to show for or against them in Division IV, and there was a general change of places in Division V.

  Racing in lanes precludes much hope of bumps, but St. John's were involved in the two which occurred, the second boat bumping Keble II and the third catching the newcomers Mansfield, who are now the bottom boat. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 18 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Wednesday

  St. Edmund Hall Hold Off Christ Church Challenge

  The first day of the University Torpids confirmed that St. Edmund Hall are not the fastest crew on the river but whether they will be deposed is another matter. Only when all three stations have been tried will this be clear.

  Starting over 40 and settling to 36, the Hall were never in any real danger but they hit the bank and then the central buoy at the Freshwater Stone, which hardly helped.

  Christ Church, always a stroke or two lower, gained slightly over the second half of the course and were overlapping at the finish. To-morrow the Hall are to negotiate the towpath station buoy at Tims and if they survive this test they should be safe.

  Balliol lost ground quickly and were passed by St. John's on the Green Bank but St. John's looked to have gained nothing at all on Christ Church. After a long gap Magdalen came up harassed by Lincoln.

  Comfortably Clear — Merton not troubled

  In Division II Oriel were comfortably clear of Keble but New College were at one time within half a length of Keble. Worcester's syncopation failed to pay off and they succumbed to University. Merton were not unduly troubled to overtake Exeter.

  There was only one change in Division III. St. Peter's went up fast on Hertford and were ahead in the Gut but the buoys defeated them and they failed to clinch their advantage. Pembroke also looked threatening but fell away. Some time later Jesus overtook Trinity.

  In Division IV St. John's were not attached to their bungline at the gun but were allowed to compete. Gratefully they then bumped Keble II starting three above them, but gained only one place in the deal.

  As usual, the comedy was reserved for Division V. Exeter's number three caught a crab at Tims and was ejected but the remaining seven lost only two places.

  Mansfield's first-ever appearance was not propitious. They were bumped by St. John's III at the earliest permissible moment.

  The details: [Order of start and finish]

• The Times Fri 19 Feb

  St. Edmund Hall stay at head

  When the Torpids were continued yesterday at Oxford, with snow falling some of the time, the First Division provided a chastening for the prophets. Although Christ Church were overlapping St. Edmund Hall in the Gut, any idea that there would be a change of places at the head of the river was soon dispelled.

  At the University boathouse St. Edmund Hall had gone away again and there was at least a length of clear water between the boats, with St. Edmund Hall at a slightly lower rate of striking. St. John's, also, have virtually lost any hope of going ahead. Christ Church had gained on them and at the finish nearly a length and a half of clear water separated the two boats. The only change was at the bottom of the division, where Oriel passed Lincoln along the Green Bank.

  Unkindly treated

  In Divison II, New College had gained slightly on Keble, with half a length of clear water separating them at the top of the Green Bank, but Keble were never in any real danger. At the bottom of that division, Hertford hardly seemed to be taking it seriously. At the O.U.B.C. they were striking a gentle 22 and were at least half a dozen lengths behind Wadham.

  Keble II were unkindly treated by St. Edmund Hall in Division IV. First, they were passed by St. Edmund Hall's second boat and then were bumped by S.E.H. III. Worcester II were also out of luck in this division. Number three in their boat was catapulted into the river after 10 strokes, and, with only seven men rowing, they fell easily to Pembroke II and Lincoln II.

  In Divison V St. John's III, who had started as bottom boat on Wednesday, continued their upward journey and, by passing St. Catherine's II and then bumping Hertford II, have gained five places. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 19 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Thursday

  St. Edmund Hall take the Towpath Station To-Day

  St. Edmund Hall, a little short of breath, are still head of the Oxford Torpids and if they survive tomorrow they can order yet another bump supper. The one thing certain is that St. John's will climb no higher.

  In driving snow the Hall again started above 40 and quickly opened a gap, but Christ Church, rating higher than yesterday, held on and began to gain in the Bay. Hall had the better station through the Gut but could not get clear.

  St. John's left themselves with far too much to do and were all of three lengths down at the Long Bridges. From that point they and Christ Church were both gaining on the leader, and the House came closer than yesterday, without being able to clinch it.

  Behind, a dispirited-looking Balliol were in dire straits against Magdalen but struggled home. Lincoln, who had pressed Magdalen yesterday, were now well behind and succumbed to Oriel at the University boathouse.

  Testing Time — Balliol safer

  This seemed clear proof that the towpath station, which Lincoln had to-day, is a considerable disadvantage, and it is here that the Hall must row to-morrow. Balliol were the first crew in Division I to have the towpath to-day, and should be safer to-morrow.

  New College again closed on Keble in the Second Division, but the towpath station and a blade broken on the bank above the bridge put paid to their chances. Worcester fell again, passed by Merton opposite the boathouses.

  There was no change at the top of Division III, but Jesus had a second success and University II are now within range of becoming highest second boat, as Christ Church II went down to Corpus.

  In Division IV it was the turn of Worcester II to lose a man overboard, this time within 10 strokes of the start. As a result their yesterday's gain was reversed and they lost a further place as well. Keble II were bumped by Hall II and have lost five places already.

  There have been only half-a-dozen actual bumps, but that is hardly surprising, since a bump means that three places or nearly 100 yards have been made up. Where places have been exchanged it has generally been in a race up the Barges. [Order of start and finish]

• The Times Sat 20 Feb

  Worcester Dogged by Ill-Luck

  The 40 Torpid crews seem to have found their true level, and in five divisons at Oxford yesterday there were only six changes in order. As expected St. Edmund Hall, Christ Church, and St. John's kept their respective distances at the head of affairs, and the only move up in the first division was by Oriel, who passed Magdalen and nearly bumped Balliol after overlapping. Keble were worrying Lincoln. At the O.U.B.C. Lincoln had a bare half-length, but they managed to hold on for their lead.

  Except for a brave effort by Pembroke, racing in the third division was completely uneventful; not a single crew altered its position. At Donnington Bridge Pembroke were streaking away from Jesus when number four caught a crab. By the time Pembroke were under way again Jesus had rowed past them and Pembroke had the task of regaining the lead, which they managed along the Green Bank.

  Involuntary Dive

  Worcester II, in the fourth division, are still haunted by ill luck. On Thursday they finished with only seven men in the boat and yesterday, though they had eight men, only seven were effective. On the second stroke bow broke his rigger. Nor was that the only trouble for Worcester. As the first boat, in the second division, was coming up to the Gut, number three caught a crab, took an involuntary dive into the water and once again boat propulsion was left to seven men.

  Mansfield brought some excitement to the fifth division although here, too, there were no changes. They came within 6ft. of overtaking St. Catherine's II and if towpath enthusiasm is a fair guide Mansfield's escape from the Tail of the River would have been a popular success. But Mansfield can take heart that there is still today's racing. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 20 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Friday

  Christ Church Challenge to Leaders Fades

  On to-night's showing St. Edmund Hall must assuredly retain their position at the head of the Oxford Torpids. To-day, mindful of the Tims buoys ahead, they were still at 40 after a minute, and had lengths of clear water.

  Christ Church kept on at 35 and then lower still, and though, after the Corner, they were almost overlapping, they allowed the Hall to draw away to their clearest victory of the week.

  St. John's again started slowly and had at least two lengths to make up by the Green Bank. They then started to slice into the deficit, but were never positioned for a real challenge.

  Oriel Advance — Overlap at finish

  Balliol plodded up in apparent security only to find themselves in fearful danger among the barges, where Oriel suddenly materialised, having passed Magdalen. Oriel made two shots at a bump and crossed the line overlapping but without having made contact.

  Lincoln followed with less than a length to spare from Keble. The latter appeared to decide not to go through with it as they approached the Cherwell, and they fell back.

  New College, coxed by a 12st first-eightsman, were well clear at the head of the Second Division. University added to their troubles by hitting the bank at Tims when rounding the buoys. This cost them the place they had gained on Wednesday.

  It has been a catastrophic week for Worcester, who to-day again had a man in the river, when the No.3 struck caught a crab in the Gut. He was struck more than once by his colleagues's oars and narrowly escaped being run down by the boat behind.

  Hertford Passed — Pembroke catch crabs

  This divison threw up another clear indication of the inequality of the stations. Hertford escaped from St. Peter's by a length on Wednesday. To-day, on the towpath side, they were passed at the O.U.B.C. The oars were overlapping here for some time. Both coxes seemed equally to blame.

  The Third Division produced one stirring struggle. Pembroke were well away from Jesus until they caught a crab at Free Ferry which cost them two lengths. Their stroke drove them at 38 for the rest of the way and they regained the lead on the Green Bank.

  There was some excitement in the lower divisions when Mansfield actually came within six feet of overtaking St. Catherine's; and because Worcester II yet again finished with seven men. The eighth, who broke his rigger gate, this time remained on board.

  Only seven places were exchanged during the day, and the total for the week so far is no more than 30. Magdalen II have done best with five gains. The two Worcester boats already show a net loss of six places.

  The details [Start and Finish order]

• The Daily Telegraph Sun 21 Feb

  St. Edmund H. stay Head

  St. Edmund Hall again finished a length ahead of Christ Church to stay Head of the River for the third year when the Oxford University Torpids ended on the Isis yesterday.

  The Hall raced in three different lanes, each time finishing a length clear of Christ Church, clear evidence of the fairness of the system. The expected bid for the leadership from St. John's never materialised.

  There was only one change in the five divisions yesterday. Queen's made up two lengths to move up over Exeter and finish third in Division II.

  St. Edmund Hall's Head of the River crew: [as in The Times, below] [Finish Order]

• The Times Mon 22 Feb, from Our Rowing Correspondent

  St. Edmund Hall finish head of the river

  St. Edmund Hall duly finished head of the river in the Oxford Torpids on Saturday, a good length ahead of Christ Church. Local forecasts had suggested that Christ Church would catch them and that St. John's might go through both to finish head.

  St. John's, though strong and hardworking, never looked like doing so. Christ Church were probably faster, and threatened St. Edmund Hall on the second day, but seemed to lack the Hall's finishing stamina. Oriel, another strong but rough crew, did well on Friday when they passed Magdalen and threatened Balliol, but did not have the pace to clinch the job on Saturday.

  During the week there was much talk of the unfairness of stations, and I have no doubt that this, and the fact that only one bump was registered on Saturday, and that during the four days there was only one change of position in the first four places, will be canvassed as reasons for reverting to traditional bumping races. This would be a great pity.

  In terms of bumps there were 11 in the top two divisions, one fewer than in 1962, when the usual bumping races were last held, and two fewer than last year. What is obviously true, as a glance at the chart will show, is that the bumping and passing system brings a lot of movement in the first two days. It is also true, and this is one of the advantages of the system, that it puts a premium on stamina, and a discount on the mad rush to the Gut.

  Better spectacle

  As regard stations there is no doubt that the advantage is different at different points on the course. But the fact that the top four crews rowed over in the same order on three consecutive days, changing station each day, hardly suggests any overall unfairness. And if luck is to be invoked one must remember that in ordinary bumping races crews quite often fall because of what happens ahead of them.

  The new system has now had a good trial in Torpids. It may not suit some who want to win without training properly. But it cannot fail to improve the standard of rowing in the long run, and it is, incidentally, a better spectacle. The next step should be to try it out in the Summer Eights. [Head crew — as below] [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 22 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Christ Church fail to close the gap

  An Arctic conclusion to the Oxford Torpids on Saturday left St. Edmund Hall still in occupation at the Head, for Christ Church failed to come closer than a length.

  There was only one change to show all day for the efforts of the 40 crews and they can fairly be said to have found their level. Only two, Pembroke II and Magdalen II, climbed more than three times and neither succeeded on Saturday.

  The argument has been advanced that, as the Hall had approximately the same winning margin each day, the course must have been perfectly fair. Even accepting that at this standard performances fluctuate daily, it is a suggestion I cannot accept.

  There were many cases of disparity, such as that of Oriel and Balliol. On Friday Oriel made up over three lengths and just missed a bump. The next day, on the towpath station, they failed to recover half that distance.

  Christ Church fastest

  For all that, there is much to be said for compelling the crews to cover the full course every night and the standard improved noticeably during the week. Provided that no one takes the results too seriously, the "dodgems" seem to have proved their worth.

  Christ Church were probably fractionally the fastest boat on view and might have gone ahead if they had had longer together. St. John's worked wonders with largely novice material and raced hardest of all. But the Hall's seven school-taught oarsmen, though lacking polish, had the experience to survive. [Head Crew — as in The Times, below] [Finish order]

• In other news ... [1965]

  February 15

  A new red and white maple leaf design is inaugurated as the flag of Canada, replacing the Union Flag and the Canadian Red Ensign.

  February 16

  the British Railways Board (chairman: Richard Beeching) publishes The Development of the Major Trunk Routes proposing which lines should receive investment (and, by implication, which should not).

  February 18

  The Gambia becomes independent from the United Kingdom.

  February 20

  Ranger 8 crashes into the Moon, after a successful mission of photographing possible landing sites for the Apollo program astronauts.

  February 20

  Suat Hayri Urguplu forms the new (interim) government of Turkey (29th government).

  February 21

  African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist Malcolm X is assassinated in New York City.

Return to Bumps Index