Eights 1909

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Christ Church 37 38 Christ Church 2 Magdalen 30 30 Magdalen 3 New College 29 28 New College 4 Balliol 22 24 St John's 5 St John's 22 20 Trinity 6 Trinity 20 20 Balliol 7 Merton 17 19 Brasenose 8 University 15 16 University 9 Brasenose 14 12 Corpus Christi 10 Oriel 12 11 Merton 11 Corpus Christi 10 10 Wadham 12 Lincoln 9 10 Oriel 13 Wadham 8 9 Lincoln 14 Worcester 7 6 Worcester 15 Pembroke 6 6 Keble 16 Exeter 5 5 Pembroke 17 Keble 4 4 Exeter 18 Jesus 4 4 Jesus 19 Queen's 3 3 Queen's 20 Hertford 2 2 Hertford 21 St Catherine's 2 1 St Catherine's 22 St Edmund Hall 2 1 St Edmund Hall

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg University 2[ 2] 3[ 1] 1.50[ 4] Trinity 3[ 1] 2[ 2] 0.67[ 7] Corpus Christi 1[ 9] 2[ 2] 2.00[ 1] Oriel 2[ 2] 2[ 2] 1.00[ 5] Wadham 1[ 9] 2[ 2] 2.00[ 1] Keble 1[ 9] 2[ 2] 2.00[ 1] Christ Church 2[ 2] 1[ 7] 0.50[ 8] Brasenose 2[ 2] 1[ 7] 0.50[ 8] Jesus 1[ 9] 1[ 7] 1.00[ 5] Queen's 1[ 9] 0[10] 0.00[10] Lincoln 1[ 9] 0[10] 0.00[10] Magdalen 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] Hertford 1[ 9] 0[10] 0.00[10] St John's 2[ 2] -1[14] -0.50[14] New College 2[ 2] -1[14] -0.50[14] Balliol 1[ 9] -1[14] -1.00[16] Worcester 1[ 9] -1[14] -1.00[16] Exeter 1[ 9] -1[14] -1.00[16] Pembroke 1[ 9] -1[14] -1.00[16] St Catherine's 1[ 9] -2[20] -2.00[20] Merton 1[ 9] -4[21] -4.00[21] St Edmund Hall 1[ 9] -4[21] -4.00[21]

• 6 days: Thu 20 – Wed 26 May 1909
• The Times report on Fri 21 May lists the division times as 4, 5 and 6pm.
• On the Monday the top 18 boats rowed over (10 in Div I, top 8 in Div II).

• The Times Fri 21 May

  The weather was fine and warm at Oxford yesterday, the first day of the summer eight oar races, and the attendance on the college barges and the banks of the Isis was unusually large.

  The boats started in three divisions at 4, 5, and 6 o'clock. The order in the third division was :— Trinity II, Queen's, Hertford, Magdalen II, St. John's II, St. Catherine's, St. Edmund's Hall, Brasenose II, University II, Oriel II, Trinity III. Shortly after the start one of the Queen's crew caught a crab, and they were immediately overtaken by Hertford. Oriel II pressed University very closely, but at the ferry the latter caught Brasenose. Oriel then made a determined effort to overtake St. Edmund Hall, and succeeded in doing so at the new cut, this over-bump resulting in a gain of three places to Oriel

  In the second division the order was :— Corpus, Lincoln, Wadham, Worcester, Christ Church II, Pembroke, Exeter, Keble, New College II, Jesus, Trinity II. There was no bump in this division but some exciting racing was witnessed. Wadham got within half a length of Lincoln, and Keble succeeded in escaping New College II by a bare quarter of a length.

  The first division order of starting was :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, Balliol, St. John's, Merton, Trinity, University, Brasenose, Oriel Corpus. Balliol were bumped by St. John's at the Cherwell. Trinity bumped Merton at the Red Post, Brasenose overtook University near the boathouse, and Oriel had to acknowledge a bump by Corpus near the same spot. There was an exciting struggle between Christ Church and Magdalen from the boathouse, but the former managed to get past the post with about half a length to spare.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 22 May

  Yesterday "Eights" week, which this year includes a match against the Australian cricketers, in addition to the usual concerts, dances and other festivities, opened at Oxford. The weather was favuorable for rowing, although the wind was a trifle troublesome at times.

  In the third division races Trinity II easily retained the headship. Queen's were bumped by Hertford, who thus went up into second place. Lower down in the list Oriel II drove University II on to Brasenose, and, being thus robbed of their bump, went in hot pursuit of St. Edmund Hall, whom they caught at the New Cut, thus gaining three places.

  In the second division, headed by Corpus, the racing was very flat, and not a bump was recorded.

  In the first division great interest attached to the struggle between Christ Church and Magdalen for the headship. Magdalen made a fine effort to bump, but Christ Church kept away and got home about half a length in front. St. John's, although they had to put in a fresh stroke at almost the last moment, bumped Balliol at the Cherwell. Trinity improved their position at the expense of Merton, and University succumbed to Brasenose. The surprise of the day was effected by Corpus, who established themselves firmly in the division by defeating Oriel.

• The Times Sat 22 May

  With a continuation of bright and warm weather there was a large gathering at the second day's racing of the Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday.

  In the third division the order of starting was :— Trinity II, Hertford, Queen's, Magdalen II, St. John's II, St. Catherine's, Oriel II, University II, Brasenose II, St. Edmund's Hall, and Trinity III. Queen's who, through one of the crew catching a crab, lost a place to Hertford on the day before, retrieved the disaster by overtaking Hertford near the Long Bridges. Oriel II caught St. Catherine's at the end of the Green Bank, and St. Edmund Hall went to the last position. Trinity III diplaced them at the Weirs Bridge. There was an exciting race between Magdalen II and St. John's II, the latter being close up at the boathouse, but Magdalen II succeeded in drawing away and getting home three-quarters of a length to the good.

  The second division started in the following order :— Oriel, Lincoln, Wadham, Worcester, Christ Church II, Pembroke, Exeter, Keble, New College II, Jesus, and Trinity II. Wadham began to gain on Lincoln immediately after the start and effected their bump at the ferry. Christ Church II were close up to Worcester at the boathouse, but it was not until they were opposite their own barge that they overtook them. Keble made short work of Exeter by displacing them at the Free Water Stone.

  The order in the first division was Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Merton, Brasenose, University, Corpus, and Oriel. On the day before, when about half the course had been rowed, Mr. Somers-Smith, the Magdalen stroke, strained himself, and his place was taken by Mr. Lee. There was only one bump in this division, Merton being overtaken by Brasenose. There was a good struggle for the headship. At the Red Post about half a length divided the boats, but from this point Christ Church spurted and finished nearly a length in front. Trinity got to within a quarter of a length of Balliol.

• The Times Mon 24 May

  There was a very large attendance at the University Summer Eights races at Oxford on Saturday. The weather was again delightfully fine, and some interesting races took place.

  The third division started in the following order :— Trinity II, Queen's, Hertford, Magdalen II, St. John's II, Oriel II, St. Catherine's, University II, Brasenose II, Trinity III, and St. Edmund's Hall. There was an exciting struggle between the three leading boats. Queen's, driven by Hertford, were close on Trinity II, but just as the bump seemed imminent one of the Queen's crew caught a crab and the opportunity was lost. Hertford redoubled their efforts, and overtook Queen's in front of the Christ Church barge. Queen's and Hertford had thus changed position each evening — a most unusual circumstance. At the time the bump took place Magdalen II were within a short distance of Hertford. Oriel II finished half a length behind St. John's, St. Catherine's were overtaken by University II just before reaching the Long-bridges. and Brasenose II were displaced by Trinity III soon after passing the Willows.

  Second division, order of start :— Oriel, Wadham, Lincoln, Christ Church II, Worcester, Pembroke, Keble, Exeter, New College II, Jesus, Trinity II. Wadham began to gain on Oriel soon after the start, and displaced them at the boathouse. Earlier than this in the race Pembroke were overtaken by Keble, who effected their bump near the Ferry. A good race ensued between Lincoln and Christ Church II, the latter getting to within half a length at the Red Post, but from this point Lincoln spurted and finished about a length to the good. New College II were very hardly pressed by Jesus, who were within a quarter of a length at the finish.

  The order in the first division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Brasenose, Merton, University, Corpus, Oriel. There was a close struggle between Christ Church and Magdalen for the headship. The last-named gradually lessened the distance between them, but at the Cherwell Christ Church drew away and were three-quarters of a length to the good in passing the post. St. John's also gained on New College, and less than a length separated them at the close. Balliol were in difficulties with Trinity at the Red Post, and reached the post with barely a third of a length to spare, Brasenose then being about half a length from Trinity. The only bump in the division was that made by University, who caught Merton under the Willows.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 24 May

  Splendid weather again favoured Saturday's racing in the Summer Eights at Oxford.

  In the third division Trinity II maintained premier position, but the second boat — Queen's — was bumped by Hertford, whilst St. Catherine's lost another place to University II, and Brasenose II were caught by Trinity III.

  Oriel II [sic], who started first in the second division, was caught after a fine race by Wadham III [sic] who showed greatly improved form. The only other bump in this division was made by Keble at the expense of Pembroke.

  In the first division, Christ Church maintained their position at the head, Magdalen failing to get as near to them as on Friday. New, St. John's, and Balliol all kept their positions easily, but Brasenose went up a place at the expense of Trinity [incorrect], whilst Merton had to lower their colours to University.

• The Times Tue 25 May

  The very favourable conditions of weather which have prevailed since the beginning of the Summer Eights continued yesterday, and the attendance was again large.

  The order in the third division was :— Trinity II, Hertford, Queen's, Magdalen II, St. John's II, Oriel II, University II, St. Catherine's, Trinity III, Brasenose II, and St. Edmund Hall. Along the Willows Queen's were close up to Hertford, and just as they were about to bump, Queen's had a repetition of ill-luck, one of the crew catching a crab, and Hertford got home by about a quarter of a length. Owing to the mishap Queen's narrowly escaped being caught by Magdalen II, a third of a length only separating them at the finish. Oriel II displaced St. John's II about a hundred yards from the post. A very exciting struggle ensued between Brasenose II and St. Edmund Hall, the latter missing their bump by a few inches only.

  The order in the second division was :— Wadham, Oriel, Lincoln, Christ Church II, Worcester, Keble, Pembroke, Exeter, New College II, Jesus, and Trinity II. A capital struggle was witnessed between Lincoln and Christ Church II, the latter being only a foot to the bad at the post. Exeter were close up to Pembroke at the red post, but the latter drew away and finished a length ahead. Jesus displaced New College II near the boathouse.

  In the first division the order was :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Brasenose, University, Merton, Corpus, and Wadham. There was no bump in this division. Magdalen made a good effort to catch Christ Church, but there was a length between them at the finish. Brasenose got to within a quarter of a length of Trinity, who were half a length behind Balliol.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 25 May

  With the Australian cricketers on view, and various entertainments arranged for the evening, there was a great influx of visitors to Oxford yesterday, the majority of whom witnessed some portion of the summer eights races. A light southerly breeze prevented the heat being uncomfortably felt by the crews.

  In the third division Trinity II, head boat, maintained their place, but Hertford, who started second, were lucky in not being caught by Queen's, who caught a crab just when they appeared certain to regain the position lost last week. Oriel II ran into St. John's [II] after a fine struggle, whilst St. Edmund Hall only missed bumping Brasenose II by a foot.

  The second division boats did not produce such good racing. [crews] started, and finished, in the order in which their names are written, but New College II and Jesus fought their battle over again, with the results that Jesus made their bump near the boathouse.

  Christ Church retained their place at the head of the first division, although Magdalen once got within a few feet, only to be a length behind at the finish. [other crews] all finished in their starting order, not a bump being made in the division, but Trinity only just escaped Brasenose by a foot.

• The Times Wed 26 May

  Heavy showers of rain fell at intervals at Oxford yesterday.

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Trinity II, Hertford, Queen's, Magdalen II, Oriel II, St. John's II, University II, St. Catherine's, Trinity III, Brasenose II, and St. Edmund Hall. Hertford and Queen's changed places for the fourth time, the former being overtaken opposite their own college barge. Oriel II finished within within a third of a length of Magdalen II, and University II passed the post barely half a length in front of St. Catherine's.

  In the second division the order was :— Wadham, Oriel, Lincoln, Christ Church II, Worcester, Keble, Pembroke, Exeter, Jesus, New College II, and Trinity II. Although there were no bumps, some close racing was seen between Oriel, Lincoln, and Christ Church II. Oriel escaped being displaced by Lincoln by about three feet and Christ Church II were within that number of yards of Lincoln. Exeter got to within half a length of Pembroke at the finish, and New College II, by a vigorous spurt towards the end of the course, were only a quarter of a length behind Jesus.

  The order in the first division was :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Brasenose, University, Merton, Corpus Christi, and Wadham. Christ Church retained their position with ease. Brasenose overtook Trinity at the Weir's-bridge, and at the Free Ferry Corpus ran into Merton.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 26 May

  The crews engaged in the Summer Eights missed the heavy rains of the forenoon, but threatening weather caused a noticeable falling off of visitors to the riverside yesterday. However, the rains lead to a much better head of water in the river, a fact that crews hugging the Berkshire [towpath] shore could appreciate.

  In the third division Trinity II again had no difficulty in retaining premier position, but there was another exciting race between Hertford and Queen's, who had already changed places three times. On this occasion Queen's regained second position by bumping Hertford opposite the latter's barge. Magdalen [II], Oriel II, St. John's II, and University II all finished in their starting order, but the latter only just escaped St. Catherine's. The other three boats finished at wide intervals.

  For the second time during the races the second division boats rowed up in their starting order. Wadham, the head boat, did well to escape Oriel, for, owing to an accident to Higgins, Faile had to take the stroke thwart, and Fulbrook, the reserve man, came in at No.2. Oriel only just escaped Lincoln by a yard, whilst Jesus finished only a quarter of a length in front of New.

  In the first division, Christ Church, the head, for the first time had no difficulty in keeping away from Magdalen. New, St. John's, and Balliol finished as they started, but Brasenose sprang a surprise on Trinity, bumping them at the Weir Bridge, and Corpus ran into Merton at the Ferry.

• The Times Thu 27 May

  A strong, cold wind and showers of rain prevailed on the last day of the Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday, but notwithstanding this there was a large attendance.

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Trinity II, Queen's, Hertford, Magdalen II, Oriel II, St. John's II, University II, St. Catherine's, Trinity III, Brasenose II, and St. Edmund Hall. Magdalen II got to within a quarter of a length of Hertford near the boathouse, and although the latter spurted well, a distance of three yards only separated them at the finish. Magdalen II passed the post about half a length in front of Oriel II. St. John's II were displaced by University II near the New Cut.

  In the second division the order was :— Wadham, Oriel, Lincoln, Christ Church II, Worcester, Keble, Pembroke, Exeter, Jesus, New College II, and Trinity II. Oriel were bumped by Lincoln opposite the college barge of the latter, Christ Church II being at the time three-quarters of a length behind. Pembroke had great difficulty in escaping from Exeter, who got to within a quarter of a length at the crossing. The other boats maintained their respective distances.

  The order in the first division was :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, St. John's, Balliol, Brasenose, Trinity, University, Corpus, Merton, and Wadham. Christ Church finished a length in front of Magdalen, and Brasenose got to within half a length of Balliol.

  Throughout the races only 28 bumps were made, an unusually low number. [list of the head crew]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 27 May

  The summer eights races concluded last evening in weather than spoilt the enjoyment of the spectators, and tried the oarsmen severely, wind and rain being very much in evidence. Despite the uncongenial surroundings, however, there was a big attendance. The crews, despite altered conditions, appeared to have found their level, and bumps were few. Only one change took place in the third division, University II catching St. John's II. In division two, Wadham, quite the best crew, easily rowed up head, and the only bump made was against Oriel, who went down to Lincoln.

  In the first division Christ Church easily retained the headship, Magdalen, contrary to expectations, failing to be served by the boisterous weather, and making a worse display than on any previous evening. Considering that five of this year's Oxford University crew had seats in the Magdalen eight, Christ Church must be accounted a very fine combination, despite the fact that four of the men weighed less than 11st, and West, the No.2, only turned the scale at 9st 12lb. No bump was made in this division, but during the races Brasenose did as well as any crew, making three bumps.

• In other news ... [1909]

  Monarch: Edward VII

  Prime Minister: H. H. Asquith (Liberal)

  Wed 19 May

  Russian ballet is brought to the Western world, when the Ballets Russes opens a tour produced by Sergei Diaghilev at the Theatre dy Chatelet in Paris, with 55 dancers, including Vaslav Nijinsky.

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