Eights 1914

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Magdalen 35 32 University 2 New College 34 32 Magdalen 3 Christ Church 33 32 Christ Church 4 University 23 31 New College 5 St John's 21 20 Merton 6 Balliol 18 19 St John's 7 Merton 17 17 Oriel 8 Trinity 17 15 Balliol 9 Brasenose 14 15 Trinity 10 Lincoln 11 11 Corpus Christi 11 Oriel 10 10 Brasenose 12 Corpus Christi 10 9 Worcester 13 Wadham 6 6 Pembroke 14 Worcester 6 6 Lincoln 15 Pembroke 5 5 Queen's 16 Keble 4 4 Wadham 17 Queen's 4 4 Exeter 18 Exeter 3 3 Keble 19 Jesus 2 3 Jesus 20 St Edmund Hall 2 2 St Edmund Hall 21 Hertford 2 2 St Catherine's 22 St Catherine's 1 1 Hertford

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg St Catherine's 1[10] 5[ 1] 5.00[ 1] Worcester 1[10] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 2] Oriel 2[ 1] 3[ 3] 1.50[ 6] University 2[ 1] 2[ 4] 1.00[ 7] Queen's 1[10] 2[ 4] 2.00[ 3] Exeter 1[10] 2[ 4] 2.00[ 3] Pembroke 1[10] 2[ 4] 2.00[ 3] Merton 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 7] Corpus Christi 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 7] New College 2[ 1] 1[ 8] 0.50[11] Magdalen 2[ 1] 1[ 8] 0.50[11] St John's 2[ 1] 1[ 8] 0.50[11] Jesus 1[10] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 7] St Edmund Hall 1[10] 0[14] 0.00[14] Christ Church 2[ 1] -1[15] -0.50[15] Brasenose 2[ 1] -2[16] -1.00[16] Hertford 1[10] -2[16] -2.00[17] Wadham 1[10] -3[18] -3.00[20] Keble 1[10] -3[18] -3.00[20] Trinity 2[ 1] -4[20] -2.00[17] Balliol 2[ 1] -5[21] -2.50[19] Lincoln 1[10] -6[22] -6.00[22]

• 6 days: Thu 21 – Wed 27 May 1914

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 19 May, by "an Old Blue"

  "Prosperity and Failure"

  The gayest week of the University year commences on Thursday, and even if the college eights, which to some are the cause and to others merely the excuse of making holiday, are not of the highest class this year, the racing promises to be extremely close and exciting — and that after all for the moment is the main thing. I say for the moment advisedly, for in reality the marked and rapid deterioration which has befallen Oxford rowing in the past two years must fill all rowing men with considerable misgiving. And the worst of it is that it appears that poor though the standard is among the leading crews, worse is yet to come before we can witness another revival such as came in 1909. It is not that the fundamentals of style are lacking, on the whole the crews are trying to row in the right manner: it is the lack of individual oarsmen of good calibre who can enthuse the rest of their crews with the right spirit of work and determination to do well.

  Each University has its days of prosperity and failure; they generally go from one to the other in turn. The remarkable thing is the regularity of the causes of deterioration at each. At Cambridge it will be found that the cause is nearly always due to lack of swing, at Oxford the lack of leg-work.

  This year is no exception to the rule, for the point most noticeable by its absence is a strong drive from the stretcher, especially in the two leading crews, New College and Magdalen. In fact, of all the crews practising there were only two that I saw that showed the glimmerings of real leg-work, and neither of these is of high-class with respect to material. I refer to Oriel and Worcester. In the case of the latter their promise of good oarsmanship is entirely due to their solid grounding by their coach, the old Wadham Blue, Mr. R. H. Owen. Himself never a stylish oar, he yet had the more sterling, though not so apparent, virtue of solidity, and an almost illimitable capacity for hard work. He also seems to have the power of impressing his own good points on the crews which he coaches, for in the couple of years since he has become a resident Fellow of Worcester he has brought his crews up no less than eighteen places, and by the end of this week of racing this number should be increased to twenty four.

  The Race for the Headship

  But to return to the head-of-the-river boats, where the racing should be more exciting than it has been for many years. New College, with four Blues, are very disappointing, and have not improved their prospects by their inability to make up their minds as to the order of rowing. In spite of the fact that their retention of the headship last year was, it is generally agreed, due to Pitman's determination at stroke, he was only finally installed in his old place at the end of last week. The natural result was that he was unable to attain a rate of stroke on the last practice course on Saturday anything like as high as one expects from a head boat, so that the time taken was very disappointing. Magdalen have Horsfall, their only Blue, at stroke, while they have no heavyweight save Ritchie, at 14st-2, who yet has his spurs to win. Yet, notwithstanding this lack of material, they should race New College very close, and, if the latter do not attain the power of rowing a high rate of stroke in these last few days of practice, may easily catch them on the first night. Christ Church have, in spite of several casualties, come on very rapidly under the tuition of Mr. Harold Barker. They and University, the fourth boat, are well up to the average of boats in their position, and, giving the latter, for whom Tinné is rowing very well — as he always does in a college crew — the preference of the two, there is no judging what they may do with the two head boats so much below the average.

  The Lower Boats

  Below them we have a succession of poor boats. St. John's have no great virtues save a certain amount of work; Merton's only good point is that they can row over the course at a faster stroke than any other crew; while Balliol call for congratulation only on the score of a certain stateliness of movement which, however, only seems to produce pace in inverse proportion.

  Therefore, Trinity, who have been coached and rigged — or rather rigged and coached — by Mr. Legge in his usual inimitable style, should push the nose of their boat higher up the river than it has been for many a year. The Canadian, G. B. Taylor, who received such an exhaustive trial in the university crew, is much better suited by the shorter stroke of the Trinity crew, and, although he is occasionally inclined to be late, is apparently making good use of his great strength.

  The next three crews should fall easy victims to Oriel, and some of them to Worcester, while lower down Queen's and Exeter, with their two Blues, [respectively] Titherington and Kindersley, though they possess no particular merits, should improve their position.

  Of the third division it is difficult to speak with praise of any of the crews, save, perhaps, St. Edmund's Hall, who should follow up their success of last year by still further improving their position. If they possess powers of racing they ought to find their way into the second division, which for a club of their size would be a veritable triumph.

• The Times Fri 22 May

  The Prince of Wales Present

  The University Summer Eight-oar Races were begun at Oxford yesterday in ideal weather. The number of boats taking part is two less than last year. The Prince of Wales [future King Edward VIII] was present and ran down the towing path cheering his college crew [Magdalen]. The races were rowed in three divisions, and in all 10 bumps were made.

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Exeter, New College II, Jesus, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, Hertford, Oriel II, St. John's II, University II, and St. Catharine's. Oriel II were bumped by St. John's II shortly after the start, and University II were bumped by St. Catharine's at the Boathouse.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Corpus Christi, Oriel, Christ Church II, Magdalen II, Wadham, Worcester, Pembroke, Keble, Queen's, Trinity II, and Exeter. Corpus Christi were bumped by Oriel at the Green Bank; Christ Church II were bumped by Magdalen II at the New Cut, Wadham were bumped by Worcester at the Willows; Keble were bumped by Queen's at the New Ferry, and Trinity II were bumped by Exeter at the Willows.

  The order of starting in the first division was :— New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, University, St. John's, Merton, Balliol, Trinity, Brasenose, Lincoln, and Oriel. New College had no difficulty in maintaining the headship, and finished a length and a half to the good. Christ Church were bumped by University at the Boathouse, Merton were bumped by Balliol at Free Ferry, and Oriel made the second bump of the afternoon by overtaking Lincoln just before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 22 May

  The summer eights were commenced at Oxford yesterday afternoon. The crews started in the following order: [...].

  In the third division, Exeter easily maintained their position as sandwich boat, finishing the course their starting distance ahead of New College II. Oriel II were bumped by St. John's II in Iffley Reach, and St. Catherine's caught University II at the New Cut.

  In the second division, Oriel bumped Corpus at the Willows, Magdalen II overhauled Christ Church II at the New Cut, Wadham fell to Worcester along the Green Bank, Queen's secured Keble at the Free Ferry, and Trinity II were caught by Exeter at Rough's boathouse.

  In the first division, New College finished the course their starting distance ahead of Magdalen, Christ Church were caught by University at the New Cut, Balliol secured Merton at the Free Ferry, and Lincoln fell to Oriel in the Gut.

• The Times Sat 23 May

  Second Day's Racing

  The Summer Eight-oar Races were continued at Oxford yesterday. The Prince of Wales was again present. In the three divisions there were 10 bumps, the same number as on Thursday.

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Trinity II, New College II, Jesus, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, Hertford, St. John's II, Oriel II, St. Catherine's, and University II. Balliol II were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the Long Bridges, Hertford were bumped by St. John's II at the Freewater Stone, and Oriel II were bumped by St. Catherine's very early in the race.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Lincoln, Corpus Christi, Magdalen II, Christ Church II, Worcester, Wadham, Pembroke, Queen's, Keble, Exeter, and Trinity II. Corpus Christi regained the place they lost on Thursday by bumping Lincoln soon after passing the Freewater Stone; Worcester bumped Christ Church II at the New Cut; Pembroke bumped Wadham at the Corporation Ferry, and Exeter bumped Keble at the Red Post.

  The order of starting in the first division was :— New College, Magdalen, University, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Merton, Trinity, Brasenose, Oriel, and Corpus Christi. Magdalen were bumped by University approaching the Long Bridges; Merton were bumped by Trinity in Iffley Reach; and Oriel bumped Brasenose near the Weirs Bridge.

  The races will be continued to-day.

  The special Eights Week number of the Isis, now issued, seems to be well worth "the paltry shilling" at which it is priced, for it is full of articles, poems, and illustrations more or less appropriate to the week. Among the older contributors are Mr. W. B. Woodgate, who recalls eights of the 'fifties and on "Oxford Rowing", in which he hopes for a return to a better state of things. The "Idol" this week is the Prince of Wales.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 23 May

  Fine weather favoured the second day's racing of the Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday, and sport was again watched by big crowds of visitors. New College easily maintained their place as head of the river, Magdalen, who had a narrow escape the previous evening, being on the down grade.

  A good race was seen between Trinity (2) and New College (2), the leading boats in the third division. Although no change took place in the order, Jesus College once got within half a length of New (2), but were ultimately beaten by three-quarters. After escaping on Thursday, Balliol (2) fell to St. Edmunds Hall opposite Runahs [sic, ?], and Hertford succumbed to St. John (2) soon after passing the Free Ferry. Oriel (2) were bumped by St. Catherine's after little more than a minute's rowing.

  Lincoln, who led off in the second division, proved no match for Corpus, who recovered the place lost the previous evening by making their bump in the Gut. Magdalen (2) were well away from Christ Church (2) when Worcester overtook the latter at the New Cut. Pembroke, after looking likely to fall to Queen's, bumped Wadham at the Free Ferry, and Keble proved no match for Exeter.

  Of the first division boats, New College, the head, again rowed through, but Magdalen were overtaken by University before getting out of the Gut. Although one of the Christchurch crew caught a crab, St. John's could not get on to them, and only escaped Balliol by little more than half a length. Merton were speedily overtaken by Trinity, and Oriel went up another place at the expense of Brasenose, who were caught in Iffley Reach.

• The Times Mon 25 May

  Headship gained by University

  A break occurred in the weather at Oxford on Saturday. Heavy rain fell during the morning and interfered with the enjoyment of the numerous visitors. An improvement took place in the afternoon, when the races were in progress. The Prince of Wales was again present. The feature of the racing was the victory of University, who deprived New College of the headship, which they had held since 1911. It is 12 years since University occupied that position. In all there were 10 bumps, exactly the same number as on the two previous days.

  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Trinity II, New College II, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Balliol II, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Hertford, St. Catherine's, Oriel II, and University II. New College II bumped Trinity II at the Long Bridges, Brasenose II bumped Balliol II soon after passing the Freewater Stone; St. Catherine's bumped Hertford at the Corporation Ferry, and University [II] bumped Oriel II at the Willows.

  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Corpus Christi, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Worcester, Christ Church II, Pembroke, Wadham, Queen's, Exeter, Keble, and New College II. Lincoln were bumped by Magdalen II approaching the Long Bridges; Wadham were bumped by Queen's at the Corporation Ferry, and Keble were bumped by New College II at the same spot. The latter thus scored a double victory.

  The order of starting in the First Division was :— New College, University, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Trinity, Merton, Oriel, Brasenose, and Corpus Christi. University went off at a fast stroke, and, gaining rapidly from the start, bumped New College near the Long Bridges. A magnificent struggle ensued between Christ Church and Magdalen, but no bump took place. and Magdalen finished a few inches in front. Merton recovered the place they lost on Friday by bumping Trinity at the Willows and Corpus Christi bumped Brasenose at the Corporation Ferry.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 25 May

  The summer eights were continued at Oxford on Saturday afternoon in miserable weather, rain falling most of the time. In the third division New College (2) became sandwich boat by bumping Trinity (2) in the Gut. Balliol (2) were caught by Brasenose (2) at Rough's Boathouse. St. Catherine's bumped Hertford at the Free Ferry, and Oriel (2) secured the wooden spoon by falling to University (2) at the Willows. St. Edmund Hall overlapped Jesus at the New Cut, but were unable to bump, and passed the rest [sic] half a length in the rear after an exciting race along the barges.

  In the second division Lincoln were caught by Magdalen (2) in the Gut. Pembroke got within half a length of Christchurch (2), Queen's ran into Wadham at Free Ferry, and New College (2) made their second bump of the day by catching Keble at the same place.

  In the first division a splendid race for the headship of the river between New College and University resulted in University winning at Rough's Boathouse. Christchurch were close up to Magdalen, only a few feet separating them at the Cherwell. Merton rebumped Trinity at the Willows, and Brasenose fell to Corpus before reaching the Gut.

• The Times Tue 26 May

  Few changes in Position

  The Summer Eight-oar Races were continued at Oxford yesterday. Although the weather was fine, there was a cold wind which somewhat marred the enjoyment of visitors. Only four bumps were made in the three divisions.

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Keble, Trinity II, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, Balliol II, St. John's II, St. Catharine's, Hertford, University II, and Oriel II. There was only one bump in this division, St. John's II overtaking Balliol II approaching the Long Bridges.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Brasenose, Magdalen II, Lincoln, Worcester, Christ Church II, Pembroke, Queen's, Wadham, Exeter, New College II, and Keble. Magdalen II bumped Brasenose at the Willows, and Worcester bumped Lincoln at the Long Bridges.

  The order of starting in the first division was :— University, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Merton, Trinity, Oriel, Corpus Christi, and Magdalen II. University had no difficulty in retaining the headship. There was another magnificent struggle between Christ Church and Magdalen. The former overlapped at the Green Bank, but failed to bump, and Magdalen succeeded in passing the post a quarter of a length in front. Oriel made their fourth bump by overtaking Trinity at the Freewater Stone.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 26 May

  The Summer Eights were resumed in Oxford yesterday afternoon. In the third division Trinity (2) were hard pressed by Jesus over the last part of the course, only three yards separating them at the finish. St. John's (2) caught Balliol (2) at the Willows, and a most exciting race along the barges took place between Hertford and University (2). At the boathouse the latter were a length behind, but spurting gamely they gained rapidly and were nearly overlapping at the winning post.

  In the second division Magdalen (2) gained a place in the first division by bumping Brasenose at Rough's boathouse, and Lincoln gave way to Worcester at the Willows. A good race also was seen between Wadham and Exeter, but the latter could not get closer than a quarter of a length.

  In the first division University, who gained the headship on Saturday, paddled home their starting distance ahead of New College. Trinity were caught by Oriel before reaching the Gut, and Christ Church got within 6ft of Magdalen.

• The Times Wed 27 May

  Fifth Day's Racing

  The Summer Eight-oar races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon in fine weather. The order of starting in the third division was Keble, Trinity II, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Hertford, University II, and Oriel II. Brasenose II bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Willows; and St. Catherine's bumped Balliol II in Iffley Reach.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Magdalen II, Brasenose, Worcester, Lincoln, Christ Church II, Pembroke, Queen's, Wadham, Exeter, New College II, and Keble. Worcester bumped Brasenose at the Red Post; and Christ Church II bumped Lincoln at the New Cut.

  The order of starting in the first division was :— University, New College, Magdalen, Christ Church, St. John's, Balliol, Merton, Oriel, Trinity, Corpus Christi, and Magdalen II. Christ Church bumped Magdalen opposite the New College Barge. There was an exciting race up Iffley Reach between Balliol, Merton, and Oriel. As the last-named gradually gained on Merton, so Merton drew on Balliol, and it was a question which would make the bump. The Balliol coxswain thinking that he was bumped by Merton gave way near the Long Bridges and at the same time Oriel ran into Merton. Later Balliol were told to row on, but by this time Trinity, who had had a clear course, came up rapidly and caught Balliol at the Red Post, thus making an over-bump. The matter will be considered later.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 27 May

  The fifth day's racing of the summer eights took place at Oxford yesterday afternoon. In the third division Keble, Trinity (2), and Jesus finished the course half a length apart. Brasenose (2) bumped St. Edmund Hall at the Willows, and St. Catherine's caught Balliol (2) at the Free Ferry. A good race between Hertford and University (2) resulted in Hertford passing the post a quarter of a length ahead.

  In the second division, Magdalen (2) easily maintained their position; Brasenose, who followed, being caught by Worcester at the Red Post. Lincoln struggled gamely to escape Christ Church (2), but acknowledged defeat at the New Cut.

  In the first division, University again had no difficulty in maintaining the headship. Magdalen fell to Christ Church at the boathouse. On entering the gut, Balliol, Merton, and Oriel were close together, with Trinity not far behind. Here the Balliol cox signalled a bump, thinking he was bumped by Merton, but the latter, having been previously touched by Oriel, Balliol rowed on, but could not regain the lost ground, and were caught by Trinity at the Willows, Trinity thus claiming three places and Oriel one.

• The Times Thu 28 May

  University at the Head of the River

  Faults of the crews

  The Oxford Summer eight-oar races ended yesterday with University maintaining their position of head of the river. The races were rowed in perfect conditions, as it was perfectly calm. In the third division, starting at 4 o'clock, University II caught a crab, and were bumped by Oriel II opposite Christ Church barge. Thus University College end up with one crew at the top, and the other at the bottom of the river. St. Catherine's caught St. John's II just past the gut, thus achieving five bumps, while Jesus, after a hard struggle, bumped Trinity II opposite the Oriel barge.

  In the second division there was some good racing, Pembroke catching Lincoln. Exeter were hard on Wadham, and it was undecided whether they should appeal for a bump. Worcester and Christ Church II hunted Magdalen [II] and Brasenose home respectively, but Magdalen drew away at the finish and Christ Church, losing a lot by bad steering, failed to catch Brasenose.

  In the first division at 6 o'clock, University I maintained their position at the head, although New College I gained upon them. New College I were never seriously troubled by Christ Church I, although the latter got within a length of them, while Merton caught St. John's and Oriel Balliol, the former making their five bumps.

  The chief events of interest in the week's racing were Trinity's claim for an overbump on Tuesday night, and the excellent racing between Magdalen I and Christ Church I. In the former case it will be remembered, Merton bumped Balliol and Oriel Merton almost simultaneously, so that all three boats stopped. Balliol going on again, were caught by Trinity, who claimed to have overbumped them on the ground that Oriel had caught Merton before Merton had caught Balliol.

  Upon an appeal from the O.U.B.C. committee to an extraordinary meeting held at the Boat House yesterday afternoon, it was held that Balliol should go down to Merton, the other boats maintaining their posts. By amending the rule by which the O.U.B.C. committee can disallow an overbump so as to cover at bump also [sic], it was held that Trinity did not bump Oriel.

  There was fine racing between Christ Church I. and Magdalen I., the latter having, by fine racing, kept away from the former during the two nights. Christ Church, however, caught them opposite the New College barge on Tuesday.

  Crews Below the Average
  

  The eights this year, although they had enjoyed pretty good practice conditions, were both [sic] below the average. University College were a very ordinary college crew, and cannot be compared with the Magdalen and New College crews that have lately held the position of head of the river. Without wishing to detract from the merit of their performance, it cannot be denied that their success was not so much due to any particular pre-eminence of their own, as to the inferiority of the three head boats. New College never found their pace and seemed quite unable to row a fast stroke effectively. Magdalen did not fulfil the promise they at one time showed, as they never attained a firm, clean, and long stroke. Christ Church were an inexperienced crew, who lost their work when they were most in need of it through hurrying the slides and swings, and failing to get their work from the stretcher. University therefore disposed of the three obstacles to their success with considerable ease, and when they had achieved their position were never in danger.

  The racing for the headship of the river was never of an arduous nor exciting character. Although University cannot be classed with the good crews that have held the position of head of the river, they got there by honest work and are head again for the first time since 1902. No one can grudge them their success. If the head boats were not good the lower boats were distinctly bad, and this failure to reach the standard of Oxford rowing of the eights of recent years can be ascribed, both in the case of the higher and lower boats, alike to an almost entire loss of a hard beginning of the stroke, started with the legs from the stretcher and carried in one piece unhesitatingly to the finish.

  Worcester and Oriel, who both had a fair beginning, achieved their success among crews who had none. Most of the crews, while endeavouring to attain length, have succeeded only in leaving their blades a long time inoperative in the water, and in trying to get their hands quickly away at the finish sacrifice the completion of their stroke and whisk their blades out. Length in its true sense — getting the work on quickly well behind the rigger — was non-existent, and it was non-existent because the beginning has apparently been entirely forgotten, either by the crews or their coaches, or both. For this reason the rowing in eights was bad, and until they learn again to get the beginning of the stroke hard from the stretcher — for without beginning there can be no length — it will continue to be bad.

  Results

  The order of starting in the third division was :— Keble, Trinity II, Jesus, Brasenose II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II, St. Catharine's, Balliol II, Hertford, University II, and Oriel II. After pressing Trinity II for three nights in succession, Jesus succeeded in making the bump at the Cherwell. St. Catharine's bumped St. John's II at the Willows, and Oriel II bumped University II opposite the University barge.

  The order of starting in the second division was :— Magdalen II, Worcester, Brasenose, Christ Church II, Lincoln, Pembroke, Queen's, Wadham, Exeter, New College II, and Keble. There was only one change in this division, Pembroke bumping Lincoln at the Corporation Ferry.

  The order of starting in the first division was :— University, New College, Christ Church, Magdalen, St. John's, Merton, Balliol, Oriel, Trinity, Corpus Christi, and Magdalen II. University II did not experience any difficulty in retaining the headship, and passed the post fully a length in front of New College. Merton bumped St. John's approaching the long bridges, and Oriel bumped Balliol soon after passing the freewater stone.

  During the six nights' racing 46 bumps were recorded. Oriel and St. Catharine's were the most successful, gaining five places each, Worcester four, University and Magdalen II three each, and Pembroke, Queen's, Exeter, New College II, and Brasenose II two each. Lincoln lost a place each evening, Brasenose and Balliol II four each, Wadham, Keble, and Trinity three each, and Magdalen, Hertford II, and Oriel II two each.

  The following are the names and weights of the leading boat :— [as listed below]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 28 May, by "An Old Blue"

  Change in Headship

  With the change of headship on Saturday last, when University bumped New College without very much difficulty, the most important part of Eights Week was over. But that is not to say that the remainder of the racing lacked interest, for until last night when the races came to an end, there were many exciting incidents. The most notable was the extraordinary mix-up which occurred on Tuesday night in the first division. Then there was a doubt as to whether Merton had bumped Balliol before they themselves were bumped by Oriel, and that position was further aggravated by the fact that, although Balliol rowed on again, they were caught by Trinity, whom Oriel had bumped on the previous night, and who, therefore, claimed an overbump.

  Trinity was bound in any case, unless they were to withdraw their claim, to profit by the mischance of the other crews; for if Merton were to have been given their bump over Balliol, thus putting the latter out of the race so that they were inviolate until the next day, then they could claim a bump over Oriel. The committee of the Oxford University Boating Club were unable finally to decide the question without the help of a captains' meeting, which took place yesterday afternoon.

  It was thus decided that the committee should have power to disallow a bump, a privilege which they have not before possessed, and Merton were declared to have bumped Balliol, while Oriel and Trinity kept their places.

  Last Night's Racing

  A fair morning had given way to a gloomy afternoon when the third division started at four o'clock. The racing was very keen and three bumps were made. St. Catherine's continued their upward career, and made their fifth bump by catching St. John's (2) at the Willows. Jesus, after rowing through with unfailing regularity, chased Trinity (2) up the Green Bank, and after a splendid spurt made their bump at the Cherwell. Oriel (2) made a desperate attempt to catch University (2), and were only a few feet behind at the boathouse. Just after passing the Cherwell it looked as if "Univ." would get away, but a bad crab put an end to their chances and they were bumped off the Oriel barge, thus emphasising the difference between their first and second boats in a remarkable manner by being bottom of the river.

  Although only one bump was recorded in the second division, Pembroke catching Lincoln before the free ferry, thus filling the cup of sorrow of the latter to the brim, there was some very exciting racing up the Green Bank, for Worcester chased Magdalen (2) hotly, while Wadham were overlapped several times by Exeter. Both of the hunted crews got away safely in the end, and Worcester had to be content with four bumps. I understand that Exeter have claimed a bump over Wadham, but the decision is not yet known [bump not given].

  In the first division the first four boats kept more or less their distance apart, but coming into the Gut Merton bumped St. John's, and at the same place Oriel made their fifty bump by catching Balliol. The rest of the boats rowed through without change of order.

  The Average of Oarsmanship

  As I wrote a week ago in these columns, the average of attainment on the part of the crews was low this year. Nothing occurred during the racing to cause me to change my opinion at any rate for the better. University, who are now head of the river, are well up to the average of a third or fourth boat, but there is as a rule a very wide gap between this and a head boat.

  Indecision seems to have been the chief cause of the failure of New College to retain their place, for they were unable to make up their minds on the order of their journey until four or five days before the races. A crew containing four Blues as theirs did always runs the risk of being ponderous, unless they can get well together behind a lively stroke. Their indecision robbed them of the chance of attaining uniformity, and their stroke, though determined and full of pluck, cannot be said to be very lively.

  University, on the other hand, were settled early, and with Rowlett [Rowlatt], an Eton freshman, an oarsman of quaint style, but possessing dash at stroke, and with Tinne, a seven beyond compare in a more or less second-class college crew, soon became the most uniform crew on the river, and, improving eaching night of racing, bumped Christ Church on the first night, Magdalen on the second, and went head last Saturday.

  Christ Church, without any special individual merit, and without being very long, possessed a much greater effective length than most of the crews, and it was for this reason that they were able to catch Magdalen at the third attempt, for the latter seemed, with the exception of their stroke, Horsfall, the O.U.B.C. president, to have lost their old secret of leg drive from the stretcher.

  Of the lower crews Oriel and Worcester alone call for comment. Both had extremely hard luck in not making their full complement of bumps, each being robbed by bumps in front of them. They both possessed a good sense of leg work, while Oriel also had a good notion of length in the water.

  It is difficult to contrast the quality of the lower crews with that of previous years. There was probably not much below the average, but one would have expected to see crews as low as Queen's and Exeter, each with a Blue in the boat, do much better than they did, for the crews around them were by no means brilliant.

• In other news ... [1914]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: H. H. Asquith (Liberal)

  Thu 21 May

  A women's suffrage march on Buckingham Palace with a petition is thwarted by police.

  Mon 25 May

  In the U.K. the House of Commons passes the Irish Home Rule Act.

  Sun 28 June

  Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

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