Eights 1924Eights 1924
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Impressions of the CrewsEights week begins at Oxford to-day, and the races will be continued over the usual six nights to Wednesday, May 28. At Cambridge the May races do not begin until June 11 and owing to the late date fixed crews will not have much time to rest before they train again at Henley for the regatta, which begins on July 2. It may also prevent any of the oarsmen who take part from being included in a Leander crew, unless Leander leave their final order until a very late period of the practice.
Magdalen finished at the head of the river last year, closely pressed by Christ Church, who were the faster crew, but not quite fast enough to make their bump. Trinity, who afterwards won the Ladies' Plate at Henley Regatta, went up to third place, catching New College on the last night. This year the racing will again be very interesting among the leading crews. The position looks similar to last year, and practice times seem to denote that Christ Church are again the fastest crew. Whether they have enough extra pace to register a bump remains to be seen. They are again stroked by A. V. Campbell, who stroked the 'Varsity in 1922, but was not chosen again. He is rowing remarkably well, and is in much better form than in 1922. The crew behind him struck me as being more robust than last year, though perhaps not quite so neat. I should say they have a very good chance indeed of going head, though it is almost a tradition that Magdalen crews always race well, and they may easily prevent them from gaining their object. Magdalen are a very similar crew to last year's, through they miss G. O. Nickalls at No.5; his experience and strength went a long way in keeing the headship. G. W. G. Fox is again at stroke, and he is backed up by Hon. W. B. Lewis and P. C. Girdlestone at 7 and 6 respectively, in the same positions as last year. Neither of these crews appears likley to fall to any other.
Trinity rowing is rather deceptive, and is usually faster than it looks, but I doubt if they are as fast as their crew a year ago. New College did not appear fast when I saw them, but Professor Bourne has them in hand now, and will probably increase their speed. They had a late change at stroke, and are now making more rapid progress, the sliding being as correct as any crew I saw on the Isis, though they were not rowing a fast rate at the time. Old Blues have been lending a hand with the coaching, among them C. D. Burnell has been taking Magdalen and H. R. Barker Christ Church. Outside the first few crews I was not greatly impressed with the rowing, though the races begin rather too early in term to expect much polish. Generally, the crews appeared vigorous rather than stylish, and not very well together, though the last few days' practice, with the incentive of the racing ahead, always works wonders in this respect. On sees the same thing in the Henley practice: hopeless-looking crews, when they first arrive on the course, often become quite excellent, and well together in the last week. Among the crews I noticed on the Isis, I should say that Pembroke, who are capable of a fast rate of stroke, should go up. At present they are eighth, just ahead of the Magdalen second crew, whom they caught on the last night's racing in 1923. The latter are very high for a second boat, and considering there are no Blues in the first boat, will do well if they keep their place. Brasenose, who are at the bottom of the first division, have the 'Varsity stroke [W. P. Mellen], backed up by two other Blues, Mower-White at 5 and Wace at 4, but they appeared a bit weak in the bows. They are a strong crew for their place, and ought to make bumps. The crews finished last year in the following order: [1923]
Racing in the Oxford Summer Eights was begun at Oxford yesterday, and will extend over six days. There was an improvement in the weather, and some exciting racing was seen in all the three divisions.The order of starting in the Third Division was as follows :— Jesus, Balliol II, Merton II, St. Catherine's, Lincoln II, Magdalen III, University II, Brasenose II, Wadham II, Trinity II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II, and Pembroke II. Merton II had a narrow escape of running into the bank, and the mishap let up St. Catherine's [sic]. Magdalen III gradually grained on Lincoln II from the start, but did not succeed in bumping them until reaching the New Cut. Brasenose II caught University II near the Red Post, and a short distance below the New Cut Trinity II were bumped by Oriel II. St. John's II went to the bottom of the list, Pembroke II bumping them before reaching the Weirs Bridge.
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— Corpus Christi, Queen's, St. John's, Wadham, Balliol, University, Christ Church II, New College II, Worcester II, Hertford, Queen's II, Keble, and Jesus. Queen's quickly gained on Corpus Christi and bumped them before reaching the Willows, and near the same place Wadham bumped St. John's. University overlapped Balliol near the Boathouse, but owing to one of the crew catching a crab, the latter got away. New College II bumped Christ Church II before reaching the Weirs Bridge. Hertford bumped Worcester at the Launch Works, and Jesus bumped Keble near the Free Water Stone.
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Magdalen, Christ Church, Trinity, New College, Merton, Oriel, Worcester, Pembroke, Magdalen II, Lincoln, Exeter, Brasenose, and Queen's. A very exciting struggle followed for the Headship, and resulted in Christ Church bumping Magdalen at the end of the Green Bank. Oriel were bumped by Worcester at the Willows, Lincoln bumped Magdalen II at the Launch Works, and Exeter were bumped by Brasenose at the Free Ferry.
The second day's racing in the Summer Eights at Oxford yesterday was held in very adverse conditions. There was a gusty south-west wind, and rain fell nearly all the time.The order of starting in the Third Division was as follows :— Keble, Balliol II, Merton II, St. Catharine's, Magdalen III, Lincoln II, Brasenose II, University II, Wadham II, Oriel II, Trinity II, St. Edmund Hall, Pembroke II, and St. John's II. A close race between Keble and Balliol II resulted in the former escaping a bump by two yards. Brasenose II gained rapidly on Lincoln II from the start, and bumped them shortly after passing the Freewater Stone. Trinity II, St. Edmund Hall, and Pembroke II were close upon each other and, after an exciting struggle, St. Edmund Hall were bumped at the Willows.
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— Queen's, Corpus Christi, Wadham, St. John's, Balliol, University, New College II, Christ Church II, Hertford, Worcester II, Queen's II, Jesus, and Keble. Corpus Christi sustained their second reverse, Wadham bumping them near the Long Bridges. The next boats, St. John's, Balliol, and University, were so close together that some overlapping followed, and eventually Balliol bumped St. John's near the Cherwell. Christ Church II lost another place, Hertford making their bump under the Willows, and Queen's bumped Worcester near the Freewater Stone.
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, Trinity, New College, Merton, Worcester, Oriel, Pembroke, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Brasenose, Exeter, and Queen's. Christ Church maintained its position at the Head of the River with ease, being three lengths to the good at the finish. Trinity were already in difficulties when one of the crew caught a crab, and New College bumped them at the Worcester Barge. Brasenose bumped Magdalen II after a short struggle, overtaking them near the Free Ferry. Exeter finished a bare quarter of a length in front of Queen's.
The races will be continued to-day.
The weather on Saturday afternoon during the third day's racing of the Oxford University Eights was favourable while the Third and Second Divisions were rowing over, but showery afterwards. There was a fairly good attendance of visitors on the banks of the river and on the barges.The order of starting in the Third Division was as follows :— Keble, Balliol II, Merton II, St. Catherine's, Magdalen III, Brasenose II, Lincoln II, Wadham II, University II, Oriel II, Trinity II, Pembroke II, St. Edmund Hall, St. John's II. Balliol II went to the Head of the Division by bumping Keble under the Green Bank. Brasenose II made their third bump by rowing into Magdalen III near the Red Post. Wadham II quickly bumped Lincoln II, catching them near the Free Ferry. University II were bumped again, this time by Oriel II, who caught them near the Weirs Bridge.
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— Queen's, Wadham, Corpus Christi, Balliol, St. John's, University, New College II, Hertford, Christ Church II, Queen's II, Worcester II, Jesus, Balliol II. After a fine race for three parts of the course Queen's escaped from Wadham, passing the post less than three yards in front. Balliol II bumped Corpus Christi some distance beyond the Freewater Stone. St. John's went down for the third time, University bumping them at the Green Bank. Christ Church II were bumped by Queen's II at the Free Ferry, and Worcester by Jesus near to the same place.
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, Trinity, Merton, Worcester, Oriel, Pembroke, Lincoln, Brasenose, Magdalen II, Exeter, and Queen's. The Head boat again maintained easily its position. Lincoln bumped Pembroke at the Long Bridges, and at the same spot Magdalen II were bumped by Exeter.
The races will be continued to-day.
Racing in the Summer Eights was continued at Oxford yesterday in more favourable conditions. In the Third Division the whole of the boats, with the exception of the first and last, changed places.The order of starting in the Third Division was as follows :— Balliol II, Keble, Merton II, St. Catharine's, Brasenose II, Magdalen III, Wadham II, Lincoln II, Oriel II, University II, Trinity II, Pembroke II, St. Edmund Hall, and St. John's II. Keble was bumped by Merton II at the Red Post. Brasenose II gained their fourth success by bumping St. Catharine's near the Free Ferry. Magdalen III were bumped by Wadham II at the Weirs Bridge, and Lincoln II lost another place at the Freewater Stone by being bumped by Oriel II. University II, like Lincoln II, sustained their fourth reverse, Trinity II bumping them at the same place. Through one of the Pembroke II crew catching a crab in Iffley Reach, they were bumped by St. Edmund Hall.
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— Queen's, Wadham, Balliol, Corpus Christi, University, St. John's, New College II, Hertford, Queen's II, Christ Church II, Jesus, Worcester II, and Balliol II. Corpus Christi made another downward move, their fourth, University bumping them at the Long Bridges. St. John's also lost a fourth place in being bumped by New College II at the Free Ferry, as also did Worcester II, Balliol II bumping them at the Willows. A very exciting struggle was witnessed between Hertford and Queen's II, the former escaping being bumped by only a quarter of a length.
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, Trinity, Merton, Worcester, Oriel, Lincoln, Pembroke, Brasenose, Exeter, Magdalen II, and Queen's. The three leading boats were their distance apart at the finish. Brasenose were bumped near the Long Bridges by Exeter [actually Brasenose bumped Pembroke — corrected in Wednesday's article], and Magdalen II, who were close upon Exeter at the time, were bumped by Queen's at the Willows.
The races will be continued to-day.
Racing in the Summer Eights was continued at Oxford yesterday in rather cold weather, and the attendance showed a great falling off from Monday. The racing, however, was interesting on account of the number of bumps that were made.The order of starting in the Third Division was as follows :— Worcester II, Merton II, Keble, Brasenose II, St. Catharine's, Wadham II, Magdalen III, Oriel II, Lincoln II, Trinity II, University II, St. Edmund Hall, Pembroke II, and St. John's II. Worcester II lost their fifth place, Merton II bumping them at the New Cut, and at the beginning of the Green Bank Brasenose II gained their fifth success by bumping Keble, after a fine race for a long distance. St. Catharine's were bumped by Wadham II opposite the Oriel Barge. Trinity II bumped Lincoln II early in the race, and Pembroke [II] recaptured the position they held on Monday by bumping St. Edmund Hall at the Weirs Bridge.
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— Magdalen II, Wadham, Balliol, University, Corpus Christi, New College II, St. John's, Hertford, Queen's II, Jesus, Christ Church II, Balliol II, and Merton II. Magdalen II lost the leadership of the division and sustained their fifth reverse by being bumped by Wadham near the Long Bridges. University, a few yards before reaching their College Barge, bumped Balliol. Corpus and St. John's each went down for the fifth time, the former being bumped by New College II at the Long Bridges and at the same place Hertford bumped St. John's. Jesus bumped Queen's II at the Willows and Christ Church II went down again on the list, Balliol II bumping them about a hundred yards from the post.
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, Trinity, Merton, Worcester, Oriel, Lincoln, Brasenose, Pembroke, Exeter, Queen's, and Wadham. The first half-dozen boats maintained their distances apart to the finish. Brasenose achieved their fourth success by bumping Lincoln after a good race. The only other change in the division was the bumping of Exeter by Queen's.
In the account of Monday's racing it was stated inadvertently that Brasenose had been bumped by Exeter. Instead of losing a place, Brasenose gained one by bumping Pembroke.
The races will be concluded to-day.
Racing in the Summer Eights was concluded at Oxford yesterday in fine weather. There were fewer bumps than on any day of the races, although in the aggregate of six days the number is unprecedented.No details of the head crew are given.The order of starting in the Third Division was as follows :— Merton II, Worcester II, Brasenose II, Keble, Wadham II, St. Catharine's, Magdalen III, Oriel II, Trinity II, Lincoln II, University II, Pembroke II, St. Edmund Hall, and St. John's II. A close race for some distance between Worcester II and Brasenose II resulted in favour of the former, but only by two yards. Wadham II gained steadily on Keble from the start, and bumped them at the Cherwell. St. Catharine's passed the post barely a yard in front of Magdalen II, and University II caused Lincoln II to sustain their sixth reverse by bumping them at the Weirs Bridge. St. Edmund Hall went to the bottom of the list, St. John's bumping them at the Willows.
The order of starting in the Second Division was as follows :— Wadham, Magdalen II, University, Balliol, New College II, Corpus Christi, Hertford, St. John's, Jesus, Queen's II, Balliol II, Christ Church II, and Merton II. An exciting struggle took place from the Boathouse between Magdalen II and University, the former having only 2ft. to spare at the finish. Hertford bumped Corpus at the Free Ferry. Jesus were within a quarter of a length of St. John's when the latter passed the past, and Merton II bumped Christ Church II at the Exeter Barge, they, like Corpus, having lost a place each evening.
The order of starting in the First Division was as follows :— Christ Church, Magdalen, New College, Trinity, Merton, Worcester, Oriel, Brasenose, Lincoln, Pembroke, Queen's, Exeter, and Wadham. The first three boats maintained their respective distances throughout, but Trinity were hard pressed by Merton, and passed the post about half a length to the good. Brasenose bumped Oriel near the Freewater Stone, and Pembroke were bumped by Queen's at the Long Bridges.
During the dix days' racing no fewer than 64 bumps were made, of which Brasenose, Wadham II, and Brasenose II were credited with five each, Queen's, Hertford, and Jesus with four each; and Wadham, University, New College II, Balliol II, Merton II, and Oriel with three each. Corpus, Christ Church II, and Lincoln II lost six places each; and Magdalen II, St. John's II, Worcester II, and Keble five each.
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