Torpids 1966

BUMPS CHARTS

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 S.E.H. 55 54 S.E.H. 2 Christ Church 49 51 St John's 3 St John's 46 41 Oriel 4 Balliol 41 41 Christ Church 5 Oriel 34 37 Balliol 6 Magdalen 33 35 Lincoln 7 Lincoln 32 30 Keble 8 Keble 29 29 Merton 9 New College 27 27 Magdalen 10 University 26 25 University 11 Merton 23 22 New College 12 Queen's 19 21 Worcester 13 Exeter 19 19 Queen's 14 Worcester 15 17 Exeter 15 Wadham 15 17 Pembroke 16 St Peter's 14 15 Wadham 17 Pembroke 14 13 Hertford 18 Hertford 14 11 Jesus 19 Jesus 10 10 Trinity 20 Trinity 9 10 Corpus Christi 21 Brasenose 9 9 St Peter's 22 St Catherine's 8 9 St Catherine's 23 Corpus Christi 8 6 Brasenose 24 Mansfield 2 2 Mansfield

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=ranking Crews Bps Avg Oriel 2[ 4] 7[ 1] 3.50[ 2] St John's 3[ 1] 6[ 2] 2.00[ 4] Lincoln 3[ 1] 5[ 3] 1.67[ 7] Worcester 1[20] 4[ 4] 4.00[ 1] Pembroke 2[ 4] 4[ 4] 2.00[ 4] Merton 2[ 4] 4[ 4] 2.00[ 4] Corpus Christi 1[20] 3[ 7] 3.00[ 3] Keble 2[ 4] 2[ 8] 1.00[ 8] Mansfield 1[20] 1[ 9] 1.00[ 8] Jesus 1[20] 1[ 9] 1.00[ 8] Trinity 2[ 4] 1[ 9] 0.50[11] University 2[ 4] 1[ 9] 0.50[11] Wadham 2[ 4] 0[13] 0.00[13] St Catherine's 2[ 4] -1[14] -0.50[14] Queen's 2[ 4] -1[14] -0.50[14] Magdalen 2[ 4] -1[14] -0.50[14] St Peter's 2[ 4] -2[17] -1.00[17] Hertford 2[ 4] -4[18] -2.00[19] Balliol 2[ 4] -4[18] -2.00[19] Brasenose 1[20] -4[18] -4.00[24] S.E.H. 3[ 1] -5[21] -1.67[18] New College 2[ 4] -5[21] -2.50[21] Exeter 2[ 4] -6[23] -3.00[22] Christ Church 2[ 4] -6[23] -3.00[22]

Notes

• Wed 16 – Sat 19 Feb 1966
• Multilane racing
• Divisions at 30min intervals from 1:45 (Div VI) to 4:15 (Div I).

• The Times Wed 16 Feb

  Oriel may trouble St. Edmund Hall

  The Oxford University Torpids races will begin today with an entry of 46 crews. As in recent years, upward progress will be by overtaking rather than by bumping.

  The crews will, as usual, start in one line on the Berkshire [towpath] bank and break into two lines as far as the Gut. From the top of the Gut to the finish they will be on three stations. If a bump is to be made, it can only involve crews in the same station, and even then they will have to row through to the finish of the course [actually the bumping crew drops out]

  The standard is not high. St. Edmund Hall, starting at the head of the river, should hold their place, though Oriel who are largely unchanged since last year may in due course chase them hard. In Division II Keble have been going well in practice and should easily overtake Lincoln today.

  Order of starting:—[...]

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 16 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  De-restriction brings leap in standards

  The removal of restrictions on eligibility for the Oxford Torpids, which start today, has led to an immediate rise in standards and Leander scarves are common in the higher boats, writes Desmond Hill.

  If St. Edmund Hall, with four men who have headed the river in Summer Eights are deposed, we may as well throw away the form book altogether. What is more, there has been only one change in the top four in the past three years.

  Christ Church, immediately behind, have lost several oarsmen to the Oxford crew and could be in for an unhappy week.

  St. John's have again put many miles behind them and Balliol look mature, while Keble, if they race harder than last year, should also prosper. But Oriel, for all their ugliness, are probably the fastest of the Hall's pursuers.

  The O.U. Women's Boat Club, fresh from a victory over London University, have not considered and entry but could well have embarrassed some of the lower boats. The entry is six up on last year and there are six half-hourly divisions, starting at 1.45. [Starting Order]

• The Times Thu 17 Feb

  Easy passage for St. Edmund Hall

  St. Edmund Hall had an easy passage at the head of the river on the first day of the Oxford University Torpids races yesterday, and were several lengths ahead of St. John's, who passed Christ Church at the top of the Barges. Oriel also overtook Balliol at the same place, but it was surprising they took so long to do so.

  Keble were disappointing in division II and gained little on Lincoln. Today Keble may have difficulty in keeping away from Merton, who, yesterday, passed New. Bumps are rare in this type of racing, but Worcester, having already overtaken Exeter, made a bump on Queen's at the finishing posts so climbed two places. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 17 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Wednesday

  St. Edmund Hall Stand Out in Scene of Chaos

  The only incontrovertible fact to emerge from a chaotic start to the overtaking Torpids here today was that St. Edmund Hall will retain the headship by an enormous margin. They were many lengths clear, and down to 32, by the Boathouses this afternoon.

  Behind them, St. John's got their bows past Christ Church, and Oriel pipped Balliol, but neither had much to spare. Magdalen plodded up almost a furlong behind.

  In Division II, Lincoln were well away from a spiritless Keble, but Worcester, having passed Exeter, made up another length from the OUBC and caught Queen's on the line.

  Too many claims

  Disorganisation began early, for there were so many claims and counter-claims in Division VI that it was decided to disallow them all and start afresh tomorrow. Delays snowballed, and Division I was over 20 minutes late after the buoys had drifted.

  There was near shambles in Division III. After Pembroke had gained two places by overtaking St. Peter's and Hertford, Corpus Christi scored a palpable hit on Brasenose at the New Cut.

  This was not acknowledged for 30 seconds, and then barely visibly and an incensed Corpus pursued with such vigour that Brasenose eventually wrapped their bows round the St. John's barge, and had to clamber ashore.

  [Thursday Starting Order]

• The Times Fri 18 Feb

  St. John's spurt fruitless

  After two days of rowing in the Torpids at Oxford St. Edmund Hall are still comfortably at the head and unlikely to be dislodged. They were pressed at the start by St. John's, who came up to half a length at the Gut, but along the Green Bank St. Edmund Hall went away, and at the finish about three lengths of clear water separated them from St. John's.

  Oriel gained steadily on Christ Church, but Christ Church held on well under pressure and got home with a third of a length to spare. In their first race in the first division Lincoln celebrated by passing Magdalen.

  In the second division Keble seemed to have little heart for racing over the full distance, and were overtaken by Merton, who were going along with plenty of stride. St. Peter's are on a slippery slope in the third division. On Wednesday they started at the head of the division and after two days' racing have dropped to fifth place. Yesterday they were overtaken by Jesus, Trinity, and Corpus Christi.

  Mansfield, who were newcomers to rowing last year, further distinguished themselves in the fifth division when they passed Exeter II. They have now gained three places. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 18 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Thursday

  Christ Church have Narrow Escape from Oriel

  St. Edmund Hall continued to dominate the proceedings in the Torpids here today, finishing at little more than a paddle a good four lengths ahead of St. John's. Though there was only one change of place in Division I, some excitement was caused by Christ Church's escape from Oriel.

  The Hall were at 39 to St. John's 36 at the Free Ferry, and settled to 36, with their pursuers one lower. They had the worst of the stations up to the Gut, and there was only half a length of clear water.

  As soon as they could escape the main force of the stream, the Hall went clean away, and had opened up a decisive gap by the Pink Post. Only on Saturday, when St. John's will have the better station throughout, can the Hall be in any danger at all.

  There was a fair interval before Christ Church came up, fighting for their lives against Oriel. Though Oriel managed two strokes a minute more up the Barges, they were a spent force, and the House escaped by about 20 feet.

  Magdalen Fall — New threat from Merton

  Magdalen succumbed to Lincoln, and are now threatened by Merton, who overtook Keble in Division II, where Worcester climbed again. The organisation had tightened up considerably, but there was still no finishing judge for this race.

  Fortunately a passing Oxford University Occasional was able to supply the information that there were no other changes, though Wadham were hard pressed by Pembroke. In the centre of the stream Pembroke were just unable to force their way past.

  St. Peter's lost a further three places, and Brasenose also fell again, their claim that a clash of oars in the Gut accounted for a deficit of over three lengths being very properly dismissed.

  Mansfield, newcomers last year, scored again, and if they can escape Oriel II tomorrow, will reach Division IV for the first time on Saturday.

  [Friday Starting Order]

• The Times Sat 19 Feb

  Oriel crews have good day

  St. Edmund Hall, apparently unassailable at the head of the river in the Oxford Torpids, rowed their best yesterday. St. John's had gained on them at the start on Thursday, but yesterday St. Edmund Hall held their distance to the Gut, and streaked away along the Green Bank.

  Oriel, who had just failed to catch Christ Church on Thursday, were an improved crew and they moved up to third place in the first division when they caught Christ Church at the top of the Green Bank and finished a length ahead. It was generally a good day for Oriel. The second boat, having started at the top of division VI on Wednesday, have now rowed through Division V, and will start at the bottom of the fourth division today.

  Merton are one of the better-looking crews, and firmly established themselves in Division I, moving up again for the third time when they caught Magdalen. It seems that the crews rowing on the inside, Berkshire, station have some advantage towards the end of the course in getting out of the stream. In Division II New College had that station which helped them to hold off Worcester, who were almost level at the University boat house.

  Pembroke might have found themselves in trouble in Division II. They hit the bank near the Long Bridges, but managed to keep away from Hertford, who finished several lengths behind. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 19 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Friday

  Oriel strike back at Christ Church

  After three days of the Torpids, it is possible to relate performances to stations, and the stream is flowing so strongly that it is conceivable that St. Edmund Hall will be extended for the first time tomorrow.

  The First Division today was preceded by a Thames Conservancy launch creating a considerable wash. The Hall survived this hazard better than their pursuers, and were three lengths clear at Tims.

  St. John's may have closed slightly thereafter, but only on sufferance.

  Christ Church had only half a length to spare from Oriel at the Long Bridges, but were then defeated by the stream, finishing 1½ lengths down. This was a thorough reversal of yesterday's form.

  Balliol Fast — Calm water appreciated

  Balliol raced up in the calmer water and were overlapping Christ Church at the finish. The remainder were widely spaced, with Magdalen subsiding once more.

  In Division II, Worcester spurted hard opposite their boathouse, and nearly passed New College, but the latter profited from the towpath station to escape, as did Wadham, who had only a few feet over Exeter at the OUBC.

  University caught a major crab off the Boathouses but Queen's were already past them. University managed to re-start before Exeter threatened.

  Pembroke had even worse luck, as a slide jammed at Donnington Bridge, and they later hit the bank. This probably cost them an upward move, but they still finished many lengths ahead of Hertford. St. Peter's continued their descent in Division III, and there are now only two first boats below them.

  [Saturday Start Order]

• The Sunday Telegraph Sun 20 Feb

  St. Edmund Hall stay ahead

  St. Edmund Hall retained their position at the Head of the River when the Oxford University Torpids ended on the Isis yesterday.

  St. John's with the advantage of the sheltered Berkshire station, put up their stiffest challenge but there was still clear water between the two boats at the finish.

  Lower down the division Merton failed by a canvas to catch Lincoln. With five novices in the crew, Lincoln [? possibly Worcester] were one of the most successful and moved up four places. Order of finishing: [...]

• The Times Mon 21 Feb

  No change at Head of River

  St. Edmund Hall, as expected, stayed at the Head of the River for a third year when the Oxford University Torpids were concluded on Saturday.

  On the last day St. Edmund Hall had to race in the centre station, against the worst of the stream, while St. John's had the Berkshire [towpath] station, which gives a big advantage over the final three furlongs. On the first three days, St. Edmund Hall had lost ground at the start, but not on the Saturday, when at the top of the Green Bank they were just about their distance ahead of St. John's and not over-exerting themselves.

  St. John's began to move up and St. Edmund Hall, in an answering spurt, lost some of their rhythm. At the finish there was only a quarter of a length of clear water between the boats, which meant that St. John's had gained about half a length over the course, but this could be misleading, for St. Edmund Hall were never pushed to hold any challenge from St. John's.

  Four places

  Merton failed by a foot or two to overtake Lincoln, so Worcester, by catching New College and going to the top of Division II, were the only first boat to gain four places. Brasenose went down four, and St. Peter's, passed on Saturday by St. Catherine's, lost, in all, seven places. Generally, however, first crews had found their level by Saturday when only one change of order occurred in each of the two top divisions. [Head Crew: as below] [Bumps Chart].

• The Daily Telegraph Sun 21 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  St. Edmund Hall fight off St. John's Challenge

  St. Edmund Hall duly retained their Torpids title at Oxford on Saturday, but they were at full stretch for the first time since they gained the headship four years ago. St. John's were all but over-lapping at the finish, and had hunted them all the way.

  As their previous winning margins had never been less than three lengths, here was proof positive of the inequality of the stations. St. John's had the towpath throughout, while the Hall were first on Oxon, then in the centre.

  After an overlap at the Stone, the Hall snatched threequarters of a length up the Green Bank, and this saw them home, though they were forced to 39.

  Oriel fell right back after Tims. Merton, after passing Lincoln, only missed Balliol by two feet.

  Form reversed — Stations unequal

  The Worcester and Corpus successes, reversing Friday's form, were further demonstration of the inequality of the stations. It also seemed unjust that, by the mere accident of starting order, Magdalen could fall only three times, whle St. Peter's, equally overplaced, lost seven places.

  With Oxford, and possibly Isis as well, withdrawn from the Summer Eights in preparation for Henley, every man not required for the three University crews was eligible to compete in the Torpids. In theory this should have done much for college rowing.

  Changes Unlikely — Dedicated college

  There is, for example, likely to be no change in the Hall's winning boat, which contained three Isis caps and two Ladies' Plate winners. Less dedicated colleges had more difficulty in persuading their seniors to brave the February elements.

  Those competing will certainly have benefited from covering the full course every day, and useful foundations for the summer will have been laid. But in view of the unfairness of the course the results should not be taken too seriously. The St. Edmund Hall crew was: [as below, except J. F. Mew and P. S. B. Brennan] [Start & Finish order]

• The Times Mon 28 Feb, from Our Rowing Correspondent

  [following a summary of the Cambridge Lents]

  A direct comparison of the Lents and Torpids is never fruitful, because the circumstances are different. Both this year were perhaps a little above recent standards, Cambridge rather more so than Oxford. A more interesting comparison is between the methods of racing.

  It must be remembered that bumping races were invented for one good reason, that neither Oxford nor Cambridge had a fair course for side-by-side racing. But there the similarity ends. The Cam course is more than twice as long as the Isis course. There is much less temptation to stake all on a wild rush for the first two minutes, and a higher probability that merit and sound training will reap their reward.

  The Hilary dodgems, as they are popularly known, were introduced at Oxford in 1960 to give crews at least some experience of side-by-side racing and to make them row the full distance. Since then, everyone seems to have concentrated on pointing out the unfairness, apparently unmindful of the fact that nothing will make an unfair course fair, and that bumping races, too, contain a large element of luck.

  Order of Merit

  Whether in the conventional bumping races or in the new "bump and pass" method of Torpids, fairness should not be judged on the result of one day's racing but on how nearly the finishing order, after four day's racing, coincides with the order of merit of the crews.

  On this basis it is doubtful whether the dodgems are notably less fair than bumping races at Oxford. What is certain is that they are more beneficial to rowing. What is wanted is the courage to introduce this system to Eights Week, when, incidentally, the alleged unfairness of the stations, which is mainly due to the stream, would generally be much less than it is in February.

• In other news ... [1966]

  February 17

  The UK protests to South Africa over its supplying of petrol to Rhodesia.

  February 19

  The naval minister of the United Kingdom, Christopher Mayhew, resigns.

  February 20

  While Soviet author and translator Valery Tarsis is abroad, the Soviet Union negates his citizenship.

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