Following the success of Torpids, the women of SCCBC had a well-deserved moment of rest, luxuriating in our bumps and blades. Not wanting to be away from training for too long however, we soon returned to the grind for the Easter vacation. With our Torpids-high to give a sweeter edge to solo efforts, the women were ready to tackle the next challenge of Summer Eights.

We first reassembled for our training camp in $-$1st week, which saw early morning land training and evening water sessions, happening in the places we know and love: Catz gym and the Isis. And so began the term's training - this time around we were lucky enough to have a little more rowing involved, along with a sunny evening or two.

W2's first hurdle was to qualify for Eights, which they achieved despite a rather large crab. Our newly formed W3 - coached and inspired by Katie Power and Miriam Mahmoud - also braved the Rowing On course. They were the slowest crew, but the commitment and enjoyment was impressive.

Summer Eights came as a a shock for W1 - in how long and painful the whole length of the river can be, and the realisation that this bumps racing was going to be a different experience from Torpids. Our first race saw us battle for a bump on Wolfson (although never really threatening them), whilst on the second we achieved a much improved row, though were reeled in by Somerville in the last stretch. The third day was short, with a speedy Worcester catching us just after the Gut. However, the row over on the last day is something we are very proud of. It took commitment and guts from the crew to dig in and push off the chasing Jesus.

The Women's 1st Eight racing on Thursday.

The Women's 2nd Eight at the start on Saturday.

W2 had a early bump on St Anne's II on Wednesday, followed by their first-ever race through the Gut on the Thursday, achieving their 2nd bump of of Eights, and hardest bump of this year, on Regent's Park. The following two days brought frustrating row-overs for these girls (not to mention dashing the hopes of double-blades), as they found themselves in a fight to avoid being bumped back by Regent's Park, who were clearly out for revenge.

It is safe to say that Summer Eights didn't go quite as expected for either of our Women's crews this year (W2 still doing commendably well), but that hasn't taken away from how rewarding this term's training has been for us, or the improvements that each individual has seen.

This year has seen a big change in the Women's squad - we are stronger and fitter, with greater depth and endless enthusiasm. Thank you to all the girls who are part of this and make it so enjoyable. Thanks also go to Izzy Renton, whose captaincy led us fiercely forward, and to Anu, who has generously shared his time and expertise. Last but not least, thank you to Mal Spencer, for making our achievements of this year possible.

Our preparations for the term started with a training camp in Abingdon, thanks go to coach Rory Copus for organizing this. Two VIIIs were taken and, for 5 days, we enjoyed a very long and pleasant stretch of river totally unlike the Isis. It was in these few days that our long-suffering novice cox (Fleur Nash) finally got to put exhaustive theory into practice and impressed us all. Returning to more familiar waters, we finalised crew selections and got in our final few weeks of training before the culmination of the year’s efforts: Summer Eights.

Our 1st Eight had only two changes from Torpids, including the cox. But the 2nd Eight seemed unfairly strong, being joined by seasoned M1/M2 veterans to form a crew that a few of us, in hushed tones, reckoned would finally be the M2 to fulfil their potential and get blades. I am pleased to say we also had a 3rd Eight, a mash-up of various College athletes looking to have a crack at rowing. They were brought together and coached by my successor, Robin Muir, and although they didn't actually make it through Rowing On, it was a sound performance nonetheless and everyone had a great time with it.

M1 had another good run in Summer Eights, catching Hertford before the Gut in high-style on the first day. The second day saw Balliol ahead put in a great effort and narrowly evade us. While cycling home that evening, our 7-seat and cox managed to crash into each other and were taken to hospital. Christian rowed the next day with a sore knee but Fleur took a day off to recuperate. With Rory back in the coxing seat we finally put Balliol out of their misery coming out of the Gut; less than a canvas off them and closing, with a simultaneous push from us and them clipping the bank. I clearly remember looking back after initial blade contact, and seeing Mal's blade lift their cox out of his seat, though I can't remember feeling too distraught about the situation. Our last day saw an excellent row-over, with front seat views of Balliol getting bumped again by Trinity behind them.

M2 had a frustrating week, starting with a klaxon halting what was looking to be a stylish overbump on Univ II (for which Keble II were penalised one place, to Catz' benefit). Thursday saw them cheated of another bump as Trinity II caught Balliol II just before they could catch the former. On Friday, Trinity were blown into the bank at the start, Balliol rowed past to claim the bump leaving Catz to row over. Saturday gave the opportunity for the guys to show off their quality and row over as the crews ahead bumped out. The unfortunate events really show how unexpected bumps racing can be, and that sometimes it takes co-operation from your opposition to create success.

Looking back, it has been a successful year for the gents and Boat Club as a whole. I shall restrict myself for purposes of brevity to thanking only a few of the many people that have come together to make this happen: Rory for his continued enthusiasm, the Committee for their time and assistance, and most of all to the athletes, without whom this pain-game in boats simply wouldn't happen. I wish the next captains, Robin Muir and Poppy Lambert, and committee all the best of luck with their year ahead.

The Men's 1st Eight.

The sheer number of nominations for Josh, from the whole breadth of the Boat Club, meant that this was not a difficult decision for the judges.

Josh started his career rowing in the 2nd VIII, winning blades in Torpids 2011. Last year he was nominated for this award in his capacity as Men's Lower Boats Captain. Since last summer he has been coxing the Women's 1st VIII, winning blades again in Torpids, but it is in his role as Captain of Coxes that he seems to have made his biggest contribution, especially with novice coxes banned for much of the year due to high stream conditions. He has been described as

'the go-to when anyone needs a cox'

'developed the terrible habit of being unable to say 'no''.

Joshua Morgan receiving this year's Ben Sylvester Award from RS Chairman, Kevin Skinner.

Also nominated were: Mike Humphries, Poppy Lambert, Malcolm Spencer and David Zimmer.

I was so fortunate to be Captain when Sir Patrick took over as Master of the College. He was a great enthusiast for all aspects of College life including the Boat Club.

I was 'summoned' to the Master's Lodgings a couple of times fearing the worst regarding my lack of academic achievement and, whilst Sir Patrick was always concerned about my studies, he would quickly turn the topic of conversation to the SCCBC, how things were going on the river and how our triallists and crews were coming on.

His support was completely practical and, when I mentioned that other colleges were getting the benefit of training and being coached up at Godstow, he must have had a quiet word with Jock Mullard, the Head of Rowing at Radley. Next thing we know we are travelling daily downriver in the Catz maintenance van to face the stern coaching of Andrew Trotman and the sterner test of his Radley Colts VIII.

Sir Patrick and Lady Nairne were keen towpath supporters and he would ask me each day of Eights where I thought they should stand in order to get the best view of the day's bump. He even complained when we bumped a little earlier than expected as Lady Nairne had not got a good view from their position on the Gut wall.

He was a guest at our Bumps Supper and was always the first to give encouragement and praise for the hard work and success of all our crews.

Considering all the important and time-consuming duties that being Master must entail, it was always amazing that he would pick up on all the details of what was of concern to me in trying to help run a Boat Club, and would always find some way of assisting and encouraging with his kind words and support.

He inspired me to strive to achieve for myself and for the College and also supported and encouraged me in my choice of training to become a teacher.

Anu Dudhia (email: dudhia@atm.ox.ac.uk )