Eights 1913Eights 1913
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Although we have hardly yet experienced more than a day or two of spring this year, it is none the less a fact that the summer eights are due to commence at Oxford on Thursday afternoon next. And in spite of the fact that the conditions of practice have been decidedly against the preparation of the crews, as for the greater part of last week the towing-path was under water, it must be admitted that the crews as a whole are well up to the average, as far as pace is concerned at any rate. There seems to be a wholesome tradition of hard work creeping to some of those college boat clubs where but little seems to have been known of such things for many years, and this, together with some new ideas of coaching which have sprung up amongst the men who are now actually rowing, and which have not been preached from outside, show that Oxford rowing is in a healthy and vigorous state.Of the new ideas, the most important, because the most successful in its apparent result, has already been given a name, and that is the "Magdalen style". It is being taught not only with great success to the three Magdalen crews, but to three or four other colleges who have obtained the help of Magdalen eightsmen in their coaching. Personally, I think the success of these crews is much more due to the fact that Magdalen men have a good tradition of working hard, and have imbued the crews of the other colleges which they were coaching, some of which used to be notoriously lazy, with their own enthusiasm for exertion. The style which they teach is in reality the old orthodox method with one exception, that is to say, they not only allow what used to be called "over-reach" with the shoulders, which was shunned as the deadliest of all sins in connection with body-work, but they positively inculcate it as not only not harmful but as beneficial.
Advantages of New Style
There is great, and will be more, disgust over this so-called new departure among those of the older generation, who are inclined to look upon shoulders, when in a natural, easy position, with the arms outstretched, as "hunched", and, more important still, slack. As a matter of fact, the very stiffly braced shoulder which used to be demanded was very unnatural in itself, and was inclined to lead to stiffness in all but the very finest oarsmen, in days, too, when the rowing man did not run to the bulk to which he now attains. Yet there is no reason why the shoulders when slightly forward should not be just as much braced as when thrown well back. In fact, it should be pointed out that in this position some very powerful muscles, such as the latissimus dorsi, are brought into play and bring the weight well down the back towards the loins in the manner of stays to a mast, thus relieving the strain on the shoulders, and putting a man into a much stronger position for his work, whilst in the older methods these were completely cut out of effective use, excepting just at the finish.
The Magdalen men insist on the shoulders being kept in the same position all through the stroke, so that there can be no fair charge of slackness in the work. Personally, I think that if they develop the idea further by adding a slight throw back of the shoulders at the finish they will bring the production of power by the existing type of man to its highest capacity. For at present their finish is comparatively rather weak, just as was that of such men as Garton, Gillan and McKinnon [Magdalen members of winning Oxford crews from 1909–1911], on whose oarsmanship the style was founded. It is interesting because the methods, though the difference is really slight, are being developed by men who are still up. It will be even more interesting to see whether they can carry their ideas to a logical conclusion, or whether the latter will "take charge" of them, and run them.
Fight for the Headship
Beyond the question of styles the racing should be more than usually interesting, especially the fight for the headship. New College bumped Magdalen in 1910, and as long as Bourne was up maintained their place, though perilously chased home last year on one or two nights. This year New College have had great difficulty in finding a stroke, and finally settled on F.A.H. Pitman, who did not row this spring at Putney on account of his running. He can hardly be called an ideal stroke so far as style is concerned, but he drives his crews along with the assistance of three other Blues. Magdalen also have four Blues, and are again stroked by Horsfall, who is rowing with even more dash than usual. They are undoubtedly the faster of the two, but the conditions have been too variable to enable a sound judgment as to whether they are fast enough. A crew needs from 12sec to 15sec in hand, over the full course, to enable it to make certain of a bump, and even the great racing powers, such as C.W. Kent exhibited over twenty years ago, will keep the slower boat head of the river for another year.
Below these two crews, which contain practically all the Blues, there is naturally a considerable slump both in style and pace, and the chief fault is lack of stretcher balance. If Balliol can race they should not find much difficulty in going up to third, but both University and Christ Church generally row above their form in races. St. John's, whose crew contains most of their last year's second boat, which went so near winning the Thames Cup, are very rough, but they should make up some of the places that the first boat lost last year. Trinity, in like manner, with Mr. Legge once more in charge, should regain a place or two, whilst of the lower boats Oriel, Worcester, especially, who are being coached by Mr. R.H. Owen, Wadham, Keble, and Magdalen III are all likely to improve their respective positions.
The Prince of Wales PresentThe Summer Eight-oar Races were begun at Oxford yesterday. The Prince of Wales [future Edward VIII, then a student at Magdalen] watched the racing from the Magdalen College Barge. He also ran down the towing path cheering the Magdalen crew, who made a desperate effort for the headship, but New College managed to finish a length ahead.
The crews in the third division started in the following order :— Worcester, St. John's II, Queen's, Brasenose II, Hertford, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, University II, St. Catherine's, Oriel II, Merton II, and Magdalen III. Queen's bumped St. John's at the Corporation Ferry, Jesus bumped Hertford under the Willows, and Oriel II bumped St. Catherine's at the Ferry.
The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Magdalen II, Trinity, Oriel, Pembroke, Wadham, Keble, Trinity II, New College II, Exeter, Balliol II, and Worcester. Trinity bumped Magdalen II soon after passing the Freewater Stone; Wadham bumped Pembroke at the Corporation Ferry. New College II, owing to a series of "crabs", failed to get properly away and Exeter rowed past them. Balliol II were close behind at the time and also claimed a bump, which was disallowed and a bump was allotted to Worcester.
The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, Lincoln, Balliol, Brasenose, Christ Church II, St. John's, Merton, and Corpus Christi. Magdalen, going off at a fast stroke, gained in Iffley Reach, and a desperate struggle followed, but New College managed to keep their place. Balliol bumped Lincoln at the Willows; St. John's bumped Christ Church II at the Freewater Stone.
The races will be continued to-day.
The Summer Eights commenced yesterday under conditions that were fairly favourable, though the river was still rather high and there was some wind. The racing proved fairly interesting, and in the First Division New College, stroked by Pitman, managed to retain the headship, Magdalen, stroked by Horsfall, being a length to the bad at the finish. The other boats in this division did not give a very convincing display.In the Third Division the leading boat, Worcester, paddled up, St. John's II falling to Queen's after a short struggle. Brasenose II kept well away from Hertford, who were bumped by Jesus College at the Willows. Oriel II caught St. Catherine's at the Free Ferry; whilst Merton II just scrambled home in front of Magdalen III after a very fine race.
Corpus maintained their position at the head of the Second Division, and were well away from Magdalen II when the latter were bumped by Trinity at the entrance to the Gut. Pembroke made a bad start, and were soon caught by Wadham. Keble and Trinity II rowed up; but there was a mix up with the following boats. New College [II], thanks to a series of crabs, failed to get under weigh, and Exeter, with Balliol [II] in hot pursuit, rowed past them, Worcester being close on Balliol. A bump was claimed by the two last named; but as Exeter had rowed past New that was considered equivalent to a bump, and Balliol II lost a place.
In the First Division New, the head boat, got home with a length to spare from Magdalen after a fine race. University were 100 yards behind Magdalen, but kept their distance in front of Christ Church. Lincoln had to strike their colours to Balliol; whilst Brasenose escaped through Christ Church II being caught at the Freewater Stone by St. John's. Merton had to go all the way to escape Corpus by a few yards.
The Summer Eight-oar Races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon. The Prince of Wales was again present at the first division races, and accompanied his college crew on the towing path.The crews in the third division started in the following order :— Balliol II, Queen's, St. John's II, Brasenose II, Jesus, Hertford, St. Edmund Hall, University II, Oriel II, St. Catherine's, Merton II, and Magdalen III. There was an exciting race between the two leading boats. Opposite Christ Church barge Queen's made a shot, but apparently missed by a few inches, and Balliol II passed the flag a quarter of a length in front. St. John's II were bumped by Brasenose II at the Willows; Hertford were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the Red Post. The latter hampered University II who were bumped near the same spot by Oriel II. Merton II were bumped by Magdalen III shortly after passing the Weirs Bridge.
The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Trinity, Magdalen II, Oriel, Wadham, Pembroke, Keble, Trinity II, Exeter, New College II, Worcester, and Balliol II. Magdalen II were bumped by Oriel at the Red Post; Worcester bumped New College II at the Corporation Ferry; Balliol II did not row up in consequence of Queen's having claimed a bump.
The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, Balliol, Lincoln, Brasenose, St. John's, Christ Church II, Merton, and Corpus Christi. Much interest was taken in the struggle for the headship. Magdalen started at a great pace and approaching the Long Bridges were within half a length, but from this point New College held their own, and finished nearly three lengths to the good. Brasenose were bumped by St. John's near the Corporation Ferry; Christ Church II were bumped by Merton soon after the start.
The races will be continued to-day.
The Summer Eights racing was continued at Oxford yesterday, under pleasant conditions. Fair sport was the outcome of the second and third division contests, but the first division boats did not give such a good account of themselves. Magdalen again failed to make any serious impression on New College, who now appear almost certain to retain the headship; whilst the two crews are evidently far superior to the others.In the third division an exciting race was seen between the two leading boats, but Queen's failed to catch Balliol II by a quarter of a length. St. John's II lost another place to Brasenose II, Jesus College being well in the rear of the latter at the time. Hertford also went down once more, St. Edmund's Hall catching them at the Red Post. St. Edmund's lay across the river afterwards and interfered with University II, who were bumped by Oriel II directly afterwards. St. Catherine's paddled up, but Merton II, who escaped Magdalen III on the opening afternoon, were caught this time at the Weirs Bridge.
Although Trinity gained on them considerably, Corpus retained their place at the head of the second division. Magdalen II fell to Oriel at the Red Post. Wadham, Pembroke, Keble, Trinity II, and Exeter finished in their starting order, but New II were easily beaten by Worcester.
In the first division Magdalen, in their desire to wrest the headship from New College, tried cutting-down tactics, with the results that, coming out of the Gut, they were within half a length, but New then drew away, and finished three lengths to the good. University had a hard struggle to escape Christ Church. The only bumps in this division were by St. John's at the expense of Brasenose and by Merton over Christ Church II, at the Weirs Bridge.
The Summer Eight-oar Races were continued at Oxford on Saturday. Details :—The crews in the third division started in the following order :— Balliol II, Queen's, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Hertford, Oriel II, University II, St. Catherine's, Magdalen III, and Merton II. The bump claimed by Queen's after the races on Friday evening was not allowed, but on Saturday they bumped Balliol II at the Red Post. St. John's II were bumped by Jesus approaching the Long Bridges; Hertford were bumped by Oriel II at the crossing; University II were bumped by St. Catherine's at the Willows
The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Trinity, Oriel, Magdalen II, Wadham, Pembroke, Keble, Trinity II, Exeter, Worcester, New College II, and Queen's. Corpus Christi were bumped by Trinity at the New Cut; Exeter were bumped by Worcester near the Freewater Stone; and New College II were bumped by Queen's under the Willows. This made Queen's second bump during the afternoon.
The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, Balliol, Lincoln, St. John's, Brasenose, Merton, Christ Church II, and Trinity. New College had no difficulty in maintaining their position at the head of the river. University were bumped by Christ Church at the Long Bridges; Lincoln were bumped by St. John's near the Weir's Bridge; Brasenose were bumped by Merton at the same place, and Christ Church II were bumped by Trinity at the Corporation Ferry. This was the second bump made by Trinity during the afternoon.
The races will be continued to-day.
The summer eight-oar races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon.The crews in the third division started in the following order :— New College II, Balliol II, Brasenose II, Jesus, St. John's II, St. Edmund Hall, Oriel II, Hertford, St. Catherine's, University II, Magdalen III, and Merton II. There were five bumps in this division, and, with the exception of the two leading boats, all the other boats changed places :— Brasenose II were bumped by Jesus in Iffley Reach; St. John's II were bumped by St. Edmund Hall soon after passing the Freewater Stone; Oriel II were bumped by Hertford under the Willows; St. Catherine's were bumped by University II at the start owing to getting off badly; Magdalen III were bumped by Merton II at the New Cut.
The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Christ Church II, Corpus Christi, Oriel, Magdalen II, Wadham, Pembroke, Keble, Trinity II, Worcester, Exeter, Queen's, and New College II. Corpus Christi bumped Christ Church II at the Freewater Stone; Trinity II were bumped by Worcester at the Corporation Ferry; Exeter were bumped by Queen's at the Weirs Bridge.
The crews in the first division were started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, University, Balliol, St. John's, Lincoln, Merton, Brasenose, Trinity, and Corpus Christi. Balliol were bumped by St. John's at the Long Bridges; Lincoln were bumped by Merton at the Weirs Bridge; Brasenose were bumped by Trinity soon after passing the Long Bridges.
The races will be continued to-day.
The Summer Eight-oar Races were continued at Oxford yesterday.The crews in the third division started in the following order :— New College II, Balliol II, Jesus, Brasenose II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II, Hertford, Oriel II, University II, St. Catherine's, Merton II, and Magdalen III. Brasenose II were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the Red Post; St. John's II were bumped by Hertford under the Willows; St. Catherine's were bumped by Merton II at the start.
The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Christ Church II, Oriel, Magdalen II, Wadham, Pembroke, Keble, Worcester, Trinity II, Queen's, Exeter, and New College II. Christ Church II were bumped by Oriel at the Long Bridges; Keble were bumped by Worcester shortly after passing the Freewater Stone; Trinity II were bumped by Queen's at the Corporation Ferry.
The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, University, St. John's, Balliol, Merton, Lincoln, Trinity, Brasenose, and Corpus Christi. A fine race for the headship resulted in New College maintaining their position by a third of a length. Lincoln were bumped by Trinity approaching the Long Bridges. After the races Corpus Christi claimed to have bumped Brasenose, and the committee will consider the matter to-day.
The races will be concluded to-day.
The Summer Eight-oar Races were concluded at Oxford yesterday afternoon. The Prince of Wales accompanied his college crew on the towing path. After an exciting race New College maintained the headship by a few yards. There was a large crowd at the riverside and the sinking of a raft and immersion of about 30 people, all of whom were got out safely, caused some commotion. The claim of Corpus Christi that they had bumped Brasenose in the first division on Tuesday was considered by the committee and disallowed.The members of the New College head crew are not listed.The crews in the third division started in the following order :— New College II, Balliol II, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, Hertford, St. John's II, Oriel II, University II, Merton II, St. Catherine's, and Magdalen III. Balliol II were bumped by Jesus opposite Talboy's Raft, St. John's II were bumped by Oriel II at the Freewater Stone, and Merton II were bumped by St. Catherine's approaching the Long Bridges.
The crews in the second division started in the following order :— Corpus Christi, Oriel, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, Wadham, Pembroke, Worcester, Keble, Queen's, Trinity II, Exeter, and New College II. Pembroke were bumped by Worcester just after passing the Freewater Stone.
The crews in the first division started in the following order :— New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, University, St. John's, Balliol, Merton, Trinity, Lincoln, Brasenose, and Corpus Christi. A fine struggle for the headship caused much excitement. At the Red Post Magdalen were within a few feet, but New College, spurting, passed the post three-quarters of a length in front. Balliol were bumped by Merton at the Corporation Ferry, Lincoln were bumped by Brasenose at the New Cut.
During the six days' racing 52 bumps were made. Worcester headed the list with six bumps, Queen's and Trinity made five each; St. John's, Merton, Jesus, and Oriel II, four each; St. Edmund Hall three; and Oriel two. St. John's II lost six places; Lincoln and Christ Church II, five each; New College II, and Balliol II, three each; Brasenose, Magdalen II, Pembroke, and Trinity II, two each.
A most exciting, and in every way successful, eights' week was brought to a conclusion last night. Seldom has there been seen such a magnificent series of races for the headship. Night after night, with four Blues in the boat, Magdalen chased New College and on most nights got, at some part of the course, almost within shooting distance. And what made the tussle the more interesting was the unfailing resource of Horsfall, the Magdalen stroke. Each night he attempted different tactics, first trying to cut down his opponents, and then on the next trying to row them down. The result was that although he proved that his crew had the pace over New College at whichever part of the course he rowed, he had not yet got the extra touch of speed which would enable him to overcome the wash of his opponents and get through the last 6ft of lumpy water that was necessary to make his bump. On the part of New College, Hugo Pitman, who stroked with great steadiness and unfailing nerve, carried off the chief honours of the week. He was always content to allow Magdalen, who rowed much the faster stroke, to creep up on him without flurrying his crew in the least, and, keeping his length well, managed each night to land his crew unscathed. He showed that, as a stroke, the mantle of his uncles has fallen on his shoulders.Quality of the crews
Although the two head boats can hardly be said to equal, either in style or pace, those of the last few years, the lower crews — though some distance behind — were, I think, well up to the average, if not above. The Magdalen style, of which I wrote last week, did not show up so well as expected. None of their crews came on during the latter part of training, perhaps through lack of life, and the career of the second and third boats showed that what be be condoned in first-class oarsmen is not very good for novices.
Mr. Owen must be congratulated on the way be coached Worcester, for the latter made a bump every night, mostly before reaching the Gut. Trinity regained no fewer than five of their lost places, and might have made a sixth last night but for a bump in front of them. St. John's, with four bumps, found their level at fifth behind University, and honourably carried out what seems to have become a compact between them and Balliol, since for many years [starting in 1907] they have taken it in turn to bump one another.
Last Night's Racing
When the racing started at four o'clock last evening with the third division the afternoon was bright, but there was a stiff breeze blowing from the west-south-west, which caused some rough water in Iffley Reach. Only three bumps were made, Jesus caught Balliol II just before the Cherwell, having raced up from their distance after coming through the Gut. Oriel II completed the inglorious career of St. John's II by catching them at the Free Ferry. These boats lay across the river and seriously handicapped the coxswains of the following crews. A great race was seen between University II, Merton II, and St. Catharine's, and the last-named avenged their defeat of Tuesday just before Merton could catch University.
The racing in the second division proved just as exciting, although only one boat actually scored, Worcester making their sixth bump, by catching Pembroke at the Free Ferry. Their task was made somewhat easier by one of the Pembroke crew catching a "crab," but there was no doubt that the end would have been just the same. Oriel came through the first night [?] on top of Corpus, but were stalled off right to the finish. Magdalen II also chased Christ Church II all the way home; whilst exciting races were witnessed between Queen's and Keble and Exeter and Trinity II.
In the first division the most exciting race of the week was seen between the two head boats. Wells steered his boat magnificently through the Gut, and when the boats straightened up the Green Bank Magdalen were a bare half-length behind. With Horsfall rowing 40 to Pitman's 35, the gap was lessened inch by inch, so that by the Red Post not more than 6ft to 8ft separated the crews. In that position they rowed past the Boat House; but then Magdalen, getting short by reason of the fast stroke, began to fall away, and at the finish they were their best part of a length behind. Merton made their fourth bump by reason of their good spurting powers at the start, catching Balliol below the Gut; whilst a very exciting race was seen up the Green Bank between Lincoln and Brasenose, the latter effecting their bump by the New Cut.
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