Eights 1921

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Magdalen 49 45 Magdalen 2 New College 36 39 New College 3 Christ Church 35 27 Merton 4 Merton 25 27 Trinity 5 Oriel 24 27 Christ Church 6 Trinity 21 23 Oriel 7 University 20 21 Balliol 8 Balliol 19 17 University 9 Worcester 14 14 Corpus Christi 10 St John's 13 13 St John's 11 Queen's 12 13 Worcester 12 Corpus Christi 9 12 Lincoln 13 Exeter 8 11 Queen's 14 Lincoln 8 8 Exeter 15 Wadham 7 6 Wadham 16 Brasenose 6 6 Keble 17 Pembroke 4 4 Pembroke 18 Keble 4 4 Brasenose 19 Hertford 4 3 St Catherine's 20 Jesus 3 2 Hertford 21 St Catherine's 3 2 Jesus 22 St Edmund Hall 2 2 St Edmund Hall

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Lincoln 2[ 2] 9[ 1] 4.50[ 1] Trinity 2[ 2] 7[ 2] 3.50[ 3] Corpus Christi 1[12] 4[ 3] 4.00[ 2] Magdalen 3[ 1] 3[ 4] 1.00[ 5] Keble 1[12] 3[ 4] 3.00[ 4] Balliol 2[ 2] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 5] Worcester 2[ 2] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 5] Merton 1[12] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 5] St Catherine's 1[12] 1[ 8] 1.00[ 5] New College 2[ 2] 1[ 8] 0.50[10] Exeter 1[12] 0[11] 0.00[11] Pembroke 1[12] 0[11] 0.00[11] Queen's 2[ 2] -1[13] -0.50[13] Wadham 1[12] -1[13] -1.00[14] St John's 2[ 2] -2[15] -1.00[14] Oriel 2[ 2] -3[16] -1.50[16] St Edmund Hall 1[12] -4[17] -4.00[19] University 2[ 2] -4[17] -2.00[17] Christ Church 2[ 2] -4[17] -2.00[17] Hertford 1[12] -4[17] -4.00[19] Brasenose 1[12] -5[21] -5.00[21] Jesus 1[12] -5[21] -5.00[21]

• 6 days: Thu 19 – Wed 25 May 1921
• The Times of Thu 26 May includes (on p.6) a photograph looking downstream from the towpath at Univ boathouse, captioned "New College leading the boats"
• The Times Fri 20 May lists division times as 4, 5 and 6pm
• Apart from the preview, The Daily Telegraph reports just paraphrase those in The Times so are not reproduced.

• The Times Fri 20 May (from "A Correspondent")

  Last year the Oxford Summer Eights, which were begun yesterday, were as poor an exhibition of rowing as had ever been seen on that occasion. The reason for the low standard was simply that not enough time had elapsed since the war for men to be taught how to row; and everywhere one was faced with the gloomy spectacle of crews on slides who had not yet mastered the elements of fixed seat rowing. But now all this has been changed, and in spite of unusually bad Trial Eights, the standard of rowing at Oxford has improved greatly and the general level of the eights this year is as good as it was in most years before the war.

  It will be interesting to see whether the events of last year are reversed. Then Cambridge May Eights were unusually good, and yet they were beaten by crews from Oxford in every event at Henley. It remains to be seen whether Oxford shows up as well again at Henley this year. Although the general standard is higher this year, it must be remembered that some allowance should be made for the very fast conditions prevalent at Oxford during the past few days, and so one must not rely too much upon the watch in calculating the improvement. Even allowing for these conditions the times done over the course prove that there are some seven crews above the average in pace, namely:— Magdalen New College Christ Church Merton Trinity Queen's, and Lincoln.

  Magdalen have three Blues rowing at five, six, and seven respectively, namely, Earl, Durand, and Nickalls. They also have Irvine and Bathurst, both of whom rowed in their winning Grand Crew at bow and two. They are the prettiest crew of all to watch, having a nice steady swing and great uniformity and ease in their rowing; but they have not yet proved themselves a crew of workers, and they do not make their boat move fast enough at the beginning of the a stroke.

  New College are a similar crew to Magdalen; they, too, are a pretty combination to watch. Their movements are easy, and their wrist work is very good, but they do not give the impression of power, and their blades go into the water slowly and do not stay there very long. Although there are no Blues in the crew they are stronger in the four bow oars than Magdalen, and have an exceptionally good seven in Parker, who rowed in last year's Eton Eight.

  Christ Church are a typical Christ Church crew with the virtues imparted to Christ Church rowing by the late Colonel W. A. L. Fletcher in 1907. They are being coached by Mr. H. R. Barker, who rowed at that time; and he has given them a really good punch at the beginning of the stroke. They are a vigorous, if rough, crew; and do not stop their boat to any appreciable extent. E. Marjoribanks is a very valuable 7 and Paton at 5 a much improved oar. He weighs over 14 stone, but does his fair share of work in spite of it. Christ Church are probably slightly faster than any other crew, but it is unlikely that they will improve their position.

  Merton have the inestimable advantage of possessing Raikes, the University President, as their stroke. He is the only Blue who is rowing really up to form, and his combination of body and slide-work could not well be better. It is entirely due to him that the Merton crew are as good as they are, and Merton presents an appearance similar to the Lady Margaret crews with Hartley stroking. The rest of the crew behind Raikes are not really with him, and the blade-time leaves much to be desired, but Merton, like Christ Church, are faster than their appearance indicates.

  Trinity were at one time the fastest crew on the river, but they have not improved as was expected. They have no weak spot in the crew, and with Golden, a very neat oar at 7, who rowed in the Shrewsbury Eight, and Burdon and Lothrop, who both come from Harvard, at 5 and 6, they have the most promising material of any college crew. They have a long swing, and their blade work is effective, but they lack watermanship, and are not very sure of their sliding. Altogether they give one the impression of a University crew before it has got its final polish. Lothrop, who rowed 4 in this year's Oxford crew, is rather tired, and has developed a dip over the stretcher. This unfortunately has gone through the crew, who do not get the full benefit of their work on account of it. But they are a hard-working crew.

  Queen's, at the head of the Second Division, are another crew crew of workers admirably stroked by Berrisford, who always shines in a College crew. Mallam, the University 2, is at 6, but he, too, is tired and is not the help he would have been if fresh. There is too much dirty bladework about the Queen's crew for it to produce a really good impression, but they are fast enough to dispose of all the crews at the bottom of the First Division.

  Lincoln are also a fast crew, and, if starting head instead of at the bottom of the Second Division would probably stay there. Coates, who so nearly rowed in the University crew, is excellent at 7, while Isaacs, who rowed in one of the Trial Eights, and Gluckstein at 6 and 5 help the boat enormously. It would be surprising if Lincoln did not secure a bump every night, for they are immeasurably superior to the average Second Division crew.

  Altogether the standard of Summer Eights this year is a matter of congratulation to those who worked so tirelessly to restart this great sport in the University after the war. The order of starting was [...]

  The number of boats entered is 34 and constitutes a "record." There were several very exciting contests in the three divisions, which were started at 4, 5, and 6 o'clock. In all six bumps were recorded.

  In the Third Division a close race ensued between Jesus and Balliol II for a considerable distance, but eventually the former escaped disaster by barely a quarter of a length. Lincoln [II] overhauled St. Edmund's Hall before reaching the Ferry. Oriel II were displaced by Trinity II within a short distance of the Long Bridges. Near to the same place St. John's II were caught by Queen's II.

  In the Second Division there was an exciting struggle from the Long Bridges to the winning post between Queen's and Corpus Christi, the latter getting to within a quarter of a length. Lincoln gained rapidly on Brasenose from the start and made their bump shortly after passing the Freshwater Stone [sic]. Pembroke were compelled to give way to Keble before reaching the Long Bridges.

  In the First Division Magdalen had no difficulty in maintaining their position at the Head of the River. Trinity bumped Oriel under the Green Bank, and this was the only change in the division.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 20 May (by "An Old Blue")

  The "eights" at Oxford started yesterday, and will finish on Wednesday next. Generally speaking, the average class of oarsmanship this year is distinctly superior to that of last, but there appears to be no crew of outstanding merit among the chief boats of the first division, though Magdalen, head of the river, seem to be the best together, and should command enough pace to retain their position without being unduly pressed. Eights week comes rather early after the opening of the term, and a new rule that no member shall come into residence for the purpose of practising before the Monday of the week in which term commences makes it difficult in future for one crew to gain an advantage over another.

  The top five crews give rather the appearance of having been under the forcing process, and though the "essentials" are to be found there, the finer elements of oarsmanship are lacking to a great extent. In fact, Magdalen struck me as the only crew showing signs of polish. It contains two of this year's Blues, Earl and Nicholls [? Nickalls], respectively Nos. 5 and 7, and also Durand, of the 1920 crew, at No. 6. Armstrong-Jones, who rowed in the second Henley eight last year, is at stroke, where he is shaping very well indeed, though I hear he will not be available for the University crew next spring; the crew is steered by Porritt, the 'Varsity coxswain, and R. P. P. Rowe has been taking them recently. Magdalen intend to defend the Grand Challenge Cup later on, and the crew will then be strengthened by the inclusion of W. E. C. James and E. D. Horsfall, and probably R. S. C. Lucas.

  Christ Church, coached by H. R. Barker, have a turn of speed with fair length and rhythm. Dr. Bourne has been mentor to New College, who have benefited by his advice and are showing fair form, though I doubt if they have any real pace. Merton, stroked by D T. Raikes, the 'Varsity president, are taking to the eye and should do well. Horsfall has been coaching Trinity, who are still somewhat ponderous. They have F. B. Lothrop, the Varsity No.4, at No. 6. Queen's, with P. Mallom [? Mallam] at No. 6, are good for their position and will make the crews immediately ahead of them nervous. The old Blue, G. C. Drinkwater, has been coaching Wadham, who show signs of pace and should go up. Magdalen have put on a third boat, which, though rough, are sure to improve their position.

  It is expected that there will be a good show of college boats at Henley this year, but final plans will depend largely on the test of the Oxford racing.

• The Times Sat 21 May

  Magdalen lose Headship

  The Summer Eights were continued at Oxford yesterday. There was again some excellent racing, and during the afternoon 10 bumps were made. Magdalen were bumped by New College, and lost the Headship of the River.

  The order of starting in the Third Division was :— Jesus, Balliol II, St. Catherine's, Lincoln II, St. Edmund Hall, University II, Trinity II, Oriel II, Worcester II, Queen's II, St. John's II, and Magdalen III.

  Jesus failed to retain the headship of the division, Balliol II bumping them at the Green Bank. Lincoln II caught St. Catherine's before reaching the Cherwell; Trinity II overhauled University II near the Freewater Stone; Oriel II were bumped by Worcester II under the Willows; and St. John's II went to the bottom of the list, Magdalen III overtaking them at the Weirs Bridge.

  The order of starting in the Second Division was :— Queen's, Corpus Christi, Exeter, Christ Church II, Wadham, Lincoln, Brasenose, New College II, Keble, Pembroke, Hertford, and Balliol II.

  After an exciting race, Corpus Christi succeeded in bumping Queen's opposite their own college barge; Lincoln overtook Wadham at the Green Bank; New College II were quickly disposed of by Keble, the bump taking place in Iffley Reach; and Hertford escaped defeat by Balliol II by barely half a length.

  The order of starting in the First Division was :— Magdalen, New College, Christ Church, Merton, Trinity, Oriel, University, Balliol, Magdalen II, Worcester, St. John's, and Queen's [? presumably Corpus]

  Magdalen lost the Headship of the River to New College almost opposite their college barge. Less than a quarter of a length separated Christ Church, Merton, and Trinity at the finish. St. John's bumped Worcester shortly before reaching the Long Bridges.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Times Mon 23 May

  There was again a very large attendance of visitors on Saturday for the third day of the Eights at Oxford, when there was some exciting racing. Nine bumps were made. The order of starting and finishing were as below :—

  Div. I New College Magdalen Christ Church } Merton Trinity Oriel University Balliol Magdalen II St. John's Worcester } Corpus

  Div. II Corpus Queen's Exeter Christ Church II } Lincoln Wadham Brasenose } Keble New College II Pembroke Hertford } Balliol II

  Div. III Balliol II Jesus } Lincoln II St. Catherine's St. Edmund Hall } Trinity II University II } Worcester II Oriel II Queen's II } Magdalen III St. John's II

  Lincoln II made their third bump when they ran into Jesus at the Green Bank, Trinity II bumped St. Edmund Hall at the New Cut. University II, after a fine race, were bumped by Worcester II under the Willows. Magdalen II bumped Queen's II at the Green Barge [? possibly Green Bank was meant] and in doing so considerably damaged the bows of their boat.

  Barely a quarter of a length separated Queen's and Exeter at the finish. Lincoln made a third bump when they rowed into Christ Church II near the Green Bank. Keble succeeded also in making their third bump when they caught Brasenose before they had reached the Weirs Bridge. Balliol II bumped Hertford approaching the Long Bridge.

  New College maintained their position at the Head of the River without difficulty, and at the finish were two lengths in front of Magdalen. Christ Church were hard pressed by Merton for the greater part of the distance and eventually were bumped at the Hertford Barge. Worcester were bumped by Corpus at the Freewater Stone.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Times Tue 24 May

  The Eights were continued at Oxford yesterday in perfect summer weather. There was again a very large attendance of visitors. The feature of the racing was the double success of Lincoln II, who displaced Hertford from the Headship of the Third Division and were thus enabled to take the bottom position in the Second Division, where they succeeded in overtaking Balliol II. The results were :—

  The order of starting was as below :—

  Div. I New College Magdalen Merton Christ Church Trinity Oriel University Balliol Magdalen II St. John's Corpus Worcester

  Div. II Corpus Queen's Exeter Lincoln Christ Church II Wadham Keble Brasenose New College II Pembroke Balliol II Hertford

  Div. III Hertford Lincoln II Jesus St. Catherine's Trinity II St. Edmund Hall Worcester II University II Oriel II Magdalen III Queen's II St. John's II

  In the Third Division Lincoln II overtook Hertford at the Willows; Jesus had to give way to St. Catharine's at the Green Bank; St. Edmund Hall were overhauled by Worcester II; and Magdalen III achieved their fourth victory by bumping Oriel II at the Willows.

  In the Second Division Wadham raced to within a few feet of Christ Church II, but failed to catch them. New College II overtook Brasenose at the Ferry; and Lincoln II gained their fifth bump by displacing Balliol II at the Hertford Barge.

  The Headship of the River was retained by New College with ease. Christ Church were bumped by Trinity shortly after passing the New Cut; and Corpus Christi ran into St. John's at the Red Post.

  The races will be continued to-day.

• The Times Wed 25 May

  The Summer Eights were continued at Oxford yesterday. The weather conditions were again all that could be desired, and large crowds watched the racing. There were some close and exciting contests in each division and the number of bumps effected was seven.

  The order of starting was as follows :—

  Div. I New College Magdalen Merton Trinity Christ Church Oriel University Balliol Magdalen II Corpus St. John's Worcester

  Div. II Worcester Queen's Exeter Lincoln Christ Church II Wadham Keble New College II Brasenose Pembroke Lincoln II Balliol II

  Div. III Balliol II Hertford St. Catharine's Jesus Trinity II Worcester II St. Edmund Hall University II Magdalen III Oriel II Queen's II St. John's II

  In the Third Division there was a good race between Hertford and St. Catherine's and the latter made their bump at Saunders Bridge. Trinity II made their fourth upward move by bumping Jesus at the Willows, and rather early in the race Magdalen III bumped University II at the Ferry. For some distance Queen's II were close on to Oriel II, but the latter escaped disaster by about a quarter of a length.

  In the Second Division Worcester reached the post barely a quarter of a length in front of Queen's. Keble and New College II had a most exciting finish, the latter not making their bump until Salters Raft was reached. Brasenose lost another place, Pembroke bumping them at the Freewater Stone.

  In the First Division New College were more than a length in front of Magdalen at the finish. Christ Church were bumped by Oriel at the boathouse, and Corpus Christi made their fourth bump, catching Magdalen II at the Willows.

  The races will be concluded to-morrow.

• The Times Thu 26 May

  For the closing races for the Eights there was an even larger attendance than on any of the preceding days.

  Six bumps were made yesterday, making altogether 46 during the six days' racing. New College had no difficulty in remaining Head of the river.

  The order of starting was as follows :—

  Div. I New College Magdalen Merton Trinity Oriel Christ Church University Balliol Corpus Magdalen II St. John's Worcester

  Div. II Worcester Queen's Exeter Lincoln Christ Church II Wadham New College II Keble Pembroke Brasenose Lincoln II Balliol II

  Div. III Balliol II St. Catharine's Hertford Trinity II Jesus Worcester II St. Edmund Hall Magdalen III University II Oriel II Queen's II St. John's II

  In the Third Division Hertford were bumped by Trinity II shortly after passing the Boathouse. Jesus were bumped for the fifth time, Worcester II running into them near the Long Bridges. Magdalen III, a boat put on this year, made their fifth bump by running into St. Edmund Hall before reaching the Ferry.

  In the Second Division New College II, when a long way in front of Keble, had the misfortune to break one of the rudder lines near the Boathouse, and the latter bumped them at Saunders Bridge. Lincoln II achieved their sixth success and the fifth downward move of Brasenose by making the bump near the Long Bridges.

  In the First Division New College rowed in two clear lengths ahead of Magdalen. After a very exciting race Balliol bumped University at the Willows, a crab caught by one of the crew of the latter boat helping to bring about the bump. This is the only change in the division.

  Lincoln II made six bumps; Trinity II and Magdalen III, five each; and Lincoln and Keble, three each. On the other hand Brasenose and Jesus lost five places each; Hertford and St. Edmund Hall, four each; and Christ Church, Oriel II and University, two each.

  The following are the names and weights of the New College crew :— [as below]

• In other news ... [1921]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: David Lloyd George (Liberal)

  Thu May 19

  The Emergency Quota Act is passed by the United States Congress, establishing national quotas on immigration. Because this drastically limits immigration from Eastern Europe, Jews emigrating from there begin to prefer Palestine as a destination rather than the U.S.

  Sun May 22

  In the first golf international between the two countries, the United States beats the United Kingdom 9 rounds to 3.

  Mon May 23 (until July 16)

  The Leipzig War Crimes Trials are held in Germany.

  Tue May 24

  1921 Irish elections: In the first Northern Ireland general election for the new Parliament of Northern Ireland, Ulster Unionists win 40 out of 52 seats. The dominant-party system here will last for fifty years.

  Wed May 25

  Irish War of Independence: The Irish Republican Army occupies and burns The Custom House in Dublin, the centre of local government in Ireland. Five IRA men are killed, and over 80 are captured by the British Army which surrounds the building.

Return to Bumps Index